You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

An early-season rematch hands the Titans a chance for revenge for their round one loss to the Eels in what was a high-scoring shootout at CommBank Stadium.

That topsy-turvy game saw the Eels race out to a 10-0 lead inside 10 minutes and a total of 10 tries scored in the first 41 minutes of the match - five to each team - then none thereafter, with the Eels holding on to a 32-28 win largely thanks to three penalty goals. 

The team's fortunes have diverged a little since with the Eels' impressive past fortnight lifting them to third on the ladder and the Titans needing a last-gasp miracle try against the struggling Wests Tigers last week to earn a second win  of the season that has them sitting in ninth.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Titans v Eels

The Rundown

Team news

Titans: Beau Fermor, Phil Sami and Isaac Liu have been named to return to the starting side after they were ruled out following COVID-19 protocols last week. Sami switches to the centres in place of Brian Kelly. Young gun Jayden Campbell will be given another week off to nurse a rib injury with Jamayne Isaako to start again at fullback. Herman Ese’ese (COVID-19) dropped out of reserves list when the squad was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off. Sam Lisone is 18th man.

Eels: Ryan Matterson will start in the second-row in place of Shaun Lane, with Bryce Cartwright moving onto the bench. Lane had been named to return after missing last week's win over the Dragons but dropped out when the side was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Mitch Rein also comes into the 17 for his club debut.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jamayne Isaako
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
  • Winger for Titans is number 2 Corey Thompson
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Waqa Blake
  • Centre for Titans is number 3 Phillip Sami
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
  • Centre for Titans is number 4 Patrick Herbert
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Tom Opacic
  • Winger for Titans is number 5 Greg Marzhew
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
  • Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
  • Halfback for Titans is number 7 Toby Sexton
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

  • Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan  Campbell-Gillard
  • Hooker for Titans is number 9 Erin Clark
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Titans is number 10 Isaac Liu
    Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
  • 2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
  • 2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
    2nd Row for Eels is number 15 Ryan Matterson
  • Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
    Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange

  • Interchange for Titans is number 14 Will Smith
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi Makatoa
  • Interchange for Titans is number 15 Jarrod Wallace
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
  • Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin Jolliffe
    Interchange for Eels is number 17 Mitch Rein
  • Interchange for Titans is number 17 Kevin Proctor
    Interchange for Eels is number 18 Bryce Cartwright 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Titans is number 20 Sam Lisone
    Replacement for Eels is number 20 Hayze Perham

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated:

Key match-up

AJ Brimson v Dylan Brown: 23-year-old Maroons Origin utility AJ Brimson has made the switch to the halves this year and is making a good fist of it, including touching down for last week's match-winner. Meanwhile at the Eels, 21-year-old playmaker Dylan Brown is threatening to turn this into his true breakout season after a stunning opening month that has him right in the conversation for NRL's form player. 

Stat attack

The Eels have put up some impressive numbers the Titans will need to overcome. The blue-and-golds currently boast an NRL-best average possession rate of 54% and average completion rate of 83%. The Titans sit 14th for possession with 48% and 13th for completions at 72%. 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Premier Partner

Media Partners

Major Partners

View All Partners