The official team lists are in for Titans vs Sharks, with Gold Coast recalling Arama Hau and Cronulla regaining Addin Fonua-Blake but losing Braydon Trindall. We’ve assessed where those changes create the strongest anytime try scorer and player-prop opportunities for punters.
Biggest Winners – Titans
Arama Hau
Hau returns directly into the starting back row after Josh Patston was ruled out following a failed HIA. The starting role gives him a better opportunity for minutes and attacking involvement.
Our Tip: Arama Hau – Anytime Try Scorer
Phillip Sami
Sami remains on the wing and needs one try to break Anthony Don’s Titans try-scoring record. With Brimson inside him, he’s the Gold Coast outside back I’d target first.
Our Tip: Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
Jayden Campbell
Campbell stays at five-eighth alongside Lachlan Ilias and remains Gold Coast’s most dangerous attacking creator.
Our Tip: Jayden Campbell – 1+ Try Assist
Biggest Losers – Titans
Josh Patston
Patston is unavailable after suffering a head knock against Newcastle, opening the starting back-row position for Hau.
Our Tip: Arama Hau – Over Tackles
Sam Verrills
Verrills drops out of the extended squad, with Luke Sommerton brought into the 19-man group as the back-up hooker.
Betting Impact: I’d avoid Verrills markets and concentrate on Gold Coast’s established starters.
Titans Edge Defence
This is the matchup that concerns me most for Gold Coast. Cronulla have Ronaldo Mulitalo and KL Iro combining on their left edge, while the Titans have conceded 108 points across their past three matches.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Winners – Sharks
Ronaldo Mulitalo
Mulitalo has scored seven tries in his past six games against the Titans, making his anytime market one of the strongest statistical angles in the game.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Addin Fonua-Blake
Fonua-Blake returns from his one-game suspension and immediately goes back into the starting front row, pushing Oregon Kaufusi to the bench.
Our Tip: Addin Fonua-Blake – Over Run Metres
Sione Katoa
Katoa remains on Cronulla’s right wing and should get scoring opportunities if the Sharks dominate territory against a struggling Gold Coast defence.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Losers – Sharks
Braydon Trindall
Trindall is out after suffering a shoulder dislocation against Canberra, forcing Niwhai Puru into the halves alongside Nicho Hynes.
Our Tip: Nicho Hynes – 1+ Try Assist
Niwhai Puru
Puru gets another NRL opportunity but takes on a bigger role following Trindall’s injury. He has won all three of his NRL appearances for Cronulla this season.
Betting Impact: Rather than backing Puru individually, I’d target Hynes to take greater responsibility for Cronulla’s attack.
Sharks’ Right Edge
Gold Coast still possess plenty of attacking ability through AJ Brimson, Phillip Sami and Jayden Campbell.
Our Tip: Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
Early Betting Verdict
The standout matchup is Cronulla’s outside backs against a Titans defence that has conceded 108 points across its past three games. The Sharks have also dominated this matchup historically, winning 12 of their past 13 against Gold Coast.
Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Seven tries from his past six games against Gold Coast is difficult to ignore, particularly given the Titans’ recent defensive problems.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Rather than only targeting one Cronulla edge, Katoa gives us another way into the Sharks’ try-scoring markets if they dominate possession.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
Sami has the added motivation of becoming the Titans’ outright club record holder for tries and remains one of their most dangerous finishers.
Our Tip: Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
Nicho Hynes – Try Assists
Trindall’s absence should place even more creative responsibility on Hynes, particularly inside Gold Coast’s 20.
Our Tip: Nicho Hynes – 1+ Try Assist
Addin Fonua-Blake – Run Metres
AFB returns straight into the starting side against a Titans team that has lost its past three matches. His return is one of the clearest team-list-driven forward props.
Our Tip: Addin Fonua-Blake – Over Run Metres
Arama Hau – Tackles
Hau’s promotion from Queensland Cup into the starting back row should give him considerably more defensive involvement.
Our Tip: Arama Hau – Over Tackles
Best Bet From The Team Lists
Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
This is my preferred bet from the selections. Gold Coast have conceded 108 points in three games, while Mulitalo has crossed seven times in his past six appearances against the Titans.
Cronulla have also won 12 of the past 13 meetings, so their outside backs should get opportunities if that dominance continues.
Our Tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo – Anytime Try Scorer
I’d also check his 2+ Tries market with Sportsbet and TAB for a higher-priced option.
Value Bet
Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
Rather than taking another short-priced Shark, Sami gives us a Titans angle. He’s one try away from becoming Gold Coast’s outright all-time leading try scorer and remains outside AJ Brimson.
Our Tip: Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
