Storm v Cowboys preview

Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys
AAMI Park - Saturday 7:30pm

Can the Storm bounce back against the injury-hit Cowboys?

Producing one of their worst performances of the season against Newcastle on Monday night, the Storm will be desperate to atone in order to ensure their place in the finals. While highly unlikely to miss the top eight, the Storm face the mathematical improbability of seeing their season end at the conclusion of Round 26 for the first time under Craig Bellamy (excluding 2010). Having named their side less than 24 hours since the loss to the Knights, expect changes to the side. Having blown a healthy lead against the Cowboys back in Round 4, expect Melbourne to deliver a ruthless performance on Saturday night. With a number of players departing at the end of the season, the Storm will be out to give Ryan Hinchcliffe and Kurt Mann a proper send-off at AAMI Park.

While the fulltime score last Saturday night may have suggested an emphatic North Queensland victory, coach Paul Green will know his side has plenty of improvement left before they are able to ready for the finals. Conceding three tries in the opening 12 minutes last week, the Cowboys will need to lay a strong defensive platform early on to keep their first week home final aspirations intact. With Michael Morgan and James Tamou both sidelined indefinitely, Ray Thompson has beat out Robert Lui for the five-eighth role, while Ben Hannant will start in the front row for only the seventh time this season. Having played at AAMI Park only twice before, the Cowboys will be out to replicate their previous win back in 2012, rather than the ten try massacre incurred two years earlier.

Last meeting: Round 4 2015 - North Queensland Cowboys 18 Melbourne Storm 17

Who to watch: Having started out his professional career with the Cowboys, Felise Kaufusi will be out to make a statement on Saturday night against his former club. A member of the North Queensland Under 20's side from 2011 featuring the likes of Kyle Feldt and Jason Taumalolo; Kaufusi has been impressive in his rookie season. Renown for his ability to hit a hole close to the tryline as well as his willingness to run the ball, the Melbourne interchange forward may well prove to be a key figure in Saturday night's outcome.

Managing just six appearances for the Cowboys all season, Ray Thompson will be out to rekindle his combination with Johnathan Thurston in the halves. Experiencing a breakout season alongside Thurston back in 2011, Thompson has since featured prominently at hooker in recent seasons. Having beaten out Robert Lui for the vacant five-eighth role, Thompson will be looking to show he is capable of making an impact in the finals with a strong showing against Melbourne.

The favourite: While the Storm were disappointing on Monday night, the loss of Morgan and Tamou has seen the home side favoured to come away with the two points.

My tip: Over the past two seasons the Storm have shown their age heading into the finals; the Cowboys may have injury concerns, but their enthusiasm and the presence of Johnathan Thurston should get them over the line. Cowboys by 8.

1. Cameron Munster 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Will Chambers 4. Kurt Mann 5. Matt Duffie 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Kenneath Bromwich
Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Felise Kaufusi 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Jordan McLean

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Ray Thompson 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Ben Hannant 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn 15. John Asiata 16. Scott Bolton 17. Ben Spina

Referees: Ben Cummins, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Steve Carrall, Adam Reid; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea;

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