NRL
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Cowboys relegate Broncos to wooden spoon

NRL

Brisbane will collect the wooden spoon for the first time in their 32-year history after a 32-16 NRL loss to North Queensland ensured a heartbreaking end to ex-skipper Darius Boyd's career.

The six-time premiers' mighty fall in 2020 is mercifully complete after a Kyle Feldt hat-trick inspired a rare Cowboys win at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, which extended Brisbane's club record losing streak to 11 games.

Despite kissing their finals hopes goodbye long ago, Brisbane had plenty to play for in dual premiership winner Boyd's 337th and final NRL game.

But instead of sending him out a winner, the Broncos officially hit rock bottom.

Indeed 33-year-old Boyd will remember his 15th and final NRL season for all the wrong reasons after his beloved club capped their worst year with a 17th loss overall - another unwanted club record.

Adding further insult, Brisbane lost makeshift five-eighth Kotoni Staggs to a suspected ACL knee injury in the first half.

Due to their woeful points differential, the loss ensured Brisbane can't leapfrog second-last Canterbury - who are also on three wins - even if the Bulldogs lose as expected to minor premiers Penrith on Saturday.

While Boyd did his best to inspire his Broncos, North Queensland's Scott Drinkwater and Valentine Holmes proved the difference in the five-tries-to-three win in front of 17,174 fans.

The Cowboys duo set up three tries apiece with Holmes icing the result with a stunning run from his try-line before unleashing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to score and finish a near 100m effort in the 76th minute.

It was a happy farewell for premiership winning back-rower Gavin Cooper, who played his 247th and last game for North Queensland.

The 323-game NRL veteran will leave the Cowboys but the 35-year-old is yet to decide his next move.

He signed off by kicking the final conversion to seal only third last North Queensland's second win in 11 games at Suncorp Stadium.

Incoming North Queensland coach Todd Payten still faces a challenge next year after the Cowboys finished with a disappointing 5-15 record.

Trailing by four points at halftime, Brisbane levelled the scores at 16-all when winger Corey Oates scored in the 55th minute.

However, from there it was all the Cowboys as NRL leading try scorer Feldt sealed his hat-trick with two tries in seven minutes.

Boyd set the scene for a fairytale farewell when he burrowed over from dummy half to score in the 13th minute to give Brisbane a 12-0 lead.

But North Queensland scored three straight tries with Holmes setting up two as the visitors grabbed a 16-12 lead at halftime.

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