The Cowboys have beaten a Storm side without 11 regulars but the hosts were made to work for the 38-30 victory in Townsville on Thursday night. It was hardly a performance that will fill North Queensland coach Todd Pyten with confidence on the eve of finals, but they got the job done. The win puts the Cowboys in the box seat to host a final and that will be confirmed if the Sea Eagles lose to the Bulldogs on Friday night.

Melbourne were impressive considering the numbers of stars coach Craig Bellamy rested and then losing Ryan Papenhuyzen (cork) and Marion Seve (syndesmosis) in the opening 15 minutes. Bellamy is expected to roll out close to a full-strength squad against the Broncos next week in the minor premiers last hit-out before finals.

Melbourne opted to rest 11 players on Thursday and one of the fresh faces - Lazarus Vaalepu - crossed for the game’s first try in the third minute. Vaalepu found space close to the Cowboys line and powered over for his first NRL try, kicking the understrength Storm into gear early. However, their lead would not last long, with Cowboys great Kyle Feldt crossing for a try in his final home game in the 10th minute.

Attacking the Storm line, the Cowboys shifted right, finding fullback Scott Drinkwater, who jinked between Storm defenders before flicking a beautiful offload into Feldt’s hands. Murray Taulagi crossed two minutes later to give the home side the lead.

Melbourne received a scare when fullback Papenhuyzen was taken from the field, though it was later confirmed the fullback had only suffered a cork. He didn’t return. The visitors got themselves back into the game through some determination from Alec MacDonald in the 26th minute before Tyran Wishart snuck over to score via a delightful scrum play in the 34th minute.

Feldt Flies During Farewell

Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt crossed for two tries in the first half to set a new personal best with his 20th four-pointer of the season. It was the first time the legendary finisher reached 20 tries in one season, becoming just the fourth Cowboy to achieve the feat alongside Matt Bowen, Matt Sing and Ashley Graham. North Queensland’s most prolific tryscorer has scored nine tries in his past five games with at least one in each.

Feldt was being celebrated alongside Jake Granville as it was the final guaranteed home game for the pair of premiership-winning players.

Double Storm Injury Blow

Melbourne was dealt a double injury blow inside the first 15 minutes as superstar fullback Papenhuyzen and right centre Seve both helped from the field. Papenhuyzen succumbed to a corked lower leg and did not return while Seve was downed by a syndesmosis injury in the process of attempting to score. The disruption allowed livewire rookie Sua Fa’alogo to shift to his preferred position at the back with Tyran Wishart moving into the halves and Grant Anderson back out to the wing.

A Late Surge for the Cowboys

A Drinkwater bombed forced a late error from Sualauvi Faalogo, filling in at fullback for Papenhuyzen, offered the Cowboys a way back into the game just before halftime. The hosts took it, with Feldt crossing for his second of the game right before the interval, returning his side to the lead.

Four minutes into the second half, Valentine Holmes crossed for the home side, extending their lead ever further. However, a fortuitous bounce of a Cowboys short drop out fell the Storm’s way, with Wishart the quickest to pounce on the loose ball for his second try of night. Wishart nailed a 49th minute penalty goal to level the scores, before a Reece Robson try extended the Cowboys lead just before the hour mark.

Cowboys backrower Jeremiah Nani and Storm debutant both crossed in the final 12 minutes. Here are some of the biggest talking points out of the match from NCA Newswire.

Papenhuyzen, Seve Injuries

Melbourne entered the clash against North Queensland with several stars missing, with three rookies notably named on the bench. The Storm were dealt a double blow on Thursday night when Ryan Papenhuyzen and Marion Seve departed the field in the first half in quick succession.

Papenhuyzen appeared to be moving gingerly after making a physical carry in the early stages at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. He played on but was withdrawn from the action in the 15th minute.

Fortunately, Storm fans' worst fears were soon allayed, with Melbourne football boss Frank Ponissi telling Fox League the star fullback had suffered a cork in his lower leg. While Papenhuyzen's diagnosis isn't overly serious, he won't return against the Cowboys.

Just minutes after Papenhuyzen's exit, Seve was also forced from the field. The 29-year-old suffered a suspected syndesmosis injury (per Ponissi via Fox League) as he attempted to put the ball on the try-line. He was seen in immense pain after the incident and was swiftly taken back to the sheds. If confirmed by scans, it would be a tough end to Seve's season, with the outside back having only made one first-grade appearance.

A Final Chapter for Feldt and Granville

The Cowboys, however, were able to hold on to secure a much-needed win, but their victory was overshadowed by injury concerns and the departure of two veteran players. While Feldt was celebrating his personal milestones, he was also bidding farewell to the Townsville faithful. This victory served as a fitting finale for the legendary winger, though it came amidst uncertainty about his future beyond this season.

The final whistle also marked the end of an era for the Cowboys, as Jake Granville also played his last guaranteed home game. The veteran hooker, a crucial part of the club’s 2015 premiership victory, had his future hanging in the balance, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. The Cowboys are likely to face a significant void in their roster as they prepare for the new season, with several key players potentially departing.

A Close Finish

The Cowboys showed resilience in the face of a determined Storm side that refused to give up despite their depleted lineup. The match was a thrilling rollercoaster, with both teams trading blows throughout the contest. The Cowboys, however, were able to weather the storm and emerge victorious, setting the stage for a potentially exciting finals campaign.

Despite the victory, the Cowboys will need to address their defensive shortcomings if they hope to make a deep run in the finals. They allowed the Storm to score 30 points, a testament to their defensive vulnerability. However, their attack was in top form, showcasing their ability to exploit weaknesses in their opponents’ defenses. The Cowboys will need to find a balance between their attack and defense if they hope to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the premiership.

The Cowboys' victory was ultimately a testament to their strength in depth and the resilience of their squad. However, the injuries suffered by both teams highlight the unpredictability of the NRL and the importance of having a strong bench. As the finals approach, the focus shifts to recovering from these setbacks and preparing for the grueling challenges ahead.