Both teams entered their final pre-season game in Melbourne with most of their stars on board, with the Cowboys taking plenty of confidence after the rousing victory over the 2024 grand finalists.Â
Fullback Scott Drinkwater bagged two tries among his side's seven, while young halfback Thomas Duffy looks certain to make his NRL debut in round one after an impressive showing.
Teenager Jaxon Purdue reassured North Queensland coach Todd Payten that there's life after Valentine Holmes, scoring a try in a convincing display in the centres.
John Bateman also showed he will be a handy acquisition, with the 31-year-old Englishman heavily involved.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy won't be happy with his team's outing as they build toward a round one meeting against the Jason Ryles-coached Parramatta.
Bellamy is looking to keep his remarkable record of never having lost an opening-round match alive, with the stretch currently at 21 straight wins.
Playing in Casey in outer south-east Melbourne, the home side were guilty of some sloppy ballwork and poor discipline, with skipper Harry Grant sin-binned midway through the first half after repeated team infringements.
North Queensland pushed out to an 18-10 lead by halftime, with the scoreline blowing out in the second half as Melbourne's defence fell away when they emptied their bench.
The scoreline was out to 36-10 before Melbourne saved their blushes by scoring three late tries through youngster Keagan Russell-Smith, star siging Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore, who crossed in the 80th minute.
Play was temporarily halted with 15 minutes left when young fullback Hugo Peel was knocked out in a collision with teammate Coby Williamson, with the 19-year-old taken off the field in an ambulance.
Initial reports suggested this was merely a precautionary measure, but the Storm had earlier lost starting fullback Sua Faalago to a tight hamstring.
First choice No.1 Ryan Papenhuyzen is also in doubt for round one after sitting out the trial with lower leg soreness.
