In a battle of two Origin-depleted teams, the Melbourne Storm have edged out the North Queensland Cowboys 23-22 in a golden point thriller at AAMI Park.
Filling in for Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk, 19-year-old Brodie Croft emerged as Melbourne’s hero in extra-time. First, he put in a grubber kick to earn a repeat set for the Storm, and then he calmly slotted a field goal in the next set to earn the two points for his team.
The Cowboys had a 10-6 lead at half-time, with winger Kyle Feldt scoring all of North Queensland’s first half points.
He kicked two penalty goals and a sideline conversion to go with an eighth-minute try. That try was created by Jake Granville going down the blindside and putting Justin O’Neill through a gap. O’Neill then put Feldt over in the corner.
The Storm hit back later in the first half with a try to 19-year-old centre Curtis Scott in the 32nd minute. He did well to score after good lead-up work from Brodie Croft and Cameron Munster.
The Cowboys went further ahead five minutes into the second half when Coote grounded a Jake Granville grubber. That made it 14-6, with Feldt unable to convert.
The Storm then went on a three-try blitz in a five-minute period of the second half, beginning in the 52nd minute.
First it was replacement hooker Brandon Smith burrowing his way over from dummy half. That was followed two minutes later by centre Curtis Scott scoring his second try of the night, after great lead-up work from Croft, who used his step to make a break before offloading to Felise Kaufusi who put Scott over.
Kaufusi scored himself from close range just three minutes later to take the Storm put to 22-14 at the 57-minute mark.
The Cowboys hit back in the 78th minute when Kane Linnett barged his way over out wide after running onto a Ray Thompson pass. Feldt’s conversion from the sideline made it 22-20, and then he slotted a pressure penalty from 35 metres out near the uprights to level the scores on full-time.
The win allows the Storm to consolidate their position on the top of the ladder, while the loss anchors the Cowboys in seventh spot.
Final score
Melbourne Storm 23
North Queensland Cowboys 22
Albo
Guest
Surely the Storm have the best recruiting team in the business. They have managed to keep their big 3 together for a decade and have added the right " average" players from previous engagements, to compliment their winning formula year in and year out. With the big 3 approaching retirement they are developing ready made replacement spine in their 20's to eventually take over, whilst continually identifying fringe & reserve grade cattle that can be moulded into stars in the Storm system. Take Felise Kaufusi, identified out of the QLD Cup a couple of years back and brought into the Storm system. Now brought into right edge to replace Proctor's leaving, he is now even more destructive and creative than Proctor ever was, and is the Storms main right side 80 minute attacking weapon & foil for the Cronk / Slater right side ventures. NSW can breathe a sigh of relief that the QLD selectors overlooked him to partner with the Big 3 again in the current SOO series !
Yoshi yit
Guest
Yeah, along with big Nate Myles. I cant wait till he starts for Melbourne
Clyde
Guest
How Linnett, a NSWelsman, plays first grade I don't know, Cowboys keep picking average and outsourced players. The talent the Cowboys are and have been sitting on in North Queensland for over 25 years is unbelievable. If they can't produce a quality NRL team from rugby league nurseries Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa, Rockhampton, Torres Strait and all the places in between put together, something's wrong.
Mundane
Guest
Good game despite the absences but again Cummins gets a close finish though the last penalty to get the draw was about the only legit thing in the game.
Rob
Guest
Very disappointing as a Cowboys fan watching both NYC and Senior team beaten by small margins. The thing that hurts the most is the Storm kids out smarted the old Cowboys and some of them are from Cowboys NYC teams. Speaks volumes about the short sighted approach that the Cowboys have taken since the 2015 GF. How Ray Thompson has over 100 games in the NRL is ridicules. Kane Linnett is holding down a regular position a head of someone else and Ben Spina is never going to progress from a solid Q Cup standard player. From what I have seen so far Ben Hampton should also be playing Q Cup. Leary is well ahead of him. Ponga missed both 20's and Senior selection? Professional organisation are looking to the further and are results driven. Putting a quality player on the sidelines because he won't be there next year is petty and childish. The Cowboys have a lot of old players staying on the book way to long and they are losing quality players like Felise Kafusi, Brandon Smith, Ponga, Kikau. PS. a million dollar a season player doesn't go of at the 25 min mark for a rest when you are taking a shot at goal and leading. The Storm got on a role when he Taumalolo left the field and the momentum swung dramatically.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Definitely a preview of the future Storm spine. Croft has shown a big improvement in his defense. That was the reason he was dropped in favor of Ryley Jacks after the trials as he was poor in one on one defense. Obviously age was a factor but it looks like playing in QCup against adults has improved his defense.
kk
Roar Pro
The Melbourne Storm. Simply the best recruiters in the history of Rugby League. Last night that incredible 'know how' was on display. The three games to date twinkled the senses for good things coming.
Jimmmy
Guest
What a great game of footy , this one.! I really enjoyed seeing the young guns have some of the spotlight. The Cows had their chance . The Coote field goal attempt was poor . I would have used Feldt myself but Coote had a clear shot, so no real complaint. Well done to the Storm fans too. Good crowd and great atmosphere.
Duncan Smith
Guest
There's the future Storm spine: Smith, Croft, Jacks, Munster.