7:50 pm THURSDAY AUGUST 29th,2024 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM, TOWNSVILLE
Storm Rest Key Players Ahead of Trip to Townsville
With the minor premiership in hand, the Storm have the luxury of resting some of their key players for the tough road trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes and hooker Harry Grant are the leading candidates for a breather this week as coach Craig Bellamy looks ahead to the opening week of the finals when the Storm look likely to face either the Sharks or Panthers.
Cowboys Aim to Make a Statement in Final Round Clash
The Cowboys have secured their spot in the finals, but they’d relish the opportunity to make a statement against the Storm and then the Bulldogs in the final round.
Todd Payten’s men are set to receive a boost with Jeremiah Nanai (concussion protocols) and Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) due back this week for the Cowboys’ first clash with the Storm since Round 14 last year, when they won 45-20 in Townsville.
The Cowboys have won just six of their 11 home games this season and will be eager to deliver a strong performance for their loyal fans, especially with the potential to host an elimination final in the first week of the playoffs.
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 , 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Tomas Chester 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Braidon Burns
Key Returnees Boost Cowboys’ Chances Against Storm
Craig Bellamy has decided to rest a number of key players, including Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, and Tui Kamikamica. Stepping into the backline are Dean Ieremia, Marion Seve, and Young Tonumaipea, with Grant Anderson returning from concussion protocols to play halfback.
Christian Welch and Alec MacDonald will join the starting lineup, Tyran Wishart will start at hooker, and prop Lazarus Vaalepu will make his starting debut after four games off the bench. Keagan Russell-Smith, Tristan Powell, and Ativalu Lisati are set to make their NRL debuts from the bench.
Storm’s Grant Anderson to Play Halfback in Surprising Move
The likes of Dean Ieremia, Marion Seve, Young Tonumaipea and Kane Bradley will get an opportunity this week, but in a decision absolutely no one saw coming, Bellamy has named Grant Anderson in the No.7 jersey.
Grant Anderson has played 23 NRL games, primarily on the wing, at centre, or off the bench. In the Queensland Cup, he has appeared in 50 games, exclusively in the centres, on the wing, or at fullback.
Storm
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 , 14. Keagan Russell-Smith 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Ativalu Lisati 17. Tristan Powell , 18. Coby Williamson 19. Ammaron Gudgeon 20. Josh King 21. Trent Loiero 22. Nick Meaney
Referee. Grant Atkins ,Touch Judges. Drew Oultram, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski ,Bunker, Adam Gee
The Cowboys have scored 81 points in consecutive wins over the Storm.
The Storm have won eight of their past nine away games.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored seven tries in his past four games.
With victory Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy will become the second coach to win 400 games.
Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Prediction
The Storm secured the minor premiership last week with a big win over the Dolphins and will give some of their key players a rest for this trip to FNQ. The Cowboys had last week off after flogging the Raiders the week before, the same Raiders who beat the Panthers last week. If you believe in form lines the Cowboys should win this one at home.
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