NRL 2025: what you need to know
44 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Storm seal another win in a game that came down to the final minutes, whilst the Titans are left reeling after Melbourne's 22-20 victory at Cbus Super Stadium.
In what began as an even contest between the two in the opening ten minutes, with each team making considerably equal errors and going set for set, it surely did not stay that way.
Kieran Foran opened up the points for the match, after the Storm were previously denied an otherwise perfect try if it wasn't for Christian Welch obstructing defenders.
Storm then fought back, scoring three tries within ten minutes, with gun fullback, Ryan Papenhuyzen, playing a hand in all of them and Cameron Munster getting his own four pointer in his milestone 200th match.
Sua Fa'alogo also got his own four pointer within the next ten minutes, in only his second NRL grade game, however that was the end of the Storm's tries for the game.
To close out the point scoring in the first half, Philip Sami scored a try that was most definitely questionable but was ruled as okay.
Having his best half of footy in a long time, making two try assists and his on try, all looking amazing for the Storm fullback, but good things can't last I guess… With Papenhuyzen limping off the field in the final minute of the first half, where they suspect he has a high ankle sprain. (Note: I cannot go through a third Paps injury, can any fan of the game for that matter?)
Overall, the first half showed a confident Titans side and a Storm side that was exploding but still far from perfect.
The second half was mostly uneventful in terms of scoring, with only one try from the Titans, where AJ Brimson proved his worth in the fullback position, making it three consecutive weeks of tries scored.
Melbourne were struggling during this half, they had not recovered from losing Papenhuyzen and were not getting the job done with fatigue constantly setting in. Whilst the Titans were in fighting form where they just continued to push on.
A penalty goal from the Titans in the 54th minutes evened the score. This was later followed by a failed then successful penalty goal attempts from Nick Meaney, for the Storm to gain the lead in the 68th minute.
A try-saving tackle from Joe Chan in the last five minutes, left the Titans without an important four more points.
The Titans were trying so hard to get a win, but were given an unfair bunker call in the last two minutes of the game (where there definitely was no intent to strip), to end all hopes of making a final minute comeback.
After the performance that Melbourne put on last week, this match was multiple steps down, where they struggled with errors and in defence, missing a total of 44 tackles compared to the 17 that the Titans missed.
On the other hand, the Titans continued to show promising signs, continuing on with the form that got them to win against the Warriors last weekend.
Gold Coast Titans 20 - Melbourne Storm 22
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh
Crowd: 13096
Halftime Score: Gold Coast Titans 12 Melbourne Storm 20
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - AJ Brimson
2 points - Josh King
1 points - Ryan Papenhuyzen
GOLD COAST TITANS (20)
Tries: Kieran Foran, Phillip Sami, AJ Brimson
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Brian Kelly (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Brian Kelly (1/2)
MELBOURNE STORM (22)
Tries: Cameron Munster, William Warbrick, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sualauvi Faalogo
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Nick Meaney (2/4)
Penalty Goals: Nick Meaney (1/2)