Match Preview: Titans v Eels

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 3 May 2023, 12:00 PM

The Eels will bring Magic Round to its grand finale on Sunday when they face the Gold Coast Titans in the last match of the week at Suncorp Stadium.

On the back of their most complete performance of the season against Newcastle, Parramatta will be out to continue their climb up the competition ladder with a top 8 place in their sights.

The Eels face a Titans team fresh off an important win, but will be buoyed by the return of two key players and a fantastic record against the Gold Coast.

Classic Encounter: Eels v Titans

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Team News

Andrew Davey, who has rejoined the club with immediate effect, is set to make his second Eels debut after being named to start in the second row.

The Eels are further boosted by the returns of Bailey Simonsson and Ryan Matterson. Simonsson slots in at centre, while Matterson joins the bench.

The Titans have lost AJ Brimson to a hamstring injury, with Jayden Campbell replacing him at fullback.

Kieran Foran played through injury in the Titans’ match last week, but has been named to play in Magic Round.

Round 10 - Round 10 - Sunday 7 May

Full Time

Titans

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jayden Campbell

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Titans is number 4 Jojo Fifita

Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami

Winger for Eels is number 5 Haze Dunster
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Eels is number 8 Wiremu Greig
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Andrew Davey
Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 15 Erin Clark

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Bryce Cartwright
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese Haas

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Joe Vuna

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Ryan Matterson
Interchange for Titans is number 18 Keano Kini

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves

Replacement for Titans is number 14 Kruise Leeming

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Arthur

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:50 AM

Form Guide

The Eels are coming into good form with four wins from their last six. They put in their strongest performance of the season to date in last week’s 43-12 thumping of the Knights at CommBank Stadium.

The Titans have been good in patches this season and are coming off an away win at Manly last week. This came after back-to-back losses to the Broncos and Dolphins.

Justin Holdbrook’s team are currently two points ahead of Parramatta on the premiership table, but the Eels hold a far superior points differential and would leapfrog the Gold Coast club with a win on Sunday.

Recent History

The Eels’ recent record over the Titans is phenomenal. The Blue & Gold have won each of their last seven meetings with the Gold Coast, including last season’s clean sweep.

Match Highlights: Titans v Eels

Key Match-Up

Andrew Davey is set for a baptism of fire in his Eels return as he opposes David Fifita in the back row.

Davey, a defensive workhorse, will go up against one of the NRL's most destructive edge forwards and be tasked with limiting Fifita's impact with the ball in hand.

Key Stat

The Eels have not been defeated by the Titans in over six years, with the Gold Coast’s last win coming in March 2017. The only remaining Eels player from that match is Clint Gutherson, who played five-eighth on that occasion.