The scores were tied at 48 apiece at three quarter-time before Queensland found the upper hand in the final term to kick four goals to three to sew up the victory.
The Scorpions won 11.8 (74) to the Thunder's 10.7 (67).
Queensland's key forwards Jordon Bourke and Cain Tickner outsized the Thunder defence to provide definitive targets and were the impetus for the win.
Tickner's workrate to continually present to the ball carrier was impressive, as he finished with 14 touches and a goal.
While Bourke, who can be taken by Geelong as a father/son pick (as son of Damian) this year, showed an ability to extend his arms and take a couple of clean grabs, finishing with five marks and three goals.
With Bourke and Tickner laying the foundations up forward, Brian Coleman-Broom booted three goals and showed clean hands when gathering the ball at pace.
At the other end of the ground, the Thunder could not quite compete in the size department but they managed to find other avenues to goal.
Thunder forward Jarrod Stokes was a bundle of energy up forward with three goals, Sam Autio did some creative things (two goals) and Jack Williams also ended up with two.
The Thunder's Jed Anderson delivered a couple of bone-rattling tackles to go along with his 15 touches.
While for Queensland James Smith gathered 22 disposals and midfielder Andrew Boston's spread from the contest and expert ball use stood out amongst his 17 disposals.
It was goal for goal for much of the final term with momentum swaying backwards and forwards.
Until Coleman-Broom stamped himself on the game with a blazing goal hurtling through the forward 50 and then Jermaine Wardle closed proceedings as the Scorpions held on in a tense final few minutes.
QUEENSLAND 1.0 4.3 7.6 11.8 (74)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 2.3 6.4 7.6 10.7 (67)
GOALS
Queensland: Bourke 3, Coleman-Broom 3, Ives, Johnson, Power, Tickner, Wardle
Northern Territory: Stokes 3, Autio 2, J Williams 2, Assan, Neade, Wasley-Black
BEST
Queensland: Allir, Wallin, Smith, Tickner, Ives, Boston
Northern Territory: Wasley-Black, D Williams, Anderson, Alice, Neade
