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  1. #31
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Storm v Titans
    AAMI Park Sunday, 2pm

    A perennial finals contender goes up against a team looking to return to the business end for the first time since 2010.

    Just one point separated these sides in the Round 26 corresponding fixture last year, with Storm defeating the Titans at AAMI Park.

    Last week was a tale of the opposite for the Storm in 2014: a strong 10-to-nothing start against the Bulldogs looked promising before a last 60 minutes that coach Craig Bellamy labeled as 'rubbish,' in which the Bulldogs piled on six unanswered tries to hand Melbourne its first loss of the season.

    A lack of flair in attack was apparent without their skipper Cameron Smith, who missed the loss with back spasms. Smith underwent scans on Monday and while the results remained in-house, the club expects their star hooker to take his place.

    The Storm were uncharacteristically uncompetitive in the second half last week, conceding five tries as the Bulldogs scored 40 points – the most points scored against a Melbourne team since Round 18, 2012 (v Raiders).

    Bellamy's side would have welcomed the seven-day break after a grueling week that saw them play two games in six days on top of the emotion surrounding Alex McKinnon's injury.

    Meanwhile the Gold Coast built on their strong start to the season, improving to 3-1 after a one-point victory over northern counterparts the Cowboys.

    Aidan Sezer proved the match winner and was pivotal in attack. However by his own admission Sezer returned for the match prematurely from a quad strain and with a shortened week and a trip to Melbourne, the Titans will be hoping the five-eighth has not pulled up sore.

    If the Titans can return from Melbourne with two points, fans may start finally believing that their team can deliver a season of consistency.

    Their side remains unchanged as it aims to make it three wins in a row.

    The Storm have named captain Cameron Smith to return, Tim Glasby drops back to 18th man and Ryan Hinchcliffe is set to return to the No.13 – he will play his 150th NRL game while fellow teammate Bryan Norrie will notch up game 100 for the club.

    Show your true colours. Become a member of your club.

    Watch Out Storm: Is there a player in the NRL on whom his team's fortunes are so reliant? Cameron Smith pulled out of last Saturday's loss to Canterbury in the warm-up due to back soreness and the purple camp will be hoping their captain is fit and ready come Sunday. You have to go back to Round 14, 2011 for the last time the Storm won without Smith – that is seven matches at an average losing margin of 22 points. It's a stat that proves not only the 30-year-old's greatness but also just how important he is to this Storm outfit.

    The Storm have historically been a good defensive team however this season opponents have targeted the wings when attacking them. In the last three weeks, opposing right-wingers have scored five tries against them. Young Tonumaipea has been solid in attack for Melbourne but clearly opposing teams are looking to target the 21-year-old at the other end of the field.

    Watch Out Gold Coast: You have to go back 11 rounds (Manly in Round 21, 2013) to find the last team to get a win after a Monday night victory. The Titans were the first team to attempt the feat this season but endured a 40-point demolition at the hands of the Tigers. They will be hoping for a much improved effort against much better opposition and given the Titans play five Monday night games this year it will be a hoodoo they need to break soon.

    The Titans rank equal first in the competition in the exact areas they wouldn't want to. John Cartwright's side has made 61 errors in four games this season and missed a total of 134 tackles – 31 more than the Melbourne Storm. These are fundamentals of the game that if left unaddressed could be punished by this week's opposition.

    Plays To Watch: Albert Kelly's need for speed – the young halfback has just 34 games of NRL experience but is an excitement machine given a bit of space to work in. Aidan Sezer's left foot magic – involved in every Titan scoring play last week, his will be an interesting battle with Cooper Cronk. Waqa wonder – set AAMI Park alight on the left wing against the Knights a fortnight ago, expect more of the same.

    Where It Will be Won: Melbourne are a team that thrive on controlling the football. For the first time in 2014, Craig Bellamy's side lost the battle for possession (just 43 per cent) and suffered their first loss of the year last week.

    If the Titans want to be in with a chance they have to limit their error count that has hampered them to date. The best way to limit the influence of Cronk and (possibly) Smith is to keep the football out of their hands.

    The History: Played 11; Storm 7, Titans 4. Five of the past six meetings have gone the way of the Storm and the Gold Coast won just one of six trips to Melbourne.

    Match Officials: Referees – Ben Cummins & Brett Suttor; Touch Judges – Luke Potter & Ricky MacFarlane; Video Referees – Steve Clark & Reece Williams.

    Televised: Fox Sports – Live 2pm.

    The Way We See It: Statistically this looks to be a very even contest. So much depends on the fitness of Cameron Smith but with champion hooker expected to play the Titans may have to wait a little longer for their second-ever win in Victoria. Storm by 4 points.

    • Statistics: Champion Data.

    http://www.nrl.com/
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  2. #32
    Rep Player ozynorts's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DIEHARD View Post
    Storm v Titans
    AAMI Park Sunday, 2pm

    The Titans rank equal first in the competition in the exact areas they wouldn't want to. John Cartwright's side has made 61 errors in four games this season and missed a total of 134 tackles – 31 more than the Melbourne Storm. These are fundamentals of the game that if left unaddressed could be punished by this week's opposition.
    http://www.nrl.com/
    I have been reading a lot of comments about how good the Titans defence has been so far this year.... Those comments don't really stack up against the actual stats.
    The only club to have scored less tries than us is the Sharks.
    The NRL site has a stats table that you can use to see how your team is going. But the 2 stats that I would like to see don't seem to be recording data and they are Effective plays and Ineffective plays. Would be interesting to see how we perform on that measure.

  3. #33
    Immortal Titanic's Avatar
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    Rugby league is a perverse game ... wins on the back of poor team performances can't continue.
    Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.

  4. #34
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    Quote Originally Posted by Titanic View Post
    Rugby league is a perverse game ... wins on the back of poor team performances can't continue.
    google dictionary, we meet again

    I love how you expand my vocabulary every day Titanic. Thank you.

  5. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hail Sezer View Post
    google dictionary, we meet again

    I love how you expand my vocabulary every day Titanic. Thank you.
    Yeh HS, the word 'wins' is foreign to most Titans fans.
    Call me Mr Stupid but...

  6. #36
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    NRL Round 5 Preview: Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans
    http://www.sportal.com.au/

    The Melbourne Storm host the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday, April 6 in Round 5 of the NRL. The match kicks off at 2.00pm (AEST).

    Who: Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans

    When: Sunday, April 6 – 2pm local (AEST)

    Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne

    I can watch it on: Channel Nine/Gem
    Form guide:

    Melbourne: LWW

    Gold Coast: WWL
    Sportingbet odds:

    Melbourne $1.25

    Gold Coast $4.10

    Things you need to know:

    The Storm have never lost to the Titans at AAMI Park in three clashes there, but the Gold Coast boys came closest to pinching a win in enemy territory in Round 26 last year. The Titans were edged 23-22, having previously getting the better of Craig Bellamy's side 18-12 at home in Round 15.
    Melbourne lost nine games in 2013 - with eight of those coming in pairs. Titans coach John Cartwright will be all too aware that his side has a brilliant chance to capitalise on a flat Storm, who were pummelled in Perth by Canterbury-Bankstown.
    Cam Smith (back spasms) is set to return after being a late withdrawal against the Bulldogs, while Jordan McLean will miss seven weeks after he was suspended for his part in the tackle that seriously injured Newcastle's Alex McKinnon in Round 3. Storm could yet appeal the judiciary's decision. Matt Duffie (ACL) is out for the season, while Justin O'Neill (knee) is still 2-3 weeks away. Felise Kaufusi (pectoral) should be available next week for the Storm's hosting of St George/Illawarra. Hymel Hunt (ankle) and Junior Moors (knee) are pencilled in to be fit a week later, for Storm's Round 7 trip to take on the Canberra Raiders.

    The Titans should welcome back Will Zillman (hamstring) and Matt Srama (shoulder) for their trip to Melbourne, after their 13-12 victory over state rivals the North Queensland Cowboys on Monday night.


    Reason to watch:

    The two sides going head-to-head are 3-1, and can set themselves firmly at the top of the bunched ladder with another victory. The 12th-placed Parramatta Eels are just a win off top spot, meaning any two points picked up will be crucial. That the Titans came so close to knocking off the Storm on their own paddock so recently must give them plenty of confidence to go the extra mile on Sunday.
    The Storm, meanwhile, will be bitterly disappointed with the Perth showing, as their hot start in WA was then offset by conceding seven unanswered tries. Bellamy will have no doubt put a rocket up his men, and they will be aggressive early as they look to get back to winning ways.
    Reason to turn away:

    Handling errors troubled both the Cowboys and Titans on Monday night in humid conditions at Cbus Super Stadium, with the latter committing 12 mistakes. The Titans also missed 35 tackles, and certainly cannot afford to do the same against the Storm, or risk conceding easy points.

    The Storm have their own defensive queries too, missing 39 tackles against the Bulldogs in uncharacteristic fashion. Melbourne's left side of defence has been a query for them this season, and could be the Titans' way in to the try zone.
    Say what:

    "Unfortunately, Cam just woke up with a little bit of a stiff back, and it wasn't too bad through the morning. But as we got to warm-up, it jammed up, and we worked feverishly to try and get him right, but we didn't think it was worth the risk. He probably could have played, but given it's Round 4, we had a long trip back, we had a long trip over there, and given his age – sorry Cam – all those sort of factors contributed," Storm physio Tony Ayoub said of Smith's late withdrawal against the Bulldogs.
    Final word:

    The Titans did not show enough on Monday night to suggest they can travel to Melbourne and win well. Weirder things have happened though - especially this season - as so many underdogs have managed to walk taller a week after a below-par performance. It speaks volumes about the Gold Coast that they could win ugly, and while they will likely fall short on Sunday, a valiant loss would not dent their confidence too much. With steady-handed skipper Smith back in the side, the hosts should be too strong. Storm by six points.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  7. #37
    First Grader K2G's Avatar
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    Carty's come out and said Zillman will be saved for the broncos game next week.

    Interesting about Srama though. There wasn't any update on him in the latest injuries video on the titans website? He was originally due back around rd 4 IIRC. He'd have to have a few games in Qcup to get meters in the legs and test out the shoulders i imagine, but an interesting selection headache awaits Carty once Matty is ready to go...

    Couldn't drop Falloon or Carter on their recent form. Can't see our coach playing Carter off the bench as a second-rower ahead of Mini or Ridge though. What are peoples thoughts?

  8. #38
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kickit2gordon View Post
    Carty's come out and said Zillman will be saved for the broncos game next week.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  9. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by DIEHARD View Post
    Call me Mr Stupid but...

  10. #40

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    Couldn't drop Falloon or Carter on their recent form. Can't see our coach playing Carter off the bench as a second-rower ahead of Mini or Ridge though. What are peoples thoughts?
    I would actually like to see carter play lock. with drama and falloon in the hooker rotation.
    Last edited by DIEHARD; 03-04-14 at 05:20 PM.

  11. #41
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Welcome Kevin! Glad to have you with us.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  12. #42
    First Grader K2G's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Rablin View Post
    I would actually like to see carter play lock. with drama and falloon in the hooker rotation.
    Welcome Kev, and good call.

    I'm sure Carter would make a good lock in the future, but to be honest - if Myles and Bird can't get a crack there, what chance is young Pauly?! I think he will get pushed into the second row rotation before he gets given an 80 min gig at lock. I also think lock is Ridge's best position so it will be interesting to see what happens once Harro hangs up the boots.

    Not sure if it was a typo but 'Drama' isn't a half bad nickname for matty.

    Also since my original post the latest injury update video was uploaded to the titans website. Srama out for another 3 to 4 weeks still. Ben Ridge has 'hurt' a medial ligament and is facing some time off the padock.

  13. #43

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    Any one know what is happening with Ryan James
    He was not mentioned in the latest injury update so I assume he is not injured

  14. #44
    Super Moderator TITAN PETE's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TITAN FAN View Post
    Any one know what is happening with Ryan James
    He was not mentioned in the latest injury update so I assume he is not injured
    He's playing for Tweed
    #itaintweaktospeak

  15. #45
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Is he at full fitness? Hopefully we have him back for the game against the Broncos.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER


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