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It is a grand final rematch as Johnathan Thurston’s North Queensland Cowboys come up against Cameron Smith’s Melbourne Storm. Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
Despite going into the season as heavy premiership favourites, the Cowboys sit second last, having failed to find form so far in 2018, with only three wins to their name.
Last week, Paul Green prompted changes to their spine, moving Michael Morgan to fullback and Te Maire Martin to five-eighth, and it nearly paid off as they only narrowly went down against the in-form Rabbitohs, 20-19.
Green has decided to name the same 17 this week, and will be requiring a huge effort from his middle men, including Jason Taumalolo and Matthew Scott, who need to win the battle against a physical Melbourne pack.
The Storm were beaten in a controversial and at times brutal game against archrivals Manly last week. With Cameron Smith suspended, the reigning premiers went down 24-4 as they were left undermanned through send-offs and suspensions.
Curtis Scott has copped a two-week ban for punching Dylan Walker, however the Storm get a huge boost with the return of their skipper Smith and prop Jesse Bromwich.
There will be positional battles across the park, with a host of Queensland Origin veterans and hopefuls in both teams. All eyes will be on the battle at fullback between Michael Morgan and Billy Slater, with Morgan looking to secure a utility spot for the Maroons.
The acrobatic Kyle Feldt comes up against speed-demon Josh Addo-Carr, while Cameron Munster locks horns with Thurston. Jake Granville will be auditioning to fill Smith’s boots in the Origin arena, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona sizes up Matthew Scott.
North Queensland have traditionally struggled against Melbourne, winning just ten of 37 fixtures played between the two teams.
In fact, the Cowboys have won only two of their last ten against the Storm, their last victory coming in the 2015 preliminary finals when they secured a grand final berth with a 32-12 victory in Melbourne.
The last meeting between the two came during Round 3, as the Storm ran away with a 30-14 win at AAMI Park.
Prediction
The Storm will bounce back in a low-scoring fixture.
Storm by 8.
Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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