North Queensland swept to victory in Australia's National Rugby League final on Sunday, but it was a little girl's doll which stole the limelight.

Cameras captured the moment a crying Queensland captain Johnathan Thurston celebrated his team's win with his daughter who was clutching a dark-skinned doll.

For the first time in NRL history, both teams in the final had been skippered by an Indigenous Australian, and the moment was seen by many as a moment of inclusion and diversity.

'Best image of the game'

Thurston kicked the goal that won his North Queensland Cowboys to beat the Brisbane Broncos 17-16, becoming the fourth Indigenous player to win the premiership.

Minutes later, Australians on social media applauded the emotional scenes of Thurston hugging two-year-old daughter, Frankie - with the doll.

Comparisons have also been made with Aussie Rules, which has been battling a racism row in recent months.

Adam Goodes, an indigenous Australian who plays for the Swans, decided to take time out of the game after being plagued with booing whilst he was on the pitch.

Critics said the taunts were because Goodes was an unpopular player, but supporters said the 2014 Australian of the Year was being punished for being vocal on indigenous issues.

The booing came to a head after he performed a "war cry" dance during the May Indigenous round of Australian Football League (AFL), which celebrates the contribution of indigenous players.

His distress over the incident led to an outpouring of support for him.

Caption: Johnathan Thurston was seen consoling the Broncos captain, Justin Hodges, after the NRL final.

Nova Peris, the first Indigenous Australian to win an Olympic gold medal, and now a senator in the Australian parliament, said at the time that the saga showed Australia "has a problem with the truth of Aboriginal people".

'Significant moment'

Speaking before the final, Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council chairwoman Linda Burney said having two Indigenous captains in the final meant rugby league was about to experience its "Cathy Freeman moment".

The Australian athletics star became the second Indigenous Australian woman to win an Olympic gold, during the Sydney games in 2000.

"It is a very significant moment in the sport of rugby league, but in particular the story of Aboriginal participation in rugby league," Ms Burney told The Australian on Thursday.

NRL welfare manager Dean Widders described it as a "milestone" that demonstrates the league appreciates indigenous players and "can provide a lesson to the wider Australian community".