NRL Match Previews - Cowboys v Storm (Round 8)

  vs  
01-05-2010 07:30PM at Dairy Farmers Stadium

Referee: Gavin Badger and Gerard Sutton
Touch Judges: David Abood and Luke Phillips
Referee: Phil Cooley

You have to feel for North Queensland in this match. They are a very good chance of losing in a matchup against the best in the NRL; the best team that money can buy; the benchmark. Here's hoping the two points actually get given to someone and the Cowboys can get up. It would be a nice win for a team struggling with consistency this season. However, with the form of Willie Mason and Willie Tonga, there could be big result for them on the cards.

Unfortunately those cards tell me that the Storm have hidden an ace up their sleeve and will be dealing from the bottom of the deck: They will be too strong for the home side. There might be a 'come down' from the emotional high of last week for Melbourne but Craig Bellamy probably won't allow this to happen. Great battle of arguably the two best halfbacks in the competition will see the Storm come home stronger and the Cowboys lose their fourth in a row. Interesting to see how opposition fans react to the visitors.

My Man of the Match Prediction: Billy Slater
My Tip: Storm 24-14

The Teams

North Queensland Cowboys               Melbourne Storm
Suspensions L. O'Donnell Injuries M. Bowen N. Slyney	1. Shannon Gallant Fullback 1. Billy Slater 2. Ashley Graham Wing 2. Matt Duffie 3. Will Tupou Centre 3. William Isa 4. Willie Tonga Centre 4. Greg Inglis 5. Michael Bani Wing 5. Anthony Quinn 6. Grant Rovelli Five Eighth 6. Brett Finch 7. Johnathan Thurston Halfback 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Matthew Scott Prop 8. Bryan Norrie 9. Anthony Watts Hooker 9. Cameron Smith 10. James Tamou Prop 10. Jeff Lima 11. Scott Bolton Second Row 11. Adam Blair 12. Willie Mason Second Row 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Steve Rapira Lock 13. Todd Lowrie 14. Clint Amos Interchange 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Steve Southern Interchange 15. Kevin Proctor 16. Leeson Ah Mau Interchange 16. Ryan Tandy 17. Antonio Kaufusi Interchange 17. Jesse Bromwich	Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries S. Manu S. Kite C. Stanley

Head to Head

LeagueUnlimited Tipsters - Courtesy of www.MyTips.com.au

DragonPunk
(Justin Davies)

Storm


Total Score
24

Twizzle
(Kevin Brennan)

Storm


Total Score
22

Non Terminator
(Josh Hill)

Storm


Total Score
22

CobyDelaney
(Coby Delaney)

Storm


Total Score
12

Willow
(Steve Williams)

Storm


Total Score
12

Other Games this Round

• Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium
• Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium
• New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium
• Gold Coast Titans v Penrith Panthers at Skilled Park
• St George Illawarra Dragons v Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at WIN Stadium
• North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm at Dairy Farmers Stadium
• Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
• South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium