Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League Magic Round clash between the Gold Coast Titans and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Gold Coast Titans Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Sunday May 4, 1:50pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Klese Haas 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Tony Francis 19. David Fifita 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Allan Fitzgibbon
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Chris Butler
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will be hunting a much-needed response when they meet the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium in this year’s Magic Round.
After being humbled by the Broncos in a heavy 42–18 defeat last Thursday, the Bulldogs face a real character test — one made even tougher by the loss of three key players to suspension (Matt Burton, Josh Curran, and Sitili Tupouniua).
Despite last week’s setback, the Bulldogs still sit atop the NRL ladder (two points ahead of Melbourne, Canberra, and the NZ Warriors), a position that reflects their impressive start to 2025.
But history suggests they’ll need to overcome more than just missing troops this weekend. Canterbury are yet to win a Magic Round fixture since the concept’s introduction, with previous appearances marked by narrow losses and missed opportunities: including three losses to Canberra by a combined 10 points (20-18 in 2021, 34-30 in 2023, 24-20 in 2024).
Sunday’s clash offers a real chance to break that streak against a struggling Titans outfit.
The Gold Coast have endured a difficult campaign, sitting near the foot of the table and arriving in Brisbane battered from a 50–18 thrashing by the Cowboys.
Confidence is low for the Titans, but they’ll relish the chance to cause an upset. David Fifita has been demoted to the extended bench. Iszac Faasuamaleaui replaces the suspended Jaimin Jolliffe
In head-to-head history, the Bulldogs have held the upper hand (13-12 since 1998, including a 40-24 win in round 2 this season). However, the Titans have shown in the past that they can trouble the Bulldogs if given momentum — none more memorably than in 2022 when Gold Coast snatched a dramatic comeback win at Cbus Super Stadium.
For Canterbury, the big question is whether they can bounce back the way they did last season.
In 2024, they responded to every defeat with a strong, disciplined performance the following week, showing the kind of resilience that defines premiership contenders.
With several key players sidelined, this match will be a major test of the club’s depth and the ability of their next-man-up mentality. Bailey Hayward is at five-eighth, with Daniel Suluka-Fifita is in the front row. Kurtis Morrin and Blake Taaffe are on the bench.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo will be demanding a much sharper performance, knowing that the competition at the top is fierce and every slip could open the door for chasing sides.
A statement win here would not only reinforce the Bulldogs’ title ambitions but also finally give their fans a Magic Round memory worth celebrating.
For the Titans, it’s about pride and a chance to spark their season back into life.
With both teams under pressure for different reasons, this match-up promises plenty of fire and desperation — just what Magic Round is all about.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Bulldogs by 18 points.
Check out our Magic Round predictions here.
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