Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans: NRL live scores, blog
Roar Guru By Alan Nicolea, 10 Aug 2012 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger
- Tagged:
- Gold Coast Titans, live blog, Melbourne Storm, NRL, Rugby League
Mercurial Billy Slater for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL (Image: AAP)
LIVE SCORES
Scores updated each minute. REFRESH NOW
Melbourne Vs. Gold Coast |
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|---|---|---|
2012 NRL Premiership Season, 11 August, 2012 |
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| AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC | ||
| Melbourne 24 defeated Gold Coast 16 | ||
| Melbourne | Gold Coast | |
| 24 | FINAL SCORE | 16 |
| 4 | TRIES | 3 |
| 4/4 | CONVERSION KICKS | 2/3 |
| 0/0 | PENALTY GOALS | 0/0 |
| 0/0 | FIELD GOAL | 0/0 |
Top scorers:
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Important moments:
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| Referee: S Hayne |
| Touch judges: Luke Potter & Henry Perenara |
The Gold Coast Titans need a win to stay in touch with the top eight but travel to AAMI Park to face a Melbourne Storm side rediscovering its best form. Join us for NRL live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEST.
After five straight losses, Melbourne finally came to life last week as they disposed of the Panthers by 40 points.
With their season on the downward spiral, the Storm simply needed to respond against Penrith, and respond they did, running in 8 tries to secure a terrific win.
Whether that victory will serve as the catalyst to reignite Melbourne’s premiership campaign will be known tonight when they face the much improved Titans.
The Gold Coast fell to South Sydney last week in a close game of football between two inform sides.
Despite their admirable effort in the 18-22 defeat against the Rabbitohs, the Titans are now out of the top eight and will be desperate to attain the two competition points tonight in a bid to keep their season alive.
Prediction
Although Melbourne was red hot against the Panthers, the Storm will have to work harder to crack the Titans.
Despite trailing 22-6 last week, the Titans never gave up and stormed to within four points before eventually succumbing to South Sydney.
Such an effort demonstrates that the Gold Coast will not die wondering tonight, so the Storm should expect a much tougher contest than last week’s effort against Penrith.
As always, the key to Melbourne’s success tonight surrounds the performance of their key trio.
Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith were all electric against the Panthers, and if they can pick up from where they left off, the Storm should have too much firepower for the Titans to handle.
That said, the Titans possess some of the NRL’s best defensive players with Luke Douglas, Luke Bailey, Ashley Harrison and Nate Myles all capable of making life difficult for the preceding Storm trio tonight.
While the Titans should not be underestimated, Melbourne showed enough signs last week to suggest that they have turned the corner, so expect the Storm to secure a tough win.
Storm by 8
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The Crowd Says (80) | Page 1 of Comments
The Roar Live Blog: Latest comments displayed at the top of the page | Click here to jump to leave a comment
Have Your Say
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- Gold Coast Titans, live blog, Melbourne Storm, NRL, Rugby League
12:25am
Vic said | 12:25am | Report comment
First fully fledged Victorian in NRL tonight.
For me to take this game seriously, we need the entire Storm team out of Melbourne.
8:01am
Crosscoder said | 8:01am | Report comment
An entire team born and raised in melbourne will never happen,just as it will never happen for the likes of the Swans.
Positions need to be strengthened,and sometimes that has to be filled by better players from interstate oroverseas in the case of rugby league.
It no doubt would be ideal for everyone to come from the one state,that is sporting utopia.
9:28pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:28pm | Report comment
After being kept scoreless in the first half by some terrific Titans defence, the Storm have clicked into gear in the second half and secured a hugely important 24-16 win against the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast were without Bailey and Harrison for the second half due to injury and that took a huge toil on the Titans defence as Melbourne’s forward pack plus Smith, Widdop, Cronk and Slater began to dominate up the middle. The Titans though did continue to fight and were well within striking distance when Sezar set up Mead for a great try. Melbourne however secured the win with a great try to Widdop near the death and Melbourne continue their resurgence into form heading into the finals. The Titans tried very hard but now must win their next two matches against the Eels and Panthers if they are any hope of reaching the finals now. Thanks for joining us tonight and we look forward to your company next time on The Roar.
FULLTIME:
Storm 24
Titans 16
9:24pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:24pm | Report comment
FULLTIME:
Storm 24
Titans 16
9:24pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:24pm | Report comment
79′ – Titans survive in defence as they regather possession. Titans now attack but they kick away possession and Slater regathers the football. Melbourne will win this.
Storm 24
Titans 16
9:22pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:22pm | Report comment
77′ – Titans with a short kickoff but Melbourne have regathered possession as Slater races away and kicks ahead but the Titans survive as they kick the football dead. Slater should have held on to that football…..
Storm 24
Titans 16
9:20pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:20pm | Report comment
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL – Smith converts and that should be game over now. Great try to finish off! I think there were eight passes in the lead-up to that try. Norrie, Manu and Lowrie were great in that movement.
Storm 24
Titans 16
9:19pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:19pm | Report comment
TRY STORM – Smith with a great run from dummy-half as Melbourne attack. Cronk with a kick to the right corner and Chambers bats the football back. Storm with razzle dazzle now and Widdop eventually scores a great try!
Storm 22
Titans 16
9:18pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:18pm | Report comment
74′ – Sezar with a kick here and he finds O’Neill who returns possession now. Storm with good field position heading into the last five minutes.
Storm 18
Titans 16
9:17pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:17pm | Report comment
73′ – Cronk with a bomb now and the football bounces straight to Idris and the Titans survive. Game well in the balance now.
Storm 18
Titans 16
9:16pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:16pm | Report comment
72′ – Titans have done reallly well to hang on here and are now within striking distance. Titans over the halfway here as they have momentum heading into the last 8 minutes. Sezar kicks and he finds Waqa who returns.
Storm 18
Titans 16
9:15pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:15pm | Report comment
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL
Storm 18
Titans 16
Great vision by Sezar to pick out Mead who has always been terrific regathering chip kicks like that.
9:14pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:14pm | Report comment
TRY TITANS – Gold Coast in great field position as they defend well to deny Melbourne field position. Sezar with an early kick and he finds Mead who scores a great Titans try! Game on and great hitback from the Titans!
Storm 18
Titans 14
9:12pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:12pm | Report comment
70′- Fonua now returns possession after Prince kicked. Storm winning the arm wrestle here.
Storm 18
Titans 10
9:11pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:11pm | Report comment
67′ – Fonua nearly scores his first try but he has gone into touch. Great scrambling defence from the Titans, particularly from Gordon. Try saved by the Titans.
Storm 18
Titans 10
9:10pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:10pm | Report comment
66′ – Cronk with a chip and he tries to find Slater who runs straight into O’Dwyer and Melbourne win a penalty and will go right on the attack. A try here for Melbourne and its game over!
Storm 18
Titans 10
10:48pm
Morfs said | 10:48pm | Report comment
How was that not a sin-bin offence? Surely it was a professional foul? Oh well, we got the 2 points, which is what matters.
9:08pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:08pm | Report comment
65′ – Prince with a shocking bomb as the football goes out on the full and the Storm will get the changeover on their 30 metre line. Melbourne looking good now.
Storm 18
Titans 10
9:07pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:07pm | Report comment
64′ – Chambers nearly goes through but he loses possession and the Titans will start a set in good field position now. Titans hold on but need to respond soon.
Storm 18
Titans 10
9:06pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:06pm | Report comment
63′ – Idris with a very slow play the ball here as the Titans work it out from their own half. Prince with a kick now and he finds Fonua who regathers well.
Storm 18
Titans 10
9:05pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:05pm | Report comment
62′ – Melbourne with three tries in the second half after playing a first half where they didn’t look like penetrating a terrific Titans defence. Gold Coast may be running out of gas now. Smith with a great run from dummy–half and he finds O’Neill. Smith with a kick now and he finds Mead who is tackled. Storm machine is rolling
Storm 18
Titans 10
9:03pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:03pm | Report comment
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL – Smith converts and the Storm now hold an important 8 point advantage. Great fightback from Melbourne after a flat first half. Widdop with a great pass for Hoffman’s try.
Storm 18
Titans 10
9:02pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:02pm | Report comment
TRY STORM – Hoffman scores for the Storm as he runs onto a terrific short pass from Widdop. Great ball!
Storm 16
Titans 10
9:01pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:01pm | Report comment
59′ – Melbourne win a penalty here and will go back on the attack here. Big set coming up here because if Melbourne score, the Titans could open up here without Bailey and Harrison.
Storm 12
Titans 10
9:00pm
Alan Nicolea said | 9:00pm | Report comment
58′ – Mead with a kick to the corner now and he finds touch for the Titans. Good percentage play there and the Storm will have to work it out from their own half
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:58pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:58pm | Report comment
57′ – Cronk with a kick now and Michaels returns possession here but he is forced back by Chambers. Good defence Melbourne.
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:58pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:58pm | Report comment
56′ – Titans on the attack now as Bird is hit high by Hinchcliffe. Prince with a kick and Fonua with a great catch and the Storm regather possession. Great take.
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:55pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:55pm | Report comment
54′ – Cronk with a nice kick as Mead returns possession. Mead has been very solid tonight in Zilman’s absence. Mead now finds Minichiello who fails to control the football but the Titans get the penalty for offside. Fortunate call.
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:54pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:54pm | Report comment
53′ – Idris now making strong yardage here but he loses possession and the Storm will get the scrum and survive. Storm finally playing with intensity after a dour first half
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:53pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:53pm | Report comment
52′ – Cronk with a kick now and he finds Gordon who returns well for the Titans. Gold Coast start a set in great field position here.
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:52pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:52pm | Report comment
51′ – Titans now making good yardage here and need to steady the ship here after Melbourne’s fast start. Prince with a high kick and Waqa defuses the football.
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:51pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:51pm | Report comment
50′ – Fonua goes over to score but the referee rules a forward pass from O’Neill and the Titans survive big time here.
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:49pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:49pm | Report comment
48′ – Storm with all the momentum here with back to back tries. Hoffman with more good metres gained up the middle. Widdop is nearly away as the Titans look vulnerable in defence as Cronk bombs and Mead returns very well but loses possession. Storm on the attack!
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:47pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:47pm | Report comment
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL – Smith coming to life here as he sent Widdop on his way. Cronk then went on to score. What a start from Melbourne in the second half! Storm infront in the blink of an eye.
Storm 12
Titans 10
8:46pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:46pm | Report comment
TRY STORM ‘ – Storm return possession now and finally have momentum. Widdop is away and he should have passed but is held. Cronk goes straight and scores!!!!
Storm 10
Titans 10
8:44pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:44pm | Report comment
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL – Smith converts and the Storm are back in this now. Titans are without Harrison and Bailey and it remains to be seen if they can hold on… Great play from Waqa to drift in field and find Slater on the run who scored.
Storm 6
Titans 10
8:43pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:43pm | Report comment
TRY STORM – Bailey and Harrison are huge losses for the Titans. Waqa now finds Slater who scores!
Storm 4
Titans 10
8:42pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:42pm | Report comment
42′ – Bailey and Harrison are injured and will not be back tonight. Sezar kicks and finds Slater on the full who then finds Fonua. Slater with another great run from dummy-half. Storm now win a penalty and will go on the attack.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:41pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:41pm | Report comment
41′ – Smith out of dummy-half makes great yardage and he finds Hoffman. Melbourne on the attack with a great set here as Cronk kicks high and Mead does very well to regather possession.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:40pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:40pm | Report comment
SECOND HALF KICKOFF – Storm with possession. Huge second half coming up for the Titans here. A win tonight would be great heading into key games against wooden spoon contenders the Eels and Panthers.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:28pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:28pm | Report comment
Defence wins big matches and the Titans are certainly doing their best to prove the preceding theory true. The Titans are defending very well, denying Melbourne on numerous occasions. Myles, Harrison, Bird, Bailey and Douglas are playing very well. The Titans as a whole are sliding very well in defence and are covering Melbourne’s predictable second phase play. The Storm will be frustrated no doubt and need to score next to stay in this. The Titans are proving very difficult nuts to crack. Big second half coming up.
HALFTIME:
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:25pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:25pm | Report comment
40′ – Waqa regathers a kick but Sezar eventually gets the football and the Titans yet again hold the Storm out. Titans are reading Melbourne like a book in defence.
HALFTIME:
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:24pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:24pm | Report comment
38′ – Cronk with a chip and Slater kicks ahead and Melbourne are right on the attack as O’Dwyer does well to regather possession but he is trapped in-goal yet again. Storm are forcing repeat sets here but they cannot crack the Titans for points.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:23pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:23pm | Report comment
38′ – Prince with a kick now and Fonua takes the football well. Melbourne return possession now as we near halftime.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:22pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:22pm | Report comment
37′ – Smith kicks and he finds Gordon who returns well. Titans are looking the better team as Melbourne begin to run out of ideas in attack.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:21pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:21pm | Report comment
36′ – Titans work it out from their own half as Prince kicks and finds Slater who then finds Waqa. Melbourne in a real dogfight here.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:20pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:20pm | Report comment
35′ – Smith is held up here as the Titans continue to produce herculean defence. Cronk with a grubber and Slater nearly grounds the football here but Prince regathers and he is tackled in-goal yet again. Slater however is ruled to have lost the football here and the Titans should get the 20 metre tap. The Titans producing their best defensive performance of the season here. Season defining to say the least.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:17pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:17pm | Report comment
33′ – Melbourne win another line drop-out here as Smith grubbers into the in-goal. Another repeat set but the Titans remain very hard to crack here..
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:16pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:16pm | Report comment
32′ – Melbourne win a much needed penalty and will go back on the attack. Storm really need to score soon just to regain some confidence. Titans are well and truly switched on here
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:15pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:15pm | Report comment
32′ – Prince with a kick now and Idris regathers and finds Mead who is tackled. Changeover for Melbourne now and they defended well there. The Titans though are matching them pound for pound here
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:14pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:14pm | Report comment
30′ – Manu now loses the football and the Titans hang on yet again and they now get the penalty as Bird is hit high. Titans are frustrating Melbourne and the Gold Coast are on top
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:13pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:13pm | Report comment
29′ – Widdop with a kick now and Michael’s regathers possession but he is trapped in-goal yet again. Storm get a repeat set but the Titans yet again look strong in defence. Melbourne finding it tough in attack.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:12pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:12pm | Report comment
28′ – White now loses possession and the Storm are back on the attack. Titans offering Melbourne a helping hand at the moment.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:11pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:11pm | Report comment
27′ – Slater loses possession here and now the Titans get the penalty. Not the Storm’s night thus far and the Titans with a great chance to pounce here
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:10pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:10pm | Report comment
26′ – Widdop with a chip and chase and Gordon has to force the football dead and the Storm get a drop-out here. Titans though are proving a tough nut to crack tonight. Storm though remain on the attack.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:08pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:08pm | Report comment
25′ – Srama tries to find Mead but the Titans lose possession and Melbourne are let off the hook. Titans squander a great chance there. Smith with a 40/20 now and he kicks it! Great kick and that’s a momentum changer surely. Big set coming up!
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:07pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:07pm | Report comment
24′ – Titans are playing like a team in a sudden death match. Every player is switched on here. Titans now get the penalty here and they will go right on the attack. Melbourne need to hold on here.
Storm 0
Titans 10
8:06pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:06pm | Report comment
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL
Storm 0
Titans 10
Titans well on course for the upset here and the demons that have haunted Melbourne over the past two months may be starting to come back. Now its raining.
8:05pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:05pm | Report comment
TRY TITANS – Prince with a bomb to the corner and Fonua fails to take the football and the Titans get six more tackles here. Titans on the attack and Ridge crashes over and scores from dummy-half.
Storm 0
Titans 8
8:03pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:03pm | Report comment
19′ – Storm asking plenty of questions here but the Titans yet again regather possession through Ridge. Titans really mean business in defence tonight and the Storm are starting to get frustrated. Titans now get the penalty. Game on here.
Storm 0
Titans 4
8:02pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:02pm | Report comment
18′ – Prince to Myles and he loses possession and O’Neill regathers the football and the Storm are back on the attack now. Melbourne desperate to respond here
Storm 0
Titans 4
8:01pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:01pm | Report comment
17′ – Forward pass from Melbourne here and the Titans survive yet again in defence. Titans are holding on well here but the Storm have to remain patient here.
Storm 0
Titans 4
8:00pm
Alan Nicolea said | 8:00pm | Report comment
16′ – Cronk with a cross field kick and Gordon regathers possession well but he is driven back in-goal and the Storm will get a repeat set. Great defence from Melbourne.
Storm 0
Titans 4
7:58pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:58pm | Report comment
15′ – Storm under huge pressure here as the Titans look sharp in attack. Idris held up just short. Fonua intercepts the football and he saves a try for Melbourne. Good on the young player and the Storm now win the penalty! Great moment for Fonua.
Storm 0
Titans 4
7:57pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:57pm | Report comment
13′ – Titans nearly knock on possession from the kickoff yet again but they recover the football just in time. Sezar now kicks but Slater returns and he finds Fonua who has lost possession cold. Nightmare start for the debutant at the moment.
Storm 0
Titans 4
7:55pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:55pm | Report comment
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL
Storm 0
Titans 4
The Titans are switched on here and the Storm will really have to be on song tonight if they are to win this. The Gold Coast are several classes above Penrith that’s for sure. Melbourne now need to respond.
7:54pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:54pm | Report comment
TRY TITANS – Sezar second phase play to Mead who then finds Michaels out wide who scores!
Storm 0
Titans 4
7:53pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:53pm | Report comment
9′ – Idris now finds Michaels who is away! Titans on the attack now as Melbourne scramble. Prince with a kick and Slater has to take the football dead and the Titans win a repeat set. Titans looking good here
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:52pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:52pm | Report comment
9′ – Smith kicks possession away and the Titans return now. Both teams playing disciplined football at the moment
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:51pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:51pm | Report comment
8′ – Prince with a bomb now and Fonua takes the football well. He is nervous though but that catch will give him confidence. Melbourne work it out from their own half
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:50pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:50pm | Report comment
7′ – Slater loses possession and the Titans are really aiming up in defence. Melbourne have had two great chances to score but the Titans have held firm. They are up for this.
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:49pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:49pm | Report comment
5′ – Widdop with a chip and O’Neill cannot get to the football as Michaels regathers possession. Touch Judge has come in though…..Penalty to the Storm now. Apologies.
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:47pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:47pm | Report comment
4′ – Prince fails to regather a pass and the Storm survive in defence as Slater is away! Michaels with a great tackle as Widdop is taken out. Melbourne on the attack!
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:46pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:46pm | Report comment
3′ – Bird takes the football up now and he will be vital tonight to the Titans chances. Sezar with a kick and he finds Slater who returns now. Fonua now loses possession in his first touch of the football in first grade and the Titans now will go on the attack.
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:45pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:45pm | Report comment
2′ – Great defence Titans thus far as they scramble well. Handover for the Titans now. Terrific defence under pressure.
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:43pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:43pm | Report comment
1′ – Bailey loses possession here and the Storm are right on the attack here with the scrum. Danger signs for the Titans now
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:43pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:43pm | Report comment
KICKOFF – Titans with possession
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:41pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:41pm | Report comment
Both teams making their way out now….
Storm 0
Titans 0
7:38pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:38pm | Report comment
Fonua the first Victorian born and raised to play for Melbourne tonight. Good news for Melbourne.
7:23pm
Alan Nicolea said | 7:23pm | Report comment
The Storm and Titans clash in a big game tonight with a lot on the line. The Titans really need a win tonight to keep their finals destiny in their own hands. Melbourne though need a win to build momentum and to also regain second place on the NRL ladder pending the result of tonight’s Rabbitohs -Sea Eagles clash. There are a host of changes though for both sides:
TITANS: Zillman is out, which sees Mead move to FB, Michaels to wing & O’Dwyer to centre. Bird/Ridge to start. Douglas/Minichiello bench. The loss of Zillman at fullback is a big one for the Titans given his recent form.
STORM: Anthony Quinn out, young Victorian Mahe Fonua to make his NRL debut. Rory Kostjaysn drops off the bench for the Storm.
With a lot on the line, this should be a great contest so leave your thoughts on the match as it happens.