Melbourne Storm vs North Queensland Cowboys highlights: NRL live scores, blog, highlights

18th June, 2017

The ladder-leading Melbourne Storm host the seventh placed North Queensland Cowboys in Round 15 at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 4pm (AEST).

Both teams are missing several stars who are in State of Origin camp with Queensland preparing for Game 2 next Wednesday night. Why the NRL would have scheduled a potential blockbuster clash like this one in the middle of the Origin period is a mystery, but here we are.

The Storm have the ‘big 3’ of captain Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater on Origin duty, as well as Will Chambers and Tim Glasby. Prop Jordan McLean and centre Cheyse Blair are also out with injury.

Smith’s place has been taken by Slade Griffin, while Ryley Jacks has been named to replace Cronk and Young Tonumaipea will play fullback in Slater’s absence.

The versatile Tohu Harris will play in the centres for the Storm along with Curtis Scott, filling in for Chambers and Blair. 21-year-old Brandon Smith has been named on a new look and inexperienced bench, along with Mark Nicholls, Joe Stimson and Dean Britt.

The Cowboys have captain Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess away with the Maroons. Ray Thompson has taken Thurston’s spot at the scrum base. He’ll be partnered by 21-year-old Kyle Laybutt at five-eighth, who has been promoted from the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup to make his NRL debut.

Regular North Queensland centre Kane Linnett will start in the back row in place of Cooper. Javid Bowen takes Linnett’s spot in the centres, with Corey Jensen taking Hess’ spot on the interchange bench.

The match will be a chance for some of the fringe players at both clubs to shine.

Prediction
Storm by 4.

Join The Roar at 5:30pm AEST for live score updates and our blog.

The Crowd Says:

2017-06-18T05:32:07+00:00

bbt

Guest

I am a Storm fan and believe it was the correct call. Nelson has to cut out some of the brain snaps!!

2017-06-17T09:44:26+00:00

Griffo

Guest

You guys have a gem there in Croft. I know we can easily get carried away with young players after one good game but it wasn't flashiness that impressed me. It was his class and cool headedness in the pressure moment. That and hearing he's been a young Australian captain. Seems like a good leader. First thing I did after the game was check to see what state he plays for. He'll go far

2017-06-17T09:41:51+00:00

Cald

Guest

You're not wrong, but I would say that doesn't give reason to complain when they actually make the right call on something.

AUTHOR

2017-06-17T09:41:08+00:00

John Coomer

Roar Guru

Thanks for joining me on the coverage, hope you enjoyed an entertaining game. Feel free to leave your comments.

AUTHOR

2017-06-17T09:40:00+00:00

John Coomer

Roar Guru

Match report Melbourne 23 Cowboys 22 In a battle of two Origin-depleted teams, the Storm have edged out the 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 potted a field goal in the next set to earn the two points for his team. The Cowboys had lead 10-6 at half-time, with winger Kyle Feldt scoring all of North Queensland’s first half points. He slotted two penalty goals and a sideline conversion to go with an 8th 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 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 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 7th spot.

2017-06-17T09:32:25+00:00

Jimmmy

Guest

WHAt a great game of footy!! . I enjoyed that as much if not more than one with all the stars. Congrats to the Melbourne Storm fans . They are fast becoming a benchmark for how to support your team. To the Cows . I am so proud of your effort guys. That is all a fan can ask of his team.

2017-06-17T09:30:35+00:00

Joe

Roar Rookie

Took the hard road but got there in the end. What an awesome game from the two teams considering the talent missing. Was edge of seat stuff. Very impressed with the next generation Storm boys.

2017-06-17T09:24:43+00:00

Alex L

Roar Rookie

Hampton with a flagrant attempt to block Munster bringing it back to the 20 goes totally ignored, pretty sure that was a sin bin in the 20s earlier.

AUTHOR

2017-06-17T09:24:34+00:00

John Coomer

Roar Guru

84’ Field goal from Brodie Croft! The Storm win!! Melbourne 23 Cowboys 22

AUTHOR

2017-06-17T09:23:35+00:00

John Coomer