SUNDAY MAY 18th 2025
Broncos v Dragons
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 2pm
Broncos Seek Redemption at Home After Rabbitohs Collapse
The Broncos return to the comfort of home turf, determined to redeem themselves after a heartbreaking collapse against the Rabbitohs—a match that saw them squander a commanding 14-0 lead.
Latrell Mitchell rose to the occasion, leading South Sydney’s spirited comeback as Brisbane unraveled under pressure, racking up a dozen costly errors. To make matters worse, veteran playmaker Ben Hunt limped off with a hamstring injury, compounding the disappointment with a painful blow to their depth.
In a timely boost, dynamic five-eighth Ezra Mam is set to make his long-awaited return—his first appearance of the season—stepping in to fill the void left by Hunt. The only other adjustment to last week’s lineup sees Xavier Willison named in the back row, with Brendan Piakura moving to the bench, though the two may once again swap roles on game day as they did the previous round.
Broncos
1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki. 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 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: Ben Hunt (five-eighth)
In: Ezra Mam (five-eighth)
Changes: Brendan Piakura (second row to bench), Xavier Willison (bench to second row)
Dragons Fall Short Again in Another One-Point Heartbreaker
The Dragons showed true grit as they clawed their way back from a 14-point deficit to level the scores against the Warriors, only to have their hopes dashed by a clutch Luke Metcalf field goal—marking their third heartbreaking one-point loss of the season.
Under the guidance of Shane Flanagan, the Red V fought bravely but faltered when it mattered most, their composure slipping in the final moments. A missed field goal attempt from Val Holmes—one that should’ve been straightforward—proved costly, leaving them languishing in 13th place on the ladder with a 3-6 record.
In the fallout, a shoulder injury to Toby Couchman has forced a reshuffle, with Jack de Belin promoted to the starting side and Blake Lawrie brought onto the bench. Dylan Egan has again been named in the back row with Luciano Leilua listed on the interchange, though the pair may switch roles closer to kickoff as they did last week.
Dragons
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes. 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook . 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart. 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie. 18. Nathan Lawson 19. Hame Sele 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner. 22. Michael Molo
Out: Toby Couchman (front row)
In: Blake Lawrie (bench)
Changes: Luciano Leilua (second row to bench), Dylan Egan (bench to second row), Jack De Belin (bench to front row)
Referees: Gerard Sutton, Touch Judges, Kasey Badger, Jon Stone, Bunker, Ashley Klein.
Key Stats
The Broncos have been outscored 52-8 in their last three second halves.
The Dragons have won seven of their past nine games against the Broncos.
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored seven tries in his last five games against the Dragons.
The Dragons have won only three of their last 23 games played in Queensland.
Broncos winger Jesse Arthars has scored five tries in six games at Suncorp Stadium in 2025.
Broncos and Dragons Battle for Redemption Ahead of Round 12 Bye
With both teams eager to head into their Round 12 byes on a high, Sunday afternoon looms as a chance for redemption—particularly for the Broncos, who return to Suncorp Stadium looking to reignite their top-four ambitions.
Last week, Brisbane stormed to a 14-0 halftime lead against the Rabbitohs, only to let the game slip away as if they’d forgotten footy is played over 80 minutes, not 40. Meanwhile, the Dragons found themselves in a similar hole—down by 14 against the Warriors—but managed to claw their way back, only to be sunk by the calm and clinical boot of Luke Metcalf.
If there were ever a moment for Madge’s men to steady the ship and rediscover their rhythm, this is it. At home, with their pride on the line and a bye week looming, the Broncos may have just the opportunity they’ve been waiting for.
Raiders v Titans,
GIO Stadium,Canberra,4.05pm
Raiders Count on Horsburgh’s Impact with Nicholson Sidelined
Zac Hosking steps into the second row this week, filling the void left by Matty Nicholson, who now faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines—set for surgery and expected to miss up to 12 weeks with a lower-leg injury.
Up front, all eyes will be on Corey Horsburgh, who returns from a head knock sustained during Magic Round. With State of Origin selections just around the corner, a powerhouse performance could catapult the fiery prop into Maroons contention.
Beyond those changes, Ricky Stuart has kept faith in his squad, with no other adjustments to the lineup. Young gun Jed Stuart has been named as 18th man, ready to step in if called upon.
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris . 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh. 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking . 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota. 18. Jed Stuart 19. Noah Martin 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
Out: Matty Nicholson (second row)
In: Corey Horsburgh (front row)
Changes: Zac Hosking (front row to second row)
Titans Look to Rewrite History Against Raiders This Weekend
The Titans will head to Canberra this weekend with payback on their minds, eager to erase the bitter memory of their Round 7 collapse against the Raiders.
It was a match that began with so much promise—Gold Coast racing out to a 16-0 lead—only to unravel as Canberra clawed one back before halftime and then took complete control in the second half, storming home for a 30-20 win. That defeat became one of several painful chapters in a five-game losing streak for the Titans.
But this time, they arrive with renewed belief after scripting a stunning comeback of their own—overcoming a 20-6 halftime deficit to topple the Knights 24-20 in a thrilling finish.
Adding to their momentum, veteran Kieran Foran is poised to make his long-awaited return—his first outing since injuring his biceps during the Pre-Season Challenge. He joins a reshaped bench alongside Jaimin Jolliffe, who returns from suspension. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui misses out due to concussion protocols, while Arama Hau also drops out of the 17.
The starting side remains largely intact, with just a subtle backline tweak—Philip Sami shifting from centre to wing and Jojo Fifita slotting into the centres.
Titans
1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita. 5. Phillip Sami 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. Kieran Foran 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Chris Randall . 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Tony Francis 19. Arama Hau 20. Josh Patston. 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Sean Mullany
Out: Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (bench), Arama Hau (bench to reserve)
In: Kieran Foran (bench), Jaimin Jolliffe (bench)
Changes: Phillip Sami (centre to wing), Sosefo Fifita (wing to centre)
Referees: Liam Kennedy, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Kieren Irons, Bunker, Adam Gee.
Key Stats
The Raiders have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Titans.
The Titans have won only two of their last nine away games.
Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored five tries in his last four games against the Titans.
Titans half AJ Brimson has scored seven tries in his last seven games.
Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored six tries in his last seven games at GIO Stadium.
Raiders Seek Bounce-Back Win as Titans Ride Momentum
The Raiders looked to be in complete control last week, charging to a 20-0 lead over the Bulldogs with a dominant first-half display. But when they returned from the sheds, they appeared to leave their urgency behind—falling asleep at the wheel and allowing Canterbury to storm home and steal the win. It was a collapse that left fans stunned and the Raiders desperate to make amends.
Meanwhile, the Titans found themselves in the opposite position—trailing 20-0 at halftime against the Knights—before flipping the script with a sensational second-half surge to snatch a 24-20 victory. It was the kind of comeback that builds belief, but the Raiders know they can’t afford to let another one slip, especially not on home turf. This is a must-win in the capital.
Titans v Souths
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney, 6:15pm
Tigers Reeling After Storm Demolition, Look to Bounce Back
Two teams enter this Round 11 showdown on very different emotional footings.
The Tigers are still reeling from a humbling 64-0 defeat at the hands of the Storm—a game in which nothing went right. Ryan Papenhuyzen orchestrated the carnage with a first-half hat-trick against his former club, and Melbourne refused to take their foot off the pedal. At halftime, the message in the Storm camp was clear: no letting up. With Round 11 full of wild comebacks and stunning upsets—like the Rabbitohs’ shock win over the Broncos—the Storm made sure they didn’t become another statistic.
Looking for a silver lining, the Tigers are set to welcome back promising centre Starford To’a from a neck injury. Charlie Staines retains his place on the wing, while Brent Naden comes onto the interchange bench. Fonua Pole’s knee injury has opened the door for Royce Hunt to start at prop, with Jack Bird shifting to the bench and Tallyn Da Silva dropping to the reserves.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a . 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau . 10. Royce Hunt 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Brent Naden. 15. Tony Sukkar 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Heath Mason 19. Tallyn Da Silva. 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Reuben Porter 22. Tristan Hope
Out: Fonua Pole (front row), Tallyn Da Silva (bench to reserve)
In: Starford To’a (centre), Jack Bird (bench)
Changes: Brent Naden (centre to bench), Royce Hunt (bench to front row)
Johnston Inches Closer to Immortality in Souths Lineup
Veteran winger Alex Johnston is set to make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury, reigniting his chase toward the NRL’s all-time try-scoring record. The Souths fan favourite has been a mainstay in the club’s history books—and with every game, he inches closer to immortality.
His comeback sees young gun Fletcher Myers drop back to the reserves, but otherwise, it’s business as usual for the Rabbitohs, who will roll out the same side that stunned Brisbane with a gritty performance last week.
Meanwhile, Josh Schuster remains on the fringe, named once again in the extended squad as he continues his push for a South Sydney debut—one that many fans are eagerly anticipating.
Souths
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham. 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 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. Fletcher Myers 22. Jacob Host
Out: Fletcher Myers (wing to reserve)
In: Alex Johnston (wing)
Referees: Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Daniel Luttringer, Jarrod Cole, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Key Stats
Wests Tigers have won only two of their last 15 games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Rabbitohs have won eight of their past 10 games against the Tigers.
Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored five tries in five games at Campbelltown.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 11 tries in his last six games against the Tigers.
Tigers centre Brent Naden has scored four tries in five games against the Rabbitohs.
Tigers Devastated by Storm as Rabbitohs Rally Behind Mitchell’s Magic
The Tigers were left shell-shocked last week, utterly dismantled by a ruthless Storm side that showed no mercy from the opening whistle. It was a night to forget for Benji Marshall’s men—one where Melbourne’s dominance turned into outright destruction.
On the other side, the Rabbitohs looked dead in the water against Brisbane, trailing with little hope—until Latrell Mitchell sparked a stunning late surge. With power, poise, and sheer will, the superstar fullback dragged South Sydney back from the brink, sealing a dramatic comeback that shook the competition.
Now, as the spotlight shifts to Campbelltown, the Tigers face a defining moment. If they want to be taken seriously in 2025, this is the game they must win. A response is not optional—it’s essential.
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