Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 26 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. Melbourne Storm game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday August 29, 2024 at 7:50 pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Odds
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Preview
The minor premiership already sewn, Melbourne Storms controversial resting strategy has changed the context of this clash with North Queensland Cowboys.
The Storm demolished the Dolphins 48-6 last week to make it 10 wins from 11 games, but this weeks line-up means formguides count for little.
Craig Bellamy has spelled Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero and Tui Kamikamica.
New halfback Grant Anderson and capable hooker Tyran Wishart join Cam Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen in the spine, while Dean Ieremia, Marion Seve, Young Tonumaipea and Sua Faalogo make up an all-new three-quarter line.
Prop Lazarus Vaalepu gets his first run-on appearance, and Keagan Russell-Smith, Tristan Powell and Ativalu Lisati will debut from the bench.
This opens up an opportunity for the sixth-placed Cowboys, who are looking to clinch a home elimination final. They are coming off the bye, having trounced Canberra 42-4 in Round 24 in an excellent response to a heavy defeat to Brisbane.
Jeremiah Nanai and Jason Taumalolo return from the North Queensland casualty ward in a double-boost.
After losing the teams previous 12 encounters, the Cowboys took out their sole clashes with the Storm in 2022 (36-6) and 2023 (45-20) in emphatic style in Townsville.
The Cowboys have been installed as $1.24 favourites, but they cant afford to take the visits lightly despite their mass changes. Nevertheless, a settled Cowboys side should have too much forward firepower to be in any danger of getting rolled here.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Tip
We're tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win at $1.24 odds.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Teams
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Tomas Chester 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Braidon Burns
Melbourne team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Grant Anderson 8. Lazarus Vaalepu 9. Tyran Wishart 10. Christian Welch 11. Kane Bradley 12. Joe Chan 13. Alec MacDonald 14. Keagan Russell-Smith 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Ativalu Lisati 17. Tristan Powell 18. Coby Williamson 19. Ammaron Gudgeon 20. Josh King 21. Trent Loiero 22. Nick Meaney
