AUGUST 31st, 2025
Sharks v Knights
Shark Stadium Sydney 2pm.
Sharks Hunt Top-Four Glory as Knights Loom at Cronulla
The Sharks are sharpening their teeth for a big Sunday clash as they host the Knights, with a coveted top-four finish hanging in the balance. Before the men take the field, the NRLW sides will battle it out in a thrilling double-header, setting the stage for an afternoon of high-stakes rugby league.
Cronulla arrives well-rested after last week’s bye, knowing a win is essential to keep their finals hopes alive. Sitting sixth on 32 points, level with the fifth-placed Broncos and just two behind the Warriors, every match counts in this tight race.
There’s a welcome boost for the Sharks as centre KL Iro returns from a three-month pectoral injury lay-off, pushing Siosifa Talakai to the bench. Jesse Colquhoun steps into the starting No.13 role following Cam McInnes’ season-ending knee injury, while Braden Hamlin-Uele earns a spot on the bench at the expense of Tuku Hau Tapuha.
With the stakes so high and key players returning, Cronulla will be eager to turn their home turf into a fortress and edge closer to a top-four finish.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 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. Jesse Colquhoun Bench: 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru.
Knights Rebuild with Youth as Injuries Shape Season Finale
It has been a tough year for the Newcastle Knights, and last weekend’s loss to Brisbane was another harsh reminder of the challenges they’ve faced. Yet even amid adversity, a sense of opportunity is emerging — and it comes in the form of exciting young talent ready to take the club forward.
Samoan sensation Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana leads the new wave, eager to make his mark on the NRL stage. Meanwhile, Bradman Best is looking to produce a standout performance, chasing both personal pride and a potential Kangaroos Ashes call-up.
Coach Adam O’Brien is staying consistent, naming the same 17 who took the field last week, while explosive winger Greg Marzhew is listed as 18th man after a late withdrawal with a back injury. For the Knights, it’s about resilience, growth, and showing glimpses of promise as they look to finish the season on a strong note.
Knights
1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. James Schiller 4. Bradman Best 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson . 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey . 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Leaumoana Reserves: 18. Greg Marzhew . 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Lachlan Crouch.
Key Stats
The Sharks have won five of their last six games against the Knights.
The Knights have not won at Sharks Stadium since 2014.
The Sharks have won their last five games at Sharks Stadium.
Knights winger Dominic Young has scored six tries in his last five games against the Sharks.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 42 tries in 41 games at Sharks Stadium.
Officials
Referee, Gerard Sutton, Touch Judges, David Munro, Damian Brady, Bunker, Adam Gee.
Sharks Aim for Finals Push as Knights Face Season End
After a well-timed bye last weekend, the Sharks are eager to kickstart their finals charge against a Knights side still reeling from a heavy defeat to the Broncos. With next week’s clash against the Bulldogs looming, Cronulla knows that a convincing win here is essential if they are to keep their slim top-four hopes alive.
For Newcastle, the writing is on the wall. Last week’s drubbing was a harsh reminder that their season is effectively over, leaving little more than pride and development to play for in the final rounds.
All eyes will be on the Sharks as they look to impose themselves, with momentum, precision, and a dash of urgency on their side.
Prediction: Sharks by 16.
Dolphins v Titans
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane,4.05pm.
Dolphins Fight to Keep Finals Dream Alive in Queensland Derby
The Dolphins are on a mission. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, Kristian Woolf’s men must claw their way back into the top eight when they host the Titans in a fiery Queensland derby this Sunday. Three straight losses have seen them slip out of finals contention, but the dream of playing in the club’s first-ever finals remains alive — if only just.
Sitting two points behind the Roosters, a win is essential to keep the finals flicker burning and set up a thrilling final week of the season. Key personnel changes inject fresh energy: Kodi Nikorima returns at five-eighth after missing last week due to illness, pushing Jake Averillo to the centres and Max Feagai out of the starting side. In the forwards, Connelly Lemuelu steps in for Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, while Aublix Tawha joins the bench as the new man ready to make an impact.
For the Dolphins, it’s a battle of urgency, determination, and belief — one victory could keep the finals dream alive and ignite a Queensland derby that fans won’t soon forget.
Dolphins
1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King. 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe. Bench: 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr. Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. LJ Nonu 20. James Walsh 21. Peter Hola 22. John Fineanganofo.
Titans Aim to End Season Strong as Dolphins Eye Finals Push
The Titans are determined to send their 2025 campaign out on a high note. After glimpses of promise against the Warriors last week, Des Hasler’s men know they must maintain intensity for the full 80 minutes if they hope to spoil the Dolphins’ finals aspirations this Sunday.
Consistency is the key. Hasler has named the same 17 who fell short against the Warriors, hoping experience and determination will lift his team from the lower rungs of the ladder. Among the reserves, former Wallaby Carter Gordon returns to the NRL stage after two games with Ipswich as he recovers from a spinal injury, joined by Cooper Bai, son of Storm and PNG legend Marcus Bai, ready to make his mark.
For the Titans, it’s about pride, finishing strong, and showing that even in a challenging year, they can compete with intensity until the final whistle.
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. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui Bench: 14. Keano Kini 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui . 17. Josh Patston Reserves: 18. Tukimihia Simpkins 19. Sean Mullany 20. Cooper Bai . 21. Carter Gordon 22. Tony Francis.
Key Stats
The Dolphins have won four of their five games against the Titans.
The Titans have conceded 82 points in two games at Suncorp Stadium in 2025.
Dolphins centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 17 tries in his last 11 games at Suncorp Stadium.
Titans winger Phillip Sami has scored four tries in his last four games against the Dolphins.
Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Officials
Referee, Grant Atkins, Touch Judges, Liam Kennedy, Michael Wise, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Dolphins Look to Halt Slide as Titans Face Uncertain Future
The Dolphins are desperate to stop the rot. Last week’s heavy defeat to the Sea Eagles highlighted how quickly their finals hopes have slipped away, leaving Kristian Woolf’s men with little margin for error in the closing stages of the season.
For the Titans, last week’s loss to the Warriors was more than just another defeat — it marked the final chapter of Des Hasler’s tenure at the club. Hasler will see out the remainder of the season, but uncertainty looms over whether the players can summon the focus and intensity required now that the coaching landscape has shifted.
On paper, the Dolphins hold the advantage, and with pride and momentum on the line, they’re set to edge out the Titans.
Prediction: Dolphins by 6.
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