Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 17 clash between the Gold Coast Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Gold Coast Titans Vs North Queensland Cowboys
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Date: Sunday, June 29, 4:05 pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Sean Mullany 22. Brian Kelly
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Kaiden Lahrs 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Braidon Burns 22. Marly Bitungane
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Adam Gee
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Sunday afternoon football sees a Queensland derby between two teams who are underperforming this season. The Cowboys have conceded 138 points in their last three games, and have the worst for-and-against with a points difference of -140. The Titans are not far behind, having a points difference of -138 and sitting in last place.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten said in the post-match press conference that his side got bullied and it was ‘men against boys for a little bit’, which was a fair assessment. The Cowboys can be effective in attack, although they haven’t scored many points in their last three games. However, that is because they have put themselves under too much pressure in defence. Some Cowboys fans are calling for changes to players in key positions, with Payten making some to the team’s line-up this week.
Jake Clifford returns to the starting side at five-eighth, with Jaxon Purdue moving back to the centres. Braidon Burns, who played in the centres last week, moves to the reserves. Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter are back after missing last week’s game. Karl Lawton has been suspended and will miss two games. Both Kai O’Donnell and Thomas Duffy drop to the reserves.
The Titans are a side that can match any team in the competition, but not for the full 80 minutes. That was evident in their loss to the ever-improving Eels. The Titans were only two points behind at half-time and then four points behind with 14 minutes remaining, before conceding two tries to lose the game.
Jayden Campbell is out due to concussion protocols, and Tom Weaver replaces him at halfback. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika return to the starting side after coming off the bench in the Eels’ loss. Klese Haas moves from lock to the bench, while Jaimin Joliffe moves from the front row to the bench.
This is a big game for both coaches: a loss here could mean one step closer to Des Hasler or Payten losing their jobs. Payten has tinkered with his side all season, trying to find the right halves combination. He has gone back to Jake Clifford and Tom Dearden in the halves, and this is the right call. They hold the key to the Cowboys’ victory this weekend.
For the Titans, Tom Weaver steps into the halfback position for Jayden Campbell, and he will need to have a big match if the Titans are to be victorious. He will have one of the most experienced five-eighths in the game beside him in Kieran Foran, who will help him out anyway he can. But it will be up to Weaver to lead the side around.
This game has the potential to either be a close one or a points fest: it depends on which team shows up on the day.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Cowboys by 16 points.
Check out our round 17 predictions here.
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