Cowboys lose Nene Macdonald as Storm hold on in Townsville

Josh McGuire looks set for a stint on the sidelines after appearing to eye gouge Cameron Munster in the Cowboys’ loss to the Storm, in what was a costly for North Queensland.

Jada Smith watches on as her dad is about to become tie all time highest point scorer . NRL ; North Queensland Cowboys Vs Melbourne Storm at 1300 Smiles Stadium. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Cowboys star Josh McGuire could face suspension after appearing to eye-gouge Queensland Origin teammate Cameron Munster in North Queensland’s hard-fought 18-12 loss to the Storm.

On a dramatic night at 1300SMILES Stadium, Storm champion Cameron Smith (2422) became the greatest pointscorer in NRL history, surpassing Hazem El Masri (2418) with a 47th-minute penalty to put the boot into the Cowboys.

While the error-riddled Storm were a poor version of their title-winning brilliance, they held their nerve as a two-try haul from Josh Addo-Carr consigned the luckless Cowboys to equal last with their fourth straight loss.

Jada and Jasper Smith nervously watch on as their dad Cameron tries to beat the all-time points record. Picture: Alix Sweeney

But Smith’s remarkable milestone was marred by another moment of madness from McGuire, who is set to face scrutiny from the NRL match-review committee for allegedly eye-gouging Munster.

The contest was 18 minutes old when Munster rose to his feet near the Cowboys tryline clutching at his eye.

Replays showed McGuire’s hand appearing to rake Munster’s face. Former NSW Origin halfback Greg Alexander said on Fox Sports: “He definitely has a crack at him. The match-review committee will look at it and say he’s got a case to answer.”

Referee Grant Atkins stopped play and asked Munster if he wanted to lodge a formal complaint. After consulting his skipper Smith, Munster said: “Don’t worry about it”, but McGuire’s worries may not be over yet.

McGuire has been embroiled in unsavoury incidents in the past, including a stomping drama against Parramatta and a suspension for a hair-pulling incident last year with his former club the Broncos.

“I haven’t seen it,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said. “It’s not in his nature. He is a competitor but that’s not what he is about.”

The Cowboys can ill-afford to lose McGuire, especially given the absence of Jason Taumalolo (knee) and another crushing blow last night when winger Nene MacDonald suffered a sickening broken leg in the 75th minute.

It was that type of night for the Cowboys, who defended with greater resolve but lacked the ruthless edge of the Storm to crash to their third consecutive loss at home.

Green later unloaded on NRL match officials for refusing to halt play for Cowboys medicos to attend to a stricken MacDonald.

“It was a disgrace,” he said.

“We had a guy there with a fractured dislocation, clearly distressed and we get sent away (by the refs). Play on ... but they stopped the game earlier for a bloodied nose.

“Our player’s welfare and safety was put at risk. Something has to be done. “

Stung by last week’s 30-12 thumping by Canberra, the Cowboys played with greater energy and a Townsville boilover loomed when Te Maire Martin and Michael Morgan piloted the hosts to an 8-6 half-time lead.

Michael Morgan attempts to wrap up Melbourne’s Josh Addo-Car. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Usually such a finely-tuned machine, the Storm were awful in the first half. They made three times as many errors as the Cowboys (nine to three) and completed at a dismal 50 per cent, showing a damaging lack of respect for possession which allowed the Cowboys to dictate terms.

But with the game on the line after the break, the Storm displayed the character, class and composure that has made them the NRL’s benchmark team.

With Smith applying more ruck control, Melbourne turned the tide with Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes superb, the latter setting up tries for Addo-Carr (61st and 70th minutes) to edge the Storm clear at 16-8.

Ben Hampton gave the Cowboys hope when he crossed seven minutes from time, but the Storm hung tough to clinch their ninth consecutive win over the team they flogged in the 2017 grand final.