It shapes up as a crucial clash between the Titans and Dolphins with both sides sitting just outside the top eight as the Gold Coast side look to avenge a historic loss from when the two teams met in Round 8.
It was a tale of two halves the last time these sides met, with the Dolphins miraculously running down the Titans to win 28-26 after trailing 26-0, matching the greatest comeback in NRL history.
With a win, the Titans will remain in 10th spot at the end of Round 19 but level with the eighth-placed Rabbitohs and ninth-placed Cowboys on 22 points.
MATCH CENTRE: Titans vs Dolphins, stats, scores, videos
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
If the Dolphins win, they’ll only be two points out of the eight, but a loss would mean the NRL’s newest club will be facing an uphill battle to play finals footy this season.
The Titans will be fielding an inexperienced forward pack for this Queensland derby with David Fifita, Mo Fotuaika and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui all on Origin duty.
They’ll be replaced in the starting line-up by Jaimin Jolliffe, Klese Hass and interestingly, Chris Randall.
Randall, usually a reserve dummy-half, has been named to start at prop.
This gives the opportunity for PNG forward Jacob Alick to make his NRL debut off the bench.
AJ Brimson will take the suspended Reece Walsh’s spot at fullback for Queensland in Game III, meaning livewire Jayden Campbell gets the chance to excite at the back for the Titans.
MORE NRL NEWS
BIG HITS: Instant impact from Dogs recruit as Latrell replacement stars
‘STICK IT UP YOU KNOW WHERE’: Burton calls out fan’s ugly act during conversion
BIG HITS: Metcalf ‘blinder’ brings five-game winning run to grinding halt
Laser in crowd halts Burton’s conversion | 00:42
For the Dolphins, hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has been ruled out with a hamstring injury after initially being named in the starting side. Second-gamer Harrison Graham will make his first career start at dummy-half.
Euan Aitken starts at centre with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in Origin camp with Kodi Nikorima again at fullback after a strong showing in the number 1 jersey against Brisbane last week.
Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace return from three game suspensions but both will start on the bench.
In a late switch, Mark Nicholls will start in the front with Hermen Ese’ese to now come off the bench.
Gold Coast Titans vs Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium, 4.05pm AEST
Titans team: 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 18th man: 19. Keano Kini
Players cut: 18. Thomas Mikaele 20. Kruise Leeming 21. Ken Maumalo 22. Tony Francis
Dolphins team: 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 18th man: 22. Kurt Donoghoe
Players cut: 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 18. Max Plath 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Brenko Lee
CAN’T WATCH THE ACTION. FOLLOW ALONG IN OUR LIVE BLOG. CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE
