Round 3: Titans v Storm preview
Last start losers look to bounce back
The Gold Coast Titans and the Melbourne Storm will be out to atone for poor last start performances during a Saturday afternoon encounter at CBUS Super Stadium.
Squandering a ten-point lead approaching halftime only to be handsomely beaten at the end of 80 minutes last week, the Gold Coast Titans will be eyeing greater consistency in their first home appearance of 2023.
Going down to the Dragons 32-18 last Sunday at Kogarah, coach Justin Holbrook has opted for experience in his backline by recalling Brian Kelly in a reshuffle that sees Phillip Sami shift to the wing and Jojo Fifita omitted from the squad entirely.
Chris Randall replaces injured Sam Verrills at hooker, while Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui will make his NRL debut off the bench alongside recalled forward Joseph Vuna.
Holding a poor overall record against their weekend opponents with six wins from 25 past meetings, the Titans last defeated the Storm at CBUS Super Stadium a decade ago.
Suffering a double-digit loss on home soil for only the second time in the pandemic era, the Melbourne Storm will be desperate to avoid back-to-back losses inside the first month of the season.
Left stunned by an attacking assault from the Bulldogs during last Saturday's 26-12 loss at home, coach Craig Bellamy has received mixed news on the injury front with Justin Olam, Xavier Coates, Tui Kamikamica and Tariq Sims returning from injury, while losing imposing front-rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona for an extended period due to a knee injury.
Highly-rated youngster Jonah Pezet will make his first grade debut off the bench; the son of former South Queensland and Parramatta halfback Troy Pezet was awarded player of the match honours in the Under 19s State of Origin contest last season.
Last meeting: Round 21 2022 - Storm 32 Titans 14
Who to watch: Playing all bar ten minutes in the front-row last week, Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be looking to get one over his former club on Saturday afternoon.
Winning a premiership with the Storm in 2020 before establishing himself as one of the premier forwards in the league at the Titans, the 23-year-old forward has averaged 150 running metres over the opening fortnight of the season, along with snaring a late try last week.
Coming up against a Melbourne side missing experience up front, expect Fa'asuamaleaui to be heavily involved if the Titans are to make an early season statement.
Set to become the latest in a long line of players to thrive in the Victorian capital, Eliesa Katoa appears on track to make the right edge position his own if the opening fortnight of the season is indicative of things to come.
Touted as a player of untapped potential during three years with the Warriors, the 23-year-old Tongan forward displayed glimpses of talent last week with three line breaks, three tackle breaks, 160 running metres and a denied four-pointer.
Set to line up opposite David Fifita in a key personal duel, Katoa will fancy his chances of snaring his first try in purple colours on Saturday afternoon.
Favourite: Winning their past eight matches against the Titans in succession, the Storm are expected to prove too strong in the daytime conditions.
My tip: Having produced an uncharacteristically dismal performance last weekend, the Storm will be primed to make amends and get the job done away from home. Storm by 16.
