Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 16 clash between the Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Parramatta Eels Vs Gold Coast Titans
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Date: Sunday June 22, 6:15pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Matt Doorey 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Jordan Samrani 18. Joey Lussick 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Dan Keir 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Moeaki Fotuaika 18. David Fifita 19. Tukimihia Simpkins 20. Sean Mullany 21. Tom Weaver 22. Brian Kelly
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Liam Kennedy
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Sunday sees the bottom two teams, the Eels and Titans, go head-to-head in a desperate battle to climb the ladder and avoid the dreaded wooden spoon. While finals footy remains a long shot for both sides, the competition is tight — with just four points separating them from sixth place, a short winning streak could dramatically reshape their seasons.
The Eels return from a bye, having impressed despite a loss to an in-form Bulldogs outfit. Jason Ryles’ defensive systems are beginning to click, with Parramatta showing resilience under pressure and holding out a Dogs side that dominated possession for large periods.
However, their return isn’t as rejuvenating as hoped. Captain Mitchell Moses sustained an injury during Origin training, ruling him out this week. Dean Hawkins comes back into the fold, while Joash Papalii earns a start at five-eighth with Dylan Brown suspended. In the forwards, Wiremu Greig makes his first appearance of the season off the bench.
On the other side, the Titans stunned critics with a commanding win over Manly last week, snapping their losing streak in style. They remain last on the ladder on points differential, but a win on Sunday would see them leapfrog the Eels.
The Titans have named what could be their strongest line-up of the year. Origin stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika are set to back up, while David Fifita has been named 18th Man and could make a return from ankle surgery pending late changes. Jojo Fifita replaces Brian Kelly in the backline.
For the Eels to come away with the win, they’ll need to continue building the defensive steel they’ve developed in recent weeks — built on trust, patience, and structure, all traits that were lacking earlier in the year. While Moses’ absence is a blow, Hawkins has proven steady, and Papalii has impressed in both NSW Cup and his early NRL outings.
The Titans, meanwhile, will be hoping last week’s win is a turning point, not an anomaly. Their forward pack is powerful, and they boast serious speed out wide. With veteran Kieran Foran steering the ship, the Titans have the experience advantage in the halves against a young and relatively untested pairing.
It’s a toss-up. A week ago, most would have backed the Eels. With Moses out, the bookies lean towards the Titans. But on recent form and defensive improvements, the Eels may just have enough to edge it — but it’s close to a coin flip.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Eels by 4 points.
Check out our round 16 predictions here.
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