Slater out for key clash
STORM fullback Billy Slater has pulled out of tonight’s clash against the Cowboys with a hamstring injury.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy withdrew his star custodian as a precaution, and has named former Townsville Blackhawks and Cowboys player Jahrome Hughes to fill Slater’s shoes.
Hughes, who played two seasons of Queensland Cup for the Blackhawks and played one game of NRL for North Queensland in 2016, has played four first- grade matches for the Storm this year.
Slater’s withdrawal is a massive boost to North Queensland’s cause ahead of what is arguably their toughest opponent in recent history.
Cowboys coach Paul Green insists their horror record against Melbourne won’t weigh on his players’ minds as they try to address a sevengame losing streak against the defending premiers.
Their season reeling with just three wins from 11 games, a visit from their bogey side is the last thing North Queensland needs as time runs out to resurrect their campaign.
A 32- 12 win in the 2015 preliminary final, where they went on to claim the club’s most recent premiership, was the last time the Cowboys defeated the Storm.
Green rejected claims the Storm had a psychological edge over his team after their 34- 6 grand final win last year.
He also accused his team of “looking for an easy ride” after they were beaten purely on ef- fort in a 30- 14 loss at AAMI Park in Round 4.
The Cowboys’ record against Melbourne of 10 wins from 37 matches ( 27 per cent) is their worst winning record against any team.
Seven straight defeats is their longest active losing streak, and they will be desperate to avoid emulating their eight consecutive losses against the Storm from 2006 to 2010.
But the Cowboys’ main task tonight will be recovering mentally after a last- second penalty cost them victory against South Sydney last Saturday.
“We don’t buy too much into records over the years, the only thing that matters is next week,” Green said.
The Cowboys expect Matt Scott to play despite suffering a medial injury against the Rabbitohs after he got through yesterday’s captain’s run unscathed. “He got through it ( training) OK so if he pulls up well, he should be right to go,” Green said. STORM DROUGHT Rd 4, 2018: bt Cowboys 14 at AAMI Park
Grand final, 2017: Storm 34 bt Cowboys 6 at ANZ Stadium
Rd 22, 2017: St or m 2 6 bt Cowboys 8 a t 1 3 00 SMILES St a di um
Rd 1 5 , 2017: St or m 2 3 bt Cowboys 2 2 a t AAMI Park
Qualifyi ng f i nal , 2016: St or m 1 6 bt Cowboys 1 0 a t AAMI Park
Rd 21 , 2016: St or m 1 6 bt Cowboys 8 a t 1 3 00 SMILES St a di um
Rd 1 0, 2016: St or m 1 5 bt Cowboys 1 4 a t Suncorp St a - di um