Titans v Eels: Brimson, Campbell good to go; Mulitalo to debut
The Gold Coast Titans have their sights set on three-straight wins when they return home to face the Parramatta Eels.
Des Hasler's side has found their groove in the last few weeks, with a dominant victory over the Warriors followed up by Friday's tense win over the Sharks in Coffs Harbour.
Now, they return to the Gold Coast to face a Parramatta side that will be without halfback Mitchell Moses due to NSW representative commitments.
The Titans have also been affected by the State of Origin camps, with Moeaki Fotuaika selected to represent the Maroons. Hasler will have David Fifita on deck after he was again overlooked by Queensland coach Billy Slater.
The Eels have endured a tough season and currently sit 16th on the ladder. They have lost four in a row however have shown promising signs in glimpses throughout recent matches.
The challenge for interim coach Trent Barrett is to ensure his side is able to put it together for the full 80 minutes.
The Eels will celebrate a milestone on the Gold Coast, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard set to play his 100th game for the club. The prop played 114 first-grade games for the Panthers before joining the Eels in 2020 and will become only the 32nd player in premiership history to reach a century for two clubs.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Titans v Eels
Team News
Titans: Titans coach Des Hasler has made a raft of late changes to his starting team with AJ Brimson (groin) named at fullback, Beau Fermor moving to the second-row and Phillip Sami (calf) coming into the side at centre. As a result, Keano Kini and Klese Haas shift to the bench, while Joe Stimson drops out. Jayden Campbell returns from a hand injury at five-eighthJosiah Pahulu takes over at prop from Maroons rep Moeaki Fotuaika. Jacob Alick-Wiencke was omitted from the extended squad in the 24-hour update, along with Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui and Jaylan De Groot.
Eels: Daejarn Asi takes over at halfback from Blues No.7 Mitch Moses while Lorenzo Mulitalo makes his NRL debut on the wing with Blaize Talagi shifts to the centres and Sean Russell dropping to the reserves. Charlie Guymer starts at lock after an impressive debut off the bench last week while Matt Doorey also comes into the starting side with Shaun Lane on the bench. Luca Moretti joins the bench in place of Junior Paulo (foot). Makahesi Makatoa is 18th man, with Morgan Harper playing NSW Cup, while Isaac Lumelume, Joey Lussick and Wiremu Greig were cut from the extended squad on Friday.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Titans is number 18 AJ BrimsonFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Eels is number 2 Jake Tago
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Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Titans is number 17 Phillip SamiCentre for Eels is number 4 Blaize Talagi
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Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo FifitaWinger for Eels is number 5 Lorenzo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden CampbellFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
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Halfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran ForanHalfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn Asi
Forwards
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Prop for Titans is number 8 Josiah PahuluProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
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Prop for Titans is number 10 Erin ClarkProp for Eels is number 10 Joe Ofahengaue
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2nd Row for Titans is number 4 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Ryan Matterson
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2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Matt Doorey
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Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris RandallLock for Eels is number 13 Charlie Guymer
Interchange
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Interchange for Titans is number 1 Keano KiniInterchange for Eels is number 14 Matthew Arthur
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Interchange for Titans is number 12 Klese HaasInterchange for Eels is number 15 Shaun Lane
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Interchange for Titans is number 14 Isaac LiuInterchange for Eels is number 16 Luca Moretti
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Interchange for Titans is number 16 Keenan PalasiaInterchange for Eels is number 17 Bryce Cartwright
Reserves
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Replacement for Titans is number 20 Tanah BoydReplacement for Eels is number 18 Makahesi Makatoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have not defeated the Eels at Cbus Super Stadium since 2017.
- The Eels have won eight of their past nine games against the Titans
- Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored four tries in two games against the Eels.
- Winger Blaize Talagi has scored a try in his last seven games for the Eels.
- The Titans have won only two of their past seven games at Cbus Super Stadium.
Match: Titans v Eels
Round 19 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Eels
16th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
