Titans v Cowboys preview

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

A Sunday afternoon Queensland Derby sees two sides out of form trying to break their downward spiral as the Gold Coast Titans play host to the North Queensland Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium.

The Titans come into the contest sitting in last spot on the NRL ladder with just four wins this season. The performances from the Gold Coast this season have been the definition of inconsistent with some excellent performances scattered with some poor performances through the season which has been shown by the decent performance against the Storm three weeks ago despite losing that game. The inconsistencies were on show with a heavy loss against Brisbane but then a win over Manly before the loss last week against the Titans.

Last weeks performance against the Eels was typical of a side at the bottom of the ladder as they went through stages of playing good football but at the same time struggled at times against the Eels who themselves weren't exactly perfect. The loss of Jayden Campbell during the game didn't help the Titans but they shot themselves in the foot a few times in their 36-20 loss.

Titans coach Des Hasler has been forced into bringing Tom Weaver into the halves after the head knock to Jayden Campbell. The other change sees Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Mo Fotuaika returning to the starting side after being named on the bench last week after their origin effort.

Arguably the most out of form team in the competition, the North Queensland Cowboys have won just one of their past eight matches which came against the Tigers back in Round 13 and even then that performance almost saw them crumble from a 32-6 lead to almost losing the game and before that a fortunate draw against the Panthers. Since that win, the Cowboys have conceded 138 points in three matches (38, 58, 42) in their losses to Melbourne, Dolphins and the Roosters.

The performance last week again from the Cowboys was insipid with no real spark from the side and even though they were missing Origin players, the Cowboys still have enough talent on the park to compete with the best sides but there was a complete lack of effort. The defensive fragility has been a major issue and there is a big issue again especially with the ease the Roosters had.

Team wise, after being "praised" for bringing Jaxon Purdue into the halves, the subsequent performances have forced Todd Payten's hand into moving Purdue back to the centres whilst Jake Clifford comes back into the halves. The Cowboys also have Origin representatives Reece Robson and Ruben Cotter returning into the side.

Last meeting: Round 8 2025 - Cowboys 50 Titans 18

Who to watch: AJ Brimson is a lightning player when he's at his best and he showed it during the victory over the Manly Sea Eagles a few weeks ago. Last week, he struggled and this has been the problem for the Gold Coast for a while that Brimson can turn up and star one day then go missing on the next. The Titans will need Brimson to take control if they want to beat the Cowboys.

Coming into the side, Jake Clifford doesn't need to be a miracle worker (just yet) but the decision to bring a proven half back into the side is a big step forward for the Cowboys. Clifford's control of the game will be vital to a side that can sometimes inflate it's ego a bit much and settle the Cowboys down.

The favourite: The Cowboys are favourites.

My tip: 

The Cowboys have been horrendously out of form but they have enough on paper to get the win. It is a game that could go in so many different directions that there is very little confidence in my tip. Cowboys by 4

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tom Weaver 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Sean Mullany 22. Brian Kelly

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Kaiden Lahrs 20. Kai O'Donnell 21. Braidon Burns 22. Marly Bitungane

Referees: Wyatt Raymond; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Clayton Wills; Video Referees: Adam Gee;