Cowboys v Storm preview - 2017 Round 22

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North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm Friday 7:50pm at 1300SMILES Stadium, Kirwan / Wulgurukaba

Can anyone stop the Storm juggernaut?

While the Cowboys stumbled last week against Melbourne's closest rival in the Roosters, the Storm were continuing their red-hot form with a comprehensive 40-6 win over the Sea Eagles. Form lines are a funny thing - leading up to the Cowboys' heartbreaking loss they'd won four games, all without the assistance of mercurial half Johnathan Thurston.

By contrast, Melbourne are looking near unstoppable at the top. Their only trip-up in recent weeks was a Round 18 loss to Parramatta - missing all their Origin stars. Prior to that they put the cleaners through Brisbane, held out against a valiant Raiders side on a chilly Canberra night.

In terms of squads, the Cowboys are likely to welcome back Shaun Fensom, while the Storm have lost Cameron Munster but get Billy Slater back. Ryley Jacks is listed to play at five-eighth.

Last meeting: Round 15 2017 - Storm 23 Cowboys 22

Melbourne have won 24 of the 34 clashes between these sides - but strangely in the twenty seasons this clash has been played only four times at 1300SMILES Stadium, honours shared two-each.

Who to watch: Despite the loss, Lachlan Coote was outstanding for the blue and grey. He set up two of the side's three tries with superb ball running and passing and will no doubt cause trouble for the Storm's well-oiled defensive unit.

If the rumours are to be believed, we've only got another five weeks plus finals to enjoy the footballing prowess of Cooper Cronk. Having already confirmed his exit from the purple and navy at season's end, it seems increasingly likely he'll retire and focus on his media career. There's little doubt he'll want a second premiership after guiding his side first to a title in 2012. The run to that premiership starts right now.

The favourite: Predictably, Melbourne are well favoured here.

My tip: The home ground advantage brings the Cowboys well and truly into this but the class of the Storm - even with Cameron Munster out - will be too much. Storm by 6.

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 16. Shaun Fensom 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 8. John Asiata 15. Coen Hess 17. Corey Jensen 20. Sam Hoare

1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. William Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Joe Stimson 13. Dale Finucane 10. Tim Glasby 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Jordan McLean 17. Slade Griffin

Referees: Ashley Klein, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Kasey Badger, Tim Roby; Video Referees: Luke Patten, Bernard Sutton;