North Queensland Toyota Cowboys prop Tom Mikaele has been named to make an early return from a knee injury for Saturday’s showdown with the Melbourne Storm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Mikaele was originally set for a six-week stint on the sidelines after suffering an MCL injury in Las Vegas, but the 28-year-old will be cleared to play if he successfully completes training this week.
Zac Laybutt is set for his first NRL appearance of 2026 after missing the start of the season through suspension.
Laybutt was included on North Queensland’s six-man bench last week, but did not take the field.
He has been named at centre, replacing Tom Chester, who will serve a one-week suspension for a high tackle charge.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 6.35pm.
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Cowboys team to play Storm:
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Zac Laybutt
7. Tom Dearden (c)
8. Coen Hess
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Sam McIntyre
13. Reuben Cotter (c)
Interchange
14. Soni Luke
15. Kai O’Donnell
16. Griffin Neame
17. Harrison Edwards
18. Tom Mikaele
19. Liam Sutton
20. Kaiden Lahrs
21. Matt Lodge
22. Robert Derby
