Premiership-winning North Queensland coach Paul Green believes the Melbourne Storm are a better team than their 2015 version.

The Cowboys emphatically eliminated Melbourne in last year’s finals at AAMI Park on their way to their maiden title.

“They’re basically the same side in terms of players, but I think having another year together means their combinations are better,” Green said.

“I think they’re defending better and I think they’re probably a little bit more motivated than they were last year.

“I think they were pretty disappointed with how they bowed out. I think that’s probably been burning away in them all year and it showed with how they’ve played.”