The first NRL game on Friday begins in Melbourne with the Storm hosting the Cowboys. Sitting inside the Top 8, both sides will want to make a statement with a strong performance. The Storm still have plenty of points to prove in their first home match since Round 10. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are still searching for consistency while maintaining a decent run of form. It’s an intriguing contest and Before You Bet is here to help make sense of it all.
Check out our full preview and betting tips for the Storm vs Cowboys matchup below and if you’re keen to back in our tips, then simply join Ladbrokes via this link!
Storm vs Cowboys Predictions & Tips: 2025 NRL Round 14
Weathering the Storm
After an upset loss in Round 11, the Storm bounced back strongly against the Titans in horrendous conditions, winning 28-16. The result probably flatters their opponents, as the Storm were the dominant team throughout the contest, always doing enough to grab an edge. An 87% completion rate with 52% possession is an example of how they ensured they would win. Add in the fact that they averaged 10.2m per carry while making 619 PCM’s, it is evident that they powered their way to victory. The challenge is maintaining this standard while many of their players are due to (again) depart for representative duties.
Sneaking Their Way up the Ladder
A scrappy and unsatisfying 32-28 win for the Cowboys is another chapter in a season whereby they have managed to do what is needed to win a match. Scoring 6 tries is impressive, but allowing 4 in 13 minutes to give their opponents a chance of winning isn’t good enough at this level. They were not helped by an inferior share of possession 48% but did well to complete at 82%. Against better teams, missing 43 tackles and allowing 8 line breaks will lead to defeat. This is an area which must improve moving forward.
Stats/H2H Headline
-
The Cowboys have the 5th worse defence in the competition, conceding 26ppg. Their attack only averages 23ppg. This has led to a -28 points difference on the competition ladder. The Storm are superior averaging 33ppg in attack and 19ppg in defence.
-
Despite winning their past 3 against the Storm, the Cowboys have not won in Melbourne since 2015. They have just a 25% record here (2/8) compared to the Storms 76% strike rate.
-
Only 2 of the past 5 games have been decided by a 1-12 margin. Blowout scores have seen the average sit at 16.6 points to the victorious team.
Storming to Victory
The odds are heavily favouring the home team and rightly so. Little is present to suggest the Cowboys can cause an upset. They struggle at this ground, have a poor defensive record and leak points in matches. The Storm are not the same team which started the season with lethal execution but they will relish the return home to put on a strong performance. The line is set high and is somewhat risky; the Cowboys can produce an upset on their day (see their performance against the Panthers this year) but a lot will need to go right for that to happen. Therefore, the preferred selection is to invest on the margin and increase your stake to enhance the return on offer. If an upset does occur, the Storm are not the team who can win the competition in 2025.
Storm 13+
$1.73 (3 Units)
Storm vs Cowboys Same Game Multi
Leg 1 = Total Points Over 51.5 – These two sides have an ability to score points. The Cowboys defensive structure should ensure that several opportunities are given to the home side, with the points spread likely to be covered in this contest.
Leg 2 = Papenhuyzen to score – he is the Storms leading scorer with 12 tries for the season and will be as dangerous as ever with extra room to move courtesy of the Cowboys defence.
Leg 3 = Coates to score – he is second on the rankings with 10 tries for the year and will want to make a strong case for reselection in Origin 2. He is a dangerous threat in the air and on the ground and the Storms playmakers will want to expose him to as many attacking options as possible.
Same Game Multi Odds: $3.90 at Dabble
Storm vs Cowboys Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Friday 6th June
Location: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Time: 6pm (AEST)
Odds: Storm $1.20 vs Cowboys $4.60
Line: -15.5
Points: 51.5
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2025 NRL season, so make sure to head over to our NRL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
Where to Watch Storm vs Cowboys
You can watch the Storm vs Cowboys match on Channel 9, as well as live and ad free on Kayo Sports.
Tail our Storm vs Cowboys Tips at Ladbrokes!
Not familiar with Ladbrokes? Check out our full Ladbrokes review here, or by clicking the banner below.
