<p>Few games this round will be as heavily impacted by State of Origin as this one between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>There will be no less than nine players unavailable across both teams, meaning backup will be required.</p> <p>These key omissions have paved the way for two unselected, yet Origin-level, stars to shine – Ryan Papenhuyzen and Scott Drinkwater.</p> <p>Neither would look out of place in the Blues No.1 jersey, but with back-to-back-to-back-to-back premiership-winning fullback Dylan Edwards ahead of them, it’s not hard to see why they were ultimately overlooked.</p> <p>Still, NSW’s loss is our gain, and we now get to be treated to this battle at the back. We expect both of these elite custodians to step up in the absence of their side’s other stars.</p> <p>Who will lead their side to victory and who will be left missing their teammates that are away on Origin duty? Let’s find out!</p> <p>Here’s how both sides will line up for this one, as well as betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer, and over/under markets. This is our Cowboys vs Storm prediction.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cowboys vs Storm Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Queensland Cowboys Team List</h3> <p>1. Scott Drinkwater</p> <p>2. Robert Derby&nbsp;</p> <p>3. Jaxon Purdue</p> <p>4. Zac Laybutt</p> <p>5. Murray Taulagi</p> <p>6. Jake Clifford</p> <p>7. Tom Duffy</p> <p>8. Jordan McLean</p> <p>9. Harrison Edwards</p> <p>10. Griffin Neame</p> <p>11. John Bateman</p> <p>12. Kai O'Donnell</p> <p>13. Sam McIntyre</p> <p>14. Temple Kalepo</p> <p>15. Thomas Mikaele</p> <p>16. Kaiden Lahrs</p> <p>17. Coen Hess</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Melbourne Storm Team List</h3> <p>1. Ryan Papenhuyzen</p> <p>2. Grant Anderson</p> <p>3. Joe Chan</p> <p>4. Nick Meaney</p> <p>5. Kane Bradley</p> <p>6. Tyran Wishart</p> <p>7. Jahrome Hughes</p> <p>8. Tui Kamikamica</p> <p>9. Bronson Garlick</p> <p>10. Josh King</p> <p>11. Shawn Blore</p> <p>12. Eli Katoa</p> <p>13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona</p> <p>14. Jonah Pezet</p> <p>15. Alec MacDonald</p> <p>16. Lazarus Vaalepu</p> <p>17. Ativalu Lisati</p>

<h2>Cowboys vs Storm Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>North Queensland finally managed to stop the bleeding last start, holding on for a nerve-wracking 30-24 win in the Desperation Derby.</p> <p>Hopefully they’ve still got the tourniquet handy this week, because they’re going to need it with the Melbourne Storm rolling into town.</p> <p>Yes, Melbourne will be sans Cameron Munster, Xavier Coates, Harry Grant, Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu, but the Cowboys will be just as undermanned.</p> <p>Reece Robson, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai are all off to the Origin arena too and if anyone forgot how the Cows got on last time without their Origin stars, let us remind you.</p> <p>They were pummelled 58-4 on their own patch by the Dolphins in one of the worst showings of the season.</p> <p>Melbourne have the depth to cover for the absences that North Queensland simply do not. We like the Storm by plenty here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>Even though we fancy Melbourne by a bunch here, we actually like the look of a Cowboy for first try scorer.</p> <p>Former Storm prodigal son Scott Drinkwater starred last week in his side’s win over the Titans and will need to do plenty of heavy lifting against his former employers if the Cowboys want any hope of winning this one.</p> <p>Players always seem to go to another level when playing their old sides. So, look to Drinkwater to go out and prove a point by scoring four of them early.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Scott Drinkwater.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Melbourne know how to score them, and North Queensland don’t know how to keep them out. If the fuse is lit earlier, there could be plenty of points in this one.</p> <p>Recent history supports this notion, as each of the last four matches between North Queensland and Melbourne have gone over the total match points line.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Over total match points.</p>

<h2>Cowboys vs Storm Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Saturday, July 5, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 7:35pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.&nbsp;</p>