The Storm have run out winners in an entertaining arm wrestle at Suncorp Stadium. The Cowboys had all the ball and field position early, and skipped out to an 8-0 lead. Gavin Cooper scored early off a spilled bomb.
REPORT: STORM PIP COWBOYS IN ARM WRESTLE
Against the run of play, the Storm then scored 2 first half tries. The first was a determined run by Tohu Harris, and the Storm then scored off a spilled bomb when Kevin Proctor cleaned up the scraps. The Storm would have been happy to be leading at half-time.
The Storm had more possession in the second half, but the Cowboys scored the only try. Jake Granville threw a great ball to put Michael Morgan through a hole. The scores were deadlocked 14-all with 10 minutes to go, before Cameron Smith kicked just the second field goal of his career to give the Storm the victory.
Final score
Melbourne Storm 15
North Queensland Cowboys 14
The third-placed Melbourne Storm face ladder leaders the North Queensland Cowboys in the first match of a double-header at Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
Both teams were in red-hot form prior to the break for last week’s representative round. The Cowboys have won their last five matches while the Storm have won four of their last five. As you’d expect, both teams had several players playing in the respective Test matches last week.
In their last two games, the Storm have racked up 80 points without conceding, and their defensive record is currently the best in the NRL. That defence will be put to the test this week though. The Cowboys boast the best attacking record of any team in 2016, courtesy of the arguably the best spine in the NRL – Lachlan Coote, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston and Jake Granville.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has named an unchanged squad from the team that beat the Gold Coast 38-0 in their last outing. Jordan McLean will start the match however, with Tim Glasby dropping back to the interchange bench. Backrower Tohu Harris will once again play in the centres.
Cowboys coach Paul Green has made no changes to the team that beat Manly 34-18 at Brookvale in Round 9. The club has been boosted by the re-signing of Coote since that match, although prop James Tamou appears likely to leave next year. Potential Origin players Kyle Feldt, Justin O’Neill and Gavin Cooper will have another chance to impress the Queensland selectors.
There should be a full house at Suncorp, with the Broncos taking on Manly immediately after this match.
Prediction
The Cowboys enjoy playing at Suncorp and they’ll win a close one.
Join The Roar at 5:30pm AEST for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Smith was running at him from marker before the ball had even been played.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Excellent game by the Storm. They tackled their way to victory. Cam Smith was awesome and an unbelievable field goal to win it. Harris was great in attack and defense. ..in fact all the forwards were good in defense. I thought the bench really made a difference. Blake Greens defense was superb...just kept shutting them down. Real team effort to win that game.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
They are certainly looking very solid across the park.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me on tonight’s coverage, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave your comments and make sure you switch over now to the Roar live blog of the second match in this Suncorp double header, between Manly and the Broncos.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Roar MVP Points 3 – Cameron Smith: 62 tackles, controlled the Storm’s attack, and iced the game with a field goal under pressure. 2 – Johnathan Thurston: his kicking game terrorised the Storm's wingers all night, and he directed the Cowboys attack well as usual. Also produced a crucial try-saving ankle tap on a flying Suliasi Vunivalu at a crucial stage in the second half. 1 – Tohu Harris: was forced to play in the centres for much of the match, but still came up with 150 metres in attack, a try and 29 tackles.
Bill Larkin
Guest
Perhaps Storm will finally get the respect they deserve. Maybe a pundit or two will actually give them a chance of winning a premiership.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Match summary Melbourne 15 defeated Cowboys 14 The Storm have run out winners in an entertaining arm wrestle at Suncorp Stadium. The Cowboys had all the ball and field position early, and skipped out to an 8-0 lead. Gavin Cooper scored early off a spilled bomb. Against the run of play, the Storm then scored 2 first half tries. The first was a determined run by Tohu Harris, and the Storm then scored their won try off a spilled bomb when Kevin Proctor cleaned up the scraps. The Storm would have been happy to be leading at half-time. The Storm had more possession in the second half, but the Cowboys scored the only try. Jake Granville threw a great ball to put Michael Morgan through a hole. The scores were deadlocked 14-all with 10 minutes to go, before Cameron Smith kicked just the second field goal of his career to give the Storm the victory. Try scorers (Melbourne): Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor Top metres gained (Melbourne): Cameron Munster (193), Tohu Harris (150), Morika Koroibete (147) Top tacklers (Melbourne): Cameron Smith (62), Jesse Bromwich (44), Kevin Proctor (42) Try scorers (Cowboys): Gavin Cooper, Michael Morgan Top metres gained (Cowboys): Antonio Winterstein (179), James Tamou (150), Jason Taumololo (149) Top tacklers (Cowboys): Ethan Lowe (42), Gavin Cooper (37), Jake Granville (28)
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Trying another option besides JT may have been a smart idea too (e.g. Coote), everyone was gunning for JT.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Full-time The hooter sounds and its victory for the Storm!! Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14
John Coomer
Roar Guru
79’ The Storm defence is strong and they are now back in possession on halfway. They should be able to close it out from here. Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14
John Coomer
Roar Guru
I agree.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
78’ Green grubbers into touch on the last to wind the clock down. The Cowboys will have one last chance, but will need to go 90 metres. Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14
Alex L
Roar Rookie
How the hell was that not a Melbourne penalty, Vunivalu blatantly taken out.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
77’ Thurston bombs on the last to Vunivalu. It bounces over the sideline. Storm back in possession. Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14
John Coomer
Roar Guru
76’ The Storm bomb it on the last and Feldt takes cleanly. Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14
SpongeBob
Guest
Why do they stand so shallow when they know everyone will be 5 metres offside?
John Coomer
Roar Guru
75’ The Storm’s rushing defence prevents JT from having a shot at field goal! Now back in possession on their own 20. Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14
John Coomer
Roar Guru
74’ Smith grubbers on the last and it goes dead in goal. 20 metre tap Cowboys. Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14
John Coomer
Roar Guru
73’ Knock on Cowboys! Storm back in possession. Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14
John Coomer
Roar Guru
72’ Knock on Storm! Cowboys in possession 40 metres out. Melbourne 15 Cowboys 14