Nick Meaney delivered a second-half masterclass to lead the Melbourne Storm to a 20–26 comeback victory over the North Queensland Cowboys, scoring all 14 of his side’s points after the break.
With key stars like Munster, Grant, and Papenhuyzen missing, the Storm fielded a heavily reshuffled lineup but still showed their depth and class through standout performances from Meaney, Jahrome Hughes, and Eli Katoa.
The Cowboys, led by Scott Drinkwater, took an 18–12 lead early in the second half, but defensive lapses—including a costly dropped ball by Drinkwater—allowed the Storm to pounce.
Despite a controversial first-half try awarded to Cowboys winger Rob Derby, Melbourne’s resilience and Meaney’s brilliance proved decisive in a thrilling, see-saw contest.
