Storm
24
Match Complete
Titans
8
| J. Addo-Carr |  | 70 | ||
| C. Smith |  | 67 | ||
| C. Smith |  | 58 | ||
| D. Finucane | | 56 | ||
| C. Smith | | 45 | ||
| R. Papenhuyzen | | 43 | ||
| C. Smith | | 31 | ||
| K. Bromwich | | 29 | ||
| 16 | | M. Gordon | ||
| 15 | | J. Arthars | ||
| 13 | | M. Gordon |
| 4 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
In what could be shaping up as one of the most one-sided matches this season, the Melbourne Storm will look to sew up the minor premiership with a fortnight still to play when they take on the struggling Gold Coast Titans. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2pm (AEST).
The Storm have been the benchmark this season, and playing the Titans at this point in the season on their home ground could be a recipe for disaster in terms of a competitive match.
When the sides met on the Gold Coast just over a month ago, the Titans were in their first week with a new coach and Melbourne were missing a number of stars. Despite scoring the first two tries though, the home side on that occasion still managed to get beaten 38 points to 18.
If the eventual margin is only 20 points this time around though, the Storm either weren’t at their best, or the Titans turned up and put a good performance in.
The Gold Coast have basically clocked out on footy for this year. Their defence up the middle third has been soft as butter, their attack not much better, and players at the club clearly wanting to be elsehwere.
They haven’t been helped in the middle third by a couple of key injuries, but it’s been an abysmal season, and there is a genuine feeling that Sunday afternoon might be the day to just sum it all up for the Titans and their fans.
Melbourne, as mentioned, are the benchmark, and are now at that point in the season where they will take no prisoners as they build for September.
Incredibly, this is a side who had the minor premiership all but wrapped up six weeks ago and haven’t lost a game by more than four points all season, no matter who they have come up against.
One suspects they might be in a mood as well. They had the high-flying Canberra Raiders on the ropes last weekend at 18-0 up, before being mowed down to lose by four.
The Storm always come out firing after a loss, and the Titans will be nothing more than training cones and a rabbit in the headlights for the purple machine as Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith work their magic on the back of a dominant forward pack.
Prediction
This is going to be ugly. I don’t like tipping big numbers, but it’s almost no choice here. My tip, even at this level, could be a conservative one.
Storm by 32.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 2pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Storm $1.04, Titans $11
Overall record: Played 20, Storm 14, Titans 6
Last meeting: Round18, 2019, Titans 18 defeated by Storm 38 at CBus Super Stadium
Last five: Storm 4, Titans 1
Record at venue: Played 6, Storm 5, Titans 1
Referees: Chris Butler, Dave Munro
Melbourne Storm
1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Joe Stimson 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Curtis Scott 19. Tom Eisenhuth 20. Max King 21. Harry Grant
Gold Coast Titans
1. Michael Gordon 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Mitch Rein 10. Jai Arrow 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Sam Stone 13. Nathan Peats 14. Alexander Brimson 15. Jai Whitbread 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Brenko Lee 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Tanah Boyd 20. Anthony Don 21. Jack Stockwell
Chris
Roar Pro
Proud of that prediction to be honest!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
You got it wrong Brendon. I just saw the replay again. Addo-Carr was NOT smiling he was grimmacing abd sucking the air in and he WAS looking back for support and to see if he was being chased. After a lot of running legs can fatigue and feel like rubber. That is what JAC was fighting to get to the line. Watch the replay again and be thankful for having a South Sydney junior who should be playing for the Rabbitohs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah, I'm not thrilled.
The Swan Street Stalker
Guest
Obviously, the Storm got away with wrestling all day. Chokeslams, Full Nelson Asofa’s, DDTs, Full Cobra Clutch Cams, Powerslams, Hip Tosses and a million other illegal moves. I honestly don’t know how they keep getting away with it. Plus that Cameron Smith... they might as well just give him the whistle. Seriously, how can the NRL let it continue? The NRL NEED the Storm to be successful so they just keep making them the best side year after year after year in this amazing conspiracy that would take more effort and complexity than the assassianation of JFK... But yeah! Whinge whinge. Whine whine. Storm for the minor premiership. Bloody good effort for a team that most pundits didn’t give much of a chance to. Hopefully, we play well enough to make the Grand Final again. Might have to shift it up a couple of gears though. Everyone seems to be running at 55%. Will take a lot more to win it.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Potentially one of the best NRL games this year for the AFL? I guess you drew the short straw for that one. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
When he looked back I think he was hoping to see that no one was chasing because he knew his legs were going. Neither of us know for sure but I'm sticking with my impression.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers PS, No mate - I'm rostered on for the close of the AFL season and to finish talking points.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Not a fan of the refs in that one. I know it won't get the big publicity it does for other teams (because we are Melbourne and inherently get the rub of the green apparently) but it really caused major issues. Shows a good team when they can come back from sonething like the first half, switch mentality and still kick butt!
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Ah when he looked back smiling I assumed he was turning it off a bit.
Peter Piper
Guest
Just glad the refs put the whistle away. That was looking embarrassing at one point. Some questions need to be asked about their first half performance.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this afternoon on The Roar for our live coverage of this NRL match. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. The next game up will be the Manly Sea Eagles and Canberra Raiders. Isaac Nowroozi is on the call of that one. I'm off for Port Adelaide and Fremantle in the AFL at 4:40pm and to finish talking points, which will be up at around 6pm. Bye for now.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Good call Scott. Are you doing the next game?
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
No, he was leg weary and under fatigue. He didn't pull up or switch off. He was spent. He is only human even if he is a South Sydney junior.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Melbourne Storm have all but sewn up the minor premiership on their home track, beating the Gold Coast Titans by 16 points. The Storm have plenty to work on after a first half where they were right on the back foot, but they came good after a halftime spray from Craig Bellamy, dominating the second half after being down 8-0 at one point. Storm 24 Titans 8
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Addo-Carr was showing clear signs of fatigue and rubbery legs but I wouldn't mention that if I was Phillip Sami telling my grandkids. ;-)
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Thanks for the call Scotty!
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Right then, into the final minute as we try to recover from that incredible Sami chase of the Fox. Not much left in this game, and Peachey drops it coming out of his own end. Melbourne stop the clock with 13 seconds left so will have one play. Vunivalu takes it forward and is tackled, picking up a penalty. One more play after the siren with a line set to the right, Papenhuyzen grubbers, it's dead and the Storm come from behind to beat the Titans. Storm 24 Titans 8
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Yep, Cam Smith should bypass "the Immortals" and have his own category "the Untouchables". ;-)
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Unbelievable... a fabulous run.....