Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 11 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Melbourne Storm heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. Melbourne Storm game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday May 21, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Odds
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Preview
North Queensland is the NRL’s 2022 surprise packet in third place, but it’s hard to argue against the Cowboys legitimately being the third-best team in the competition right now. The 7-3 Cowboys are chasing a sixth straight win for the first time since their 2015 premiership season.
For the second game in a row, they took their time getting on top of an unfancied opponent in a 36-12 win over the Tigers. But the Cowboys’ defence is the second-best in the league and there is barely a player in their line-up not exceeding expectations. Murray Taulagi, Reuben Cotter, Chad Townsend and Peta Hiku were the Magic Round heroes.
A flat Parramatta is the best-credentialled victim during North Queensland’s current spree. Hosting Melbourne shapes as easily the bolters’ toughest test of 2022 to date.
The 8-2 Storm’s six-match tear – in which they averaged 40 points a game – ended with a 32-6 loss to Penrith in Brisbane, hindered by the absence of Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen. Halfback Hughes returns this week, but Mr. Fix-it Tyran Wishart will remain at fullback. Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been ruled out.
The Storm are on a 12-match winning streak against the Cowboys, though four of the last five encounters were decided by eight points or less. The streaking Storm were pushed to the brink in a 20-16 victory in Townsville in Round 19 last year.
Without getting too carried away with the Cowboys’ blistering form through a soft section of their draw, they are a huge chance of a drought-breaking upset of the Storm here.
The Munster-Hughes-Grant-Smith combination is capable of blowing any team off the park – but they could really do with Papenhuyzen to unlock a defence that has conceded just 9.6 points on average over the past five rounds.
Content provided by l
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Melbourne Storm to win at $1.52 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Xavier Coates at $7.75.