The Storm managed to snap their four-game losing streak last weekend with a tight 24-12 victory over the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium. They now take on the last placed Titans back home at AAMI Park, with their last ‘easy’ game of the regular season. With a huge clash next week against the Panthers, it’ll be interesting to see just how hard the Storm go this week. The Titans have lost nine straight, and you’d have to think even a Storm side at 50% will have enough to get the two points.
As always, stay tuned throughout the 2022 NRL season to get the best betting value when taking on the bookies, with our NRL Tips page previewing all the NRL matches in 2022.
Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans Betting Tips
AAMI Park, Friday 5th August, 6:00pm (AEST)
Squads
Melbourne Storm
1. Tyran Wishart 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Marion Seve 4. Grant Anderson 5. Dean Ieremia 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King. INTERCHANGE: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Chris Lewis. RESERVES: 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Cooper Johns 20. Xavier Coates 21. Jordan Grant 22. Young Tonumaipea
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Aaron Booth 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark. INTERCHANGE: 14. Greg Marzhew 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Isaac Liu 17. Jaimin Jolliffe. RESERVES: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Corey Thompson 20. Toby Sexton 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Paul Turner
Match Preview
The Storm face further injury issues, with Nick Meaney being ruled out after an ugly collision last week. He is replaced at fullback by Tyran Wishart, who started at fullback against the Panthers in round 10, in a 32-6 loss. Tigers’ winger David Nofoaluma comes straight in on the wing for the Storm, after his mid-season loan deal. Justin Olam also misses out; however, the Storm do welcome back Brandon Smith. The Titans, meanwhile, have made changes to their spine once again, with Jayden Campbell returning to fullback, AJ Brimson to five eighth and Tannah Boyd halfback. Toby Sexton has been dropped.
The Storm haven’t showed the ability to pile on the points since the loss of Ryan Papenhuyzen, however surely Bellamy will hit the panic button if the Storm can’t put points on this Titans team at AAMI Park. The Titans have conceded 30+ points in 6 of their past 8 matches, and I’m confident the Storm can put points on the board in this contest.
The concern I have for a Storm blowout is the fact the Storm have 4 huge games to finish the season, and they are prime candidates to be looking beyond the challenge that the Titans may pose. The Storm will face the Panthers (A), Broncos (A), Roosters (H) and the Eels (A) in the final month, before potentially a similar path to the Grand Final. In my opinion, they could easily mail in a half effort against a Titans side that’s ready for the off season and collect the two points, whilst saving themselves for the final month.
I’m going to trust Bellamy to at least have his side ready defensively, and as such we will be going for the Titans team total under, whilst also using the away side on the early Friday game handicap of this side generally struggling to score points.
Props: Melbourne Storm -17.5 - $2.00 at NEDS (1 Units)
Under 45.5 - $1.91 at Bet365 (1 Unit)
Gold Coast Titans (TT Under 12.5)
$1.83 (1.5 Unit)
