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Melbourne Storm landed the minor Premiership last week and will utilise that to their advantage as they look to keep their squad fresh ahead of the finals. That could open the door for North Queensland Cowboys to claim an otherwise an unlikely victory.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Thursday 29th August, 2024 - 10:50am / AUS - 7:50pm / US EST - 5:50am / US PST - 2:50am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be broadcast live in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League and Nine in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and 9Now in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS FORM: COWBOYS SEAL FINALS BERTH
An emphatic success against Canberra Raiders saw North Queensland book their spot in the top eight with their late-season run of form of four wins from five helping them get the job done.
LAST FIVE: WWWLW
MELBOURNE STORM FORM: STORM HAMMER DOLPHINS
A third win in succession secured the minor Premiership for the Storm. They posted 48 points in their big win over the Dolphins and will take some beating come the finals.
LAST FIVE: WLWWW
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS TEAM NEWS: NANAI AND TAUMAOLO RETURN
Jeremiah Nanai and Jason Taumalolo are both back in the side after overcoming injuries which sees Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Sam McIntyre drop to the bench. Thomas Mikaele and Jaxon Purdue make way from the 17.
Starting 13: 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 Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame Reserves: 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Tomas Chester 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Braidon Burns
MELBOURNE STORM TEAM NEWS: BELLAMY RINGS THE CHANGES
Craig Bellamy has opted to rest a significant portion of his first-choice side with the likes of Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant and Tui Kamikamica afforded the week off. Exciting talent Sualauvi Faalogo has been named on the wing and gets a chance to shine with Grant Anderson at halfback.
Starting 13: 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 Bench: 14. Keagan Russell-Smith 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Ativalu Lisati 17. Tristan Powell Reserves: 18. Coby Williamson 19. Ammaron Gudgeon 20. Josh King 21. Trent Loiero 22. Nick Meaney
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS MELBOURNE STORM PREDICTION
North Queensland Cowboys will join Melbourne Storm in the finals but will be hoping to get one over the minor premiers as they do battle here. The hosts have lost just one of their last five and still have a chance of finishing inside the top four, although that is a long shot. With the Storm resting a host of stars and making wholesale changes, it would take a big effort from the visitors here and it would be a surprise if they were able to come out on top.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS MELBOURNE STORM TIP: NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS TO WIN