Coming off their first victory of the season, the North Queensland Cowboys will set out to repeat the dose when they host the Melbourne Storm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

They waited until the concluding contest of last week, but the Cowboys finally got to play in front of their home crowd and duly saluted with a 30-16 victory over the bottom-dwelling Titans.

Meanwhile, it was a Grand Final rematch to forget for the Storm as they again coughed up a double-digit half-time lead over the Broncos, leading to their first stumble of the year.

Craig Bellamy has stuck with the same 19 from that loss, with Trent Loiero named to start in a swap with Tui Kamikamica.

The Cowboys have lost Tom Chester through suspension, with Zac Laybutt returning to the centres in his absence. Melbourne won both meetings between these teams last season, including a 26-20 result at this venue.

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of this battle up in the tropics, check out our Cowboys vs Storm tips and predictions below.

Cowboys vs Storm Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

The North Queensland Cowboys return to Townsville with some wind in their sails after securing their first win of the season against a hapless Gold Coast outfit.

But they’ll have their work cut out for them as they host the Melbourne Storm coming off their first loss in the Grand Final rematch against the Broncos.

While the victory gets them off the mark, many pundits remain unconvinced by Todd Payten’s men, who looked like a bottom-four team during their opening two matches of the season.

Halfback Jake Clifford has been the shining light, orchestrating the attack with several try assists, but the Cowboys' defensive consistency remains a major question mark.

The Melbourne Storm will have copped a famous Bellamy spray after capitulating against the Broncos and will be coming into this one ready to compete.

Craig Bellamy’s men are famous for their bounce-back factor; the Storm historically play exceptionally well coming off a loss and rarely lose two in a row.

We’re backing the Storm to find their clinical edge and secure victory in this one - watch out for little Sua Fa’alogo with the white headgear.

Betting tip: Melbourne Storm.

First Try Scorer Prediction

As mentioned above, the Cowboys will be wise to watch out for the man in the white headgear at the back for Melbourne.

Sualauvi Fa'alogo is the latest superstar to be unearthed by the Melbourne machine and off the back of his sparkling form to start the season, is our tip for first try scorer in this one.

Dating back to last year, Fa'alogo has scored at least one try in each of his last four appearances.

Betting tip: Sualauvi Fa'alogo.

Over/Under Prediction

Four of North Queensland's last five matches have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over (51.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

The underdog has covered the line in nine of the last 10 matches between North Queensland and Melbourne.

Betting tip: Cowboys (+12.5) line.

Cowboys vs Storm Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips

Braidon Burns

Braidon Burns has scored a try in each of North Queensland's last five matches as an underdog.

Will Warbrick

Will Warbrick has scored at least one try in seven of his last eight appearances with Melbourne as an away favourite.

Scott Drinkwater

Scott Drinkwater has scored at least one try in four of North Queensland's last five matches in Queensland.

Cameron Munster

In four of North Queensland's last five matches, the opposition's starting five-eighth has scored a try.

Jaxon Purdue

Jaxon Purdue has scored a try in three of North Queensland's last four home matches.

Moses Leo

In four of Melbourne's last five away matches, its starting left centre has scored a try.

Murray Taulagi

Murray Taulagi has scored two tries in three of his last four appearances.

Harry Grant

Harry Grant has scored a try in three of his last four away appearances.

Cowboys vs Storm Teams

North Queensland Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Braidon Burns

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Zac Laybutt

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Jake Clifford

7. Tom Dearden (c)

8. Coen Hess

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. Heilum Luki

12. Sam McIntyre

13. Reuben Cotter

14. Soni Luke

15. Kai O'Donnell

16. Griffin Neame

17. Harrison Edwards

18. Thomas Mikaele

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Sua Fa'alogo 

2. Will Warbrick

3. Jack Howarth

4. Moses Leo

5. Nick Meaney

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Harry Grant (c)

10. Josh King

11. Joe Chan

12. Alec MacDonald

13. Trent Loiero

14. Tyran Wishart 

15. Cooper Clark

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Davvy Moale

18. Jack Hetherington

Cowboys vs Storm Match Details

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Kick-off: 7:35pm AEDT.

Location: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.