WE CAN PUT WIND UP MELBOURNE

THE North Queensland Cowboys are battening down the hatches to face the Melbourne Storm on Sunday night, and Townsville scientists have some tips for the players.

The Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University has 40 years of experience keeping the North safe during inclement weather.

Research director Professor John Ginger is confident the Cowboys have what it takes to ride out the Storm.

“It’s just a storm, up here we do cyclones,” he said.

Throughout every cyclone season, North Queenslanders have proven they are resilient and the Cowboys have that same spirit.

PhD student Mitchell Humphreys said during cyclone season, preparation started long before the storm arrived, with residents putting plans in place and stocking up on supplies.

The same could be said to apply to the Cowboys, whose strength and training have seen them get this far.

“Once we’ve been handling them for so long, you’re well prepared,” he said. “We’ve learned from our mistakes in the past.

“You shouldn’t really be frightened of the Storm if you’re prepared.”

Mr Humphreys said he believed the Cowboys could bring home the NRL premiership.

“They’re in top form and Melbourne made plenty of mistakes in their game against Brisbane,” he said.

“Even when they won, they still made errors.”