With the minor premiership secured the Storm have the luxury of being able to rest a host of stars from the gruelling road trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes and hooker Harry Grant are among 11 players getting a breather this week as coach Craig Bellamy looks ahead to the opening week of the finals when the Storm look likely to face either the Sharks or Panthers.
The Cowboys' place in the finals is secure but they would love nothing better than to make a statement against the Storm and then the Bulldogs in the final round.
Todd Payten's men have received a boost with Jeremiah Nanai (concussion protocols) and Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) back on deck for the Cowboys' first clash with the Storm since Round 14 last year, when they won 45-20 in Townsville.
Sportsbet Betting Preview: Cowboys v Storm
The Cowboys have won only six of 11 at home this season and will be keen to turn on a powerful showing for their loyal fans before possibly returning to host an elimination final in week one of the play-offs.
Match: Cowboys v Storm
Round 26 -
home Team
Cowboys
6th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: A late swap in the pack with Sam McIntyre to start and Jason Taumalolo going back to the bench. Jaxon Purdue was added to the bench on Wednesday with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki dropping out due to a hand injury. Forwards Jeremiah Nanai (concussion protocols) and Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) are back on deck. Thomas Mikaele is out with a hamstring injury. Tom Chester is 18th man.
Storm: The Storm are 1-17 with no late changes. Craig Bellamy has opted to rest Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero and Tui Kamikamica. Joining the backline are Dean Ieremia, Marion Seve and Young Tonumaipea, while Grant Anderson has been named at halfback in his return from concussion protocols. Christian Welch and Alec MacDonald join the starting side, Tyran Wishart starts at hooker and prop Lazarus Vaalepu will start a game for the first time after four appearances off the bench. Keagan Russell-Smith, Tristan Powell and Ativalu Lisati will make their NRL debuts from the bench. Coby Williamson is the 18th man.
Match: Cowboys v Storm
Round 26 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Storm is number 2 Dean Ieremia
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Storm is number 3 Marion Seve
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Storm is number 4 Young Tonumaipea
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Storm is number 5 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake CliffordHalfback for Storm is number 7 Grant Anderson
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Storm is number 8 Lazarus Vaalepu
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Storm is number 9 Tyran Wishart
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyreProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Kane Bradley
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Joe Chan
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Storm is number 13 Alec MacDonald
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloInterchange for Storm is number 14 Keagan Russell-Smith
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tepai Moeroa
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Storm is number 16 Ativalu Lisati
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Jaxon PurdueInterchange for Storm is number 17 Tristan Powell
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 20 Tom ChesterReplacement for Storm is number 18 Coby Williamson
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have scored 81 points in consecutive wins over the Storm.
- The Storm have won eight of their past nine away games.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored seven tries in his past four games.
- With victory Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy will become the second coach to win 400 games.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,
