Round 18 - Titans vs Storm

[yourhero]

Sunday 21st July
2:00PM Kick-off
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

With Origin and CAM400 now in the rear view mirror, regular programming resumes... kind of... This match is still somewhat unique given the Titans decision to sack Garth Brennan during the week. As we have seen numerous times in the past 10 years, teams generally come out and perform well off the back of a coach being dumped.

The Titans have lost their last 4, whilst we are riding an 8 game winning streak. With this week being so much less emotional than the last couple and with players probably feeling the effects of Origin, we are at risk of complacency in this one.

I wonder if Craig rests any players this week? It would make sense but an added risk for complacency to slip in.

[yourhero]

If we are able to knock off the Titans and somehow the Cowboys can beat the Bunnies, we will be 8 points clear at the top of the table after 18 rounds. That is astonishing really, particulalrly when you consider our performances were not that great at stages (Rounds 4 - 8 specifically).

[yourhero]

Just on our year to date;

We have had two losses all season (1 at home, 1 away). One to the Shaks by 2 points. One to the Roosters by 1 point.

We have the best Attack in the comp (26 points per game). Next best is the Roosters with 23.1 points per game.
We have the best defence in the comp (12.4 points per game). Next best is the Raiders with 14.8 points per game.
Our For and Against is unbelievable (+216). The next best is the Raiders on +103.

It is quite surreal to be that far ahead of the competition in all of the key areas. I definitely don't think that is reflective of how far ahead of the competition we are - I think nearly any NRL team can beat any other on their day - but it 100% speaks to the club's professionalism and hard work. Let's hope we can go on with it and make it count.

[Danger D]

Some teams get a 'bounce-back' factor after their coach gets fired. May be something to consider but given how poorly the Titans have played in recent weeks its hard to see them causing us any concerns.

[yourhero]

Some other stats I found interesting for our 2019 season to date;

* We lead the competition in Points, Tries, Goals, Line Breaks, Tackle Breaks, Set Completion %, All Run Metres and Kick Return Metres.
* We are fourth in Post Contact Metres (436.9 Per Game). Cows make the most (452.9 PG). Dragons make the fewest (350.9 Per Game).
* We make the fewest Errors of any team (8.5 PG). The Sharks make the most (11.7 PG).
* We make the second fewest Missed Tackles (24.1 PG). Tigers lead the stat (21.5 PG). Panthers make the most (37.9 PG).
* We make the fifth fewest Ineffective Tackles (13.5 PG). Knights lead the stat (10.9 PG). Broncos make the most (16.5 PG).
* We sit middle of the pack for Penalties Conceded (6.2 PG). Panthers are most penalised (7.7 PG). Eels are least penalised (5.2 PG)
* The only Storm player in the Top 50 for Errors Per Game is Sandor Earl who has only played 2 games (average is skewed).
* The only Storm player in the Top 50 for Penalties Conceded Per Game is Felise (20th with 0.9 PG).

[Lucas]

I was hoping the Tits would give Brennan another week. Massive danger game now.

[yourhero]

https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... 8-preview/

Titans v Storm - Round 18 Preview
NRL.com
Tue 16 Jul 2019

How will the Titans players respond to Sunday's departure of coach Garth Brennan?

A match that was looking one-sided on paper now has a major wrinkle with the Gold Coast players to be listening to a different voice on the training paddock.

While their will be plenty of attention on how the Gold Coast players respond, the Storm are also facing a tricky situation.

If the Storm are ever going to have a let-down week, this is it.

The well-deserved hype that preceded - and followed - Cameron Smith's 400th NRL match may make it hard for Bellamy to get his team ready for the Titans.

How locked-in the Storm are in the first 20 minutes on Sunday will be crucial.

The Rundown

Key match-up
Ryley Jacks left the Storm at the end of 2018 in pursuit of opportunities to play in the NRL. On Sunday he faces Brodie Croft, the man the Storm have decided is their future in the No.7 jersey. Croft is settling into the role well in Melbourne while Jacks is proving his worth as an NRL player in far more difficult circumstances.

For the Titans to win
Stay calm when you're in the opposition red-zone. Against the Panthers last week, the Titans made some elementary mistakes when points were beckoning. They've got players who can put points on, they just all need to get onto the same page. A couple of first-half tries against the Storm would provide some much-needed confidence.

For the Storm to win
Let Cameron Smith control the ruck and then have your middle forwards run the ball with gusto. The manner in which Nelson Asofa-Solomona (166 running metres), Jesse Bromwich (215m), Dale Finucane (102m), Christian Welch (131m) and Brandon Smith (95m) outmuscled and outworked the Sharks last weekend was decisive.

Brett Kimmorley says
After everything they’ve been through I expect the Titans to have a tough outing against the Storm, a team that gives you nothing. I’ve been a bit critical of Brodie Croft but last week was probably his best game this year. Cameron Smith runs the game for Melbourne so hopefully Croft can become a very good running half back. Storm by 14

Stat Attack
The Storm are averaging almost 26 points per game. If they maintain that until the end of the season, they'll be clear of the 22 points the Roosters averaged on their way to winning the 2018 minor premiership.

And another thing...
Not that they'll be taking it easy, but the Storm already have enough points to make the finals. They only need another four wins to be sure of a top-four finish.

[yourhero]

Brett Kimmorley says
I’ve been a bit critical of Brodie Croft but last week was probably his best game this year.

Jeez... Outside of his try from the scrum, I thought he was very poor, especially in the first half.

[blazza18]

Almost a rule of thumb that if a player scores a try it = he had a great game. And being fair to Brodie, it was probably the best thing he's done this season.

And gotta say, not sure Jacks/Croft is a key matchup for this game.

[RobbieRoss]

Jacks out injured , according to NRL website. Gordon comes back in at FB, Brinson to the halves. That kid can play.

[blazza18]

We are resting all our origin players outside of Finucane. Stimson in the 6 jersey

[yourhero]

Storm team named;

1. J. Hughes
2. S. Vunivalu
3. M. Seve
4. J. Olam
5. S. Earl
6. J. Stimson
7. B. Croft
8. J. Bromwich
9. C. Smith (c)
10. N. Asofa-Solomona
11. T. Kamikamica
12. K. Bromwich
13. D. Finucane

14. B. Smith
15. T. Fa'asuamaleaui
16. T. Eisenhuth
17. R. Papenhuyzen

18. H. Grant
19. S. Kata
20. M. King
21. I. Lumelume

[yourhero]

Rested:

Cameron Munster
Christian Welch
Felise Kaufusi
Josh Addo-Carr
Will Chambers

[yourhero]

Titans team named;

1. Alexander Brimson
2. Dale Copley
3. Brenko Lee
4. Brian Kelly
5. Phillip Sami
6. Tyrone Roberts
7. Ryley Jacks
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Nathan Peats
10. Jack Stockwell
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. Jai Whitbread

14. Michael Gordon
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Leilani Latu
17. Sam Stone

18. Tanah Boyd
19. Mitch Rein
20. Will Matthews
21. Anthony Don

[yourhero]

Smart move to rest virtually all of our Origin players this week. I doubt we run out 1-17, particularly Joe at 6 and Tui in the backrow.

Maybe Smith shifts to 6, Joe to right edge, Tui to bench.
Or Paps to 1, Hughes to 6, Joe to right edge, Tui to bench (preferred option).