NRL Rd 26 preview: Cowboys v Storm betting tips | Thursday, 29/8

Cowboys v Storm R26 best bets

North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm match preview

The North Queensland Cowboys can continue their red-hot run to the finals on Thursday night when they host a second-string Melbourne Storm side to kick off round 26 of the 2024 NRL Premiership season.

The Cowboys’ run to the finals started a fortnight ago when they hosted the Canberra Raiders at this ground and dished out a 38-point thrashing at this ground. Having won four of their last five matches, including wins over the Sharks and Bulldogs, the home side will be hoping a win-win finish to the season could lift them into the top four on the NRL ladder.

Meanwhile, the Storm secured the 2024 NRL Minor Premiership last weekend when they demolished an injured Dolphins outfit by 42 points in Melbourne to secure their 18th win of the season.

Separated from the Roosters, Sharks and Panthers by six points, coach Craig Bellamy has opted to rest several star players from his side for this match. Eliesa Katoa, Harry Grant, Jack Howarth, Jahrome Hughes, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Shawn Blore, Tui Kamikamica and Will Warbrick have all been rested, while Josh King, Trent Loiero and Nick Meaney remain in the extended reserves.

Dean Ieremia will start on the wing with Marion Seve and Young Tonumaipea in the centres. Grant Anderson is the starting halfback with Lazarus Vaalepu and Christian Welch in the front row, Kane Bradley and Joe Chan will start in the second row, with Tyran Wishart at hooker and Alec MacDonald locking the scrum. Tepai Moeroa has been named on the interchange bench alongside Keagan Russell-Smith, Ativalu Lisati and Tristan Powell, who will all make their NRL debuts.

Cowboys head coach Todd Payten has also made a couple of changes to his side, bolstering the starting line-up heading into finals football. Jason Taumalolo and Jeremiah Nanai have been named to start in the front and second row, respectively, pushing Sam McIntyre and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki back to the interchange bench and Thomas Mikaele out of the squad.

Cowboys v Raiders R24 team lists

North Queensland Cowboys

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
14. Sam McIntyre
15. Harrison Edwards
16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
17. Griffin Neame

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Dean Ieremia
3. Marion Seve
4. Young Tonumaipea
5. Sualauvi Faalogo
6. Cameron Munster
7. Grant Anderson
8. Lazarus Vaaleppu
9. Tyran Wishart
10. Christian Welch
11. Kane Bradley
12. Joe Chan
13. Alec MacDonald
14. Leagan Russell-Smith
15. Tepai Moeroa
16. Ativalu Lisati
17. Tristan Powell

Cowboys v Storm R26 betting predictions

The Cowboys opened as -196.08 bookmaker favourites to win this match. A price the punters have taken on with the home side now a -416.67 chance to win following confirmation of mass-resting by the Storm.

While the Cowboys have lost three of their last five clashes with Melbourne; they have won the last two matches these sides have played, both of which were at this ground and both wins came by more than 13 points. North Queensland’s recent form against Melbourne has been strong, they’ve covered the line in each of their seven matches and the Cowboys have also won each of their last five games against sides ranked in the top eight. The best value bet in this match for the punters is backing the home side to win by 13 points or more again at -109.89 odds with Neds bookmaker.

Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater will be taking on his former club again this week after receiving an ‘early mark’ from coach Payten in the Raiders match. In his last game playing 80 minutes on the field, he scored a double against the Tigers with his team pouring on 48 points. Should the Cowboys pile the points on against the Storm on Thursday night, he will be a great value play to score (+115) against his old club.

Point scoring in matches between these two clubs in recent history has not been an issue, with four of the last five matches exceeding the total points line. Three of the last five Cowboys wins have seen 52 points or more scored, and this trend should continue again with more than 52 points scored (-111.11).

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