NRL Round 10 Preview and Prediction - Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans @ Suncorp Stadium

Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans @ Suncorp Stadium
 
Preview - It's game 1 of the double header at Suncorp Stadium as the top of the table Melbourne Storm take on the Titans in a home game for the Storm in Brisbane. This double header has been a real winner with Rugby League fans in Brisbane over the past few years, and often attracts a massive crowd with some of the Storm's big guns being Queenslanders themselves. The Storm continued on their outstanding form in 2017 with a comfortable 34-24 victory over the Dragons to make it 8 victories from 9 attempts to start this season. Whilst many of the Storm’s wins have been off the back of great defence, this game they showed the type of flair and style they are capable of turning on as they look like a potent attacking force, perhaps different to vintage Storm sides of the past. The Titans strung together back-to-back victories for the first time this season with a comprehensive 40-8 rout of the Newcastle Knights on the Gold Coast. With several of their best players returning to the park, including Jarryd Hayne, the Titans will not be counting themselves out of surging back into final’s contention. 
 
History - The Storm have an incredibly dominant record against the Titans in recent years, having won 9 from the past 11 including the past 4 encounters. The Storm won both clashes in 2016 easily 34-16 and 38-0, despite the Titans having a strong season making the finals. 
 
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - The Storm have lost Jesse Bromwich after he was involved in a drugs drama in Kiwi camp. In his place comes Tim Glasby. Tohu Harris also is fit to make his return and is named on the bench. 
 
Gold Coast Titans’ Scouting Report - Kevin Proctor falls the same way as Jesse Bromwich after his big night out in Canberra last week. He is replaced by Joe Greenwood in the starting back row, whilst Jarryd Hayne is once again named in the centres. Dale Copley has been named as a bench utility as he makes his return from injury. 
 
Verdict - Storm 1-8 in a high scoring game

I can't back against the Storm given their current form, however I expect the Titans to give them a real run for their money here. Having won 8 from 9 and sitting a clear two games ahead of everyone else in the competition, the Storm could be a little vulnerable here to a bit of complacency or a flat performance. The Titans now have a lot more quality on the paddock and with Jarryd Hayne getting back to somewhere near his best they can cause the Storm a few problem here. It was only a few weeks ago the Titans scored 22 points against the Broncos on the same ground and were very unlucky to lose the match in the final few minutes. Having said all that, the Storm are the best side in the competition for a reason and that is they are consistent for 80 minutes. So I expect them to have less defensive lapses and win this game by a try or two in what should be an entertaining and high quality game.