By Sam Cullen

Thousands of Cairns and Douglas residents will return from Sydney today from what commentators have described as the greatest Grand Final ever played.

A Jonathan Thurston golden point field goal secured the historic win 17-16.

From the moment the Matthew Mogan's wonder pass levelled scores at 16 all, time stood still for North Queensland supporters.

The Thurston conversion then hit the inside upright and was so perfectly captured by Phil Gould's 'who painted the goal post' comment. North Queenslanders’, sick to their stomachs, moved closer to their TV screens.

Moments later it would be Thurston again who would write the history books by putting a golden point field goal straight over the black dot.

For the first time in history two QLD teams faced off in the Grand Final of what used to be called the NSWRL and for the first time the North Queensland Cowboys won league's biggest accolade.

During his victory speech with Co Captain Matt Scott, Thurston in North Queensland's first ever NRL moment of glory made a clear request for a new major sports stadium for Townsville and the North. Perfect timing really with both his Premier and Prime Minister sharing the post game celebration stage with him.