Melbourne half-back Cooper Cronk could be in the box seat for Australian Test selection after starring in the Storm's convincing 34-6 victory over the Cowboys in a match that saw incumbent Test No.7 Johnathan Thurston leave the field early with a shoulder injury.
The Cowboys' fate in this lopsided match was virtually sealed in just the 11th minute when Thurston was forced from the field with an injury to his right shoulder after taking a couple of heavy knocks, one involving Storm second-rower Adam Blair.
With the Test against the Kiwis at the new AAMI Park in Melbourne less than a week away, Thurston, given his history of shoulder problems, must be in serious doubt, handing Cronk the inside running for the coveted Australian No.7 jersey.
The crafty Melbourne playmaker continued his brilliant early-season form to play a vital role in two of the Storm's three first-half tries as the embattled club raced to an 18-0 lead at the break.
With little to play for in terms of competition points, as a result of their much-publicised salary cap punishments, the one-time 2007 and 2009 premiers toyed with their struggling opponents in the second stanza, posting a further three tries.
The struggling Townsville-based club has now lost its past four matches.
A superb offload in traffic by Storm skipper Cam Smith, sparked a series of quick passes that eventually resulted in Cronk sending big prop Bryan Norrie over for the opening try of the match in the 16th minute. Smith landed the conversion to give the visitors a 6-0 lead.
Storm winger Matthew Duffie continued where he left off in his debut match at Etihad Stadium last weekend when he crossed for his third NRL try in the 23rd minute.
A long ball from five-eighth Brett Finch looked certain to be intercepted by Cowboys centre Willie Tonga before the ball conveniently popped up for opposite Dane Nielsen to shovel out to the 19-year-old flanker for a right-corner four-pointer.
Greg Inglis proved to the Test selectors that he is over the worst of an ankle injury that kept him on the sidelines last weekend when he bumped off the defence 60m out to outsprint Cowboys full-back Shannon Gallant on his way to a typically brilliant solo try five minutes before the break.
The Storm enjoyed more success down the left side a couple of minutes later when Cronk gathered in his own grubber to send Finch over, confirming an 18-0 half-time lead for his side.
The Melbourne machine continued to dominate after the resumption when Slater got in between two defenders at first receiver off a scrum to flick a pass to Nielsen for a try.
A brilliant left-side set play involving Cronk, Inglis and Slater resulted in winger Anthony Quinn crashing over for the Storm's sixth try of the match to put a seal on the result.
The Cowboys finally crossed the chalk in the 58th minute when Queensland Origin hopeful Scott Bolton crashed over off a deft Grant Rovelli pass.
A rare try by Storm prop Jeff Lima in the 73rd minute completed the scoring.
Melbourne Storm 34
Tries: Norrie, Duffie, Inglis, Finch, Nielsen, Quinn, Lima
Conversions: Smith 3
North Queensland Cowboys 6
Tries: Bolton
Conversions: Graham