Titans v Dolphins preview

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Gold Coast Titans v Dolphins Sunday 4:05pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

Finals hopefuls in a battle for survival

The Gold Coast Titans will be looking to rebound after a controversial narrow loss to Canberra when they take on the Dolphins to conclude the final Origin affected round of the 2023 season.

For Gold Coast, the Jim Lenihan era has begun rather promisingly with a win over big brother the Broncos, before a narrow loss to Canberra last week which they concede they should've won. However, it'll be up to the playing group to see how they deal with the challenge as they look to atone for their 26-0 blown lead against this opposition earlier in the season. 

To beat the Dolphins, it's about a full 80 minute performance for the Titans. They've competed for periods of matches this season, but have rarely consistently completed a full 80 performance. Some of the unsung members of their forward pack will need to consistently lift as well in the absence of some of their senior players to Origin duty. If they can give their speedy backs room to move against the Dolphins, then their season will continue to be alive.

The challenge grows harder with the loss of three big men from their pack in Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Mo Fotuaika. These men have been the big achievers up front this season and will be sorely missed. The loss of AJ Brimson is offset somewhat by the return of energiser bunny Jayden Campbell to the fullback jumper. Winger Phil Sami returns after being a late withdrawal from the Raiders game with a hamstring complaint so Jojo Fifita goes to the bench. Klese Haas, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui and Jaimin Jolliffe join the starting pack in place of Origin stars Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita. PNG forward Jacob Alick has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench.

For the Dolphins, they are starting to hit the wall as far as the weekly grind of NRL football. Two big thrashings followed by a somewhat spirited showing in the Battle of Brisbane has their season in survival mode.

On 18 points and only one further bye in play, wins are going to have to come at a premium if they want to collect a maiden finals birth this season.  They need to forget about the last few weeks and focus back to the good football they were playing at the start of 2023. That saw the Dolphins open up to a hot start and were very much in the finals picture.

If they can get back to that explosive style of footy without some of their more senior players, it'll make their return a lot smoother and a clearer path to finals footy and it starts with a Sunday victory.

Euan Aitken moves to the centres with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on Origin duty and Kodi Nikorima lines up at fullback again as he did in Round 18. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has been named despite battling an ongoing shoulder problem but veteran forward Felise Kaufusi (head knock) is out

 Jarrod Wallace and Anthony Milford both make their return from suspension on the bench while Herman Ese'ese moves into the starting side.

Last meeting: Round 8 2023 - Dolphins 28 Titans 26

Who to watch: It's now or never for Tanah Boyd. With rumours rumbling of Ben Hunt arriving in Surfers Paradise next year and with the club already clearing Toby Sexton from their books, it's clear that Boyd needs to step up if he's to feature in Des Hasler's 2024 plans. Boyd is a solid playmaker and has had a good season, but needs to be more effective in his kicking game and pin the Dolphins back to make it easier for their new look forward pack to shine. 

In the Dolphins camp, the focus similarly goes onto Isaiya Katoa. After a good start to his rookie season, it appears he's hit a wall in his first season in the big time. After being toyed around at hooker and the halves a fortnight ago, Katoa seemed to struggle to make an impact with his veteran halves partner SOS returning. Look for Katoa to prove us wrong and revitalise the Dolphins season. 

Favourite: Titans open up as slight favourites.

My tip: Even with the lack of stars playing due to the Titans heavy Origin commitments. I still expect them to get the chocolates in this one. After proving they aren't here to make up the numbers in the wake of Justin Holbrook's dismissal, they'll be looking to try and solidify a top 8 birth. The Dolphins will try all afternoon long, but will just fall short in a fun Sunday arvo game. Titans by 6.

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 14. Chris Randall 11. Klese Haas 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 10. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 15. Erin Clark 16. Jojo Fifita 17. Jacob Alick 19. Keano Kini

1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 19. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Ray Stone 10. Herman Ese'ese 14. Josh Kerr 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace 22. Kurt Donoghoe

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Wyatt Raymond, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Adam Gee;