Melbourne looking to continue zebra-stripe form by beating Gold Coast away from home

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Gold Coast Titans v Melbourne Storm Saturday 3:00pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

The Storm will be hoping their Origin stars can backup to take on the Titans to kickoff Saturday night football.

Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero have all been named in the side to travel to the Gold Coast, with the likes of Keagan Russel-Smith, Jack Howarth and Lazarus Vaalepu on standby in the reserves in case they are made unavailable.

The Titans origin representatives - Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Mo Fotuaika and Beau Fermor - have also been named in their squad, with Josh Patston a chance to make his NRL debut if one or more are ruled out.

Both sides are coming off a bye, although it wasn't a restful week for their front offices. Titans prop Josiah Pahulu, who featured in their 17 across the past three games, has switched teams mid-week to Melbourne, although he hasn't been named to make his club debut against his now-former side.

Both sides are hoping to play themselves back into form this week - while Melbourne remain in the top four they have won just two of their past five matches, and last appeared in a 42-22 shellacking at the hands of the Dolphins. The Titans are even more dire - rooted in the bottom third of the table after one win in five matches, although the return of Kieran Foran could be a source of inspiration going forward.

This is also a game of a seemingly unstoppable force meeting a very moveable object. The Titans have conceded 252 points in their last 7 games at an average of 36 points per game. Melbourne meanwhile have scored 244 points in their last 7 matches at an average of 34.9, although that figure is largely buoyed by their mammoth 64-0 win over the Tigers a month ago.

Melbourne have won 19 of their last 23 games against the Titans and have one of their best win percentages against the Gold Coast club in their franchise history at 75%, tied with the Dolphins and only trailing South Sydney (83%) and the now-defunct Western Suburbs, Adelaide and the former Gold Coast club, the Chargers (all 100%).

Last meeting: Round 9 2024 - Titans 20 Storm 22

Who to watch: With question marks around whether captain Fa'asuamaleaui will back up, much of the leadership responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Foran as well as the halves combination of AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell. Whether Des Hasler will pull another late switch to start Foran remains to be seen, however even if he comes off the bench his role will be pivotal in any chance they have of winning.

For the Storm regardless of who backs up, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes are their keys to victory. If both have the games expected of them, Melbourne simply should not lose. Of course they would like to have their forwards and outside backs step up as well, but with two superstars calling the shots I'm pretty sure they'll be ok.

The favourite: Melbourne are heavily favoured in this one

My tip: I can't see much way for the Titans to win this one, even if their three Origin stars line up while Melbourne rest all three of theirs. Assuming both sides run out 1-17, I have got Melbourne by at least 18 points

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Kieran Foran 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Klese Haas 17. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 18. Arama Hau 19. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 20. Josh Patston 21. Tom Weaver 22. Sean Mullany 23. Allan Fitzgibbon

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Joe Chan 19. Jack Howarth 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Kane Bradley 22. Lazarus Vaalepu 23. Marion Seve 24. Ativalu Lisati

Referees: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Nick Pelgrave; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;