Storm secure scrappy win over tenacious Titans
Melbourne may have banked a 28-16 win but did little to convince coach Craig Bellamy to sign for another year in a scrappy showing against a battling Gold Coast.
The Titans' eighth loss kept the pressure on coach Des Hasler with the team languishing in second last on the ladder, as Melbourne moved into second spot following Saturday's victory at Cbus Super Stadium.
INTERCEPT! 🙌#NRLTitansStorm Telstra Moment of the Match pic.twitter.com/tXEpR8AjSo
— NRL (@NRL) May 31, 2025
But Bellamy, who said before the match he was likely to make a decision on his coaching future next week, looked far from happy with the Storm's performance.
While wet weather didn't make it easy for either side, ill-discipline and errors meant Melbourne struggled to shake the Titans, with a furious Bellamy up out of his seat a number of times, storming into the back of the coach's box.
Winger Sua Fa'alogo and centre Grant Anderson both scored a double on a limited Melbourne highlight reel, while Titans winger Phillip Sami also crossed twice for his side.
Melbourne rested Origin stars Harry Grant and Xavier Coates while Cameron Munster, Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu all reported for duty.
The Titans' three representative players - skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor and Moeaki Fotuaika - all backed up.
But the home side were forced into some late changes after fullback Jaylan De Groot went down with a hamstring injury and five-eighth AJ Brimson suffered a head knock at Thursday's training
Gold Coast got off to a bright start when Jojo Fifita beat Jack Howarth in a one-on-one battle before he scooted away and off-loaded to Jayden Campbell for a try in the fifth minute.
The Titans dominated much of the half but late tries to Fa'alogo and Tyran Wishart gave Melbourne a 16-6 halftime lead.
The home side must have felt hard done by when they were denied a try in the 64th minute, only for the Storm to score immediately after.
Melbourne players Joe Chan and Shawn Blore were caught up on the ground at the ruck and dummy half Sam Verrills picked up the ball and dived over the line.
But after a Storm challenge he was ruled to have touched Fa'asuamaleaui's leg on the way through, which impeded Ryan Papenhuyzen in defence.
Anderson then intercepted the ball as the Titans attacked the line and raced 90 metres for a 12-point swing.
Sami grabbed his second try soon after but by then the margin proved too big for Gold Coast to peg back.
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