SUNDAY AUGUST 10th 2025
Titans v Souths
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast,2pm.
Titans Aim for Redemption After Golden-Point Heartbreak
The Gold Coast Titans return to Cbus Super Stadium this Sunday with a point to prove and a crowd to inspire. Just a week ago, their hearts were broken in golden point — a gut-wrenching loss to the Panthers that still stings. The pain runs deeper knowing the decisive moment came from a controversial bunker call by Kasey Badger, a decision that left players and fans shaking their heads.
While their finals hopes have slipped beyond reach, Des Hasler’s men haven’t dropped their intensity. Recent performances have shown grit and ambition, and this clash with the Rabbitohs offers a chance to reward their loyal home supporters with something worth cheering for.
Changes to the line-up see Alofiana Khan-Pereira take his place on the wing, stepping in for Phil Sami, who entered concussion protocols after two HIAs against Penrith. Chris Randall makes his return from concussion in the back row, pushing Jacob Alick-Wiencke to the bench, while Tom Weaver steps aside.
This Sunday isn’t just about salvaging pride — it’s about proving that the Titans can still roar when the odds say otherwise.
Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita , 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas , 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui , 17. Josh Patston 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver 20. Tukimihia Simpkins, 21. Tony Francis 22. Ryan Foran
Out: Phillip Sami (wing)
In: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (wing), Chris Randall (second row)
Changes: Jacob Alick (second row to bench)
Rabbitohs Dig Deep as Injuries Ease and Hope Flickers
It’s been a bruising season for South Sydney, the kind that tests bodies, minds, and the bond between a team and its coach. Yet through it all, the Rabbitohs have kept swinging for Wayne Bennett, refusing to let adversity break their resolve.
Last week’s clash with the Broncos told a familiar story — competitive early before fading under second-half pressure. But with a couple of extra days’ rest now under their belt, the Bunnies step into Sunday’s showdown with a rare gift this season: reinforcements.
Latrell Mitchell, the talisman fullback, lurks in the reserves as he edges closer to a return from the quad injury that has kept him sidelined for a month. Brandon Smith is back from a knee injury, adding punch from the bench, while Jamie Humphreys and Peter Mamouzelos have both cleared concussion protocols to take their places. Ryan Gray, Lewis Dodd, and Tyrone Munro make way after the defeat to Brisbane.
South Sydney may be sitting at the foot of the ladder, but with fresh legs and old fire, they’re chasing more than just a win — they’re hunting for a spark to ignite the closing weeks of their campaign.
Souths
1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan , 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow , 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Lachlan Hubner, 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Brandon Smith 17. Thomas Fletcher , 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Talanoa Penitani 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Latrell Mitchell
Out: Lewis Dodd (five-eighth), Ryan Gray (hooker), Tyrone Munro (bench to reserve)
In: Jamie Humphreys (halfback), Peter Mamouzelos (bench), Brandon Smith (bench)
Changes: Ashton Ward (halfback to five-eighth), Siliva Havili (bench to hooker)
Key Stats
The Titans have won only one of their last seven games at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Rabbitohs have won their last nine games against the Titans.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 14 tries in 12 games against the Titans.
Titans hooker Sam Verrills will play his 100th NRL game.
Titans Aim for Redemption After Golden-Point Heartbreak
The Gold Coast Titans return to Cbus Super Stadium this Sunday with a point to prove and a crowd to inspire. Just a week ago, their hearts were broken in golden point — a gut-wrenching loss to the Panthers that still stings. The pain runs deeper knowing the decisive moment came from a controversial bunker call by Kasey Badger, a decision that left players and fans shaking their heads.
While their finals hopes have slipped beyond reach, Des Hasler’s men haven’t dropped their intensity. Recent performances have shown grit and ambition, and this clash with the Rabbitohs offers a chance to reward their loyal home supporters with something worth cheering for.
Changes to the line-up see Alofiana Khan-Pereira take his place on the wing, stepping in for Phil Sami, who entered concussion protocols after two HIAs against Penrith. Chris Randall makes his return from concussion in the back row, pushing Jacob Alick-Wiencke to the bench, while Tom Weaver steps aside.
Rabbitohs Dig Deep as Injuries Ease and Hope Flickers
It’s been a bruising season for South Sydney, the kind that tests bodies, minds, and the bond between a team and its coach. Yet through it all, the Rabbitohs have kept swinging for Wayne Bennett, refusing to let adversity break their resolve.
Last week’s clash with the Broncos told a familiar story — competitive early before fading under second-half pressure. But with a couple of extra days’ rest now under their belt, the Bunnies step into Sunday’s showdown with a rare gift this season: reinforcements.
Latrell Mitchell, the talisman fullback, lurks in the reserves as he edges closer to a return from the quad injury that has kept him sidelined for a month. Brandon Smith is back from a knee injury, adding punch from the bench, while Jamie Humphreys and Peter Mamouzelos have both cleared concussion protocols to take their places. Ryan Gray, Lewis Dodd, and Tyrone Munro make way after the defeat to Brisbane.
Prediction
The Titans played an inspired second half last week, nearly toppling the Panthers, while the Rabbitohs unraveled after halftime against the Broncos. Gold Coast’s recent form suggests they’re trending upward, while Souths are still patching together a fit squad. With pride — and possibly the wooden spoon — on the line, I’m tipping the Titans to take this one.
Match Officials
Referees, Todd Smith, Touch Judges, Nick Pelgrave, David Munro, Bunker, Adam Gee.
Eels v Cowboys
CommBank Stadium, Sydney,4.05pm.
Eels Eye Another Step in Ryles’ Rebuild as Cowboys Come Calling
There’s a sense of quiet momentum building in Parramatta. Under Jason Ryles, the Eels have spent the past two months reshaping their game, tightening the screws in defence, and laying the foundations for a brighter future. This Sunday at CommBank Stadium, they get another chance to take a step forward — and this time, it’s the North Queensland Cowboys standing in their way.
Last weekend’s narrow loss to the Storm was a reminder that progress doesn’t come without its bumps, but with Mitchell Moses pulling the strings since his return from injury, the Eels look primed to entertain their home faithful. Moses’ kicking game and game management have been the spark behind their recent resurgence, and fans will be expecting him to light it up again.
In team news, Kelma Tuilagi returns from suspension via the NSW Cup and takes a spot on the bench. Jordan Samrani steps into the centres for Sean Russell, who is sidelined with a broken hand. Dylan Walker has been named to start at lock, shifting Luca Moretti to the bench, while interchange forward Sam Tuivaiti’s season is over after a medial ligament injury against Melbourne.
Parramatta may be in rebuild mode, but they’re playing with the kind of intent that says they’re not waiting for next year to start winning.
Eels
1. Joash Papali’i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani , 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood , 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker, 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Kelma Tuilagi, 18. Ronald Volkman 19. Dan Keir 20. Haze Dunster 21. Toni Mataele 22. Dylan Brown
Out: Sean Russell (centre), Sam Tuivaiti (bench)
In: Jordan Samrani (centre), Kelma Tuilagi (bench)
Changes: Luca Moretti (lock to bench), Dylan Walker (bench to lock)
Cowboys Bolstered by Big Returns as They Target Defensive Steel
For the North Queensland Cowboys, Sunday’s trip to CommBank Stadium is another test away from home and a chance to rebound from last week’s defeat to the Sharks. Scoring points hasn’t been their problem this season — they can pile them on with the best of them — but their defence has been a leaky dam, and if they want to leave Sydney with two points, that’s the part of their game that must tighten.
They’ll take heart from the cavalry arriving just in time. Inspirational prop Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for his first appearance since Round 9, replacing Griffin Neame (shoulder) in the front row. Jake Clifford (quad), Viliami Vailea (foot), and Thomas Mikaele (knee) also return, giving Todd Payten’s side a major boost in both power and depth.
Zac Laybutt shifts from centre to wing to cover for the injured Robert Derby, while Jeremiah Nanai moves back into the forwards after filling in at centre last week. Jaxon Purdue slides from five-eighth into the centres, and wrecking-ball winger Semi Valemei is named among the reserves as he edges closer to a comeback from a broken jaw.
With firepower returning across the park, the Cowboys will be looking to match their attacking spark with a steelier defensive edge — the kind that could turn a solid performance into a crucial road win.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Zac Laybutt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea , 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Harrison Edwards, 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai , 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Marly Bitungane 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kai O’Donnell , 17. Coen Hess 18. Jaxson Paulo 19. Semi Valemei 20. Nicholas Lenaz , 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Out: Robert Derby (wing), Griffin Neame (front row), Kaiden Lahrs (bench to reserve), Jamal Shibasaki (bench to reserve)
In: Viliami Vailea (centre), Jake Clifford (five-eighth), Jason Taumalolo (front row), Thomas Mikaele (bench)
Changes: Jeremiah Nanai (centre to second row), Zac Laybutt (centre to wing), Jaxon Purdue (five-eighth to centre), Coen Hess (second row to bench)
Key Stats
The Eels have won five of their last seven games against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have lost all three games against the Eels at CommBank Stadium.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 11 tries in 11 games against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have lost three of their four games in Sydney this season.
Eels winger Zac Lomax has scored five tries in his last five games.
Eels Eye Another Step in Ryles’ Rebuild as Cowboys Come Calling
There’s a sense of quiet momentum building in Parramatta. Under Jason Ryles, the Eels have spent the past two months reshaping their game, tightening the screws in defence, and laying the foundations for a brighter future. This Sunday at CommBank Stadium, they get another chance to take a step forward — and this time, it’s the North Queensland Cowboys standing in their way.
Last weekend’s narrow loss to the Storm was a reminder that progress doesn’t come without its bumps, but with Mitchell Moses pulling the strings since his return from injury, the Eels look primed to entertain their home faithful. Moses’ kicking game and game management have been the spark behind their recent resurgence, and fans will be expecting him to light it up again.
In team news, Kelma Tuilagi returns from suspension via the NSW Cup and takes a spot on the bench. Jordan Samrani steps into the centres for Sean Russell, who is sidelined with a broken hand. Dylan Walker has been named to start at lock, shifting Luca Moretti to the bench, while interchange forward Sam Tuivaiti’s season is over after a medial ligament injury against Melbourne.
Cowboys Bolstered by Big Returns as They Target Defensive Steel
For the North Queensland Cowboys, Sunday’s trip to CommBank Stadium is another test away from home and a chance to rebound from last week’s defeat to the Sharks. Scoring points hasn’t been their problem this season — they can pile them on with the best of them — but their defence has been a leaky dam, and if they want to leave Sydney with two points, that’s the part of their game that must tighten.
They’ll take heart from the cavalry arriving just in time. Inspirational prop Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for his first appearance since Round 9, replacing Griffin Neame (shoulder) in the front row. Jake Clifford (quad), Viliami Vailea (foot), and Thomas Mikaele (knee) also return, giving Todd Payten’s side a major boost in both power and depth.
Zac Laybutt shifts from centre to wing to cover for the injured Robert Derby, while Jeremiah Nanai moves back into the forwards after filling in at centre last week. Jaxon Purdue slides from five-eighth into the centres, and wrecking-ball winger Semi Valemei is named among the reserves as he edges closer to a comeback from a broken jaw.
Prediction
The Eels proved again last week against the Storm that they intend to go out of this season kicking and screaming. The Cowboys, on the other hand, delivered another meek showing against the Sharks. With more rain forecast for Sydney, CommBank Stadium could become a muddy battleground, and the side that best adapts to the conditions should come out on top. Tip: Eels by a narrow margin.
Match Officials
Referees, Liam Kennedy, Touch Judges, Belinda Sharpe, Jon Stone, Bunker, Ashley Klein.
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