Déjà vu for Cowboys as Smith masterclass gifts Storm win in grand final rematch

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has turned the blowtorch on his side, accusing them of believing the early-season hype after their monster pack were mauled by Melbourne.

Melbourne proved too strong for the Cowboys in the grand final rematch.

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has savaged his struggling troops, telling them to “stop reading headlines” after North Queensland’s monster pack were mauled 30-14 by the Storm in Thursday night’s grand-final replay.

Not even the return of Michael Morgan from injury could help his side snap the dominance of a Storm side which franked last year’s 34-6 grand-final rout with their seven consecutive defeat of the Cowboys.

North Queensland have now gone a staggering 909 days without beating the Storm - and the inquisition must begin with a Cowboys forward pack that was tactically beaten and battered in midfield.

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Melbourne proved too strong for the Cowboys in the grand final rematch.

Such was the clinical nature of Melbourne’s victory, champion skipper Cameron Smith was given an early shower as the Cowboys slumped to their second consecutive defeat.

The Cowboys were considered raging favourites for this year’s premiership on the strength of their big boppers Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo and Jordan McLean, who possess more muscle than Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Jesse Bromwich charges into the Cowboys defence.

But the Storm proved energy and hunger can trump sheer size, belting the Cowboys in midfield to emphatically atone for last week’s shock home loss to the Wests Tigers.

The premiers led 18-8 at half-time and navigated a brief second-half riposte from the Cowboys to surge home - the midfield mauling crystallised in Nelson Asofa-Solomona crashing over two minutes from time.

A visibly frustrated Green sets high standards at the Cowboys and he turned the blowtorch on the grand finalists, accusing them of believing the early-season hype.

It was a tough night at the office for Johnathan Thurston.

Nelson Asofa Solomona charges into the Cowboys defence.

“We need to stop reading some headlines for starters and be more consistent in the tough areas,” he said.

“It’s very disappointing. We are better than that but we are getting beaten in the effort areas, we are just hoping for a free ride.

“We aren’t playing at the standard required, whatever the reason is, and it’s my job to work that out.

“If you start believing you are the favourites and aren’t prepared to work hard, it won’t happen for us.”

The Storm started with more intent than the Cowboys. Their line speed was faster. Their attacking shapes sharper. Their midfield surges hungrier.

If the Cowboys are going to replicate last year’s grand-final charge, they must tighten-up around the rucks.

Both of Melbourne’s first-half tries to Joe Stimson (15th minute) and Christian Welch, who barged over inside 34 minutes, were the result of midfield pressure.

There was nothing Jake Granville ocould do to stop the Storm.

Cowboys maestro Johnathan Thurston kept his side in touch, whittling the deficit to 10-8 in the 26th minute with a clever short ball for Coen Hess, but their first-half was mostly error-riddled and clunky.

The Storm have devised a tactical blueprint to muzzle Cowboys wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo, who compiled just 107m as he was suffocated by Melbourne’s rushing defence.

Hess gave the Cowboys hope with a superb solo try in the 55th minute, but the reality is North Queensland never built a platform of any substance. The Storm, clinical as ever, proved brain can beat brawn.