The Cowboys host the ladder leaders on Friday night in a blockbuster clash in Townsville. After going down to the Roosters last week, the Cowboys lost touch with the top four and will look to bounce back against a Storm side coming off a clinical performance at home against Manly.

The Storm welcome back Billy Slater into the side, however, Cameron Munster is out due to an ankle injury while the Cowboys have included Shaun Fensom onto their bench.

Cameron Smith put in an extraordinary performance last week in his 350th game while Melbourne's outside backs also continued their strong 2017 with Suliasi Vunivali crossing the try line once more while Curtis Scott and Josh Addo-Carr continued to blossom in their new partnership.

The Cowboys will no doubt be up for the right knowing full well that a big scalp like the Storm could be what they need to propel themselves in the right direction as finals football fast approaches. A loss could also see them slip as far as seventh with the Eels and Sea Eagles ready to pounce.

The Storm starts as favourites and deservedly so. After last week's thumping of Manly, they now boast the best attack and defence in the competition which is a big reason why it's very hard to look past them.

Storm by 4.