North Queensland say they must improve their ruck work and nullify Cameron Smith's impact if they are to stop NRL frontrunners Melbourne in Townsville.
Skipper Smith produced one of his best games of the season in his team's 40-6 romp last round over Manly, with his sniping runs helping to lay on four tries.
Thanks to Smith, the Storm lead the competition in in dummy-half runs while North Queensland rank 14th.
Cowboys veteran prop Scott Bolton said slowing down Smith and company on Friday night and winning the battle of the ruck was key.
"With Smith, (Cooper) Cronk and (Billy) Slater, there they can really put on a couple of plays to test us through the middle so we'll be looking to negate that," Bolton said.
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"We need to get over the 'ad' line and run hard with support and unload the footy to break them up a bit."
The last time the sides met, they were both missing their State of Origin stars and the Storm snatched a golden point win at AAMI Park.
Bolton said that round-15 loss really stung his team.
"It hurt because that was one of the games we should have won so we will be looking to redeem ourselves," he said.
The Cowboys blew their chance for a top-four berth last wek when they allowed the Sydney Roosters to score 16 unanswered points for a 22-16 loss.
North Queensland coach Paul Green said he had noticed some extra spark at training as they prepared for the benchmark side.
"You'd like to think, playing the competition leaders, the guys would be up for it," Green said.
"Today's session was probably more sharp than normal so that's always a good sign."
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was still undecided through the week whether to play Ryley Jacks or Jahrome Hughes in place of injured five-eighth Cameron Munster.
Green predicted Jacks would get the nod due to his greater experience in the role, but he said the Cowboys couldn't get caught up in what the Storm might or might not do.
"It's really important to get your game right," Green said.
"You need to have an awareness of their threats but the Storm are smart enough players to be able to adapt on the run so, if you put too much time into one part, they will change it."
