Nick Markham | rugbyleaguelive.com | 24/04/08
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm
Saturday 26th April, 7.30pm
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Referee: Gavin Badger
HEAD TO HEAD
Played 16, Storm 11, Cowboys 5.
FORM GUIDE
Cowboys: LLLWWW
Storm: WLLWWW
This matchup promises to be an absolute cracker with both sides close to full strength and riding three game winning streaks.
But having said that, the corresponding game last year also promised the world then delivered very little – the Storm toying with a Cowboys defence that had more leaks than Sonny Bill Williams after a night out on the turps, on the way to a 58-12 thumping.
It’s almost impossible to envisage a similar result this time around, with the Cowboys’ form on a steep upward curve off the back of irrepressible duo Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen, and the Storm coming in off a far from convincing win over perennial strugglers Canberra.
The home side is again experiencing an injury crisis in the forwards with Luke O’Donnell, Matt Scott and Sione Faumuina on the sidelines, while Sika Manu is the only injury omission from Monday’s side for the premiers.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Can Melbourne’s renowned defence nullify the attacking brilliance of Thurston and Bowen?
KEY MATCH UPS
Matthew Bowen v Billy Slater
The matchup of two of the game’s most exciting talents is bound to be a highlight of what shapes as an enthralling contest.
Bowen was positively electric for the Cowboys last week against the Warriors, bagging a hat-trick in his return from a knee injury. The diminutive fullback showed he’d lost none of his trademark acceleration and the seemingly telepathic connection he shares with Thurston was nothing short of breathtaking.
Slater has been in stunning form himself, and was again integral for the Storm in their come-from-behind victory over the Raiders, scoring a crucial second half try that proved the catalyst for a Melbourne fightback. “Billy the kid” is widely tipped to be on the verge of test selection following a stellar start to season 2008, and a starring performance against the Cowboys in Townsville may just seal the deal.
Johnathan Thurston v Cooper Cronk
The universally recognized number one player in the game versus one of the most underrated number 7’s going around.
Thurston is approaching peak form following off-season reconstructive surgery to both shoulders, and the return of his partner-in-crime Bowen has added yet another dimension to his already bulging playbook. The Storm will need to be at their stonewalling best defensively to shut down the playmaking maestro.
Cronk doesn’t often get the plaudits of a Greg Inglis or an Israel Folau, but he is just as important to the Storm’s attacking machine as any of his high-profile teammates. Cronk’s pinpoint kicking and deft passing game are crucial in getting the Storm’s attack rolling, and he can also be very damaging when he chooses to run the ball.
COACHES CORNER
The Cowboys will have to do something they don’t like to do in order to get over the top of Melbourne – get in the grind. The North Queenslanders can often be lax in defense and back their attacking brilliance to get them out of trouble. They cannot afford to leak soft tries against the Storm; they simply won’t be able to get them back, regardless of how well they attack.
The Cowboys need to be committed in defence and disciplined coming out of their own end for the entire 80 minutes, otherwise the Storm will make them pay.
Melbourne mentor Craig Bellamy has hatched many a plan to nullify the attacking prowess of the Cowboys, and most times they’ve been resoundingly successful. As mentioned above, the Cowboys can be undisciplined in defence and have shown an inability to grind out close results in the past, and the Storm would certainly fancy their chances if the match is close heading into the final ten minutes.
The Storm’s watertight defence will have to be at its absolute best to deny the attacking genius of Thurston and Bowen, but would gain confidence from the fact they’ve done it before.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head – Cowboys $2.15, Storm $1.68
It’s not the best idea to tip against a champion side like the Storm, but the $2.15 about the Cowboys on their home patch to me looks like great value. Anyone who saw the performances of Bowen and Thurston last week against the Warriors, combined with the Storm’s struggle to get past Canberra, would be inclined to agree.
CASUALTY WARD
Cowboys: - Matt Scott – ankle (Rd 21); Shane Tronc – shoulder, indefinite; Sione Faumuina – groin (Rd 12); Luke O’Donnell – hip (Rd 11)
Storm: – Sika Manu – ankle (Rd 8); Ben MacDougall – knee, indefinite; Danny Vaughn – knee, season.
BAD BOYS
Cowboys: - (no suspensions)
Storm: - (no suspensions)
TEAM LISTS
Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Mark Henry, Ashley Graham, Ben Harris, John Williams, Justin Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Ray Cashmere, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Steve Southern, Sam Faust, Jacob Lillyman. Interchange: David Faiumu, Matthew Bartlett, Scott Bolton, Dayne Weston.
Storm: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Adam Blair, Cam Smith (c), Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Matt Geyer, Antonio Kafusi, Michael Crocker, Clifford Manua.
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