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North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Tips & Preview - Storm to grind down Cowboys in NRL

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: 04 Jul 2025

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Andrew Hendrie 04 Jul 2025

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 18 game
Storm on a 4-game winning streak
Key players missing for the Cowboys due to Origin duty

Expired

Jahrome Hughes (Getty Images)

North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Preview

North Queensland have managed just two wins since Round 8 and I don't see that changing with the Melbourne Storm spine featuring Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen. I like the visitors to cover a -9.5 line in victory.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Preview
Head To Head
North Queensland Cowboys Form
North Queensland Cowboys Team News
North Queensland Cowboys Team List
Melbourne Storm Form
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne Storm Team List

Storm have won their last four games
Cowboys have lost three of their last four games
Cowboys have only beaten Titans & Tigers since Round 8
Storm have covered a -9.5 line in four of their last five wins
Cowboys' last four defeats have come by 18+ points
Jahrome Hughes has scored four tries in his last three games
Hughes scored a double vs Cowboys earlier this year

Head To Head

The Cowboys had won three straight games in this matchup before the Storm registered a dominant 38-14 victory back in Round 14 earlier this season.

North Queensland Cowboys Form

Overall, it's been a disappointing season for the Cowboys - they've showcased they can beat any side on their day, but their consistency is a real issue, along with a poor defence.

Weak defence and inconsistency doesn't lend itself to a spot in the top eight, so it's not really a surprise to see the Cowboys languishing in 12th spot, especially when the only teams they've beaten since the end of April are the Titans and Tigers.

North Queensland are coming off a win last weekend, but it wasn't pretty to say the last, overcoming the last-placed Titans in rainy conditions 30-24.

North Queensland Cowboys Team News

Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson are all out on Origin duty.

Tom Duffy has been named to play halfback for his first game since Round 2, while Jordan McLean and John Bateman return from injuries.

Harrison Edwards moves to hooker, Kai O'Donnell starts in the back row and Temple Kalepo makes his NRL debut off the bench.

North Queensland Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Robert Derby

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Zac Laybutt

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Jake Clifford

7. Thomas Duffy

8. Jordan McLean

9. Harrison Edwards

10. Griffin Neame

11. John Bateman

12. Kai O’Donnell

13. Sam McIntyre

Interchange

14. Temple Kalepo

15. Thomas Mikaele

16. Kaiden Lahrs

17. Coen Hess

Reserves

18. Braidon Burns

19. Marly Bitungane

20. Jamal Shibasaki

21. Jaxson Paulo

22. Mason Kira

Melbourne Storm Form

The Storm are making their move as they look towards peaking at the back-end of the season.

Indeed, Craig Bellmay's side are currently riding a four-game winning streak, which is their longest of the year.

Currently in third spot on the ladder, Melbourne are just two points behind Canberra at the top of the ladder - and with their superior points difference of +196, they are still strongly positioned to secure the minor premiership.

After a scrappy golden point dispatch of the Rabbitohs, the Storm were much more polished at home, avenging their defeat to Cronulla from earlier this season to prevail comfortably, 30-6.

Melbourne Storm Team News

Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Xavier Coates, Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu are all away in Origin camp, while Sua Faalogo is out with a hamstring injury.

Kane Bradley comes onto the wing and Joe Chan has been named at centre. Tyran Wishart partners Jahrome Hughes in the halves, Bronson Garlick comes in at hooker and Jonah Pezet joins the bench, alongside Lazarus Vaalepu and Ativalu Lisati.

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. Grant Anderson

3. Joe Chan

4. Nick Meaney

5. Kane Bradley

6. Tyran Wishart

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Tui Kamikamica

9. Bronson Garlick

10. Josh King

11. Shawn Blore

12. Eliesa Katoa

13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Interchange

14. Jonah Pezet

15. Alec MacDonald

16. Lazarus Vaalepu

17. Ativalu Lisati

Reserves

18. Josiah Pahulu

19. Coby Williamson

20. Gabriel Satrick

21. Keagan Russell-Smith

22. Siulagi Pio

Verdict

North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm

The Storm are backed to cover and win their fifth game on the bounce against an unconvincing Cowboys side who have struggled over the last two months.

Jahrome Hughes is at the peak of his powers and can cross for a try in his fourth consecutive game.

Storm -9.5

Line

@17/20 - 3 Units

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Under 48.5

Total Points

@9/10 - 2 Units

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Jahrome Hughes

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