Melbourne Storm vs. North Queensland Cowboys: Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Melbourne Storm will look to make the most of home advantage when they take on North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League's second preliminary final on Saturday.
After earning an extra week off following their qualifying final win over Sydney Roosters, the Storm are back in action at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia, and looking to reach their first grand final since 2012.
North Queensland, meanwhile, head out on the road looking to make the final for the second time in their short history, their other appearance in the showpiece event coming in 2005.
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They kept their 20th anniversary season alive for at least one more week with a resounding 39-0 triumph over Cronulla Sharks on September 19.
When: Saturday, September 26, at 7:40 p.m. local / 10:40 a.m. BST
Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
TV: Nine Network (Australia), SKY Sport (New Zealand), Premier Sports (UK), SKY Pacific (Pacific Islands), Orbit Showtime (Middle East), Roger Sportsnet (Canada), Setanta Sports (Asia), Fox Sports (Africa)
Live stream: NRL.com (regional restrictions apply)
Overview
Melbourne may well be peaking at just the right time.
Their last three outings have seen them record wins over the other teams still left standing in the playoffs, including a 14-6 triumph against North Queensland in round 25 of the regular season.
However, the Cowboys were without halfback Michael Morgan in that game due to an ankle injury.
Morgan made a quiet comeback in the 16-12 qualifying final defeat to Brisbane Broncos on September 12, but he was back to his best in the demolition of the Sharks.
His partnership with captain Johnathan Thurston will be crucial to the Cowboys' hopes of upsetting their hosts.
Melbourne, meanwhile, are waiting to see if Marika Koroibete is passed fit to play in the must-win match. The winger suffered a lacerated Achilles against Sydney that required stitches and plastic surgery.
Football director Frank Ponissi said of Koroibete's health, per Australia Associated Press (h/t abc.net.au): "He's lost a lot of strength in his calf in the last 10 days so he's got to build up that strength really quickly—that's probably the thing holding him back the most."
Koroibete was hurt in Storm's 20-18 triumph over the Roosters, a result that meant Craig Bellamy's men were allowed an extra week to recover and prepare for the preliminary final.
Bellamy doesn't believe that the recent win over the Cowboys will make a difference to the outcome this weekend, per Roy Ward of the Sydney Morning Herald: "I think the conditions going in will be a little bit different—it was wet then, whereas it looks like it will be dry on Saturday night, so both teams will change their tactics a bit."
But, while Melbourne have had the chance to heal up, North Queensland are going into the contest fresh off a fine team performance against the Sharks.
Considering their display, it is no surprise that Cowboys coach Paul Green has named an unchanged side.
Melbourne, meanwhile, will start prop Tim Glasby, with Jordan McClean dropping to the bench.
Form guide
Melbourne Storm:
Won 20-18 vs. Sydney Roosters
Won 15-8 vs. Brisbane Broncos
Won 14-6 vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Lost 20-6 vs. Newcastle Knights
Won 30-2 vs. Cronulla Sharks
Won 36-14 vs. Gold Coast Titans
North Queensland Cowboys:
Won 39-0 vs. Cronulla Sharks
Lost 16-12 vs. Brisbane Broncos
Won 42-12 vs. Gold Coast Titans
Lost 14-6 vs. Melbourne Storm
Won 50-16 vs. New Zealand Warriors
Lost 31-18 vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Players to watch
Melbourne Storm: Jesse Bromwich
The New Zealander has built himself a reputation as one of the best forwards in the NRL, but now he has to prove it when his team's season is on the line.
He knows the Cowboys will look to front up, telling Michael Carayannis of the Sydney Morning Herald: "For us as a forward pack we have to stand up to that and make sure it doesn't happen like it did to the Sharks."
North Queensland Cowboys: Matt Scott
Matt Scott played like a man possessed against Cronulla. He made 182 metres in the rout, including one barnstorming run from a restart that saw him skittle defenders like a tenpin bowling ball.
The experienced prop, who has played for Australia, has spent his whole career with the Cowboys. He made his debut for the team back in 2004 and has now amassed over 200 appearances.
His head-to-head battle with Bromwich should be fascinating to watch, and it could go a long way to deciding the outcome.
Key battle: Up front
Both sides have halfback pairings that can do damage to the opposition, but only if the foundations have been laid up front.
Therefore, the forwards have to do their job. They have to make the hard yards and put the skill players in positions on the field where they can have an impact.
North Queensland boasts a strong pack that includes Scott, James Tamou and Jason Taumalolo. They are also blessed with having a player of Ben Hannant's quality to use from the bench.
Melbourne, though, have not one, but two Bromwichs. While Jesse will start, younger sibling Kenny is among the substitutes. They, and the rest of the Storm's big men, must lay the platform for success.
To that extent, the forwards also need to keep their discipline. Penalties can give up both territory and, even more crucially, points.
Teams
Melbourne Storm: 1. Cameron Munster, 2. Marika Koroibete, 3. William Chambers, 4. Kurt Mann, 5. Matt Duffie, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe
Interchange: 14. Kenny Bromwich, 15. Dale Finucane, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Jordan McClean, 18. Christian Welch, 19. Dayne Weston
North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Johnathan Thurston, 8. Matthew Scott, 9. Jake Granville, 10. James Tamou, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn, 15. John Asiata, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Ben Hannant.
Prediction
Melbourne's strong defence—only minor premiers Sydney Roosters conceded fewer points in the regular season—will help them progress to the grand final.
However, their ability to score points will be seriously hurt if leading try-scorer Koroibete is not fit to play.
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