Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans: NRL live scores, blog

The NRL heads into the final five rounds of the 2022 regular season as the Melbourne Storm host the Gold Coast Titans. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm AEST.

After going through four rounds stuck on 24 points, the Storm found a way to get the job done and get back into the winning groove with a 24-12 victory over the New Zealand Warriors.

And with the Broncos capitulating at home against the Tigers, the Storm are back to where they’ve spent the past 10 years – in the top four.

David Nofoaluma has arrived in Melbourne on loan from the Tigers as the Samoan international has been named to make his Storm debut. Tyran Wishart replaces Nick Meaney (shoulder injury) to fullback while centre Justin Olam is ruled out with COVID-19.

As for the Titans, they seem stuck, lost and struggling for any sort of inspiration following a poor season. They haven’t won a game since Magic Round and no one knows if they can pull off a victory for the rest of this season.

Since their last victory, the Titans have conceded 266 points in nine games. As those numbers suggest, their defence is woeful and have faltered under pressure moments in games (especially when they opted for a short kick–off against the Broncos when they were leading by over 10 points early in the second half).

Jayden Campbell provided some moments of brilliance off the bench against the Raiders as the youngster is named to start at fullback, while Toby Sexton has been demoted to the reserves.

Prediction

I would be called a madman if I were to predict a Titans win. They have lost all of their away games this season, and look completely lost and directionless as a club.

Despite losing Olam and Meaney, the Storm still have enough firepower in their team.

Nofoaluma to score the first try for the Storm and the hosts to win by 8.

Game information

Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: AAMI Park
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Storm $1.11; Titans $6.70 – odds via PlayUp

Teams

Storm

1. Tyran Wishart 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Marion Seve 4. Grant Anderson 5. Dean Ieremia 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Chris Lewis 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Cooper Johns 20. Xavier Coates 21. Jordan Grant 22. Young Tonumaipea

Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Aaron Booth 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark 14. Greg Marzhew 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Isaac Liu 17. Jaimin Jolliffe 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Corey Thompson 20. Toby Sexton 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Paul Turner