Storm v Cowboys: Five things we learned from Melbourne’s win over North Queensland

CAMERON Munster overtakes Michael Morgan in Queensland’s pecking order and the Storm prove they have the wood on Jason Taumalolo. Here’s what we learned from the grand final rematch.

Cameron Munster outplayed Michael Morgan in the grand final replay

CAMERON Munster overtakes Michael Morgan in Queensland’s pecking order and the Storm prove they have the wood on Jason Taumalolo.

Here’s what we learned from the Melbourne v North Queensland grand final rematch.

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Cameron Munster outplayed Michael Morgan in the grand final replay

1. MUNSTER > MORGAN

Cameron Munster deserves to be ahead of Michael Morgan in the battle for Queensland Origin halves spots.

Returning from injury last night, Morgan was well contained by the Storm and has given Maroons playmaking rivals Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans a headstart.

Munster is Queensland’s incumbent five-eighth and did his claims no harm last night, playing with more control and outpointing Morgan.

2.STORM’S MENTAL EDGE

Melbourne have a psychological edge on North Queensland.

The Storm backed-up their grand-final defeat of the Cowboys with last night’s willing victory and have now beaten their Townsville foes in seven consecutive games stretching back to September 2015.

Jason Taumalolo has struggled to get the upper hand on Melbourne

3. TAUMALOLO FINDS HIS KRYPTONITE

The Storm have also got the wood on Jason Taumalolo. The Cowboys hulk usually destroys rivals like Townsville’s Superman but the Storm represent his kryptonite.

Melbourne muzzled Taumalolo in last year’s grand final and they shut him down again last night.

The $10 million man lifted in the second half but made just 107m at AAMI Park, well short of his 202m seasonal average in 2017.

4. SIZE MATTERS

Everyone has been raving about North Queensland’s monster pack but is it possible they are too big?

Troubled by Brisbane last week, the Cowboys’ big boppers were exposed again last night as Melbourne’s line speed and energy left Matt Scott, Jordan McLean, Coen Hess and Taumalolo scrambling.

Coen Hess again proved he is near unstoppable in the opposition 10m zone.

5. RED HOT HESS

Cowboys monster Hess is the most dangerous forward in the NRL in the opposition red zone. The 21-year-old has some defensive challenges but in attack, close to the line, he is unstoppable.

The Origin young gun bagged another two tries, including a superb solo effort beating four Storm players, and now has 21 tries from 39 career games.

Originally published as Storm v Cowboys: Five things we learned from Melbourne’s win over North Queensland