Perhaps this senario is an example of why (some) are paid the big bucks to make the optimum decision in a safety sensitive and highly competitive commercial environment.
If they had landed at a suitable enroute alternate one probably could not have been critiical of that decision.
They have used their experience of the route, weather, aircraft type etc and achieved a safe outcome while completing the task at hand. 500 pax arrived at their destination, the aircraft is positioned for maintenance and a return to service with little or no impact on the schedule.
The crew has just paid their salary in savings to QF for the next ten years.
A job well done
