SATURDAY APRIL 26th 2025
Cowboys v Titans
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville 5:30pm
Homecoming Charge: Cowboys Eye Titans After Big-Name Scalps
After silencing the Panthers and Rabbitohs on the road, the refreshed Cowboys return to Townsville with confidence high. Rested from the bye, they now face a Gold Coast Titans outfit desperate to break a three-game losing streak.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton 22. Thomas Mikaele
In: John Bateman (second row), Zac Laybutt (reserve), Thomas Duffy (reserve), Karl Lawton (reserve), Thomas Mikaele (reserve)
Changes: Sam McIntyre (second row to bench), Kai O’Donnell (second row to bench), Jeremiah Nanai (bench to second row), Harrison Edwards (bench to reserve)
Titans Boosted by Star Returns Ahead of Cowboys Clash
The Titans have received a timely boost, with powerhouse David Fifita cleared to play despite hamstring concerns. Speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira also returns from injury, while Brock Gray is back from suspension. Klese Haas and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui make way.
Titans
1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. David Fifita 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Brock Gray 17. Arama Hau 18. Tony Francis 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Allan Fitzgibbon 22. Josiah Pahulu
Out: Klese Haas (bench)
In: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (wing), David Fifita (bench), Brock Gray (bench), Tony Francis (reserve), Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (reserve), Jacob Alick (reserve), Josiah Pahulu (reserve)
Changes: Allan Fitzgibbon (wing to reserve)
Cowboys Rested and Ready, Titans Remain a Wildcard
Fresh off a bye and a win over the Rabbitohs, the Cowboys return home in strong form. The Titans, meanwhile, showed early promise against the Raiders before fading late. North Queensland should have the edge—but with Gold Coast, nothing is ever certain unless it’s a full 80-minute effort.
Key Stats
The Cowboys have won four of their past six games against the Titans.
The Titans have won only one of their past 13 games in Townsville.
Cowboys centre Jaxon Purdue has scored five tries in his past five games.
Titans centre AJ Brimson has scored nine tries in 12 games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi will play his 100th NRL game.
Referees: Chris Butler; Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Drew Oultram Bunker, Kasey Badger.
Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles,
Commbank Stadium, Sydney 7:35pm
Panthers Aim to Prove Roosters Rout Was Just the Beginning
After snapping a five-game losing streak with a dominant 40-12 win over the Roosters, the Panthers are looking to back it up against Manly at CommBank Stadium. Last week’s performance showed flashes of the Panthers’ former dominance—holding the ball, limiting penalties, and controlling the grind.
But questions remain. Can they do it again? They’ll have to without suspended hooker Mitch Kenny, as Luke Sommerton steps in. Izack Tago returns to the starting side, with Luke Garner ruled out due to concussion. It’s another test of depth—and consistency—for the four-time champs.
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Matt Eisenhuth 22. Jack Cole
Out: Luke Garner (centre), Mitch Kenny (hooker)
In: Luke Sommerton (hooker), Mavrik Geyer (bench), Daine Laurie (reserve), Luron Patea (reserve), Asu Kepaoa (reserve), Matt Eisenhuth (reserve), Jack Cole (reserve)
Changes: Izack Tago (bench to centre)
Sea Eagles Desperate to Silence Doubters as Trbojevic Returns
While Penrith rides a wave of confidence, Manly enters Saturday’s clash under pressure after three straight losses. Missed chances cost them against the Dragons, and with the Daly Cherry-Evans saga resurfacing, only a win will quiet the noise.
Tom Trbojevic returns slightly ahead of schedule, strengthening the backline and pushing Lehi Hopoate to the wing. Jake Trbojevic is sidelined with a concussion, replaced by Jazz Tevaga at lock, while Jake Simpkin shifts to hooker. Josh Aloiai also starts at prop in the only other change.
Manly
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Tommy Talau 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Caleb Navale
Out: Toafofoa Sipley (front row), Jake Trbojevic (lock)
In: Tom Trbojevic (fullback), Josh Aloiai (front row), Corey Waddell (bench), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (reserve), Jakob Arthur (reserve), Michael Chee-Kam (reserve), Caleb Navale (reserve)
Changes: Lehi Hopoate (fullback to wing), Tommy Talau (wing to bench), Jazz Tevaga (hooker to lock), Jake Simpkin (bench to hooker), Clayton Faulalo (bench to reserve)
Key Stats
The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 games against the Sea Eagles.
The Sea Eagles have lost their last three games at CommBank Stadium.
Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards has scored eight tries in his last six games against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored seven tries in his last six games at CommBank Stadium.
Panthers centre Casey McLean has scored five tries in his past six games.
Referees: Belinda Sharpe ,Touch Judges, Michael Wise, Daniel Luttringer, Bunker, Ashley Klein;
Check out Sunday’s games here!
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