- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Show Preview
The North Queensland Cowboys have defeated the Melbourne Storm 14-6 in Mackay in what was, at times, a mistake-riddled game of rugby league.
As the new season approaches, both sides would have been looking for some final warnings and positives to take from this trial and the result on the score board usually means far less than the overall performance in this situation.
In saying that, North Queensland will feel far happier than Melbourne after restricting last years grand finalists to just a single try for the match.
The Cowboys managed three of their own and after what was a cagey first half, were the better side in the second, as the Storm made errors and struggled with the energetic ball carries of the Queenslanders.
It was a terrific performance from the Cowboys pack as Coen Hess, Josh McGuire and Gavin Cooper lead the way.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Felise Kaufusi gave plenty of resistance yet in the end, the Cowboys were better up front.
The first half was riddled with handing errors as Brodie Croft, Cameron Munster and Michael Morgan all struggled with an apparently slippery and humidity affected ball.
In the second half, the Cowboys settled into a better rhythm that allowed them to complete more sets and keep the Storm defence under pressure more often than their own.
It was nothing to write home about in terms of a game of football, as interesting as it was, yet both coaches will have a lot to do in terms of sharpening up set plays and creating some more fluency in attack.
However, neither will have any issues with the defensive application of their side and will hope that the very same same attitude is taken into Round 1 of the competition in a fortnight’s time.
Final score
North Queensland Cowboys 14
Melbourne Storm 6
The North Queensland Cowboys and the Melbourne Storm meet in pre-season NRL trail action in Mackay. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm (AEDT).
After both enjoying the hit out of a previous trial, the Cowboys and Storm will be looking to refine combinations just two weeks out from the start of the home and away season.
The Cowboys beat the Gold Coast in a tight hit encounter last week and Jack Clifford’s hat-trick was certainly the stand out performance of the night.
In a season of change, it will be players such as he that Paul Green will need to rise to the occasion and grasp first grade positions with both hands.
Michael Morgan is now the key half for the Cows and playing behind a powerful pack that includes Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo, Coen Hess and Josh McGuire, he should have every chance to show his skills in 2019.
The Storm will no doubt be sniffing around the top of the ladder at some stage of the season. Scott Drinkwater was outstanding last week against the Warriors yet Melbourne did look a little disorganised through the centre of the field.
It will be Brodie Croft and Cameron Munster’s task to improve that area this week and having Cameron Smith on the field for at least a portion of this match should make their job a little easier.
Christian Welch and Joe Stimson are exciting prospects for the Storm and further examples of the development of youth that Craig Bellamy has used so well over the years whenever big names have left the club or retired.
Prediction
Toss a coin on this match, particularly considering the playing time of some of the big names could be considerably limited.
I like the look of the Cowboys line-up for this one after they played well against the Titans in their last hit-out. For what it is worth, Cows to win.
North Queensland 26, Melbourne Storm 20
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 8pm (AEDT).
Where: BB Print Stadium, Mackay
When: Saturday 2nd March 2019, 8pm (AEDT)
TV: NRL website and app
Cowboys
1. Jordan Kahu, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Ben Hampton, 5. Nene Macdonald, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Michael Morgan, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Jason Taumalolo, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14. John Asiata, 15. Gavin Cooper, 16. Mitch Dunn, 18. Tom Opacic, 19. Jake Clifford
Storm
1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Marion Seve, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Christian Welch, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tom Eisenhuth, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Jesse Bromwich, 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 19. Joe Stimson, 20. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 21. Sandor Earl, 22. Billy Walters, 23. Justin Olam, 24. Cheyse Blair, 25. Patrick Kaufusi
Hide Preview