NRL Match Preview: Round 24

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 15 Aug 2025, 02:59 PM

Craig Fitzgibbon will hope to mark his 100th game as Cronulla coach with a win when his team hosts the Titans in an Indigenous Round crunch match at Sharks Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

24-hour squad

Despite stumbling against the Dragons last week, the seventh-placed Sharks remain in control of their destiny with three games and a bye ahead of the finals.

Fitzgibbon, who took charge of the Sharks in 2022, is aiming to guide the club to the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. A top-four finish isn't out of the question, but Cronulla won't be looking past a dangerous Gold Coast outfit.

"The Titans have shown a real fight and energy in the last few weeks," said Fitzgibbon, who will become the fourth coach to bring up a ton with the Sharks.

"They went to the wire (against Souths) last week, pushed Penrith to the wire and won in New Zealand. There's a formline that's suggesting they'll be a handful.

"We've got to make sure we're a handful for them and give them a tough arvo because they do have good players. Kieran Foran's nearing the end of the line and he'll want to be performing well to finish his career as well."

The Coach's Mail - Round 24

Ball security will be front of mind for the Sharks, with a 63% completion rate proving their undoing in a 22-14 defeat to St George Illawarra last round.

Still, having been in strong form prior to that slip with four straight victories, Fitzgibbon is confident his side won't take long to regain their rhythm.

"We've got to get back to business pretty quickly," he said.

"It's pretty easy to clear that up. Your energy takes a hit and your clarity in the way you want to play when you keep dropping the ball and giving away penalties. Fixing the mental side of that is the most important thing for us."

The Sharks will need to do it without second-rower Briton Nikora (suspension), centre Jesse Ramien (broken thumb) and prop Oregon Kaufusi (calf strain).

Mawene Hiroti comes in for Ramien while Billy Burns is listed in Nikora's place. Both men have performed capably when given their chance this season.

"Mawene was in the side earlier in the year and playing really well. He's actually been playing fullback for the Jets and playing such good footy," Fitzgibbon said.

"I think he showed what he was capable of. He finished a few games playing on one leg for us earlier in the year, so he's got something about him, Ma.

"Billy's a real spirit guy for us, a real energy guy, and it turns out when Bill's played in the back row we've done alright too," the coach added.

For the Titans, captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is back at lock after a three-week absence with a knee injury. Strike centre Brian Kelly is out after copping a head knock, but Phillip Sami (concussion) has been named in his stead.

Queensland Origin forward Moeaki Fotuaika (illness) will also return, while in another major boost, elusive back Keano Kini has been elevated to the interchange for his first match since Round 3 after a neck injury.

Fitzgibbon's century isn't the only milestone on the cards this week, with the Sharks hunting their 700th premiership victory in their 1418th game.

Cronulla have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Gold Coast, their only blemish being a 20-16 upset in Coffs Harbour last season. The Sharks rebounded from that with a 44-0 shellacking on the Glitter Strip in Round 23, 2024.

Kick-off is set for 3pm. CLICK HERE to secure a value-charged ticket – see two epic matches for the price of one with an NRLW blockbuster up first!

Round 24 - Round 24 - Saturday 16 Aug

Full Time

Sharks

Titans

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Titans is number 2 Jaylan De Groot
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene Hiroti

Centre for Titans is number 3 Phillip Sami
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai

Centre for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Titans is number 5 Tony Francis
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden Campbell

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Chris Randall
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Titans is number 17 Josh Patston
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange for Titans is number 15 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Titans is number 16 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Interchange for Titans is number 18 Keano Kini
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Titans is number 19 Jacob Alick-Wiencke

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson

Replacement for Titans is number 20 Tukimihia Simpkins

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 8/22/2025 5:46:03 AM

Stat Attack

The Sharks have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Titans.
The Titans have not won at Sharks Stadium since 2017.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 40 tries in 40 games at Sharks Stadium.
Titans centre Phillip Sami has scored five tries in his last three games.