SUNDAY, JUNE 29th, 2025
Storm v Sharks
AAMI Park, Melbourne, 2pm
Storm and Sharks Ready for Redemption After Dramatic Round 15 Finishes
Last weekend told two very different tales for the Storm and Sharks—both soaked in drama, but ending on opposite notes.
In Sydney, Melbourne looked to be cruising. A pair of early tries saw them surge ahead of South Sydney, setting the tone for what should have been a regulation win. But rugby league rarely reads the script. The Rabbitohs clawed their way back into the contest, turning it into a gritty, see-sawing affair that couldn’t be settled in 80 minutes. Enter Ryan Papenhuyzen. With the clock ticking down in golden point, the electric fullback nailed a clutch field goal to seal a heart-stopping Storm victory.
Meanwhile, the Sharks were left licking their wounds after letting a first-half lead slip away against the Broncos. Despite a promising start, Cronulla were overrun in the second stanza, as Brisbane surged to a stirring comeback win, leaving Craig Fitzgibbon’s men searching for answers.
Looking to steady the ship, Melbourne have been bolstered by reinforcements. Maroons winger Xavier Coates returns after a scheduled rest, shifting Grant Anderson into the centres to replace the ill Jack Howarth. Up front, the cavalry also returns—NSW enforcer Stefano Utoikamanu and Queensland back-rower Trent Loiero step back into the starting side after being used off the bench last week.
Both clubs are still firmly in the finals race, but momentum is everything at this stage of the season. One team escaped with a win, the other was left chasing shadows. Now, they meet with everything to play for—and redemption on the line.
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney. 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu. 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero . 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica . 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan. 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Kane Bradley
Out: Jack Howarth (centre)
In: Xavier Coates (wing)
Changes: Grant Anderson (wing to centre), Tui Kamikamica (front row to bench), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (lock to bench), Stefano Utoikamanu (bench to front row), Trent Loiero (bench to lock)
Sharks Seek Redemption After Collapse as Storm Lurk in the Shadows
Cronulla’s Round 15 unraveling was the kind of loss that lingers. Up 28-12 early in the second half, they seemed to have the Broncos on the ropes—only to watch it all slip away in a stunning 34-28 defeat that left fans and players alike stunned.
Now, there’s no time for self-pity. With the Melbourne Storm rolling into town—still buzzing after a narrow golden point escape against the Rabbitohs—the Sharks must regroup fast if they’re to steady their season.
The return of powerful prop Oregon Kaufusi provides a timely boost for Craig Fitzgibbon’s side. Sidelined late last week with a hamstring tweak, Kaufusi’s comeback sees Braden Hamlin-Uele shift back to the bench, while young forward Hohepa Puru makes way.
The wounds of last weekend may still be fresh, but in the NRL, redemption is always just one game away. With the Storm on high alert and the Sharks out to prove they can close out games under pressure, this showdown promises fireworks from the opening whistle.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai. 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake. 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton. 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf. 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Chris Veaila 22. Jayden Berrell
Out: Hohepa Puru (bench to reserve)
In: Oregon Kaufusi (front row)
Changes: Braden Hamlin-Uele (front row to bench)
Key Stats
The Storm have won their past nine games at AAMI Park.
The Sharks have won only one of their past seven games at AAMI Park.
Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 35 tries in 33 games at AAMI Park.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored five tries in his last six games against the Storm.
Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored seven tries in eight games against the Sharks.
Storm Stay Steady, Sharks Stay Unpredictable—But Who Can You Trust?
Last week, the Storm looked every bit the heavyweight. They came out firing against the Rabbitohs, threatening to blow the game wide open. But what began as a dominant display quickly turned into a gritty, bruising battle that needed golden point heroics from Ryan Papenhuyzen to get Melbourne over the line.
The Sharks, on the other hand, wrote a completely different script. They dismantled the Broncos in the first half, running rings around Brisbane with clinical execution and confidence. But when they returned from the sheds, it was like a different team had taken the field—sloppy, unfocused, and ultimately overrun in a 34-28 collapse that left everyone scratching their heads.
And that’s the great conundrum with Cronulla in 2025. They have the talent. They have the firepower. But trusting them? That’s another story.
Honestly, you could travel back from the future and swear the Sharks win this one by 20—and I still wouldn’t tip them. Not after last week. Not against a Storm side that knows how to win ugly and has the scars to show for it.
The talent matchup is real, but so is the trust gap. Saturday’s clash won’t just be about who plays better—it’ll be about who holds their nerve when it matters most.
Referees. Ashley Klein, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Phil Henderson, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Titans v Cowboys
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 4.05pm.
Titans and Tigers Clash in Battle of Redemption After Round 16 Heartbreaks
Two sides left licking their wounds after Round 16 heartbreaks now collide in a must-win battle, each desperate to reset their season’s course.
For the Titans, last week was a major missed opportunity. Facing an Eels side missing two of their most experienced playmakers, Des Hasler’s men looked primed to take control. Instead, they faltered—falling 36-20 in a performance that raised more questions than answers. Even the early loss of Jayden Campbell to a Category 1 head knock couldn’t fully explain the collapse. By Hasler’s own admission, the chances were there—they just weren’t taken.
Now, with Campbell sidelined for this week, young playmaker Tom Weaver steps into the No.7 jersey, tasked with steadying the ship and sparking the Titans’ attack. Fortunately for Gold Coast fans, reinforcements arrive in the form of their Origin-calibre forward pack. Inspirational captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and powerhouse prop Moeaki Fotuaika return to the starting side, bringing with them leadership, grunt, and a much-needed spark through the middle.
Klese Haas moves back to the bench to accommodate the returning stars, joined by Jacob Alick-Wienke and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui in a rotation that will need to match energy with precision.
After letting one slip last week, the Titans can’t afford to make the same mistake again. But neither can their opponents—setting the stage for a gritty, no-excuses showdown where only one team will rise from the wreckage.
Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami. 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tom Weaver 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills . 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor . 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Klese Haas. 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Tukimihia Simpkins. 21. Sean Mullany 22. Brian Kelly
Out: Jayden Campbell (halfback)
In: Thomas Weaver (halfback)
Changes: Klese Haas (lock to bench), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (bench to lock)
Cowboys at the Crossroads After Roosters Rout: Time for a Response in Round 17
It was a humbling night in Sydney for the Cowboys. Outmuscled, outpaced, and outplayed, they were never truly in the contest as the Roosters ran riot in a crushing 42-8 defeat. It marked their third consecutive loss and the second straight week conceding over 40 points—a defensive slide that has raised serious alarm bells in Townsville.
Coach Todd Payten didn’t sugarcoat it, describing large portions of the performance as “men against boys.” His message to the squad this week is clear: enough talk—it’s time for action.
Hoping to ignite a turnaround, Payten has rung the changes. Playmaker Jake Clifford returns to the starting side at five-eighth, pushing Jaxon Purdue out wider to the centres and Braidon Burns out of the 17. The return of State of Origin representatives Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter brings some much-needed steel and leadership back to the pack, though Jason Taumalolo’s ongoing calf injury keeps him on the sideline for at least another week.
Karl Lawton’s suspension further tests the squad’s depth, with Kai O’Donnell and Thomas Duffy also dropping out of the matchday lineup.
After being battered in back-to-back weeks, the Cowboys now find themselves at a crossroads. The talent is there—but the execution has been lacking. Whether this week marks a turning point or another stumble depends on how much pride and purpose they bring to the pitch.
Cowboys,
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt. 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson . 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter . 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess . 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Kaiden Lahrs 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Braidon Burns 22. Marly Bitungane
Out: Karl Lawton (hooker), Thomas Duffy (bench to reserve), Braidon Burns (centre to reserve), Kai O’Donnell (second row to reserve)
In: Jake Clifford (five-eighth), Reece Robson (hooker), Reuben Cotter (lock), Thomas Mikaele (bench)
Changes: Jaxon Purdue (five-eighth to centre), Griffin Neame (front row to bench), Sam McIntyre (lock to front row), Jeremiah Nanai (bench to second row)
Key Stats
The Titans have won four of their past five games against the Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Cowboys have conceded 138 points in their past three games.
Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored six tries in his past three games.
Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored four tries in his past two games against the Titans.
Titans fullback AJ Brimson has scored nine tries in 13 games against the Cowboys.
From Fizz to Flop: Titans and Cowboys Collide in Battle of the Bottom-Dwellers
Just when it looked like the Titans had turned a corner—toppling the Sea Eagles in a gritty win—they delivered a reminder of just how volatile their 2025 campaign has been. Against an understrength Eels outfit last week, they reverted to all their old habits: missed tackles, clunky attack, and a lack of composure in key moments.
And then there are the Cowboys.
What more can you say about a team that has seemingly plummeted off a cliff? North Queensland has conceded 30 or more points in three straight losses, and last week’s 42-8 demolition at the hands of the Roosters left fans and coach Todd Payten shaking their heads.
Now, these two out-of-sorts sides meet in a match that, on paper, could be the most underwhelming clash of the season. Both have talent. Both have shown glimpses. But consistency? Execution? Confidence? All missing in action.
So where does that leave us? You could call it “taking the best of the worst.” The Cowboys, at their peak, have more firepower—but picking a winner here is like flipping a coin in a hurricane.
The only certainty? One team will (probably) walk away slightly less disappointed than the other.
Referees, Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Matt Noyen, Clayton Wills, Bunker, Adam Gee.
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