The Cowboys have to travel the virtual length of the east coast - Townsville to Melbourne - in their bid to win three games in a row for just the second time in 2019.
Buoyed by wins over the Panthers and Bulldogs in the past fortnight, they might be hoping Storm are just a little more subdued having wrapped up the J.J. Giltinan Shield already and being without five-eighth Cameron Munster (shoulder injury).
Coach Craig Bellamy will be tempted to rest some of his stars now the minor premiership is secured before heading into the first week of qualifying semi-finals.
North Queensland won't mind how many he rests if it means improving their prospects of winning their last game of the year after an injury-ravaged and disappointing season.
Then again Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy spoke last weekend of his team's pride in losing only four games after 24 rounds. He won't be keen to let a fifth creep in at the last minute.
Match: Storm v Cowboys
Round 25 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Cowboys
14th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: Harry Grant comes on to the interchange bench in place of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui who drops out of the match-day 17 along with Billy Walters. Tom Eisenhuth is out with Joe Stimson joining the bench. Curtis Scott also dropped out of the 21-man squad on Thursday night. Cameron Munster's shoulder injury opens the door for Brodie Croft to return to the side in No.6 and he will partner Jahrome Hughes in the halves. Josh Addo-Carr has been rested, allowing Sandor Earl to get a start on the wing. The other change is on the bench, with Tui Kamikamica back from an arm injury and Brandon Smith being rested.
Cowboys: North Queensland will start their final game of the season 1-17. Corey Jensen and Reuben Cotter were the final cuts. Just one change to the team that beat the Bulldogs last week, with Josh McGuire returning via the bench from a three-week suspension. Reuben Cotter was dropped to the reserves to make room for McGuire. Tom Gilbert and Jake Clifford were trimmed from the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off. The Cowboys have lost nine straight to Melbourne.
Match: Storm v Cowboys
Round 25 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi VunivaluWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Will ChambersCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jordan Kahu
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Opacic
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Sandor EarlWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Brodie CroftFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 John Asiata
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Michael Morgan
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Cowboys is number 8 Scott Bolton
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron SmithHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Shane Wright
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Max KingInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Josh McGuire
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Joe StimsonInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Peter Hola
-
Interchange for Storm is number 21 Harry GrantInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Francis Molo
Match Officials
- Referee: Henry Perenara
- Referee: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Opposing wingers Kyle Feldt (Cowboys) and Suliasi Vunivalu (Storm) had nine tries apiece going into last weekend. But Felt scored against the Bulldogs while Vunivalu wasn't among the six Melbourne tries at Lottoland. These two players are cunning characters, who build their games around those smarts, plus aggression, and not just their speed. Seeing them try to out-wit each other should be eye-catching.
For the Storm to win
It's the same as it is every week - Cameron Smith - who should change his nickname from 'The Accountant' to 'The Orchestra Conductor'. Smith wields his baton with his excellent service out of dummy-half - passes to the middle of the chest always - and his accurate choices. When he takes on the line, or decides to bamboozle the defences in other ways, it always seems to be the right option. With Munster out Smith becomes even more crucial.
For the Cowboys to win
Former Storm trooper Jordan McLean will want to ensure opposition props Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jesse Bromwich remember how good he can be, when he returns to his former club's home ground. If he, Scott Bolton and Jason Taumalolo can be as impressive as they've been the last two weeks without Matt Scott, then the boys from the tropics have their platform to unveil a few surprises for Melbourne.
Brett Kimmorley says
A celebration for Melbourne at home as they pick up the JJ Giltinan Shield. The Cowboys were good last week but I don’t think they have the game to challenge the Melbourne Storm. The interesting thing here is who the Storm use in the halfback and fullback jerseys. I think Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen showed enough last week to suggest that’s how semi-finals week one will look. Storm by 10
Stat Attack
To show the contrast in fortunes for these two teams in 2019, Storm leads the NRL in line breaks with 114, while the Cowboys are in 16th spot on 61.
And another thing ...
Cameron Smith is two points - or a shot at goal - from becoming the third player this year to hit 200 points. Latrell Mitchell (Roosters) and Jarrod Croker (Raiders) are already there.
