The Gold Coast Titans will look to win their first Monday night game in almost three years, when they take on a Melbourne Storm side that is missing a host of experience though Origin. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEST.
While the Gold Coast will be thankful for the eight day turnaround coming off a six-point loss to South Sydney in tough and humid conditions in Cairns last Sunday afternoon, they will need to improve on their less than impressive 12.9 ppg average against Melbourne if they have any chance of knocking off the defending Premiers.
On the other hand, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy will be hoping the loss of Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Ryan Hoffman won’t be to much for his side to overcome.
The Storm were forced to come from behind last week against the Knights at AAMI Park, falling behind 14-4 early on in the match before a try in the closing stages to Billy Slater secured the victory.
A win by the Gold Coast could see them sit just one point shy of the top four, while Melbourne will have the chance to leapfrog South Sydney if results go their way, as they go in search for their second minor premiership in just three years.
Prediction
While the Titans will be without Nate Myles and Greg Bird through Origin, they still have one of the biggest forward packs in the competition, with the inclusion of Mark Minichiello to the starting lineup sure to lift the home side.
Despite a loss to South Sydney last week, the Gold Coast attack has been firing of late, averaging just over 32 points a game over the last month of football, as they try and improve on their 4-2 record at Skilled Park in 2013.
Although the loss of Cronk, Slater, Smith and Hoffman would be enough to derail any clubs chances, Melbourne have been in this situation before and somehow continually find a way to be one of the most successful clubs of the past decade.
Having said this, if Melbourne are going to extend their current three match winning streak, they are going to have to do it behind ageing halfback Brett Finch and debutant Ben Hampton, who has been named at five-eighth.
In the end, I think the loss of the Big Three and Ryan Hoffman will be too much for Melbourne to overcome.
The Gold Coast have to many key players still in their side, and with the match being played at Skilled Park, I don’t see the Titans having to much trouble taking down the Storm.
Gold Coast by 10.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
No worries. Always good fun. If you're a Melbourne supporter, I would be concerned about the Widdop injury. They would struggle without him in the halves. Either going to have to choice between an ageing Brett Finch or the debutant Ben Hampton. Happy 25th. I could think of a few people I would rather share the day with then Keith and Nicole but oh well, better then nothing I suppose haha.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
All Melbournes best players are Queenslanders who would be playing FOR A QLD club if not for Murdoch money. Why is there no second Brisbane club? The NRL are gooses.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Yeah I admit its terrible seeing these half weeks full of reserve graders. I would rather them reduce the season by 3 weeks and have the games still during the middle of the season.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Maybe because at least three of their best (over the years) forged their dominance of the game via their SOO experience? But then you could always release those players and see how far you get...
Chairman Kaga
Guest
Another victim of the exhibition State of Origin. Madness scheduling that smack bang in the middle of the season. What would a Storm supporter give two figs about NSW or QLD?
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Hope not. I dislike Melbourne, but he is a bloody good player. I suppose the only positive to come out of tonights play was Hamptons play. He won't be as good as Widdop, but if I were Melbourne, I would try and blood Hampton rather then give it to Finch who wouldn't have to much time left anyway.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Haha yeah about 2 years ago. Only 19 years old. Unfortunately my boyish good looks are starting to leave me. I wish I could stay I still had my brains but unfortunately they left me some time ago too.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Not yet. From what Andy Raymond was saying, the Melbourne medical staff suspect a dislocated hip. Both team doctors were in the sheds with him while they were waiting for an ambulance. Will have to wait and see I suppose. Will be out for a while if it is his hip.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Bizarre ending to the match but still entertaining match despite some pretty poor ball handling from both sides. While the impressive debut from Hampton will certainly be great news for Melbourne supporters, the loss of Widdop would be massive. If it is a dislocated hip, he could be out for a while, putting a massive dent in the Storms premiership chances. Chris Lawrence dislocated his hip back in 2011 and was out for 3 months. Gold Coast fans on the other hand would have to be impressed with the play of Albert Kelly tonight. He looked dangerous whenever he had the ball, threatening to break the Melbourne line. What did everyone make of the game? Terrible news about Widdop, but Hampton looks like he could be a player of the future. How do Melbourne keep bringing this young kids from around the country and turning them into brilliant talents.
Matt
Guest
Any news on Widdop? Poor bugger, he's a good lad, tries hard. Hopefully it's not too serious.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Thanks Nathan - That's all done and dusted ... Storm 3rd on the NRL ladder - Nothing to panic about with 11 rounds left in the 2013 season. I'll wait until tomorrow to have a drink, when my hubby and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary - 25th June - along with Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman who have some years to catch us. :-D
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
FULL TIME ' - Despite the siren sounding Melbourne were able to take the kickoff. One of the most bizarre endings to the game. After regathering the ball from the short kickoff, they spread the ball to the left where they looked to have a chance. They then throw the ball back with Finch and Proctor just looking at it waiting for the other player to dive on it. The ball then goes to ground again and for some reason O'Dwyer kicks it backwards straight to the Melbourne player. Luckily for him, the Titans tackle Waqa on the last for a loss of 40 odd metres. FINAL SCORE Gold Coast – 18 Melbourne – 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
79' - TRY GOLD COAST - O'Dwyer crashes over after a short ball from Seizer. The try secures the match for the Gold Coast. Put that down to the brilliant defensive set from the Titans on the last. 80' CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Gold Coast – 18 Melbourne – 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
77' - Kelly grubber kick through on the last is taken by Hampton who did well to stay in the field of play with Seizer coming through. TERRIBLE set by Melbourne though. After making bugger all metres on their set, they panic and through the ball back. Srama chases the ball and tackles Ryles on the last just 5m out from Melbournes line. Full set for the Titans 10m out from the Melbourne line. Gold Coast – 14 Melbourne – 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
76' - A handy penalty for the Gold Coast. Zillman stays down after coping the high shot from Junior Moors. Allows the video ref to look at the footage and rule a penalty. One of the rules that has to change. Ridiculous. Moors placed on report. Gold Coast – 14 Melbourne – 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
74' - Poor attacking set by Melbourne sees them making less then 40m. A kick down field to Zillman allows him to get out to his own 40. STarting to win the field positioning. Gold Coast – 14 Melbourne – 12
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Nathan ... Is that a recent photo of you ??? You look very young!
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
72' - Finch kick just goes a little bit to long with Don going up and taking the catch from his in goal to give the Titans the ball out on the 20. Can they hold on? Gold Coast – 14 Melbourne – 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
71' - Good work from Ryles undone with an error early in the set. They however are let off with Kelly losing it on the first tackle from the scrum. Nobody wants to run away with this game. Ball handing will be vital over the last 10. Gold Coast – 14 Melbourne – 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
69' - Wow, Widdop injury has really hit Melbourne hard. They rely on a Jason Ryles chip kick to get a repeat set. Not a bad piece of footwork from the big man. Bet Bellamy won't want to see that for a VERY long time. Gold Coast – 14 Melbourne – 12