Match Preview: Round 9 v Titans
The Storm can’t stop winning right now and are riding a four-game streak, while the Titans finally got on the board last week with a gutsy road victory.
Few gave the Gold Coast a chance of toppling the Warriors in Auckland on ANZAC Day, but a much-improved attacking performance and a courageous late goal line stand saw Des Hasler’s men secure the breakthrough result.
With David Fifita returning to close to top form and AJ Brimson starring at fullback, there’s finally some reason for optimism at the club in 2024.
The Storm meanwhile continued what has been business as usual over the past month, with a 54-20 drubbing of the Rabbitohs in which they were rarely troubled at AAMI Park.
The Storm have lost just once in their eight trips to the Gold Coast since 2013, but that defeat came last year as the Titans tipped them over 38-34 at the venue.
All up Melbourne have been dominant in these games, with wins over the Gold Coast in 20 of their 27 meetings.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Titans v Storm
Team News
Titans: Josiah Pahulu starts in the frontrow, with Joe Stimson moving back to the bench after the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kickoff. Representative prop Moeaki Fotuaika is out with concussion. David Fifita will start after playing off the bench in recent weeks.
Storm: Sualauvi Faalogo will start on the wing, with Tyran Wishart reverting to the bench in a late change. Nelson Asofa-Solomona remains in the squad and will also start from the bench, despite picking up an injury concern on ANZAC Day. Bronson Garlick drops out of squad to make way for Faalogo, who replaces Xavier Coates (hamstring).
Titans v Storm
Match: Titans v Storm
Round 9 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ BrimsonFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
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Winger for Titans is number 2 Phillip SamiWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
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Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
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Centre for Titans is number 4 Harley Smith-ShieldsCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo FifitaWinger for Storm is number 19 Sualauvi Faalogo
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Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tanah BoydFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran ForanHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Titans is number 10 Jaimin JolliffeProp for Storm is number 8 Christian Welch
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Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris RandallHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Titans is number 17 Josiah PahuluProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
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2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
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2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
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Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac LiuLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
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Interchange for Titans is number 8 Joe StimsonInterchange for Storm is number 5 Tyran Wishart
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Interchange for Titans is number 14 Sam VerrillsInterchange for Storm is number 15 Joe Chan
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Interchange for Titans is number 15 Erin ClarkInterchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese HaasInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
Reserves
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Replacement for Titans is number 18 Alofiana Khan-PereiraReplacement for Storm is number 14 Bronson Garlick
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have conceded 28 points or more in their past six games at Cbus Super Stadium.
- The Storm have won nine of their past 10 games against the Titans.
- Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- Titans coach Des Hasler has won only one of his past seven games against the Storm.
Match: Titans v Storm
Round 9 -
home Team
Titans
16th Position
away Team
Storm
2nd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
