NRL Round 12 Preview - Cowboys v Storm @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
 
Preview - The Cowboys’ season is on life support as they host the defending premiers, the Melbourne Storm, in Townsville on Friday night. The Cowboys were left with their hearts broken as they went down 20-19 to Souths, conceding a penalty with inside a minute to play for offside in trying to charge down an Adam Reynolds field goal. The Storm have problems of their own having dropped two of their last three games, putting in a performance Craig Bellamy described as "crap" in losing 24-4 to Manly at home. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - Paul Green has stuck with the same team as last week, despite going down narrowly to Souths. His late changes paid off to an extent with Te Maire Martin again named at five-eight and Michael Morgan at fullback, as the team were unluckily to go down in the last minute to the Rabbitohs. Matt Scott (knee) has been named after being cleared of serious injury.
 
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report  - The Storm welcome back captain Cameron Smith who returns at hooker, pushing Brandon Smith back to the bench and Harry Grant out of the team. Curtis Scott is out suspended after his brain exposition last week, and is replaced at left centre by Young Tonumaipea. The Storms best front rower, Jesse Bromwich (knee), returns at starting prop, bumping Christian Welch to the extended bench. Joe Stimson starts in the back row for Ryan Hoffman. Sam Kasiano returns to the top grade on the bench.
 
Verdict - Storm by 8-16

I have been against the Cowboys all season and I’m not about to change now. The Storm have belted the Cowboys the last three times that they have come up against them, and Craig Bellamy knows how to come up with a game plan to beat an old and creaking side. I have no doubt the Cowboys will compete, however I just think with Smith back, the Storm rarely drop two in a row and, despite their inconsistent form, I'm expecting a reaction after their awful display last week. For the Cowboys I think all the juice has been squeezed out of the orange.