You'd think Olam and Blair would leak a few points. Hopefully they send a lot of traffic their way.
You'd think Olam and Blair would leak a few points. Hopefully they send a lot of traffic their way.
LATE MAIL: Titans v Storm
http://www.titans.com.au
Coach Garth Brennan has confirmed his side for the match against the Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium.
The side is as follows:
1. AJ Brimson
2. Anthony Don
3. Konrad Hurrell
4. Brenko Lee
5. Phillip Sami
6. Kane Elgey
7. Ash Taylor
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Nathan Peats
10. Ryan James ©
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Keegan Hipgrave
13. Jai Arrow
14. Mitch Rein
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Jack Stockwell
17. Will Matthews
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Late Mail - Round 24
https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/
Storm have confirmed their 17 for Saturday's clash with the Titans on the Gold Coast.
Cheyse Blair and Justin Olam will make up the Storm left edge while Sam Kasiano and Tui Kamikamica make their return to NRL level.
The purple army can watch the game LIVE on Fox Sports from 5.30pm.
Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans
Saturday 25 August, 5.30pm
Cbus Super Stadium
1. Billy Slater
2. Cheyse Blair
3. Justin Olam
4. Curtis Scott
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Cameron Munster
7. Brodie Croft
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Cameron Smith ©
15. Christian Welch
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Joe Stimson
13. Dale Finucane
10. Tim Glasby
14. Tui Kamikamica
16. Kenny Bromwich
19. Sam Kasiano
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Just time to enjoy a new TV with a Titans game which I carried by hand through the busy streets of Hong Kong. Been extremely busy starting at a new job.
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Nice try by Brimson off Elgey. Should settle us down after a bit of a rubbish start.
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Titans v Storm: Smith a confirmed starter; Cartwright cut
https://www.nrl.com/
On a week like this, you could forgive Storm skipper Cameron Smith for thinking about retirement.
Carrying a back injury suffered last round and leading a Melbourne side down on troops with Will Chambers suspended and Suliasi Vunivalu, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Brandon Smith in the casualty ward, there are signs the 35-year-old is finally feeling the pinch after remaining relatively injury-free throughout his storied career.
The great man is off contract at the end of the season and there was talk last month that he'll stick around not only next season but also in 2020.
But given the manner in which he unexpectedly pulled the pin on his Origin career a few months ago, Smith might have another big surprise up his sleeve.
The Titans have shown they can't be taken for granted despite being out of finals contention. And they aren't afraid to play from behind, as they did in big wins over Manly and the Warriors over the past month.
The Storm could be ripe for an upset, but they are also back on top of the Telstra Premiership ladder and are the frontrunners to take out another minor premiership.
Key match-up: It was in round one of the 2003 NRL season that 19-year-old former stablehand Billy Slater debuted with the Storm. More than 15 years later and Slater - retiring after this season - is facing a kid who is just starting his own journey to fame and fortune. Titans fullback AJ Brimson is still only 19 and one of the NRL's hottest young stars. He probably had posters of Slater on his bedroom wall just a few years ago. Brimson will be relishing his clash with the player widely regarded as the greatest fullback of all time.
For the Titans to win: This team has a frustrating habit of running hot and cold from the opening whistle to the full-time siren. Not unlike a few other teams this year, you're never sure what the Titans will dish up. It shouldn't take a half-time blast from the coach (as was the case last week) to play to your potential. The Titans owe it to Garth Brennan to deliver an honest 80-minute effort, with and without the ball. They also need Ash Taylor to be as inspired as he was against Manly.
For the Storm to win: They didn't run up a big score but there was something oh-so Storm-like about last week's near shut-out of Parramatta. Defence was obviously a major focus for the premiers after rare back-to-back losses and that shouldn't change on Saturday. With the finals only a couple of weeks away, Bellamy will be demanding a high intensity performance. If Smith is out his long-time teammate Slater will have to provide his own brand of leadership and direction.
Titans Stat Attack: Winger Anthony Don equalled the club's all-time try-scoring record when he crossed in the fourth minute of last week's big comeback win over Manly. Don has scored 67 tries in 107 games with the Titans, joining former winger David Mead, who finished with 67 tries in 147 games with the club.
Storm Stat Attack: A heavy casualty toll left Melbourne without a single player on the interchange bench for most of the second half last week . And even when they were reduced to 12 men with Cameron Munster's sin-binning, the Storm still didn't crack. They did end up conceding one try with three minutes remaining with 13 men on the field, although replays showed the decision to award it was questionable. We certainly would've heard more about it from Bellamy and the Storm if the game was a lot closer.
And another thing: The writing seems to be on the wall for Michael Gordon. The man teammates refer to as 'Flash' isn't expected to return from a wrist injury this season and might've struggled to regain his spot even if he was healthy, considering Brimson's form at fullback over the past two games. Turning 35 in October, Gordon has another year to run on his contract. But with Tyrone Peachey joining the Titans in 2019, Gordon could be hard-pressed to cement a regular spot in the backline.
Match: Titans vs Storm
ROUND 24 - SATURDAY 25TH AUGUST
Venue:Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: The Titans are 1-17. Will Matthews replaces Bryce Cartwright on the bench in the only change. Leilani Latu and Brendan Elliott dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Storm: Cameron Smith has shaken off a back injury and will play. Christian Welch starts wth Tim Glasby to come off the bench, while Sam Kasiano replaces Ryley Jacks on the interchange. Justin Olam replaces centre Will Chambers (suspension) and Cheyse Blair is in for winger Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring). Tui Kamikamica joins the bench with Nelson Asofa-Solomona (ankle) and Brandon Smith (knee) out.
Head-to-head: Played 18; Storm 12 wins, Titans 6 wins
Previous result: Storm won 28-14 in round 10
Points per game: Titans 19.9; Storm 23.2
Points conceded per game: Titans 24.6; Storm 15.1
Televised: Live on Fox League
Petero Civoniceva's prediction: Cam Smith has been named but it will be interesting to see whether Craig Bellamy would prefer to give him a week off to freshen up ahead of the finals. The absence of Will Chambers hurts the Storm and I think they are vulnerable this week. The Titans have plenty of points in them and if Taylor and Brimson fire they can spring an upset.
Tip: Titans by 4.
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Slater interfering with Don there. You can see his eyes on Don to collide and not turning for the ball.
Really enjoying LG's work.
8-0 Titans.
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Looked like Slater was away, offloads to Olam who drops it.
Good kick from Taylor catches Slater offside.
Last edited by DIEHARD; 25-08-18 at 05:55 PM.
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Oh what a tease, Don denied again this time off a forward pass. I feel that it is coming though!
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Olam's got pace, but Brimson cuts him down.
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Frigging Matthews!!!
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
Titans on top here. Storm look to be struggling with options. Lets hope Brennan gives them a spray like last weekend!
So which side can Taylor naturally pass on? H doesn't seem to be good going either direction.
Good pace we are setting for the game. Wearing the newbys down in the Storm squad. Thankfully some jitters shown by the storm.
Oh and as a QLDer, now I can see why NSWs supporters say how dirty Slater is.
Oh heartbreaker, Sami couldnt get it down but gee everything in the lead up was mouthwatering. Brimson with that kick and great collect by Sami. That is star material.
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