North Queensland coach Neil Henry wants to use the NRL clash against Melbourne on Monday night to make amends for his team's poor performance last weekend.

Upsets by teams coming off bad losses have been the theme of the opening rounds of 2011 and while Henry rates the Storm highly, he senses his players desperately want to repay fans after their 34-22 loss to Newcastle last week.

Henry has made several changes for the match at Dairy Farmers Stadium, handing former St George Illawarra player Kalifa FaiFai Loa and New Guinea born James Segeyaro their debuts for the club in a bid to inject some enthusiasm into the side.

"We were quite poor last weekend against the Knights and we will be looking to make amends," said Henry.

"I know the players are keen to be much better than that and the fans deserve better."

Representative lock Dallas Johnson will be one player Henry can count on to lead the way against his former premiership-winning NRL club.

Johnson, who has avoided contact with his former teammates and coach Craig Bellamy leading into the clash, will be pivotal in restricting the work of halfback Cooper Cronk and hooker Cameron Smith who bring star fullback Billy Slater into the game.

"It adds a little bit extra when you come up against your old team and old coach and so many players he played with in the opposition," said Henry.

"There'll be a bit more in it for Dallas but he's said he is wearing a Cowboys jumper and you'd expect him to be pumped for this game and we need him to be and to be a leader."

Melbourne, who have won their opening two games impressively, can join the Bulldogs on top of the ladder on six points with a win while the 12th placed Cowboys could move several places higher if they spring a surprise.

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