Eels v Titans: Brimson out; Eels as named
With seven rounds remaining, just two points separate the Eels and Titans on the ladder as both sides find themselves part of the dogfight for places in the bottom of the eight.
Both teams are coming off a Round 19 loss but will hope to welcome their big guns back for good after being hit hard in the Origin period.
The Eels will be desperate to get their season back on track after the Warriors ended their five-game winning streak on Saturday night, with miss tackles and ill-discipline haunting Brad Arthur's side in front of a home crowd.
With only three games left at home, the Eels will be determined to make amends with their faithful against the Titans and ensure they have a place in the 2023 finals series.
Meanwhile, dropping into 11th position after a tough golden-point defeat to the Dolphins on Sunday, the Titans will be hopeful Maroons Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika and AJ Brimson are fit and firing on all cylinders, desperately needing a win if they're to remain in finals contention.
The last time these two sides met was Magic Round and it was the Gold Coast who scraped through with a narrow 26-24 victory, but prior to that the Eels have won the past seven head-to-head clashes.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Eels v Titans
Team News
Eels: There are no changes to the Eels an hour from kick-off, with all three of Brad Arthur's Origin reps remaining in the squad. The return of Clint Gutherson moves Sean Russell to the wing, while Ofahiki Ogden reverts to be 18th Man after starting at prop last week. Mitch Moses is back in the halves, so Ryan Matterson moves to the bench. After making a successful injury return via the interchange last week, Shaun Lane starts in the second row which bumps Andrew Davey back to the pine.
Titans: AJ Brimson is out of the game, but his three other Queensland Origin teammates will back up with Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita all remaining in the squad, with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui moving to the bench. Jayden Campbell has been elevated to the fullback role, while Chris Randall starts at prop for Fa'asuamaleaui. Aaron Schoupp also moves to the bench with Jojo Fifita coming into the centres. Forwards Jaimin Jolliffe (hand) and Joe Stimson (concussion) will both miss the match after suffering injuries against the Dolphins. Jolliffe is facing four weeks on the sidelines and is replaced by Klese Haas this week in the second row.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Titans is number 14 Jayden Campbell
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey SimonssonCentre for Titans is number 17 Jojo Fifita
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean RussellWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Daejarn AsiFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan HandsHooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Titans is number 15 Chris Randall
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Klese Haas
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Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca MorettiInterchange for Titans is number 4 Aaron Schoupp
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Andrew DaveyInterchange for Titans is number 16 Erin Clark
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ryan MattersonInterchange for Titans is number 19 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 19 Makahesi MakatoaReplacement for Titans is number 18 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Parramatta forward J'maine Hopgood is leading the competition with offloads. The 2023 recruit has made 40 offloads in 17 matches.
- The Eels have won seven of their past eight games against the Titans.
- The Titans have won only three from nine away from home this season.
- Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored six tries in his past three NRL games.
- Titans centre Brian Kelly has scored six tries in eight games against the Eels.
- Eels winger Sean Russell has scored seven tries in seven games at CommBank Stadium.
Match: Eels v Titans
Round 20 -
home Team
Eels
7th Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
