SATURDAY AUGUST 16th 2025
Sharks v Titans
Shark Stadium, Sydney. 3pm.
Sharks in Choppy Waters: Rival Defeat Opens Door for Hungry Chasers
Cronulla’s finals campaign is far from sunk, but the waters have grown a little rougher. A loss to fierce rivals the Dragons has left the Sharks glancing over their shoulders, with the Roosters and Dolphins now sensing opportunity.
Sitting on 28 competition points, Cronulla hold a slender buffer — yet their +35 points differential pales beside the Roosters’ +72 and the Dolphins’ +119. The safety net of an upcoming bye offers some breathing room, but with clashes against the Titans and Knights still ahead, there’s little margin for error.
The suspension of Briton Nikora is a serious blow. The Kiwi back-rower has been a constant menace on the right edge, his ability to crack defences often the spark for Cronulla’s momentum. Compounding the setback, centre Jesse Ramien is also out, opening the door for Mawene Hiroti in the backline. Billy Burns steps in for Nikora, while the bench sees two fresh inclusions — Jesse Colquhoun, back from suspension, and Daniel Atkinson, who earned the call-up after serving as 18th man last week.
The Sharks remain afloat, but in the high-stakes race to September, one more slip could see the chasers close in fast.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf. 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Hohepa Puru. 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Chris Veaila.
Titans Fight to Avoid the Depths as Season Slips Away
For the Titans, the horizon is looking uncomfortably familiar — and not in a good way. Last week’s narrow two-point loss to the Rabbitohs came hot on the heels of a golden-point heartbreaker against the Panthers, leaving Des Hasler’s side marooned at the foot of the ladder. With just four games left — against the Sharks, Warriors, Dolphins, and Wests Tigers — they face the grim prospect of a second wooden spoon in seven seasons.
The cruel truth is, the Titans have the firepower to trouble anyone on their day. But defence has been their undoing, with an alarming 28 points leaked per game — a figure bettered only, or rather worsened, by the Cowboys’ 29.2. It’s a vulnerability that no amount of attacking brilliance can fully mask.
There is hope, though. Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returns after three weeks sidelined by a knee injury, bringing size, leadership, and steel back to the pack. Phil Sami (concussion) and Moeaki Fotuaika (illness) also rejoin the fray, while Klese Haas and Reagan Campbell-Gillard shift to the bench. In the backs, Brian Kelly’s absence through concussion protocols adds another hurdle, but the mood in camp is buoyed by the return of key troops.
With their season on the brink, the Titans’ fight to stay afloat will demand more than just flair — it will require the kind of grit that turns close losses into hard-earned wins.
Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Phillip Sami 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Tony Francis. 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe. 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui Bench: 14. Klese Haas . 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston Reserves: 18. Keano Kini . 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Tom Weaver 22. Allan Fitzgibbon.
Key Stats
The Sharks have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Titans.
The Titans have not won at Shark Park since 2017.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 40 tries in 40 games at Shark Park.
Titans centre Phillip Sami has scored five tries in his last three games.
Officials
Referee, Peter Gough ,Touch Judges, Jon Stone, Chris Sutton, Bunker, Adam Gee.
Sharks on the Brink: Redemption or Ruin Against the Titans?
Cronulla’s finals hopes took a hit last week when they were ambushed by the Dragons, exposing a lack of consistency that has dogged their season. With the Roosters and Dolphins breathing down their necks, the Sharks can ill afford another slip — especially against a Titans outfit sitting last. On paper, this should be a straightforward assignment at Sharks Stadium, but as recent weeks have shown, nothing can be taken for granted. For Cronulla, a strong, disciplined performance is non-negotiable. Tip: Sharks by 10.
Broncos v Dolphins
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 5.30pm.
Brisbane’s Broken Wings and the Fight to Rise Again
Round 24 arrives with Brisbane still licking its wounds from a brutal clash with the Storm—a night that left more than just a loss on the scoreboard. Three key Broncos, Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam, and Selwyn Cobbo, all hobbled away with hamstring injuries, leaving the team’s spine in tatters. Across the river, the Dolphins have their own bruises to nurse, still smarting from a ruthless dismantling at the hands of the Roosters.
Now, the “Battle of Brisbane” pits sixth against eighth, each side desperate to shake off the ghosts of Round 23. At the helm for the Broncos is 348-game veteran Ben Hunt, called in to steady the ship in Reynolds’ absence. His duel with the Dolphins’ rising star, Isaiya Katoa, promises to be a fascinating clash of experience versus youthful fire.
Hunt will partner with Billy Walters in a refreshed halves pairing, while Cory Paix steps in as starting hooker and Tyson Smoothy slots onto the bench. Out wide, Josiah Karapani earns his spot on the wing, replacing Cobbo—the third victim of Melbourne’s hamstring curse.
For both sides, this isn’t just a fight for ladder position—it’s a battle to prove they can stand tall when the season turns cruel.
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas, 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy . 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars . 19. Va’a Semu 20. Jock Madden 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Josh Rogers.
Depth on Display as Broncos and Dolphins Collide in High-Stakes Brisbane Derby
The injury toll hasn’t spared the Dolphins either, with star centre Herbie Farnworth nursing a troublesome hamstring. As a result, both clubs head into this Brisbane blockbuster forced to dig deep into their playing stocks — a true test of depth and resilience as they scrap for precious finals positions.
Suncorp Stadium is set to heave under the weight of a monster crowd, the stage perfectly set for a gripping chapter in the Battle of Brisbane. For the Dolphins, the stakes are historic — a maiden finals berth is within reach. For the Broncos, it’s about rekindling the magic of 2023, when they came agonisingly close to premiership glory.
Dolphins coach Kristian Wolfe has shuffled his pack in the absence of Francis Molo, handing Mark Nicholls the starting prop role and recalling veteran Kenny Bromwich for his first NRL appearance since Round 8. Out wide, Jake Averillo takes his place in the centres with Tevita Naufahu on the wing, the pair having combined smoothly on the left edge in last week’s hit-out.
With pride, history, and finals ambitions all on the line, this derby promises to be more than just a game — it’s a statement of intent for both sides.
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Max Feagai. 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Jeremy Marshall-King. 10. Aublix Tawha 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe. Bench: 14. Ray Stone 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Josh Kerr 17. Kenny Bromwich . Reserves: 18. Peter Hola 19. LJ Nonu 20. Trai Fuller 21. Harrison Graham 22. James Walsh.
Key Stats
The Broncos have scored 184 points in their last five games at Suncorp Stadium.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 16 tries in his last 10 games at Suncorp.
The Broncos have lost their last six games without Adam Reynolds.
Dolphins centre Jake Averillo has scored five tries in his last four games against the Broncos.
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored five tries in his last six games at Suncorp Stadium.
Officials
Referee, Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Belinda Sharpe, Nick Pelgrave, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Bruised Broncos and Battered Dolphins Face Defining Brisbane Derby
Last week was brutal for both Brisbane clubs — in different ways. The Broncos lost not just the match to the Storm but also their key playmakers, Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam, both sidelined early with injuries that shook the side’s structure. The Dolphins, meanwhile, endured a nightmare at the hands of the Roosters, swept aside in a performance that left their finals credentials under heavy scrutiny.
Now, the Battle of Brisbane arrives with more than bragging rights at stake. For the Dolphins, this is about pride and proof — can they rebound from that embarrassment and reassert themselves as genuine contenders? For the Broncos, the challenge is survival through adversity, piecing together a competitive side without their first-choice halves.
If the Broncos are to prevail, it may well be on the shoulders of their forwards, tasked with muscling their way through a fired-up Dolphins pack. In a clash where resilience could trump flair, Brisbane’s grit might just be the difference.
Tip: Broncos by 4.
Souths v Eels
Allianz Stadium, Sydney,7.35pm.
Resurgent Rabbitohs Eye Safety After Breaking Gold Coast Curse
The weight of a nine-game losing streak on the Gold Coast finally lifted for the Rabbitohs last weekend, and the difference was immediate. With Latrell Mitchell, Jamie Humphreys, and Brandon Smith all back in the lineup, South Sydney looked sharper, hungrier, and far more composed. Their gritty two-point win not only snapped the hoodoo but also gave them valuable breathing space in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
A victory over the Eels this Saturday would all but seal their escape from last place and ensure their first wooden spoon since 2006 remains a distant memory.
There’s only one change to the side that downed the Titans — Lachlan Hubner is sidelined after a head knock, with Shaquai Mitchell stepping in for his first NRL game of the season. The reserves list also carries a tantalising possibility: Cody Walker is edging closer to a comeback from the hamstring injury that has kept him out since Round 17.
For the Rabbitohs, survival is no longer just about hanging on — it’s about finishing strong and proving they’re more than a relegation scrap story.
Rabbitohs
1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Siliva Havili 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Sean Keppie. 11. Jacob Host 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow Bench: 14. Shaquai Mitchell 15. Liam Le Blanc . 16. Brandon Smith 17. Thomas Fletcher Reserves: 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Lewis Dodd. 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Haizyn Mellars 22. Cody Walker.
Eels Ride Moses Magic as Addo-Carr and Johnston Set Stage for Speed Showdown
Jason Ryles’ Eels snatched their seventh win of the season on Sunday, and they did it in dramatic style. A clutch field goal from Mitch Moses broke the deadlock, while Josh Addo-Carr lit up the contest with a blistering double that left defenders grasping at thin air.
Saturday night promises more fireworks as Addo-Carr squares off with Alex Johnston in a duel of pure pace and finishing finesse. Johnston, already a legend on the wing, is just three tries shy of equalling Ken Irvine’s all-time premiership record of 212 — a milestone that could come under the bright lights if the Bunnies find their groove.
Ryles has shown faith in the 17 who edged past the Cowboys, while in the extended squad, electric fullback Isaiah Iongi looms as a possible inclusion should he prove his fitness after a hand injury sustained in Round 20.
With finals hopes dim but pride and history still on the line, this clash is set to deliver both speed and spectacle in equal measure.
Eels
1. Joash Papali’i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 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. Luca Moretti Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva . 15. Dylan Walker 16. Matt Doorey 17. Kelma Tuilagi Reserves: 18. Jordan Samrani. 19. Dan Keir 20. Haze Dunster 21. Isaiah Iongi 22. Toni Mataele.
Key Stats
The Rabbitohs have won eight of their last nine games against the Eels.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 14 tries in 14 games against the Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 18 tries in 15 games against the Eels.
The Eels have won six of their last seven games against bottom nine teams.
The Rabbitohs have lost their last three games at Allianz Stadium.
Officials
Referee, Gerard Sutton, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Badger, Bunker, Matt Noyen.
Mitchell vs Mitchell: Bunnies and Eels Set for Nail-Biting Showdown
The Rabbitohs looked a different side last week with Latrell Mitchell back at the helm, his presence sparking a gritty, hard-earned win over the Titans. Across the league, there’s no denying the lift he brings — in confidence, in creativity, and in sheer will to win.
The Eels, on the other hand, made life far harder for themselves than it needed to be against the Cowboys, almost throwing away a game they had in hand. But when the final whistle blew, Mitch Moses and company had done just enough to get over the line.
Saturday’s clash shapes as a battle of the Mitchells — Latrell’s flair and power against Moses’ game management and precision. The form guide may tilt slightly towards Parramatta, with their roster looking steadier across the park, but this one could swing either way.
Tip: Eels by 2.
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