The leaders of the NRL Premiership take on the struggling Titans in the first game of the final day of Magic Round.
The Broncos certainly took the wind out of the Bulldogs’ sails last week, but the dogs had a strong second-half fightback that had Gus Gould scrambling to calculate if it was still doable in the last quarter. Shell was shocked at halftime, but it was an impressive second-half effort that suggests they are still the best team in the comp.
The Titans, however, have struggled defensively, conceding an average of 30 points per game. Last week, they lost to the Cowboys 50-18; in previous weeks, they lost to the Raiders at home 20-30; the previous week, they lost to the Dragons 38-16.
They have some fluency and consistency in attack, but their defense is letting them down, and the Bulldogs are expected to exploit this.
Last week, the Titans’ superior completion rate (86% vs. 79% for the Cowboys) should have laid a solid foundation, but conceding 13 line breaks, 48 tackle breaks, and 15 offloads would not have accomplished the task.
48 Missed tackles wass way too high (Tom Weaver 7, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 6, Chris Randall 5). Kick return was also a massive defecit for the Titans, 94m against 244m by the Cowboys.
The Bulldogs suffered three suspensions in their loss to the Broncos last week: Matt Burton (1 game), Josh Curran (3 games), and Sitili Tupouniua (5 weeks).
Bailey Hayward, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Kurtis Morrin come in to replace them. Blake Taaffe also joins the bench.
David Fifita was dropped off for the Titans after returning last week from a hamstring injury. Iszac Faasuamaleaui joins the Interchange, replacing the suspended Jaimin Jollife. Klese Haas and Josiah Pahulu also join the interchange. Brock Gray tore his ACL last week and will miss the rest of the season.
It’s hard to see the Titans getting much out of this game. The Bulldogs’ legendary defence can’t be breached two weeks in a row at Suncorp.
The game starts at Suncorp on Sunday at 1:45 p.m., broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo.
ACTIVATIONS FOR MAGIC ROUND AT SUNCORP
As well as the Steeden activation, handing out brand new size 3 footies in exchange for any old sports ball (basketball, netball, afl, nrl, football – any ball).
Other activations at Suncorp include:
The Harvey Norman Hub
The Westpac Catch & Keep
Red Bull and Levels present
Youi Fan Cam & Sign Station
The Chemist Warehouse – Fan Run On and Tackle Course
The Telstra Trophy Zone
The Hisense Commentary Box
See more about the activations halfway down this page:
Published Date 03-May-2025
