Graham Lowe: NRL final simply the best

Rory Kostjasyn of the Cowboys celebrates victory during the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys. Photo / Getty Images.

Is there a Rugby World Cup going on?

What a Grand Final in the NRL!

The game of Rugby League played between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys during the NRL Grand Final yesterday was simply the best.

I don't care what sport you follow, but if you managed to see the Grand Final last evening it will have left you spell bound.

It's a good reminder that no matter how much you think a sport may need promoting, at the end of the day it's the product of the sport itself that sells it.

This Grand Final between the Cowboys and the Broncos had nothing missing, it was a classic considered by many the best ever.

Both teams deserved to win this game but I have to say, I'm quietly pleased it went the way of the Cowboys 17-16.

Although Johnathan Thurston delivered the killer blow to the Broncos with a clinical field goal in the first couple of minutes of extra time, or Golden Point, I have to say I agree with losing Broncos coach Wayne Bennett and his dislike of the Golden Point rule.

I've never agreed with it and see nothing wrong with a draw. The game could easily have been replayed next weekend.

The Golden Point rule only came about because someone in marketing suggested that like the Americans, the NRL fans like to see a result.

Well I can tell you that I've seen many occasions where the game has gone to Golden Point and the team that had been clearly the best over the 80 minutes has lost and gets nothing to show for it.

I'm not suggesting the Broncos were the best over the regular 80 minutes and in fact, I couldn't separate them, but I do think it's too cruel a way to lose such a match.

But that aside the game had everything. If you're a sports fan that enjoys non-stop speed, action, skill, drama, heroics and pure entertainment you got it with this 2015 Grand Final.

From the point of view of most NRL fans in this country, there was only one thing was missing, and that was the Warriors.

The Warriors have recruited well for next year and really have no excuses what so ever for 2016. But while it is easy to get carried away with the special signings of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Isaac Luke, what must be kept in mind is that every other club in the NRL has also improved their position for next year with good signings. So we can expect every other club to be that more difficult to beat than what they were this season.

The improvement that is needed though in my opinion is in the attitude. This is easily fixed with uncompromising rules and expectations.

Aiming for the top four is not good enough. Aiming to win in 2016 is the only way to go about it. If you don't have the right aim, it's too easy to miss.