It’s a grand final rematch to kick-off Round 3, as the Melbourne Storm play host to a North Queensland Cowboys side who will need to overcome a terrible historical record. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:05pm (AEDT).
The Cowboys haven’t had much fun against Melbourne over the years, winning just ten of 36 games. The record is even worse in the Victorian capital, winning just two of six at AAMI Park and none of the seven played at Olympic Park.
While they have made major improvements as a club over the last handful of years, it’s still an atrocious record.
They couldn’t pick a worse time to meet the Storm either. Craig Bellamy’s side are normally dangerous, consistent and professional and while meeting them in peak form isn’t much fun, Melbourne haven’t lost two straight since 2015 when they lost four on the trot.
Since then, they have won 54 of their last 64 games.
The Storm’s attack looked clunky last week in their loss to the Tigers. The big question heading into 2018 was always going to be how they responded to life without Cooper Cronk.
It started well enough with a big win over the Bulldogs in Perth, but with Billy Slater back on the field last week, his performance, as well as that of Cameron Munster and Brodie Croft in the halves, was sub-standard.
To only score eight points while getting 18 penalties was just not good enough. Missing Felise Kaufusi didn’t help, but it was no excuse and the Storm will be hoping to gel much better in their second straight game at home.
The Cowboys have kicked off their season with a win and a loss, beating the Sharks in Townsville and then losing to the Broncos in Brisbane.
The first game was low-quality, but the Cowboys were certainly the better of the two sides. They started strongly in Brisbane as well, but couldn’t get the job done, falling behind and then being denied by the goalpost on the buzzer.
As frustrating as it was, Paul Green’s side need urgent improvement, and that could come in the shape of Michael Morgan this week.
Thus far, the pressure has been on Johnathan Thurston to do it all, but with the Aussie half back in the fold, the Cowboys get a little bit closer to being full strength and will put pressure on the Storm that way.
Their pack hasn’t been quite firing on all cylinders yet though and the impact Lachlan Coote has on the side is bigger than you’d think. With the regular fullback still out, beating the Storm in Melbourne is going to be a struggle.
Prediction
The Storm are always hard to tip against at Storm – even tougher when you factor in the stats. Neither team were outstanding last week, but the hosts should get the job done here.
Storm by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the grand final rematch from 8:05pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nine gave MOM to Finucane
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hahaha
E-Meter
Guest
Yes good call there. Johns is quite happy for playmakers to be protected through more penalties, but everything else is off the table.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Yes agreed, especially on Vunivalu...I reckon he wanted to break Semi's record for tries in 50 games...that was a selfish play. The commentary on Nine said he doesn't know how to setup up a player or pass but that is definitely not true considering his Union background and the amount of touch rugby he would have played as a youngster in Fiji.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Yes, mentioned that last week that Green needs to look at rotating his bench better. Now that Hess is starting the drop off is even more stark as he provided that bit of spark when he came on with fresh legs. No disrespect to the bench guys, they're honest forwards but they don't have the bulk to make that impact.
Mike Gordon
Roar Rookie
Dynamic, deceptive, dun good? Great game tonight
Mike Gordon
Roar Rookie
And the way the little half darted out of the pack to deliver it to the big man tonight defies description
Scott Pryde
Expert
Not 100% sure. Smith played till the 79th minute though so I don't think he was injured.
Andrew Khoury
Roar Rookie
Why did Croft take the last two conversions? Smith injury?
Forty Twenty
Guest
The penalty goal on half time to the Storm moved them to 4 points in front and this meant that the Cows didn't shoot for goal to level the scores early in the second half. Might not have influenced the end result but soon after the Storm kick a second penalty goal to take them out by 6 points. The Storm appear to have an extra defender close to the line and will be hard to score against if they keep this up for the season. If the penalties help clean up the game and are only needed for a while I'm in favor of them.
R N
Roar Rookie
I hate losing to Melbourne. Broncs I can tolerate, but Melbourne.... don’t care they where fair and square the better side I still can’t stomach it! Mind you, glad Christian Welch is back and playing some good footy... he has got potential that young man! Wish he played for another side.
Nat
Roar Guru
Standard Storm effort. It took them a while to work out the Cowboys MO and then defended it well. Morgan defended well but not too much in attack so JT was lumped with 90% of attacking plays. They will get better. I know JT13, Scott and McLean are the leaders but maybe it worth dropping McLean/Scott to the bench so they keep up the power after the first 20. McLean could be their NAS impact player but losing all 3 after 20 is a drop in standard now Hess is a starter.
Rellum
Roar Guru
He is still recovering from TPJ hammering him last week, :).
Peter Phelps
Guest
Storm were poor tonight. They have lost a lot of cohesion from last year. Vunivalu looks like he is playing for himself. Trying too hard to get the highest try scorer again I suspect. I reckon that is why he dummied instead of passing to to Carr. Still a win is a win. Anyone know who the MOM was ?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yeah, players just need to play by the rules and there is no problem. He does carry on about some odd things at times.
E-Meter
Guest
Don’t blame the refs, blame the players for breaking the rules. Do you want refs sticking to the rules or not? Otherwise the farce of the last few years will prevail. As someone has said already, the game needs discipline. Blow that whistle ref.
Nat
Roar Guru
It's probably too early for the bin Jimmmy. As below, get them used to the slower play the ball first, if it keeps up, bin them after a few more rnds.
Nat
Roar Guru
Exactly right. As Smith pointed out, they are used to the ball rolling between the legs, now they can't move until the ball is played. It will take time but the game will be better for it.
jimmmy
Guest
Yeah TB, but the modern plan is ‘ just keep doing it and the Refs will lose heir nerve’ eventually., which happening in this game. Even with all the penalties both sides were Still going early. The Bin is the only answer.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Joey is carrying on like a tool bag about the penalties. Great commentator when he’s talking about reading the game or the technical how players kick or pass but anything else and he’s rooted