Round 9 vs Gold Coast Titans

[Papenhuyzen23]

Official team lists

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. William Warbrick
3. Reimis Smith
4. Nick Meaney
5. Tyran Wishart
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Christian Welch
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Trent Loiero

14. Bronson Garlick
15. Joe Chan
16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
17. Alec MacDonald

18. Jack Howarth
19. Sualauvi Faalogo
20. Grant Anderson
21. Dean Ieremia
22. Tristan Powell



Gold Coast Titans

1. AJ Brimson
2. Phillip Sami
3. Brian Kelly
4. Harley Smith-Shields
5. Jojo Fifita
6. Tanah Boyd
7. Kieran Foran
8. Joe Stimson
9. Chris Randall
10. Jaimin Jolliffe
11. David Fifita
12. Beau Fermor
13. Isaac Liu

14. Sam Verrills
15. Erin Clark
16. Klese Haas
17. Josiah Pahulu

18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
19. Keenan Palasia
20. Jacob Alick-wiencke
21. Keano Kini
22. Aaron Schoupp

[Papenhuyzen23]

Interesting team notes

- Wishart starting winger? Surely one of Fa’alogo, Anderson or Ieremia take his place on game day.

- Garlick back in the utility role

- Coates left out completely with his hamstring injury

- NAS named despite his injury

- Munster plays his 200th game, Welch 150.

[Scooter]

If Fa'alogo, Ieremia or Anderson replaces Wishart on the wing, as I suspect, then Wishart will drop back to utility role.

[blazza18]

Such a stupid team list. Said it before but the nrl should fine clubs for not taking it seriously.

[Mattpoet]

They absolutely should, you're right. The problem is (and I say this through gritted teeth), Wishart has spent a decent chunk of time in fg on the wing and has played at keast one full game at fullback, do where is the line?

[Papenhuyzen23]

If Fa'alogo, Ieremia or Anderson replaces Wishart on the wing, as I suspect, then Wishart will drop back to utility role.

Or it’s a way of dropping Wishart without really “dropping” him. CB brings a specialist winger in on game day to replace him at the last minute. Garlick giving Harry a lighter workload and upping Grant’s effectiveness is SO much more valuable to the team than a utility that is still only really decent in one position.

Wishart has made a few decent cameos jagging some tries this season, but I just haven’t seen enough from him to be holding out the likes of Garlick, Howarth or Fa’alogo any longer. Be interesting to see what the team make up looks like on Saturday.

[Lucas]

Such a stupid team list. Said it before but the nrl should fine clubs for not taking it seriously.

Is it that stupid? Basically CB has just named the incumbents from last week with Garlick named to replace Wishart's spot at 14 (which is like for like)

For mine, it is stupid that these team lists come out on a Tuesday. For what reason? The side hasn't completed their main training session yet. Maybe Wishart plays wing, maybe he doesn't, but there aren't many other changes to be made to the 17.

[blazza18]

It’s stupid because he’s both named a hooker/half on the wing and then named three actual wing options on an extended bench. Bellamy/the club either think they’re getting one over the Titans tactically (which ugh lol) or don’t take naming the offical team seriously at all. The nrl shouldn’t be happy if it’s the latter.


There’s also the concern of him just playing Wishart there again. It not only weakens the team but it throws a solid young footballer under the bus.

[Mattpoet]

All valid points. The NRL don't take it seriously either unfortunately.

[Scooter]

Such a stupid team list. Said it before but the nrl should fine clubs for not taking it seriously.

Is it that stupid? Basically CB has just named the incumbents from last week with Garlick named to replace Wishart's spot at 14 (which is like for like)

For mine, it is stupid that these team lists come out on a Tuesday. For what reason? The side hasn't completed their main training session yet. Maybe Wishart plays wing, maybe he doesn't, but there aren't many other changes to be made to the 17.

Lucas, Tuesday team lists are a historical thing. I assume it stems back to when Big League used to be sold and the team lists for every game were published in that.

[blazza18]

Seems like the only purpose for teams being named when they are is for betting and maybe fantasy purposes ? Which is a whole separate problem.

[Papenhuyzen23]

Stat Attack

- The Titans have conceded 28 points or more in their past six games at Cbus Super Stadium.

- The Storm have won nine of their past 10 games against the Titans.

- Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored five tries in his past three games.

- Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster will make his 200th NRL appearance.

- Titans coach Des Hasler has won only one of his past seven games against the Storm.



Last Meeting

Round 26 2023 - Storm 37 Titans 16



Betting Odds

Storm $1.18
Titans $4.80

Titans 14.5+ line

[yourhero]

Whilst I am confident we will win, that line is way too big IMO.

[Lucas]

Seems like the only purpose for teams being named when they are is for betting and maybe fantasy purposes ? Which is a whole separate problem.

You think team lists in the NRL are stupid. Apparently Jonah Pezet has made a miracle return from his 12 month injury and will play QRL this weekend for Easts. I mean seriously.

[Mattpoet]

Yeah, no point naming state leagues on Tuesday, they have no idea which NRL players they're getting yet