Titans v Sharks: Brimson returns; Wilton ruled out
The Titans have won five of their past six matches to emerge as genuine finals contenders on the back of some scintillating attacking football and a powerful pack led by David Fifita.
After trailing 18-10 at half-time against the Broncos on Saturday, the Titans produced seven second-half tries to serve notice that they can match it with anyone on their day.
Having downed the Sharks in Coffs Harbour just a month ago, Des Hasler's men go in brimming with confidence as they strut their stuff in front of another huge home crowd on the Gold Coast.
With Alofiana Khan-Pereira scoring tries for fun, Keano Kini dazzling at the back and Kieran Foran turning back the clock, the Titans have averaged 30ppg across the past six weeks so the Sharks need to be on high alert.
The Sharks are sitting in fourth spot with a 12-7 record on the back of a solid 20-6 win over the Rabbitohs but they go in without both first-choice halves in Braydon Trindall (hamstring) and Nicho Hynes (ankle).
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Titans v Sharks
Team News
Titans: A big in for the Titans on game day with AJ Brimson returning from a groin injury in the centres replacing Brian Kelly (illness). In a further change Tony Francis will join the interchange bench in place of Keenan Palasia, who goes to 18th man. Jaimin Jolliffe will start the game and Erin Clark goes to the bench. Klese Haas has come into the side after Beau Fermor suffered kidney bruising last weekend.
Sharks: A late switch with Toby Rudolf to start at prop and Royce Hunt reverting to the bench. Teig Wilton will miss the clash due to hamstring tightness so Siosifa Talakai will move from the bench to the starting side and Billy Burns has been promoted to the bench. With Braydon Trindall sidelined by a hamstring injury, Blayke Brailey has shifted to halfback, with skipper Cameron McInnes returning to hooker and Jack Williams lining up at lock. Braden Hamlin-Uele will also miss the game due to knee soreness.
Match: Titans v Sharks
Round 23 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano KiniFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip SamiCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Titans is number 18 AJ BrimsonCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo FifitaWinger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden CampbellFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran ForanHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Blayke Brailey
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Sharks is number 9 Cameron McInnes
-
Prop for Titans is number 15 Jaimin JolliffeProp for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Klese Haas2nd Row for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris RandallLock for Sharks is number 13 Jack Williams
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 10 Erin ClarkInterchange for Sharks is number 8 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Isaac LiuInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Jayden Berrell
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Josiah PahuluInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
-
Interchange for Titans is number 22 Tony FrancisInterchange for Sharks is number 20 Billy Burns
Reserves
-
Replacement for Titans is number 17 Keenan PalasiaReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Niwhai Puru
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have not defeated the Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium since 2017.
- The Sharks have won nine of their past 10 games against the Titans.
- The Titans have won four of their past five games at home.
- Sharks fullback Will Kennedy will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 10 tries in his past six games.
Match: Titans v Sharks
Round 23 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
