The Cowboys have underlined their premiership credentials with a crushing 36-6 win over the Melbourne Storm and announcing themselves as a real threat for the title.
It was the sixth consecutive win for North Queensland and the fifth in a row in which they have scored 30 points or more.
The stats will tell you that they are now the real deal, and the manner with which they dispatched one of the competition heavyweights back that up.
The second half was emblematic: the Storm completed only half their sets and were bullied by a rampant North Queensland.
Only the loss of Jason Taumalolo and Kyle Feldt to knee injuries will overshadow what was a potentially huge night in the Cowboys’ season. Coach Todd Payten said the initial diagnosis for Feldt was his in-form winger would be out for a while and he wouldn’t be surprised if Taumalolo also needed to miss matches.
The Storm were again missing Jahrome Hughes in the middle and Ryan Papenhuyzen at the back, prompting yet another backline reshuffle.
Nick Meaney was shunted at fullback, Dean Ieremia in on the wing and Harry Grant standing in at halfback, but none of the movements were able to cover the glaring holes in the team.
It’s hard to remember a time in which Melbourne have conceded 30+ in two consecutive weeks, much less when they have only scored two tries in reply, but without two of their brightest stars, the drop off has been huge.
“We had one player left on the bench, were 30 points in front with 10 minutes to go. That doesn’t happen often,” Payten said.
The start was auspicious for North Queensland. Tom Gilbert, who got their first try of the season in a loss to the Bulldogs, got the hosts on the board with a try that was a little fortunate.
It came slightly against the run of play, as Melbourne dominated early ball, but when the Cowboys forced a drop out, the Storm took it short and dropped it straight into Gilbert’s hands. It still took some scoring, but Gilbert was able to run it in.
The next followed soon after. Scott Drinkwater, playing like a man on a mission against his former club, went very close and was denied, but Reece Robson capitalised on the next play.
The Storm were shorn of several stars but struck back. Tui Kamikamica got his first try after his long layoff, producing a characteristic line onto a Harry Grant crash ball. It would be about as good as it got all night.
The 12-6 scoreline at the break was a reflection of a tight game in which North Queensland completed at 68% and surrendered field position, but also looked dangerous whenever they got the ball up the field.
The second half was anything but close. From the moment that Murray Taulagi crossed in spectacular fashion at the corner – stutter-stepping to hold up Brandon Smith before diving, ball in one hand all the time – there was no looking back.
Jeremiah Nanai, one of the breakout stars of this breakout Cowboys team, got himself a ninth of the season – not off a kick, for a change – before Scott Drinkwater had a sweet moment, strolling through a crowded Storm backline to score. Nanai would get his customary try from a kick to round off the scoring with 25 minutes to play.
At that point, it appeared like things were about to get very ugly. There was yet time for Melbourne to show their toughness. Taulagi thought he had scored, only for a miracle tackle from Xavier Coates to intervene, while gang tackling at the corner also halted Valentine Holmes.
The spirit was still there: but it was far too late coming.
“I thought there was a lack of competing tonight which really disappointed me,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. “When we beat ourselves by a lack of competing and doing the little things really well, that’s area for concern.”
“They just outcompeted us tonight, they were smarter than us too … but that doesn’t stop you from competing. That’s where they were way superior to us tonight.”
Rob
Guest
The Storm have a huge following in NQ thanks to Slater and other successful Queenslander in the team. 5000 Cowboys supporter would be great at Penrith.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
All good. The big test I see is the enemy territory factor. There would have been as many Storm supporters at the game last w/end as there will be Cowboys supporters at the game on Friday.
Rob
Guest
Sorry I thought you implied the Cowboys had an easy draw and not travelled much. Panthers will have the home field advantage and conditions they’re familiar with but I’m sure the Cowboys are looking forward to the game. Taumalolo and Feldt are obviously significant losses but I do think the Cowboy are playing a very different team oriented, expansive style of football which makes for less reliance on individuals. JTB is a similar body to Taumlolo and Gilbert, McClean and JTB have the capacity to cover his output work rate. Granville can bring experience and energy off the bench. Luki is probably looking for bigger minutes now. Lemuelu and Hampton are other options that have NRL experience.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Not sure what you think I said, but was just to highlight the struggle teams have with the Nth Qld humidity, which is mostly a lack of time to acclimatise. The sudden change will now be for the Cowboys to quickly adjust to the cold + wet. That's probably much easier than a trip North for u. Just a little aside on what should be a great game. Cowboys will have impact from the start with Cotter and Tabuai-Fidow, so positions covered. To think they talked up the Newcastle game as a possible Grand Final preview. I think this one is much closer to the mark.
Rob
Guest
Jenny, I’m often amused by the Cowboys haven’t played much, followed by good draw lucky with travel commitments comment. It’s about 1000km for the Panthers to play the Storm in Brisbane. It’s 2500Km and a time difference from Townsville to Darwin. Before that Townsville to Brisbane 1400km. Only beat Broncos, Raiders x2 and Eels in Darwin and Storm with players out. Penrith beat Storm with plenty out but I’m still trying to work out how they would go against a quality team? Cowboys have only played 1 game in the last month at home so winning 5 on the trot is acceptable IMO.
Racing Chicken Trainer
Roar Rookie
Didn't expect this, but am stoked! Now the REAL test comes next week! Go the Cowboys!
Mel Storm
Guest
Storm had 5 starters out including welch inc 2 of the spine players. So always were in for a battle. But last night they were terrible. Munster failed to step up, grant was pedestrian and is just too slow amd uncreative for HB. Marion Seve is not NRL standard and tui was woeful, unsble to hold the ball all night. As for b smith, if last night is any guide, we may as well release him early to join his beloved roosters. Overall, a bad bad bad performance from tbe storm with Munster the most dissappinting as he is develooing a habit of failing to fire wjen he is really needed. Perhaps 750k is his wprth to the storm?
3 R M
Roar Rookie
Well, hence the line they put us on our backs alot .. but it's all the extra pantomime that Jimmmy is talking about and it is continuous. And a 1 second gap is a massive advantage over a whole game. Penrith lifts then drives by the way and by the rules if an attacker joins the tackle then the reff must call held. No mauls in rugby league ....
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Have a look at the ptb speeds in your games against Melbourne and the Roosters . Your ' dominant ' tackles count for Jack sheet against late backflips, late spin arounds, ' accidental ' entanglements, and flailing around on top of a player while staring lovingly at the Ref. You guys were murdered in the ruck . You just happen to be good enough to overcome it.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Not to forget, apart from the switch to replace Felte, Cowboys wouldn't have noticed a thing. Taulamolo, week in week out comes off at the 25-30m mark. Only a few times has he made it into the second half. Given the scoreline he wouldn't have been brought back on in the second half anyway. So he played the exact same minutes he would have played if not injured.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Hang on, so Storm were meant to join the Knights, and Warriors as the 3rd team to have 50 put on them, and so can't win the comp ?
JennyFromPenny
Guest
3 R M, not to say your theory is over simplified, but whether it factors in the dominant tackle. So many of a Penrith's tackles drive the ball-carrier backwards, so are clearly dominant, and the rulebook says the reward is a slightly longer hold down.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Difference is now Tabuai-Fidow and Cotter are on the field from the first whistle instead of making an impact off the bench, so which two will come onto the bench to make the impact now? That's what they will miss. Taumalolo was about due to be interchanged anyway when he got hurt. It didn't affect last night too much. It will next week.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I don't think we miss a Feldt too much. Great in the air, great out of yardage and great finisher. Hammer, pure speed, great finisher and a something from nothing creater. So different but similar value. JT 13 is a big loss. He has been eating up the metres really well lately and we will surely miss that. You guys were superb yesterday. I thought the Roosters were very , very good but any small opening they gave, the Panthers just rolled through. Playing in Penrith is the hardest road trip in the game so it's a big ask for us to win. But I keep saying you have to face the champs sooner or later so you can find out how good you really are. I'm looking forward to it.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
Seen the comment Jimmmy and it got a nod more than a chuckle from me. I always run through the stats but 1 sec is a big indicator of what we were watching, usually a 1/2 a second shows by the eye over the game. They did put us on our backs a lot but Luki and Cotter got us up and away a fair bit. I'm still waiting for someone to put the back rowers in space down field. Nanai is getting better each game.. 100% tackles this game and he's getting more "time" with the ball in hand. I think we might loose him as well as Cotter and Val for Origin.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Just when we were about to see the two best currently, go head to head, the Cowboys are now without Felte and Taumalolo. They actually only got better after 25m without both, Cowboys resolve, or Storm's dissolve? Had this penned in as a possible Panther loss, but not sure their invite next week will be as fortunate with the outs. Shuffling of cards in the backs, forwards, and bench. Two steady heads not there to settle the team and sorely missed especially going from the Tropics of Darwin and Townsville to an early Winter in Penrith. They haven't actually left Qld/NT since Rnd 6 Canberra, 14th April.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
First to admit how wrong I was, had them tipped for the spoon. They look for the first time since 15 a cohesive football side, in 17 they played great in patches. Everyone is working and doing the hard work. The Storm obviously had a few out but they seem to lack a bit of resilience and I'll give Munster the benefit of the doubt because he was crook all week. Long story short, it's good to see the Cows going good and the Storm are too good to go this bad for long. Looking forward to watching more Cows games :thumbup:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Glad someone else watches the ruck. I jokingly said the Cows were looking down the barrel of 5 sec ptbs . It must have been close to that at some stages of the first half. I thought Atkins was good overall but really you could penalise Munster every tackle and Smith every second one.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Great game to see live. I'm jealous! The next one i can get to is the Titans in 2 weeks. I think Cotter is starting to get his dues. He's becoming a cult player at the Cows and he's certainly been mentioned by quite a few as worthy for Origin. Deserves every accolade he gets.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
And your boys have me tipping 6/6 so far so thanks for that too. :stoked: