Brilliant North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston keeps Melbourne scoreless

NORTH Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston produced a masterclass performance to keep Melbourne scoreless on Saturday night.

The North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm from 1300 Smiles Stadium. Cowboys Jonathan Thurston is tackled by Storm's Ben Roberts. Picture: Zak Simmonds

THE 11th hour inclusion of skipper Cameron Smith was not enough for injury-ravaged Melbourne as they were thrashed by North Queenslandon Saturday night.

The Cowboys’ Origin quartet of Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Brent Tate all backed up as North Queensland ran in four tries to nil.

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Cowboys Brent Tate is tackled by Storm's Bryan Norrie.

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The margin could have been much more, with Scott, Ray Thompson, Matthew Wright and Ethan Lowe all denied tries by on-field referee Ashley Klein and video referee Steve Clark.

The carnage of Origin reduced the Storm to a tropical depression, with stars Billy Slater (shoulder) and Cooper Cronk (broken arm) both out.

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys scores a try.

Smith overcame a high ankle sprain, was named at halfback but played predominantly at hooker and shared playmaking duties with New Zealand international Tohu Harris and Ben Roberts.

As well as Cronk, the Storm were without playmakers Cody Walker (hamstring), Joel Romelo (ankle) and Ben Hampton (suspension).

Storm's Cameron Smith in action.

And it could get worse for the Storm, with winger Young Tonumaipea placed on report for a suspected crusher tackle on Tate in the 34th minute.

The Cowboys surged to a 16-0 halftime lead with Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein and Thurston all crossing as the weight of 64 per cent possession took its toll.

Cowboys Jonathan Thurston disputes a no try call with the referee.

Thurston iced the game in the 65th minute, kicking the ball through the line before toeing it under the sticks for fullback Michael Morgan to pounce.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 22 (K Linnett M Morgan J Thurston A Winterstein tries J Thurston 3 goals) bt MELBOURNE 0 at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 12,392.

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