Gold Coast coach Neil Henry admits building some momentum into his side's faltering NRL campaign isn't being helped by the Titans' stop-start schedule.
The 12th-placed Titans head into Saturday's clash with ladder-leaders Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium needing to get on a roll if they are to stay in touch with the top eight.
But complicating Henry's job is many of his players are coming back from a week off, with the Titans facing a bye following the round 11 home game against seventh-placed Manly.
"If we can get our energy up and pick up the four points from the next two games it would be fantastic going into the bye," Henry said.
"The next two weeks are quite crucial for the club if we're going to hang around the top eight."
Melbourne have strong form in the Sunshine State winning 11 of their last 12 fixtures at Suncorp Stadium and have won their last five games in Queensland.
The Titans are realistic about what faces them up the M1.
"It's one of those times when you need to step up and rise to the occasion," Henry said.
"It's going to be a challenge (playing the Storm), it's their home game but at least it is up here in an environment we're a little bit more familiar with."
Gold Coast have struggled at Suncorp Stadium, winning only six of their previous 18 matches.
Both sides will be without key forwards due to last weekend's cocaine scandal - the Storm missing Jesse Bromwich and the Titans deprived of the services of Kevin Proctor.
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