2024 R26 Thu - North Qld 38-30 Melbourne @ QLD Country Bank

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2024 - Round 26
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba (TICKETS)

Thursday 29 August 2024
NRL kickoff 7:50pm
Broadcast live on Nine, 9Now, Fox, Kayo

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Tomas Chester 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Braidon Burns

Out: Thomas Mikaele (bench)
In: Jason Taumalolo (front row), Jeremiah Nanai (second row), Chad Townsend (reserve), Tom Chester (reserve), Marly Bitungane (reserve), Braidon Burns (reserve)
Changes: Sam McIntyre (front row to bench), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (second row to bench)

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Grant Anderson 8. Lazarus Vaalepu 9. Tyran Wishart 10. Christian Welch 11. Kane Bradley 12. Joe Chan 13. Alec MacDonald 14. Keagan Russell-Smith 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Ativalu Lisati 17. Tristan Powell 18. Coby Williamson 19. Ammaron Gudgeon 20. Josh King 21. Trent Loiero 22. Nick Meaney

Out: Will Warbrick (wing), Jack Howarth (centre), Jahrome Hughes (halfback), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (front row), Harry Grant (hooker), Shawn Blore (second row), Eliesa Katoa (second row), Tui Kamikamica (bench)
In: Dean Ieremia (wing), Marion Seve (centre), Yee-Huang Tonumaipe'a (centre), Grant Anderson (halfback), Lazarus Vaalepu (front row), Kane Bradley (second row), Joe Chan (second row), Keagan Russell-Smith (bench), Tepai Moeroa (bench), Ativalu Lisati (bench), Tristan Powell (bench), Coby Williamson (reserve), Ammaron Gudgeon (reserve)
Changes: Nick Meaney (centre to reserve), Josh King (front row to reserve), Trent Loiero (lock to reserve), Tyran Wishart (bench to hooker), Alec MacDonald (bench to lock), Christian Welch (bench to front row)

Referee: Grant Atkins Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Video Referee: Adam Gee

HEAD TO HEAD - 1998 - 2023​

	TOTAL	NORTH QLD	MELBOURNE	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	44	12	32	0
QLD C. BANK	3	2	1	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2019	Round 25	MELBOURNE 24-16	AAMI	12085
2020	Round 18	MELBOURNE 36-20	Sunshine Coast	4056
2021	Round 19	MELBOURNE 20-16	QLD C. Bank	14924
2022	Round 11	NORTH QLD 36-6	QLD C. Bank	22728
2023	Round 14	NORTH QLD 45-20	QLD C. Bank	18867

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2006	Round 3	NORTH QLD 40-8	Dairy Farmers	21346
2007	Round 14	MELBOURNE 58-12	Dairy Farmers	20023
2010	Round 15	MELBOURNE 58-12	AAMI	10661

NEXT WEEK​

	Round 27
NORTH QLD	CANTERBURY (A)
MELBOURNE	BRISBANE (A)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 23		Round 24		Round 25
NORTH QLD	BRISBANE	L 18-42	CANBERRA	W 42-4	(BYE)
MELBOURNE	SOUTH SYDNEY	W 28-16	PENRITH	W 24-22	DOLPHINS	W 48-6

STATE OF PLAY: 2024 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
NORTH QLD	6th	22	3	13-9-0	575	532
MELBOURNE	1st	22	3	18-4-0	612	399

 

[Saxon]

Interesting to note these sides haven't played in Melbourne for 4 years.

Storm with 5 day turnaround and their furthest away trip; expect them to rest 5-7 regular starters.
Still think it will be a close game and Storm by 4.

 

[Valheru]

Entirely dependant on the team the storm name and how they won't to break down resting their squad over the next 2 weeks.

 

[borisdog]

Jesus I hope the Storm rests the entire first grade side. And even then I wouldn't be confident.

 

[borisdog]

Several reports in the press that Storm will be resting players. We do have a decent record against the Storm when they send half a side here.

 

[Someguy]

That Storm squad is going to get some knickers in a knot

 

[ElectricEelMan]

That Storm squad is going to get some knickers in a knot

Storm can name who they want. It is their right. And tbh they deserve the right.

I am now assuming they won't rest as many next week.
Three weeks rest is a little too much

 

[borisdog]

That Storm squad is going to get some knickers in a knot

Yeah, mine.

I think they needed to rest Pap and Munster also.

 

[azza29]

Storm might be giving some players a week off but they look good value for those who like a bet. Plenty of blokes in the named squad who’d be looking to impress Craig enough to score some game time come finals. Not to be underestimated.

 

[Saxon]

Poor old Slothfield having a cry about how it's "unfair".

Minor premiers and 3 games clear at the top of the ladder; having 5 day turnaround and the second longest road trip in the NRL. Surely Bellamy has earned the right to rest who he likes?

Bet the old drunkard (allegedly) won't complain if the Sharks rest a few in round 27.

 

[Saxon]

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if that squad gives the Cowboys a run for their money.
Plenty of chance to impress and put some pressure on for a fringe spot.. After all, this time last year, who would have thought Anderson, Howarth, Blore and McDonald would be regulars?

 

[Someguy]

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if that squad gives the Cowboys a run for their money.
Plenty of chance to impress and put some pressure on for a fringe spot.. After all, this time last year, who would have thought Anderson, Howarth, Blore and McDonald would be regulars?

Anderson and McDonald are a surprise but Howarth always talked up and Blore good at tigers

 

[moffla]

Excited to see how this side goes. Not bothered by the result, but I do think we keep it close.

 

[Valheru]

Poor old Slothfield having a cry about how it's "unfair".

Minor premiers and 3 games clear at the top of the ladder; having 5 day turnaround and the second longest road trip in the NRL. Surely Bellamy has earned the right to rest who he likes?

Bet the old drunkard (allegedly) won't complain if the Sharks rest a few in round 27.

Melbourne can and should do whatever is best for them, I would want my team to do the same.

However, having the conversation about whether this is good for the game is not a personal attack on Melbourne. I completely understand why the administrators and broadcasters wouldn't like this. The Cowboys are competing with Manly to see who gets to host the 6v7 game in week 1, as it stands the Cowboys get a massive leg up in that race by facing a severely weakened Melbourne side in their one and only clash this year and not through injury, suspension or origin commitments. Manly on the other hand had to face the storm who on that occasion presented their best available team (a game they won by the way).

It is rare that a team is locked in to a finishing position with 2 rounds to go but it's not a stretch to suggest that in the future a situation like this could literally decide a top 4 or top 8 position.

 

[Saxon]

Melbourne can and should do whatever is best for them, I would want my team to do the same.

However, having the conversation about whether this is good for the game is not a personal attack on Melbourne. I completely understand why the administrators and broadcasters wouldn't like this. The Cowboys are competing with Manly to see who gets to host the 6v7 game in week 1, as it stands the Cowboys get a massive leg up in that race by facing a severely weakened Melbourne side in their one and only clash this year and not through injury, suspension or origin commitments. Manly on the other hand had to face the storm who on that occasion presented their best available team (a game they won by the way).

It is rare that a team is locked in to a finishing position with 2 rounds to go but it's not a stretch to suggest that in the future a situation like this could literally decide a top 4 or top 8 position.

Look, I 100% agree. It's bad for the game. But it's the NRL and broadcaster's own fault.

While not even the most ardent Storm fan would have predicted locking up the minor premiership 3 weeks out, the NRL should have expected Storm would be playing finals. It's what they do - they've only missed 3 finals series in 26 years and only that one under Bellamy.

So - knowing that Storm are almost a lock in to play finals, they approve a draw that has Storm travelling to Townsville after a 5 day turnaround (incidentally to play a Cowboy's side fresh off the bye) backed up with a trip to Brisbane. They're just lucky the 5 day turnaround isn't next week or Storm would be resting a bunch of players in a game that at this stage potentially will decide finals teams. Incidentally, I believe Melbourne haven't played the Cowboys in Melbourne since 2020!

I definitely feel sorry for the Cowboys fans who won't get to see Melbourne at their best, and I understand (but don't care cos Manly ) that it slightly disadvantages the Sea-Eagles shot at 6th. I'm absolutely disappointed that it may deprive Jerome Hughes of the points he needs to win the Dally M. On the other hand I'm really excited to watch the young guys and fringe players get a chance.

But ultimately . . .

The NRL approved the draw and their lack of foresight and common sense should not impact Storm's right to manage their team as best as possible for the finals (regardless of idiotic scheduling decisions).

 

[JamesRustle]

Look, I 100% agree. It's bad for the game. But it's the NRL and broadcaster's own fault.

While not even the most ardent Storm fan would have predicted locking up the minor premiership 3 weeks out, the NRL should have expected Storm would be playing finals. It's what they do - they've only missed 3 finals series in 26 years and only that one under Bellamy.

So - knowing that Storm are almost a lock in to play finals, they approve a draw that has Storm travelling to Townsville after a 5 day turnaround (incidentally to play a Cowboy's side fresh off the bye) backed up with a trip to Brisbane. They're just lucky the 5 day turnaround isn't next week or Storm would be resting a bunch of players in a game that at this stage potentially will decide finals teams. Incidentally, I believe Melbourne haven't played the Cowboys in Melbourne since 2020!

I definitely feel sorry for the Cowboys fans who won't get to see Melbourne at their best, and I understand (but don't care cos Manly ) that it slightly disadvantages the Sea-Eagles shot at 6th. I'm absolutely disappointed that it may deprive Jerome Hughes of the points he needs to win the Dally M. On the other hand I'm really excited to watch the young guys and fringe players get a chance.

But ultimately . . .

The NRL approved the draw and their lack of foresight and common sense should not impact Storm's right to manage their team as best as possible for the finals (regardless of idiotic scheduling decisions).

f**k up about the draw and broadcasters... Given the situation, they would have rested the same number of players if it was a home game or a Sydney game... and they can do as they please given the situation. They haven't earned a right, they've been given an opportunity and taken full advantage.. as any other team would have.

 

[Someone2]

Cows by 14

 

[Grapple]

I like Wishart at 9. He's had a good season and can see him play like Cook darting out of dummy half this game.

 

[Apey]

Storm still a good chance here, Cowboys are peak pretenders for me.

 

[Valheru]

What this does do is put all the pressure on the Cowboys, if they can't beat this team at home they may as well not turn up in the finals.

I think the Melbourne defensive structure will hold up but they'll struggle to score points. Cowboys in a dour affair 16-8 or similar.