SATURDAY,AUGUST 2nd, 2025.
Titans v Panthers
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast ,3pm.
Titans Refuse to Be Counted Out: Brimson, Foran, and Campbell Lead an Underdog Charge
They may be heavy underdogs—just as they were last weekend in Auckland—but don’t be too quick to write off the Titans. With livewires like AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell sparking from the back and the ever-reliable Kieran Foran guiding the ship, this is a team that still carries danger in every stride.
There’s also a new dose of motivation. Hooker Sam Verrills returns to the fold after welcoming his first child, reclaiming the No.9 jersey from Chris Randall, who is sidelined under concussion protocols. In the halves, young Tom Weaver steps onto the bench in place of Sean Mullany, who misses out due to suspension.
Meanwhile, flyer Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been named among the reserves once again. Having warmed the bench in both Round 19 and 20 without seeing game time, the speedster will be eager to break back into the 17 and remind everyone what he’s capable of.
Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills , 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas , 14. Tom Weaver 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui, 17. Josh Patston 18. Arama Hau 19. Tukimihia Simpkins 20. Tony Francis, 21. Ryan Foran 22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Out: Chris Randall (hooker), Sean Mullany (bench)
In: Sam Verrills (hooker), Thomas Weaver (bench)
From Wooden Spoon to Title Threat: Panthers Roar Back Into Premiership Contention
Twelve rounds ago, the defending premiers were dead last on the ladder—written off by nearly everyone after a shock loss to the Knights. But fast forward to now, and the Panthers have stormed back into the spotlight, rattling off seven straight wins and rocketing up 12 places on the table. The dream of an unprecedented fifth consecutive premiership is no longer a fantasy—it’s very much alive.
Their resurgence hasn’t come without its challenges. Several key players are still carrying the bruises of a punishing Origin series, and the physical toll is evident. But what Penrith lack in freshness, they’re making up for with sheer belief and relentless momentum.
As they prepare to face the unpredictable Titans on the Gold Coast—a classic danger game if there ever was one—the Panthers welcome back more firepower. Star back-rower Liam Martin has been named to start after making a successful return from a wrist injury off the bench last week. Isaiah Papali’i makes way, shifting to the interchange in a move that strengthens the Panthers’ depth heading into the business end of the season.
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider , 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Isaiah Papali’i 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Matt Eisenhuth, 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton
Changes: Isaiah Papali’i (second row to bench), Liam Martin (bench to second row)
Key Stats
The Titans have won only one of their last 11 games against the Panthers.
Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards has scored five tries in his last six games against the Titans.
Titans centre Jojo Fifita has scored five tries in his last four games.
The Panthers have conceded only 70 points in their last seven games.
Gold Coast prop Jaimin Jolliffe will make his 100th NRL appearance.
After the Upset of the Year, Can the Titans Back It Up Against the Red-Hot Panthers?
Last week, the Titans delivered a shock for the ages—toppling the Warriors in Auckland to mark Des Hasler’s 500th game in charge with a statement win no one saw coming. It was gritty, defiant, and emotional—everything you’d expect from a side rallying around a milestone moment.
But with the confetti now swept away, the question looms: can they summon that same fire for Hasler’s 501st?
Standing in their path are the Panthers, who look every bit the machine that’s claimed four straight premierships. Last week, they dismantled the Tigers with ruthless precision—seizing control in the opening 20 minutes before cruising home. There’s a reason they’re surging back toward a Top 4 finish: composure, consistency, and a championship mindset.
If the Titans are even slightly off their game, Penrith will punish them. Because the Panthers aren’t interested in fairytales—they’re on a mission, and they won’t let anyone, least of all an unpredictable Titans outfit, get in their way.
Match Officials
Referees, Liam Kennedy, Touch Judges, Michael Wise, Damian Brady, Bunker, Badger.
Dragons v Raiders
Win Stadium, Wollongong,5.30pm.
Dragons Return Home but Face Fierce Test Against In-Form Raiders
Back home in Wollongong after a bruising road trip to Townsville, the Dragons will be eager to reset in front of their loyal Red V faithful. But the scars of last week’s defeat—both physical and emotional—are hard to ignore. A 12th loss of the season was tough enough, but the knee injury to Jaydn Su’A has cast a long shadow, ending the back-rower’s 2025 campaign and leaving a sizeable hole in the Dragons’ forward pack.
History leans slightly toward Canberra, with the Raiders claiming 26 of 40 clashes between the two clubs since the Dragons’ joint venture began in 1999. Even at WIN Stadium, the Green Machine has edged ahead with a narrow 6-5 lead, plus one unforgettable draw in 2002. But numbers mean little when the Dragons are back on their home turf—Wollongong always seems to bring out their fight.
Still, they’ll need more than home ground spirit to match a Raiders side charging toward finals football. Shane Flanagan has made just one change to his side, with Michael Molo stepping into the starting lineup to replace Su’A. Hame Sele joins the bench to add some punch, but it’s clear the Dragons will need to go up a gear—or two—if they’re to halt the Raiders’ momentum.
Dragons
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Mathew Feagai, 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook, 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Michael Molo 13. Jack de Belin, 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Hame Sele 17. Blake Lawrie, 18. Jacob Halangahu 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Hayden Buchanan, 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila
Out: Jaydn Su’A (second row)
In: Hame Sele (bench)
Changes: Blake Lawrie (front row to bench), Emre Guler (bench to front row), Michael Molo (bench to second row)
Raiders Eye History as Winning Streak Rolls Into Wollongong
The Green Machine is humming—and it shows no signs of slowing down.
With nine consecutive wins under their belt, the Raiders are steamrolling their way through the competition, and the form guide suggests they’ll notch a tenth this weekend. That would place them just one shy of a club record that echoes with premiership glory.
Twice before, Canberra has gone on an 11-game tear—and both times, it ended with the ultimate prize: grand final victories in 1989 and 1994. This current squad is starting to evoke shades of those golden eras, blending grit with polish as they march toward September.
There’s a timely boost this week too. Centre Seb Kris returns from concussion protocols, pushing Simi Sasagi to the bench and Noah Martin to the reserves. With momentum surging and confidence high, the Raiders head to Wollongong chasing more than just two points—they’re chasing a place in history.
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling , 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh , 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi , 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Noah Martin 21. Trey Mooney 22. Ethan Sanders
Out: Noah Martin (bench to reserve)
In: Sebastian Kris (centre)
Changes: Simi Sasagi (centre to bench)
Key Stats
The Dragons have won only one from five against top four opposition this season.
The Raiders have won their last five games against the Dragons.
Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored six tries in his last four games.
The Raiders are aiming for their eighth consecutive away win.
The Dragons have won only two of their last five games at WIN Stadium.
Dragons Need a WIN Stadium Spark to Stop the Red-Hot Raiders
The Dragons showed glimpses of promise in Townsville last week, rallying late after a flat first half—but in the end, the comeback fell just short. Meanwhile, the Raiders were tested early by the Knights but showed their class in the second stanza, pulling away to extend their incredible winning streak.
As the scene shifts to WIN Stadium, the Red V will be hoping a return to familiar territory sparks something special. Wollongong often brings out their fighting spirit, but they’ll need more than passion to stop the freight train that is Canberra.
The Raiders are flying high, riding a nine-game winning streak and eyeing a shot at club history. If the Dragons want to pull off the upset, they’ll need to find their rhythm early—and stay in the fight for the full 80. Because this Green Machine doesn’t slow down.
Match Officials
Referees, Todd Smith, Touch Judges, Belinda Sharpe, David Munro, Bunker, Dreadful Gee.
Manly v Roosters
4 Pines Park, Manly,7.35pm.
Finals on the Line: Manly and Roosters Set for Do-or-Die Battle at Brookvale
One of the most crucial contests of Round 22 is set to light up 4 Pines Park on Saturday night, as Manly and the Roosters face off in a high-stakes showdown for finals survival. Just one ladder position apart—Manly in ninth, the Roosters in tenth—this is more than just a game; it’s a tug-of-war for September relevance.
Both sides have flashed their potential throughout 2025, but inconsistency has plagued their campaigns. With the Broncos, Sharks, and Dolphins all breathing down their necks in the race for the lower half of the top eight, the margin for error is now razor-thin.
Manly’s three-game winning run was snapped last week in brutal fashion, compounded by the devastating loss of Haumole Olakau’atu to a season-ending shoulder injury. But back on home turf, under the lights of Brookvale, expect veteran skipper Daly Cherry-Evans to rally the troops for a fired-up response.
Corey Waddell steps into the starting back row to fill the void left by Olakau’atu, while Jake Simpkin returns from concussion protocols to bolster the bench. Tommy Talau is also back for his first appearance since Round 18, with Gordon Chan Kum Tong dropping to the reserves.
The Sea Eagles know the stakes—and with a roaring home crowd behind them, they’re ready to make a stand.
Manly
1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic, 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge, 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor , 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Caleb Navale 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Aaron Schoupp , 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Out: Haumole Olakau’atu (second row), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (bench to reserve)
In: Jake Simpkin (bench), Tommy Talau (bench)
Changes: Corey Waddell (bench to second row)
Roosters Ring the Changes as Finals Hopes Hang in the Balance
The Roosters came agonisingly close to toppling the Storm in Round 21, pushing the heavyweights to the brink before falling just short—another tough loss in a stretch that’s seen them drop three of their last four. Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles had a night to forget, dismantled by a red-hot Bulldogs side in a performance that sent alarm bells ringing at Brookvale.
With their finals hopes flickering, the Roosters have made a series of changes ahead of their must-win clash with Manly. Billy Smith returns from concussion and Hugo Savala is back from a wrist injury, pushing Ethan King to 18th man duties and providing some much-needed stability.
Sandon Smith enters concussion protocols, prompting further reshuffling. Salesi Foketi and Spencer Leniu move back to the bench after starting last week, though late changes involving Siua Wong and Egan Butcher remain a possibility. Rising forward Benaiah Ioelu earns a spot on the bench, displacing Zach Dockar-Clay, while enforcer Victor Radley looms as a potential late inclusion from the reserves as he eyes a return from a shoulder injury.
With the pressure mounting and only a handful of rounds left, the Roosters know it’s now or never.
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong, 13. Egan Butcher 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Blake Steep 16. Salesi Foketi, 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Toby Rodwell, 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Victor Radley
Out: Sandon Smith (five-eighth), Ethan King (centre to reserve), Zach Dockar-Clay (bench to reserve)
In: Billy Smith (centre), Hugo Savala (five-eighth), Benaiah Ioelu (bench)
Changes: Salesi Foketi (second row to bench), Spencer Leniu (lock to bench), Siua Wong (bench to second row), Egan Butcher (bench to lock)
Key Stats
The Sea Eagles have won six from nine at 4 Pines Park in 2025.
The Roosters have won five of their past seven games against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula is on a seven-game tryscoring streak at 4 Pines Park.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored seven tries in his last five games.
Sea Eagles five-eighth Luke Brooks will appear in his 250th NRL game.
Tipping Trouble at Brookvale: Unpredictable Sea Eagles Host Mercurial Roosters
Just two weeks ago, Manly stunned the Storm with one of their best performances of the season. A week later, they were nowhere to be seen—thumped by a fired-up Bulldogs outfit in a performance that left fans scratching their heads.
The Roosters, meanwhile, had their shot at Melbourne too, facing a depleted Storm side but failing to land the killer blow. It’s been that kind of season for both teams—moments of brilliance, followed by weeks of frustration.
That makes this Saturday night showdown at Brookvale one of the toughest games of Round 22 to tip. The Sea Eagles are wildly inconsistent but have the home crowd behind them. The Roosters? They’re capable of anything—moments of magic or complete meltdowns, often in the same game.
Manly might go in as favourites, but for mine, I like the Chooks. When they click, they can take down anyone—and they just might rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Match Officials
Referees, Grant Atkins, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Kieren Irons, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Comments