Melbourne’s push for a late-season finals charge continues on Sunday night as they host the Titans at AAMI Park. With Jahrome Hughes returning and both sides looking to build momentum after the Origin period, the final game of Round 19 shapes as a crucial contest for two clubs chasing very different goals.
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Matchday Details
Sunday, July 12 – 6:15 PM (AEST) – AAMI Park
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Tyson Brough | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Melbourne Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Manaia Waitere 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Alec MacDonald 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Joe Chan 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Trent Toelau 20. Davvy Moale 21. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 22. Gabriel Satrick 23. Hayden Watson
Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Sam Verrills 19. Jaylan De Groot 20. Jett Liu 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Sialetili Faeamani
Match Preview
The Melbourne Storm come into the post-Origin period looking to kickstart their run into September footy, and it starts when they host the Titans to close out Round 19 of the NRL season.
The Storm sit 11th heading into the final stretch of the season, but remain within striking distance of the top eight, but are well within striking distance, just four points behind seventh-placed Manly. On the other hand, the Titans will be eager to put some distance between themselves and the bottom of the ladder, and a scalp over Melbourne at home would be the perfect way to do it.
Melbourne welcomes star halfback Jahrome Hughes back into the fold, while recent signing Oryn Keeley could make his club debut having been named in the 18 jersey. Cooper Bai returns from concussion protocols to join the bench for the Titans. Dean Ieremia has been named on the wing to face his former club in his first NRL appearance since 2024.
It’s the wily veteran versus the young rookie when Jahrome Hughes and Zane Harrison line up opposite each other. Both will play crucial roles in their side’s chances of victory, with Hughes carrying the brunt of the playmaking for his side, while trying to take advantage of his dynamic running game. While just seven games into his NRL career, Harrison has been tasked with steering his side around and freeing up livewire six Jayden Campbell to capitalise on the chances he can create with his running game.
There is representative experience littering both sides, but the battle of the front-row forwards promises to be heated, with the physically imposing Stefano Utoikamanu and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui taking the fight to one another. Both possess all the physical attributes necessary to dominate a game with power, speed, and footwork, and will look to create some second-phase football for the spark plugs around them.
Speaking of spark plugs, there are few that can bust a game wide open with a single carry like the diminutive fullbacks in Sualauvi Faalogo and Keano Kini. They possess blinding speed, can create from anywhere on the field and are sure to be sniffing around the ruck looking for an offload from their forwards. These two will play a pivotal role in plenty of attacking opportunities, and at least one of them will likely cross the stripe for a try of their own.
The Storm have dominated the recent battles between these two sides, winning a staggering nine of their last ten and 22 of the 29 clashes in the clubs’ history.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Storm by 10
Full Round 19 tips → /nrl-round-19-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Dean Ieremia to score a double against his former club
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Related
- Full Round 19 coverage → /nrl/2026-season/round-19
- NRL Round 19 Team Lists → /nrl-round-19-team-lists-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
