North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm
SQUADS: Betfred Championship - 2025 Round 16
2 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Cowboys v Storm preview
Pre Origin III forecast: no rep stars, chance of an upset as Storm heads towards Townsville
The toll of representative football will be on display on Saturday evening as the North Queensland Cowboys host the Melbourne Storm with both sides missing a host of stars due to State of Origin.
Facing off for the second time in the span of a month, the two sides have enjoyed contrasting fortunes since their previous meeting with the Cowboys conceding 124 points in three games while the Storm have soared to consolidate a place in the top four.
Enduring a wretched run with two unconvincing wins and a draw from eight matches since the start of May, the North Queensland Cowboys remarkably sit just one point outside the top eight despite boasting the second worst for-and-against record in the premiership.
Alleviating mounting criticism with a 30-24 victory over the Titans last Sunday, coach Todd Payten will be without representative quartet Reece Robson, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai.
Experienced forwards Jordan McLean and John Bateman will make welcome returns to the starting pack with Tom Duffy named at halfback, while journeyman hooker Temple Kalepo will make his NRL debut off the bench following reserve grade stints with the Warriors and Knights.
The Cowboys have achieved mixed results prior to State of Origin with three wins from six fixtures during Payten's tenure, however the side most recently suffered a humiliating 58-4 defeat at the hands of the Dolphins three weeks ago.
Enjoying a prosperous period during the middle third of the season with four wins and two byes, the Melbourne Storm will be looking to continue a strong recent record without their representative stars.
Asserting their authority with three late tries in a 30-6 win over the Sharks at home last Sunday, coach Craig Bellamy has lost Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu to representative football, along with speedster Sua Fa'alogo to a hamstring injury.
The ensuring reshuffle will see Joe Chan and Kane Bradley start in the backline, Bronson Garlick at hooker and a revamped bench featuring Jonah Pezet, Lazarus Vaalepu and Ativalu Lisati. Former Gold Coast forward Josiah Pahulu has been included as part of the extended squad after making a mid-season switch to Melbourne.
The Storm have won five of their past six matches leading into State of Origin since 2018, while their overall record against the Cowboys under Bellamy stands at 26 wins from 38 meetings since 2003.
Saturday night will be the third time the Cowboys and Storm have faced off prior to State of Origin; the Storm have prevailed on both occasions previously in 2003 and 2017.
Last meeting: Round 14 2025 - Storm 38 Cowboys 14
Who to watch: If not for an untimely injury, Scott Drinkwater may have become Melbourne's long-term fullback. Instead, the 28-year-old has developed into an attacking weapon for North Queensland. Making his NRL debut with the Storm in 2018 before a pre-season pectoral injury saw him head north to take up an opportunity in first grade, Drinkwater has remained a dynamic force with the ball this season to rank third in the league for try-assists (14) to go with six of his own. Facing off against the best attacking team in the league, Drinkwater will need to be at his best if the hosts intend to get into a point-scoring shootout with their opponents.
Coming off a dazzling performance featuring two try assists and a four-pointer to boot, Eliesa Katoa will be out to heap more pain on the out-of-form Cowboys. Thriving on the right edge in his third year at the Storm, the 25-year-old has revelled since making the move from the Warriors with six tries and 30 tackle breaks to go with 143 running metres on average. Proving just as damaging on the international stage with Tonga, look for Katoa to be a constant threat with the ball as the Storm chase their first win in Townsville since 2021.
Favourite: Despite winning one of their four appearances at the new Townsville stadium, the Storm are expected to get the job done on the road.
My tip: While the Cowboys will be desperate to atone for a deplorable performance at home three weeks ago, the class that remains within the Storm's ranks should shine through at the end of 80 minutes. Storm by 12.
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O'Donnell 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Temple Kalepo 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kaiden Lahrs 17. Coen Hess 18. Braidon Burns 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Jamal Shibasaki 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Mason Kira
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Joe Chan 4. Nick Meaney 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Josiah Pahulu 19. Coby Williamson 20. Gabriel Satrick 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Siulagi Pio
Referees: Liam Kennedy; Sideline Officials: Belinda Sharpe, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Chris Butler;