Round 26: STORM vs TITANS (2023)

[Titanic]

Will be interesting to see how the group functions with Randall/Weaver/Foz/AJ … if Foz can hold it together then Weaver will benefit a lot … Nelson and co are a worry.

[The Birdman]

I think building up Weaver and making sure he's in the best position to succeed in his first games against the best teams and going forward is more important for our future. We've gone through 3 hbs now, Weaver has the highest ceiling and the one we can't wreck and much more of a priority over Kini who's already proven he can handle this level.

Playing Kini for one or two games now isn't going to change much since he looks good already, Weaver needs our best guys out there right now and AJ is still our best fb, A lot of this is planning for next year.

He'll still have Schoupp defending and running outside him lol. How is that having the best guys around him

[Appsy]

I'm glad one thing we all can agree on as a fanbase is our collective hatred for Schoupp

[willhelm]

I love Schoupp

[NZFan]

My personal take on Shoupp is he was a little overhyped coming here but is a player for the future. Probably doesn’t deserve a starting spot at any club just yet but is a good back up centre. He showed some promise early in the season but all the chopping and changing has affected his game.

[RavShamrock]

My personal take on Shoupp is he was a little overhyped coming here but is a player for the future. Probably doesn’t deserve a starting spot at any club just yet but is a good back up centre. He showed some promise early in the season but all the chopping and changing has affected his game.

That seems about right mate

[Hail Sezer]

My personal take on Shoupp is he was a little overhyped coming here but is a player for the future. Probably doesn’t deserve a starting spot at any club just yet but is a good back up centre. He showed some promise early in the season but all the chopping and changing has affected his game.

Kind of where I’m at too

- - - Updated - - -

Playing it safe helps nobody. Getting Kini reps in first grade to learn through his mistakes does. Who cares if we don't win this game or if Kini is responsible for a defensive mistake here and there while learning, improving and getting ready for next year?

I'd also argue the defensive upgrade from Schoupp to AJ at right centre more than makes up for what we lose at fullback with Kini.

We also waste 80 development minutes on Schoupp who clearly should have no future at the club.

It's about building for next year now and that means developing Kini as a priority.

Yeah fair enough mate. I’m one who prob sees Keano having a major role in the 13 sooner rather than later too. I’ve said it before with JC but fullbacks get to the point where they just have to play NRL to learn - Qcup doesn’t offer enough of the situational challenges that NRL does week to week

I wonder if AJ’s injury makes him a risk defending in the frontline too

[DIEHARD]

Storm v Titans: Papenhuyzen returns; Fotuaika out, Foran in
https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/08/21/...-back-on-deck/

The Storm have put themselves in prime position for another top-four finish but they face a danger game against a Titans outfit capable of piling on plenty of points on their day.

While fourth vs 13th shapes as a mismatch and another two points in the bank for the Storm, these are the sorts of games that keep coaches awake at night,

When these sides met in Round 3 it was the Titans getting home 38-34 in a 12-try shootout on the Gold Coast so there's no chance of Craig Bellamy allowing any complacency to slip in at Storm HQ this week.

The Titans started with a flourish against the Panthers on Saturday but after scoring in the third minute they conceded four tries before crossing again and the game had slipped away.

If the Titans can produce an upset in Melbourne and then account for the Bulldogs in Round 27 it will give them 10 wins for the season - four more than last year and a springboard into the Des Hasler era.

Team News
Storm: A huge late inclusion for the Storm with fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen named to make his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury off the bench. Nick Meaney will remain at fullback with Alec MacDonald dropping out of the side to accommodate Papenhuyzen's return. Bronson Garlick has come into the starting side on game day with Harry Grant going to the bench.

Titans: Moeaki Fotuaika is a late withdrawal an hour before kick-off, his place taken by Isaac Liu with Keano Kini added to the bench. Veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran is back from a sternum injury while Jojo Fifita returns from an ankle injury. Jaimine Jolliffe will start the game at prop.

Stat Attack

• Storm fullback Nick Meaney has racked up 204 points so far this season. The club record for points in a season is 242 by Matt Geyer in 1999.
• Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has made 27 line breaks this season to sit third in the NRL behind Alex Johnston (30) and Ronaldo Mulitalo (29).
• The Storm have won eight of their past nine games against the Titans.
• The Titans have not won at AAMI Park since 2014.
• The Storm have scored over 30 points in three of their past four games against the Titans.
• The Titans have conceded 104 points in their past three games.
• Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster has scored 11 tries in 10 games against the Titans.

[Hail Sezer]

Mo is staying home for birth of his first child

Titans website late mail clarifies

[The Birdman]

Mo is staying home for birth of his first child

Titans website late mail clarifies

Big out. Our middle will probably get run ragged now if there was any doubt.

[DIEHARD]

Late mail: Fotuaika ruled out, Kini joins 17 against Storm
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2023/...against-storm/

Moeaki Fotuaika will miss the Gold Coast’s Saturday afternoon clash against the Storm due to family reasons, with the talented forward staying in Queensland for the impending birth of his first child.

Isaac Liu will start in his place with Keano Kini to join the 17 via the interchange bench as the Titans prepare to face Melbourne at AAMI Park.

The only change to the side named on Tuesday by interim head coach Jim Lenihan, the Titans will welcome back Jojo Fifita and Kieran Foran who have replaced injured duo Phil Sami and Jayden Campbell - both ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Versatile forward Chris Randall will also celebrate his 50th NRL appearance in the clash, having played all but two games for his new club in 2023 after joining from the Newcastle Knights.

Kick-off is at 3pm, live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.

[Titanic]

Well that’s that then.

[GCTTSD]

Grant could come off the bench and run wild with our small bench it's gonna be all on Tino and Jolliffe to play big minutes and hold out big Nelson

[Hail Sezer]

Big out. Our middle will probably get run ragged now if there was any doubt.

Yeah gonna be a tough watch

[willhelm]

Jojo Fifita is playing both wings and left centre according to Fox commentary