NRL Round 3 Preview - Storm v Cowboys @ AAMI Park

Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys @ AAMI Park
 
Preview – It’s a blockbuster replay of the 2017 NRL Grand Final, as the Cowboys travel to Melbourne to take on the defending Premiers.  The Cowboys were the fairy tale story of the finals, coming from 8th to make the decider, before being blown out 34-6 by the Storm in the decider. Both sides will be looking to rebound from losses in Week 2 after the Cowboys were bounced 24-20 by the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, whilst the Storm were stunned by the Tigers 10-8 at home.
 
History - The Storm well and truly had the wood on the Cowboys in 2017, beating them twice in the regular season before that decisive triumph in the decider. The sides produced a classic in Round 15 during the middle of the Origin period, with both sides missing key players, going to a Golden Point game, with the Storm getting home 23-22 courtesy of a Brodie Croft field goal. They then clashed in Round 22 in an at times spiteful and scrappy game at 1300 Smiles Stadium, with the Storm running out 26-8 winners. These two Clubs are regular finals’ combatants, having met in the past two finals’ series, with the Storm winning 14-10 in Week 1 of the finals at AAMI Park last season. However, the Cowboys won the Preliminary Final in 2015 at the same venue, crushing the Storm on their way to winning the Premiership. 
 
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - The Storm have named an unchanged starting line-up from the side that were stunned by the Tigers at AAMI Park. Brodie Croft had several defenders up in his face and made a few errors, so it will be interesting to see how the youngster responds under pressure here against a quality opponent. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - The Cowboys are bolstered significantly with Michael Morgan named to  to start, with Te Maire Martin shifting to the bench. Blockbusting backrower Coen Hess moves into the starting side for Ethan Lowe, who drops back to the bench. 
 
Verdict - Storm by 10-20
 
I think Melbourne are going to come out and put in a far better performance this week than they did last week against the Tigers. Craig Bellamy looked ropable with his side for being out hustled in a huge milestone game for Billy Slater, for which they usually save their best. I think they come out firing here, as they rarely, if ever, lose two games in a row at home. The Cowboys, for me this season, don't have the outside backs to compete with a side like the Storm if both forward packs cancel each other out. If the Storm can hold the Cowboys huge forward pack, I expect them to be too quick and skilful outside and run away with this game in the second half.