Matchday Details
Saturday, 2 May 2026 – 3:00pm AEST – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
📺 Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Grant Atkins | Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Sialetili Faeamani, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. AJ Brimson, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Lachlan Ilias, 7. Jayden Campbell, 8. Kurtis Morrin, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c), 11. Arama Hau, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Chris Randall, 14. Oliver Pascoe, 15. Cooper Bai, 16. Moeaki Fotuaika, 17. Klese Haas, 18. Jaylan De Groot, 19. Josh Patston, 20. Zane Harrison, 21. Adam Christensen, 22. Bodhi Sharpley
Canberra Raiders: 1.Kaeo Weekes , 2. Savelio Tamale , 3. Sebastian Kris , 4. Matthew Timoko , 5. Jed Stuart, 6. Ethan Strange , 7. Ethan Sanders , 8. Corey Horsburgh , 9. Tom Starling , 10. Joseph Tapine (c) , 11. Ata Mariota , 12. Simi Sasagi , 13. Jayden Brailey, 14. Chevy Stewart , 15. Daine Laurie , 16. Morgan Smithies , 17. Joe Roddy , 18. Owen Pattie, 19. Jordan Uta , 20. Ethan Alaia, 21. Jake Clydsdale, 22. Sione Fainu
Match Preview
What might not look like an important match, looking at the current state of the ladder, will in fact be a crucial game for both these teams when they meet on the Gold Coast this Saturday afternoon.
The Titans sit 13th and have had a week to refresh their minds after a frustrating first eight rounds after a bye. If they come out and dish up another sub-par performance, any post-bye freshness they have obtained mentally will all but be gone in 80 minutes. The Raiders sit below them in 14th, but have a bye up their sleeves, meaning that essentially they are two points ahead on the ladder. A costly trip to Leichardt last week saw Canberra lose more than just two potential competition points after Adam Doueihi had his way with yet another victim of his hot form this season.
In team news the Titans welcome back AJ Brimson, who was a late omission from the squad against the Warriors in Round 7, but for a nice reason, welcoming the birth of his second child. Brimson takes his regular role back at left centre, meaning Jaylan De Groot falls back onto the interchange bench. Cooper Bai after the bye says goodbye to the 13 role with Chris Randall returning from a calf injury.
The Canberra Raiders built a casualty ward worthy of Anzac Round after losing both their starting back rowers from last week in Zac Hosking (concussion) and Noah Martin (ankle). The return of Simi Sasagi (hamstring) is more than timely as he returns to his usual spot in the back row after a sensational start at right centre to begin the season. Matthew Timoko and Sebastian Kris are back into the starting centres like we saw many times last season, meaning there are some new faces on the bench, with the likes of Chevy Stewart getting an opportunity, and Owen Pattie named on reserves, with fans hopeful we might see him come back and make a strong impact.
The struggles of these two teams have been well-documented over the first eight rounds of the season, leaving both coaches scratching their heads on what needs to happen to turn their fortunes around. Defence seems to be the obvious answer, with both teams conceding 25 and 26 points per game. The rule changes have seen an uptick in the amount of points being scored per game, but if you look at the likes of Penrith as a benchmark, it’s pretty clear the Raiders and Titans are some way away from this. When you’re giving up so many points per game it can only be forgiven if the offence is also ticking over similar numbers. This isn’t the case with both these teams averaging under 20 points per game due to lack of execution, and poor discipline resulting in not enough ball.
The Titans will look at footage of the Raiders’ loss to the Tigers last week and will be encouraged by how poor the Raiders’ right edge defence was. Jed Stuart, Matt Timoko, Sasagi, and Ethan Strange will be under strict instructions to fix the lack of defensive cohesion displayed last Thursday night. The Titans’ left edge attack hasn’t been as effective since the departure of Khan-Pereira to the Warriors, but this week presents the perfect opportunity to exploit an under-fire Raiders right edge through the likes of Philip Sami, Brimson, and Beau Fermor. This is where the game will be won and lost. If Canberra fix up this issue they take the win: if the Titans execute their game plan, which I assume will explore this vulnerability, I lean towards the Titans continuing the Raiders’ struggles.
It is worth noting that Fermor will make his 100th appearance in the NRL this weekend, so hopefully a big game from him to celebrate the occasion. The Titans will have to overcome some bogey team issues though, not beating Canberra at home since 2018 and losing their last six matches in a row against the men in green.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Raiders by 6.
Bold call: Beau Fermor scores his first try for the season in game 100.
Related
- NRL Round 9 Predictions
- NRL Round 9 Team Lists
- NRL Round 9 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
