Queensland's little bros battle for supremacy

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Gold Coast Titans v Dolphins Saturday 5:30pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

Another Queensland Derby comes out way on Saturday afternoon when the two youngest Queensland teams take each other on as the in-form Gold Coast Titans play host to the Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium.

The Gold Coast Titans come into the contest off the back of two straight wins with impressive performances against Newcastle and the Roosters. Last weekend, the Titans performance against the Roosters came away from home in a performance that was tough.

The most impressive part of the Gold Coast performance last week was how quickly they were able to turn an arm-wrestle into a non-contest as the Roosters threw everything at them and they were defensively strong as they overturned a 12-6 deficit to take the 30-12 win. The way the Titans were able to put the Roosters to the sword was the most impressive.

Gold Coast coach Des Hasler has been forced into two changes with Sam Verrills suffering a hip injury last week which sees Chris Randall named in the hooker role. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui is out with an ankle injury with Jamin Joliffe returning after missing two games and Sean Mullaney named for his NRL debut

As one of just two teams without a win so far in 2025, the Dolphins have probably played at times better than their 0-4 start for the season reads in what was an interrupted start to the season just like the Titans. The Dolphins were narrow losers in round 1 to Souths after an uncertain week but some questions had to be asked after being outplayed by the Knights.

The performance a fortnight ago from the Dolphins is the most concerning given they held an 18-12 lead over the Wests Tigers at Half Time before collapsing to a 30-12 loss. The performance last week in the wet in Brisbane from the Redcliffe side wasn't too bad and showed that a win is closer than not. 

One change for the Dolphins' 17 with Connelly Lemulelu returning from injury into the side, Max Plath moves from Second Row to lock to cover the suspended Tom Gilbert.

Last meeting: Round 21 2024 - Dolphins 14 Titans 21

Who to watch: 

Titans fullback Jayden Campbell has been on of the most exciting young players in the NRL for a long time but last week he showed that class being a big part of the Roosters comeback. The son of an NRL legend, Campbell showed his guile as defensively he was good but it was his magic in attack that put the Titans away including with an impressive intercept.

Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa is an exciting young player and his form has been good, but if the Dolphins want to get their first win of the season they are going to need have Katoa firing. The speed Katoa possesses is a weapon and there are chinks in the Gold Coast defence.

The favourite: The Titans are favourites for the clash

My tip:Titans by 8.

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 12. Beau Fermor 4. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 15. David Fifita 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Sean Mullany 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray 18. Arama Hau 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Max Plath 10. Felise Kaufusi 14. Kurt Donoghoe 12. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Ray Stone 19. Josh Kerr 18. Sean O'Sullivan

Referees: Wyatt Raymond; Sideline Officials: Belinda Sharpe, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Adam Gee;