NRL 2021: Melbourne Storm win 20-14 over Gold Coast Titans | Match Report

Missing some big-name players on Origin duty, Gold Coast blooded two rookies. And, even though they fell short against Storm, they would have to be pretty content with the results.

Melbourne remain undefeated on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Getty Images.

The Storm made it a perfect 10 wins out of their last 10 games to leave a gallant Titans finals hopes on the ropes in a thriller at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The Titans had one last play in the dying seconds that threatened to snatch what would have been a try for the ages but an errant pass by Phil Sami went over the sideline.

Melbourne’s 20-14 win at Sunshine Coast Stadium in front of a 7630-strong crowd was an error riddled performance without their four Maroons representatives, but when they needed an injection their big-game players Jahrome Hughes, Nicho Hynes and Brandon Smith provided the required spark.

The Titans, without Origin stars AJ Brimson, Moe Fotuaika, David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, were able to lift to the level required to match Melbourne and were the better side for much of the second half.

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Melbourne remain undefeated on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Getty Images.

Gold Coast backline debutants Jayden Campbell, son of Preston, and Greg Marzhew had outstanding debuts as prop Jaiman Jolliffe had the best game of his career.

Once again Melbourne got the job done while under strength, and while away from their home base, but they were made to work for it by a Titans side that refused to die.

The Titans, trailing 16-4 at halftime, came storming back into it in the second half with a magic Ash Taylor grubber setting up Patrick Herbert and Jarrod Wallace crashing over from close range.

Reimis Smith was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Jaimin Jolliffe in the 67th minute as the Gold Coast showed ticker and skill to go within a whisker of scoring with Brian Kelly losing the ball on the line.

Earlier Jahrome Hughes sliced through to set up Reimis Smith for a try and Brandon Smith scored one himself and set up local Sunshine Coast product Trent Loiero in the first half.

A member of the crowd raced onto the field after the Titans had scored in the second half to narrow Melbourne’s lead to 20-14 and was escorted from the field by multiple security guards.

The Storm’s game went downhill from that moment as the Titans roared back into it.

A pitch invader ran onto the field after the Titans’ second try of the night.

STORM STREAK

The Storm are on track for another top two finish and can lay claim to being one of the great clubs in Australian sport of any era.

The ‘next man up’ mentality is more than a mantra. It is a way of life at Melbourne. The Storm have been without Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant for the last month due to injury, and with the latter two now in Origin, but have not missed a beat.

Hynes, Hughes and Brandon Smith have lifted in their absence and ensured Melbourne’s continued success. On this occasion they were off their game but still able to get the job done.

“I thought we were really brave, especially in the second half,” coach Craig Bellamy said.

“I think they had about 38 tackles in our 20-metre zone. I thought Nelson [Asofa-Solomona] really stood out and covered a lot of ground defensively, which he doesn’t usually do.”

The unfolding Covid crisis in Melbourne will likely keep the Storm in camp at Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast for several more weeks.

Bellamy also provided a positive update on when Papenhuyzen might be back from his concussion lay-off.

“He looked a lot brighter this week and did a lot more training,” Bellamy said.

“You’d like to think he won’t be too far away. I don’t think there has been a date inked in but it would be handy if we could get him back. With the injury he’s got we just need to be careful.”

Jayden Campbell came up with one of the biggest hits of the night on Nicho Hynes.

HISTORIC TITANS DEBUT

The Titans made history with debutant fullback Jayden Campbell joining his illustrious father Preston in club colours, the first father-son duo to play for the club.

The 21-year-old had a nervous start with a drop from a bomb but hit back in style to chime into the backline and create a try for fellow debutant Greg Marzhew, the hulking winger who was once a professional hip-hop dancer.

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Marzhew made a bone-rattling and try-saving tackle on Justin Olam in an impressive all-round debut.

Campbell showed the elusiveness and zip that has made him a star in the Intrust Super Cup, but it was his crunching tackle on Hynes to save a try at the death that showed he is made of the right stuff. Both debutants ran for over 150 metres to suggest they will have long and successful careers.

Coach Justin Holbrook said Campbell “was great for his first game”.

“It is not an easy assignment to play the Melbourne Storm in your first game and he was terrific,” Holbrook said.

“He understands the game well and he is only going to get better.

“Greg Marzhew was terrific in his debut.”

The Titans had a chance to steal a win in the dying seconds but just fell short.

TITANS UNFORTUNATE SLIDE

After being in a season-high of fourth after three rounds, the Gold Coast have slid to be 12th on the ladder and four points outside the top eight.

That was probably no surprise but after the club received a dream draw the Titans have failed to make the most of it. Coach Justin Holbrook will take plenty from a performance that showed plenty of spirit and fight.

“You give yourself a chance when you try hard and I thought we did plenty of that,” Holbrook said.

“Just last passes we couldn’t get right. As a coach I am just so disappointed.”