NRL,MAGIC ROUND,MAY 7th,2023, GOLD COAST TITANS v PARRAMATTA EELS
SUNCORP STADIUM,BRISBANE
Both impressive Round 9 winners, Gold Coast and Parramatta close out the festivities in Brisbane with a crucial encounter.
The 4-4 Titans are part of the five-team logjam tied for seventh, while the 4-5 Eels are 12th.
The Gold Coast pulled off a significant upset last Saturday, downing Manly 26-10 on the road with David Fifita rocketing back into form.
It was the third straight week the Titans had scored 26 points but more important was the defensive commitment after leaking 71 points in the previous fortnight.
Meanwhile, it was a potentially season-saving bounce-back from blowing a 26-point lead in a historic loss to the Dolphins in Round 8.
AJ Brimson has been ruled out, but Jayden Campbell was one of the best on ground against Manly from the bench and will revel in the chance to start at fullback. Kruise Leeming fills the interchange spot.
The Eels have meandered through the 2023 premiership so far, only occasionally looking like the grand finalists they were last season.
One of those occasions was last Friday, thrashing the Knights 43-12 with Clint Gutherson and Mitch Moses wreaking havoc.
Midyear recruit Andrew Davey comes straight into the Eels’ back-row, while Ryan Matterson and Bailey Simonsson are also back.
After the Titans won 11 of the teams’ first 16 encounters, the Eels have crafted a seven-match winning streak in the rivalry since 2017.
Last season’s clashes were tight, however, the blue-and-golds prevailing 32-28 at home and 26-20 on the Gold Coast.
This one could follow the same trend: the Eels have the edge in key-position personnel, but the Titans are capable of piling on quick points and boast plenty of quality in the engine-room – a key factor with the Eels missing Reagan Campbell-Gillard for an extended period.
Titans team:
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Jo Vuna 18. Keano Kini 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Thomas Weaver 21. Thomas Mikaele 22. Sam McIntyre
Eels team:
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Brendan Hands 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Sean Russell 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Matt Doorey 22. Jack Murchie
PREDICTION.
I am going the Eels here in a close game. The Titans lack consistency I feel. They look really good at times and then terrible at other times. The Eels by 4.5 points .
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