We take a look at Friday nights (6/9/2019) NRL 2019 Week 25 match is between the Melbourne Storm and the North Queensland Cowboys. Having locked up the minor premiership Melbourne will be looking to finish the season with a big win at home against the North Queensland Cowboys.
When: Friday September 6, 7:55pm
Where: AAMI Park
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
The minor premiership was wrapped up for the Storm a couple of weeks ago, but that didn’t stop them from dominating the Sea Eagles to win 36-6 in round 24. They’ll look to finish the regular season with another win, their 20th of the season, when they host the Cowboys on Friday night.
North Queensland sent their home fans away from the final ever game at 1300SMILES Stadium with a 15-8 win against Canterbury in a tense match last Thursday night.
They have named a largely settled side for this clash, with Josh McGuire back from suspension a boost for their forward pack, seeing Reuben Cotter drop out.
Melbourne has taken the chance to rest Cameron Munster, Josh Addo-Carr and Brandon Smith for this one, meaning Jahrome Hughes will partner Brodie Croft in the halves.
North Queensland has had a dogged time of it against the Storm, losing nine in a row against the minor premiers. In round 5 this season, Melbourne prevailed 18-12 in Townsville, pulling away in the final 20 minutes to claim the six-point win.
Despite winning plenty of home games in 2019, the Storm have covered just four times from 11 starts. That includes failing to cover their past three home fixtures against Manly, Canberra and Gold Coast. The Cows’ last win in Melbourne was a famous one, the 2015 preliminary final triumph that took them to the Grand Final, which they won.
The Wolf thinks they’ll have to wait a little longer to taste victory down south again, but they can keep things respectable, with the starting line far too big in a match with nothing at stake.
Odds:
Tip: Melbourne Storm at $1.14
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Sandor Earl at $7.50
Teams:
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Sandor Earl 6. Brodie Croft 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Max King 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tino Faasuamaleaui 17. Tom Eisenhuth 18. Curtis Scott 19. Joe Stimson 20. Billy Walters 21. Harry Grant
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jordan Kahu 4. Tom Opacic 5. Murray Taulagi 6. John Asiata 7. Michael Morgan 8. Scott Bolton 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Shane Wright 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Josh McGuire 15. Coen Hess 16. Peter Hola 17. Francis Molo 18. Corey Jensen 19. Reuben Cotter 20. Tom Gilbert 21. Jake Clifford
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change