Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys: NRL Friday preview

Melbourne Storm need two points on Friday night against North Queensland Cowboys to keep the pressure on at the top of the NRL ladder.

The Storm were the hot fancies heading into the 2025 season, but sit fourth on the ladder, four points behind leaders Canterbury Bulldogs.

There is still plenty of time to go in the season, and it is all about peaking at the right time, but they cannot afford any more slip ups.

Finishing in the top four is crucial to a team’s chances of winning the premiership, and the Cowboys are also fighting to get there.

The Cowboys are sixth on the ladder and can move to within one point of the Storm if they cause an upset at AAMI Park.

They have won the last two meetings, but both were in North Queensland, and doing it in Melbourne is another matter.

Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys betting preview

Storm search for consistency

The Storm have been struggling to string back-to-back wins together but will get another chance on Friday night.

They head into the game on the back of a 28-16 win at the Gold Coast Titans in Round 13, and need to back it up on home soil.

Craig Bellamy’s side have been formidable at home this season, losing just the one game, against the Canberra Raiders.

Their last home clash saw them smash Wests Tigers 64-0, but it will be a closer affair against the Cowboys.

Even so, they can be backed at 1.70 to win the game by 13+ points.

The Storm have been piling the points on this season, averaging 33 a game, and are priced at 1.90 to score over 32.5 against the Cowboys.

Cowboys eye upset

The Cowboys head into the game on the back of a 32-28 win over Wests Tigers, which was their first win in four games.

Defeats to the Warriors and Sea Eagles, and a draw with the Panthers, had put them on the back foot, but the win over the Tigers should give them a boost.

AAMI Park has not been a happy hunting ground for them however, winning just two out of the eight games played there.

If they are to pull off just their third win at AAMI Park, it is likely to be close, and they can be backed at 6.00 to win by 1-12 points.

Jaxon Purdue will be a player to watch after he grabbed his 11th try of the season in the win over the Tigers.

Scott Drinkwater also scored a try and booted three conversions, and will be key to the Cowboys chances of getting a result.

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Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys odds

Melbourne Storm - 1.21
North Queensland Cowboys - 4.50

View the full market and more odds for Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.