Storm punish Titans in Papenhuyzen's return

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Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans

Melbourne Storm triumphed 37-16 in their win over Gold Coast Titans in front of 18.072 fans at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon.

This result helps the Storm in their chase for a top four finish for the regular season. It was a dominant performance from the hosts with Xavier Coates scoring a hat-trick alongside another wonderful display from Harry Grant. 

It was a big game for the Storm's top four hopes and they started in fine fashion. Jahrome Hughes punched a kick low, while falling, which saw Will Warbrick add another four-pointer to his tally. 

Titans were marched downfield after some errors and penalties which saw them lead 6-4. Chris Randall scooped up the ball after a firm carry from Jaimin Joliffe to slam the ball down. 

Xavier Coates has a fantastic record scoring against the Titans and continued it in this contest. He was on the end of a superb pass from Nick Meaney to stroll over in the corner. 

Gold Coast Titans revelled in their role as spoiler and brought the game back to 10-all. Brian Kelly kept running and running before he found the line and touched down in the left corner. 

Storm restored their lead from the tee. Meaney piloted through the kick to make it 12-10. Cameron Munster then sliced through and sent Coates over for his second for an eight-point lead at half-time. 

Titans needed a quick start in the second half. They broke upon the arm wrestle through AJ Brimson. He sliced through the line, flicked it to Jojo Fifita who touched down for 18-16. 

The moment everyone in purple had waited for came in the 61st minute. Ryan Papenhuyzen is back! He was involved in their fourth score, getting a quick play-the-ball for Harry Grant to find Christian Welch to go over. 

Grant was on fire in the second half, after shaking off a shoulder injury. He provided another try assist from the boot this time, seeings Eli Katoa plant the ball down for 30-16. 

Storm rounded off their display with another aerial act. Coates out-jumped his opposite number and swooped to get his hat-trick and make it 36-16 for the top four chasing Storm. 

Munster decided to add one final cherry on top. Grant spun around like a top before he found the halfback, who kicked a field goal to give us the unusual scoreline of 37-16 on a happy afternoon for the Storm.