Melbourne Storm win 28-16 over Gold Coast Titans in Round 13 NRL clash

He got the win, but Storm coach Craig Bellamy was left apoplectic as Melbourne continued to shoot themselves in the feet, while the Titans were also fuming after being denied by the Bunker.

Craig Bellamy is reportedly going to make a call on his future next week, but let’s hope his judgment isn’t clouded by what happened on the Gold Coast after his side overcame the loss of two key stars and horrific conditions to leave town with two crucial competition points.

The Storm coach was apoplectic at times in the second half as his side came up with some poor options in attack, but it didn’t cost them as they kicked clear late to win 28-16 despite being without Harry Grant and Xavier Coates.

Bellamy is expected to coach on again in 2026 for one more year which means he’ll have to cop dropped balls that lead to tries and loose passes that should have been punished for another Titans try.

Grant Anderson was a standout for Melbourne, scoring two tries in their win over the Titans. Picture: Getty Images

With Grant and Coates missing, Bellamy needed his stars to stand up with the game on the line, and it was fitting that Cameron Munster jumped into dummy-half and grubbered for Grant Anderson to put them 10 clear with 20 minutes to go.

Filling in for Coates who was rested because of his hamstring history, Anderson then put the game beyond doubt when he intercepted a pass just moments after the Titans had controversially been denied a try under the posts.

It was far from perfect from a Storm side that has been consistently inconsistent in 2025, but any win during the Origin period is crucial for a team that only has one bye left.

Their attack struggled to click in the rain like we’ve seen a few times already this season, but that didn’t stop Ryan Papenhuyzen from popping a fabulous flick to set up Sua Fa’alogo for the first of his two tries.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MAY 31: Cameron Munster of the Storm passes during the round 13 NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium, on May 31, 2025, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS

The Titans will finish the round on the bottom of the ladder if the Panthers beat the Eels, but it’s through no fault of their inspirational skipper who was outstanding backing up just days after the Origin opener.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was sporting a cut above his left eye but played like a guy who hadn’t put his body through hell on Wednesday night.

He got through a mountain of work and played a part in the opening try when his quick hands ended up with Jayden Campbell popping up at fullback to score.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui bravely backed up for the Titans after a strong performance in State of Origin I. Picture: Getty Images

But he just didn’t have enough support, just like Wednesday when he was forced to carry too much of the load, with Maroons prop Mo Fotuaika having the ball stripped and then knocking on in back-to-back carries in the second half.

It’s why he should be in the mix to captain the Maroons if and when Daly Cherry-Evans’ career comes to an end, but he has bigger things to worry about with the Titans falling to their seventh loss in eight games.

They were without AJ Brimson and Jaylan De Groot, with Campbell the only one to offer anything in attack with a try and two assists.

ON THE WISHLIST

The Storm need to do everything they can to re-sign Tyran Wishart before other clubs can negotiate, with the utility scoring a try and dominating the ruck in his strongest performance of the season.

The club has an option in its favour for next season and they should activate it immediately and start talking about an extension after he came on at dummy-half and scored a crucial try just before halftime.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm win 28-16 over Gold Coast Titans in Round 13 NRL clash