NRL 2025, round 18, North Queensland Cowboys, Melbourne Storm, match preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 5 Jul 2025, 06:50 PM

Having steadied the ship with a win over the Titans, the men from Townsville look to continue the momentum when they host a Storm outfit fresh off a dominant victory over the Sharks.

Both sides will be missing four of their most influential stars on State of Origin duty so the opportunity arises to showcase their depth and bank two valuable competition points.

The Cowboys face a massive fortnight with the Storm and Bulldogs coming to Queensland Country Bank Stadium in consecutive weeks and they will be determined to match motors with the big guns in front of their loyal fans.

North Queensland's seven games at home in 2025 have produced three wins, three losses and a draw - a snapshot of an up-and-down season that has seen them sit as high as sixth and as low a 16th on the ladder.

Round 18 - Saturday 5th July

Full Time

Cowboys

Storm

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Highlights Latest

Team News

Cowboys: Murray Taulagi was ruled out with a minor knee injury in the 24-hour update, with Braidon Burns coming onto the wing. Earlier, Tom Duffy was recalled for his first game at halfback since Round 2, taking over for Maroons No.7 Tom Dearden. The absence of forwards Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson on Origin duty sees a new-look pack that includes Jordan McLean in his return from a calf injury and John Bateman back from a groin injury. Harrison Edwards takes over at hooker and Kai O'Donnell starts in the back row. Mackay Cutters hooker Temple Kalepo makes his NRL debut off the bench.

Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen (calf tightness) drops out of the squad 24-hours from kick off, with Tyran Wishart switching to fullback and Jonah Pezet moving from the bench to five-eighth. Victorian product Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown (formerly Siulagi Pio) has been named on the bench and is set to make his NRL debut. Earlier, the loss of Xavier Coates (Origin) and Sua Faalogo (hamstring) saw Grant Anderson slide to the wing, with Kane Bradley coming in on the other wing and Joe Chan named at centre. Bronson Garlick comes in for Harry Grant at hooker and Jonah Pezet joins the bench in the utility role. Tui Kamikamica comes in at prop and Alec MacDonald takes over at lock to cover for Trent Loiero (Origin). With Stefano Utoikamanu also on Origin duty, the bench now includes Lazarus Vaalepu and Ativalu Lisati.

Round 18 - Saturday 5th July

Full Time

Cowboys

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby

Winger for Storm is number 5 Kane Bradley
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue

Centre for Storm is number 2 Grant Anderson
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac Laybutt

Centre for Storm is number 3 Joe Chan
Winger for Cowboys is number 18 Braidon Burns

Winger for Storm is number 22 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Thomas Duffy

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Harrison Edwards

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin Neame

Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kai O'Donnell

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Sam McIntyre

Lock for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Temple Kalepo

Interchange for Storm is number 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Jonah Pezet
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kaiden Lahrs

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Lazarus Vaalepu
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Ativalu Lisati

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Marly Bitungane

Replacement for Storm is number 19 Coby Williamson

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 10:54 am Sunday 6th July 2025

Stat Attack

The Cowboys have won three of their past four games against the Storm.
The Storm have lost their last three games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored five tries in five games against the Storm.
Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has scored four tries in his last three games.
Cowboys winger Robert Derby has scored six tries in six games at QCB Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.