The siren has sounded. Full time has arrived and the Storm win by 8 points. Thank you for joining the live update tonight. Keep an eye on our website for the full match review shortly.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Cronk kicks for touch with 11 seconds to go. Cowboys get one play before full time.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Cooper almost scores on third tackle but that's as close a try got. Fifth tackle was a disaster. Just a lot of dancing and a Thompson grubber that had no chasers and had no threat. Thurston would be ripping his hair out.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
PENALTY COWBOYS. They make it to the other end of the field through a break from Lowe. Now they'll get a set on the Storm line with three minutes to go.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Smith's grubber to the in goal on fifth tackle from 2m out is stopped by Scott's leg and he picks it up.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
North QLD attempt a short drop out. It lands 5m, bounces to 10m out and Morgan receives the ball and then is bundled into touch.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Another drop out for the Cowboys. This has to be about their fifth for the night. Green grubbers through on fourth tackle and Bowen can not beat two Melbourne chasers.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Jason Taumalolo makes an unforced error.
The play was going very slowly and suddenly the ball comes loose. Smith brings it back for Melbourne to start a set.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Just 40m made for the Storm in this set. Cronk on fifth tackle though is showing his game management skills, he grubbers the ball over the sideline at 10m out.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Javid Bowen makes an unforced error.
Bowen tries to play the ball on last tackle around 10m out. Cheyse Blair kicks the ball twice which we can see on replay, the officials should have ruled a penalty to the Cowboys.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM: Blake Green makes an unforced error.
Forward pass 20m away from the line.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
A frantic pace has broken out over the last few minutes. Cronk grubbers in goal at the posts for Glasby. Morgan gets back and gets the ball dead for a goal line drop out.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Unforced error from North QLD form 30m out gifts the Storm a great attacking chance.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Melbourne make a half break through the middle of the field on fourth tackle. They don't score but trap North QLD deep in their half.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Ray Thompson makes an unforced error.
The Cowboys looked the most dangerous of their night so far. Then Thompson throws a pass that Chambers intercepts on the ground.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
PENALTY COWBOYS. On fifth tackle Proctor gives one away just 30m from the try line.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
The Storm need a breather and a kick over the sideline about 10m out provides them with a rest before a scrum.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
The Cowboys looked dangerous on fourth tackle. O'Neill almost scored from lots of offloads. On fifth tackle it's ugly once again and Munster's able to make it back 15m.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Cronk has to kick deep from inside his own half after his side only earned 31m from that set.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
No plan for fifth tackle again from the Cowboys. A bomb goes through to Vunivalu but het is safe under the high ball.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM: Blake Green makes an unforced error.
Green fakes to pass inside and then passes marginally forward to Harris on his outside.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Gavin Cooper makes an unforced error.
Kaufusi's one on one tackle has Cooper spilling the ball for the second time in 10 minutes.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM: Suliasi Vunivalu makes an unforced error.
Vunivalu gets the ball on the right wing and spoils Melbourne's momentum.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
More dysfunction on fifth tackle for the Cowboys and from 20m out the kick goes to Koroibete and with one defender's tackle broken the winger runs 60m up field.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Felise Kaufusi chases a grubber to the in goal, putting pressure on Coote. Coote appears to have been hit in the head on the attempted tackle and the penalty is given for the Cowboys. No goal line dropout, Cowboys start with the ball from 30m out of their try line.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Gavin Cooper makes an unforced error.
A routine hit up ends with Cooper knocking the ball on right at halfway. We're immediately going the other way.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM: Suliasi Vunivalu makes an unforced error.
Cronk uses third tackle to kick high for Vunivalu on the try line. The winger jumps higher than the rest but knocks the ball on. Close call for the Cowboys.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Melbourne go close on three occasions in that set to scoring points. Cronk's grubber to the in goal is covered by Linnett and forces a line drop out. Compared to the Cowboys, that was far more crisp and dangerous.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Antonio Winterstein makes an unforced error.
Coote is mostly to blame for this error. He fielded a kick from the Storm that was aimed for the sideline. Coote ran the ball back in and threw a poor pass for Winterstein.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Kostasyn tries the Cameron Smith tactic of kicking a grubber from a few metres out on fifth tackle, the ball hits the feet of the Melbourne defence and is diffused.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Thompson is able to get a goal line drop out result for his team as on fifth tackle he grubber kicked into the in goal.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Melbourne aren't able to do much but kick long once again at the end of their set. More good field position for the Cowboys coming.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
There's just no quality leadership in attack for the Cowboys. Fifth tackle is a wasted kick across field and Coote tries to put an additional grubber through, Munster cleans up.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Storm are forced to kick long and the Cowboys won't have to start within their 10m area this time.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Morgan makes a half break through the middle of the field. He's brought down quickly. The Cowboys scramble to get within 20m of the Storm line and Hannant puts a grubber through to the posts that Munster gets back into the field of play by just centimetres.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Both teams are playing disciplined to start the half. Nothing fancy and no advantages for either side yet.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Morgan puts up an awful kick on fifth tackle. The bomb goes up in the air and gains no metres. Thompson is able to catch the ball and put another long kick through.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
A basic set from Melbourne and the results are great, they trap Coote inside his 10m zone.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
A big run from Ethan Lowe gets the Cowboys great field position by the end of the first set of this half. Koroibete drops a contested bomb backwards and Munster is able to play on and pick up 20m.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Both sides are back on the field to finish the game. The Cowboys will receive the ball from the kick off.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
PENALTY STORM. They'll get one play before half time as they kick to touch and get halfway. Nothing comes of it and we're at half time.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Awful kick from the Cowboys. On fourth tackle with 20 seconds to go a chip kick to 10m is easily fielded by Vunivalu and no chasers were close.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Good coutner defence from the Cowboys. It allows Winterstein to run the ball back over halfway for tackle one with one minute to go in the half.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Good coutner defence from the Cowboys. It allows Winterstein to run the ball back over halfway for tackle one with one minute to go in the half.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Cowboys kick for touch and enter the Storm's defensive half. The Storm's tight defence frustrates the Cowboys. Munster is able to pick up a grubber kick and make it back into the field of play.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
PENALTY COWBOYS. Smith penalised in the ruck.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
On the last for the Storm on their set after points, Cronk kicks high for Coote on fifth and he claims the ball on the 10m line.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
Ray Thompson is coming onto the field for Jake Granville in what appears to be a planned substitution.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
From 15m to the left of the posts and 15m out he's successful.
Melbourne Storm 16-8
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Tim Glasby. Kick to come.
Great response by the Storm. They run some plays which make the Cowboys defence look shaky. On fifth tackle Cronk grubbers for the in goal around the posts, Tim Glasby is the first to the ball. Lowe tries to stop a put down and the grounding is being reviewed by the Bunker. On field ref ruled try. Once again the Bunker says there is insufficient evidence to overrule the call.
Melbourne Storm 14-8
70m from that set by the Cowboys. On fifth tackle the high kick is tapped back by Ethan Lowe, goes 20m back down field and the Cowboys die with the ball. Hand over.
Melbourne Storm 10-8
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Conversion attempt by Ethan Lowe successful.
Another sideline special, this time from Lowe on the left sideline.
Melbourne Storm 10-8
TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Scored by Antonio Winterstein. Kick to come.
Lachlan Coote drifts out to the left side of the field, draws Cooper Cronk and Will Chambers. A quick pass gets Linnett and then Winterstein the space to score in the corner. Bad read from Chambers, the Storm had them numbered.
Melbourne Storm 10-6
Nothing dangerous from the Cowboys set until fifth tackle. Granville tries a Smith like grubber from a few metres from the try line. It goes through to the in goal and Munster rushes the footy dead. Goal line drop out coming up.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
PENALTY COWBOYS. From 30m out and mid field North QLD choose to kick for touch.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
Extreme plays from both teams. From dummy half on fifth tackle a grubber kick is stopped by O'Neill on the foot and kick 50m down field. Cronk beats O'Neill to the ball, Korobiete gets to return the ball and a pass to Vunivalu is dropped centre field. Cowboys get a scrum.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
PENALTY STORM. Ben Hannant rakes the ball out in the tackle. Storm from 10m chose to tap the ball but it's not quick.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
Melbourne is focused tonight. Smith grubber kicks for the Cowboys in goal from 20m out and Lowe recovers the ball but is trapped in the in goal. Second goal line drop out of the game coming.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
Morgan for the third time in the row, bombs from centre field, kicks to Koroibete and it's another safe catch from the winger.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
More precision kicking from Cronk finds the grass and pins the Cowboys inside their 10m zone on tackle one.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
Morgan has to hurry another bomb from centre field and Koroibete takes the floating kick well.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
Jesse Bromwich's hit up gained about 20m in that set. Cronk kicked high and short for Vunivalu on fifth but he drops the ball into touch.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
PENALTY STORM. Morgan has to kick from halfway on fifth and Justin O'Neill is too early to contest the kick, he takes out Koroibete without the ball.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
The Storm forwards are creating a noticeable advantage on the Cowboys. Javid Bowen gets an opportunity from 10m out on the right wing to start a set for the home side.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Kick successful from the left sideline.
Melbourne Storm 10-2
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Marika Koroibete. Kick to come.
Marika Koroibete gets a try scoring opportunity on the left wing. He comes up with some acrobatics to appear to keep the ball in play and on the try line. The play is being referred to the Bunker and is a marginal call, difficult to tell. Referee on ground ruled try. The Bunker thought they did not have a clear enough camera angle to change the decision.
Melbourne Storm 8-2
PENALTY STORM. Late in the count the Storm forced themselves into the Cowboys half, Smith went to pass from dummy half and the marker knocked the ball out of his hands from an offside position.
Melbourne Storm 4-2
UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Shooting from the 20m mark on the right side of the field Smith misses.
Melbourne Storm 4-2
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Kevin Proctor. Kick to come.
From Cameron Smith, a pass right to Cronk and a pass out for Kevin Proctor who breaks through the line and scores a try. Grounding confirmed by the bunker.
Melbourne Storm 4-2
Melbourne make it up to the 20m zone of the home side and Cronk's fifth tackle grubber forces a goal line dropout.
North Queensland Cowboys 2-0
Storm choose to kick for touch and enter the half of the Cowboys.
North Queensland Cowboys 2-0
PENALTY STORM. Suliasi Vunivalu was pushed too late in the ruck when trying to play the ball.
North Queensland Cowboys 2-0
Great metres from North Queensland and Taumalolo looks damaging early. Munster has to clean up a kick that sat in the in goal and he makes it back to the 10m.
North Queensland Cowboys 2-0
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS: Penalty goal attempt by Ethan Lowe successful.
From right in front of the sticks it's the first points of the night.
North Queensland Cowboys 2-0
PENALTY COWBOYS. Michael Morgan was held too long in the tackle just 2m from the try line.
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UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM: Cameron Munster makes an unforced error.
Not a good start for the fullback. He drops an uncontested bomb kick just 15m out from his line.
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The Cowboys play a more expansive sideline to sideline game in their first set.
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Simple stuff in that set. One or two passes from dummy half and a forward hit up each tackle.
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Melbourne have first use of the footy from the kick off.
North Queensland are coming out to the crowd. Led by captain Matt Scott who has the job to himself because Thurston is out.
Here come the Melbourne Storm out on to the field. Having lost to the Cowboys in the finals last season they'll want to prove to themselves they can beat the Cowboys.
Players from both sides are still warming up on the field. At 7:35pm now we're probably 10 minutes away from kick off. This is probably due to the golden point game in New Zealand this afternoon.
Welcome all to this Round 21 NRL Live Update for the North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm. It's official Johnathan Thurston has not been rushed back to play tonight and despite how good the Cowboys can be at home Thurston's absence gives Melbourne the favourite tag. We've got an advertised kick off stated as 7:30pm but expect another 5-10 mins before the game starts. Stay with us!
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Ben Cummins, Dave Munro
Touch Judges: Brett Suttor, Michael Wise
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten, Jason Robinson
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (8)
Tries: Antonio Winterstein
Field Goals:
Conversions: Ethan Lowe (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Ethan Lowe (1/1)
MELBOURNE STORM (16)
Tries: Kevin Proctor, Marika Koroibete, Tim Glasby
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (2/3)
Penalty Goals: