FRIDAY, MAY 9th, 2025
Titans v Knights,
McDonald Jones Stadium Newcastle 6pm
After finally halting a five-game losing skid with a gritty win over the Rabbitohs, the Knights are eyeing momentum, looking to build a resurgence with back-to-back fixtures on home turf against the Titans and Eels.
It’s been a rocky start at McDonald Jones Stadium this season, with just one win from three attempts, but Adam O’Brien’s men now have a chance to turn the tide and reward their loyal supporters with another inspired performance under Friday night lights—especially after rediscovering their spark during Magic Round.
One of the brightest sparks in that revival was young gun Fletcher Sharpe, who lit up Suncorp Stadium with a dazzling hat-trick. Now, as he gears up for a sprint showdown with Titans flyers Alofiana Khan-Pereira, AJ Brimson, and Brian Kelly, the stage is set for another breakout display.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell , 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Paul Bryan
Unchanged
The Titans find themselves in a dark patch, having slumped to five consecutive defeats—a run made all the more painful by a leaky defence that has shipped a staggering 192 points during that span.
Now, as they brace for another tough outing, the challenge couldn’t be clearer: tighten the screws or risk being torn apart by a rejuvenated Knights outfit brimming with attacking firepower. Kalyn Ponga, Greg Marzhew, Bradman Best and Fletcher Sharpe have all found their rhythm, and if the Titans can’t rediscover some steel in their line, they’ll be made to pay in full.
There is, however, a glimmer of hope. Winger Jojo Fifita returns to the side after sitting out Magic Round due to an arm infection, and Jayden Campbell makes an early comeback from a syndesmosis injury to slot in at halfback, replacing Tom Weaver who’s sidelined with concussion. Campbell’s ahead-of-schedule return is a welcome shot in the arm for a side desperate for direction and spark. But the Titans will be without star back-rower David Fifita, who remains on the sidelines as he seeks further medical advice for a persistent ankle issue.
Titans
1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Tony Francis 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Allan Fitzgibbon 22. Sean Mullany
Out: Thomas Weaver (halfback), Tony Francis (wing to reserve)
In: Sosefo Fifita (wing), Jayden Campbell (halfback)
Referees, Belinda Sharpe, Touch Judges, Phil Henderson, Chris Sutton, Bunker, Ashley Klein.
Key Stats
The Knights have won three of their past four games against the Titans.
The Titans have not won at McDonald Jones Stadium since 2016.
Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has scored eight tries in 10 games against the Titans.
Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Knights centre Dane Gagai will play his 100th game at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Broncos v Rabbitohs
Accor Stadium Sydney 8pm
The Rabbitohs are limping into enemy territory, burdened by a four-game losing streak and a growing injury toll, as they prepare to face a Broncos side stinging from a brutal Magic Round demolition at the hands of the Panthers.
For coach Wayne Bennett, the return of superstar Latrell Mitchell couldn’t come soon enough. With his team’s attack managing just 36 points over the last month, Mitchell’s presence at fullback—and as captain—offers a flicker of hope in an otherwise grim chapter of their campaign.
Joining Mitchell in the comeback column is halfback Jamie Humphreys, back from a hamstring strain, while veteran Siliva Havili takes over at hooker in place of the injured Peter Mamouzelos (elbow). The reshuffle continues across the park: Jye Gray, despite a corked quad, has been named on the bench; Fletcher Myers earns a spot on the wing, pushing Isaiah Taas to centre and Euan Aitken into the second row.
Jai Arrow shifts from lock to prop, with Tevita Tatola sliding to 18th man duties. Keaon Koloamatangi joins the front row, pushing Sean Keppie to the bench. Meanwhile, Josh Schuster—once considered a rising star—has been named among the reserves after four straight NSW Cup outings, still hunting his first NRL appearance since late 2023.
Souths
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Fletcher Myers 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Tevita Tatola 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Jacob Host
Out: Peter Mamouzelos (hooker), Tevita Tatola (front row to reserve), Lewis Dodd (five-eighth to reserve)
In: Latrell Mitchell (fullback), Jamie Humphreys (halfback), Siliva Havili (hooker)
Changes: Jye Gray (fullback to bench), Euan Aitken (centre to second row), Isaiah Tass (wing to centre), Jayden Sullivan (halfback to five-eighth), Sean Keppie (front row to bench), Keaon Koloamatangi (second row to front row), Jai Arrow (lock to front row), Lachlan Hubner (bench to lock), Fletcher Myers (bench to wing)
For the Broncos, inconsistency has become their greatest enemy—capable of brilliance one week, only to crumble the next. Their 32-8 humbling at the hands of the Panthers was a sobering fall from grace, coming just days after a dazzling 42-18 dismantling of the Bulldogs.
With the gruelling Origin period fast approaching, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The next fortnight presents a golden opportunity—and a stern obligation—to gather momentum and secure wins against the struggling Rabbitohs and Dragons before key players disappear into representative camps.
Ezra Mam, having served a lengthy nine-game suspension handed down by the NRL, is eligible to return but will ease back into action via the Queensland Cup. That leaves Ben Hunt once again partnering Adam Reynolds in the halves—an experienced duo tasked with steadying the ship.
There’s just one tweak to the bench, where Fletcher Baker returns from a knee injury to replace Jaiyden Hunt, who shifts to the reserves. It’s a small change, but one that could carry weight as the Broncos look to bring their best selves back to the field—before time runs out.
Broncos
1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Delouise Hoeter
Out: Jaiyden Hunt (bench to reserve)
In: Fletcher Baker (bench)
Changes: Brendan Piakura (second row to bench), Jordan Riki (bench to second row)
Referees, Peter Gough, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Matt Noyen, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Key Stats
The Rabbitohs have won four of their past five games against the Broncos at Accor Stadium.
The Broncos have won only two their last nine games at Accor Stadium.
Rabbitohs prop Tevita Tatola will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored six tries in nine games against the Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham has scored eight tries in his last eight games against the Broncos.
Game One looks like Newcastle’s to lose. The Titans have been dire for much of the season, and unless something drastically changes, the Knights should have little trouble getting the job done.
Game Two, however, carries far more weight. The Broncos are walking a tightrope, and if they fall short against the Rabbitohs, it could spell the beginning of the end for their 2025 campaign. They’re one of the NRL’s great enigmas—brilliant and blistering one week, bafflingly flat the next. If they can’t find consistency now, their season might slip through their fingers for good.
Check out Saturday’s match here!
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