The Gold Coast Titans are determined to keep the momentum rolling as they kick off the inaugural NRLW Magic Round with a clash against the Bulldogs.
After a tough start to the season, the Titans have now won back-to-back games to breathe life into their campaign.
Another win this weekend will send a warning shot to the rest of the competition that they are genuine title contenders.
Canterbury have experienced the opposite challenge, winning their first two games before losses to the Dragons and Roosters.
Saturday's match provides an opportunity to steady the ship as they look to launch a mid-season surge.
The battle between Titans halfback Lauren Brown and Bulldogs counterpart Tayla Preston is set to be fascinating, with both playmakers among the best on-field generals in the competition.
Preston boasts an elite kicking game, while Brown possesses an attacking unpredictability that makes her hard to contain.
Match: Titans v Bulldogs
Round 5 -
home Team
Titans
7th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
6th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Titans: After a handful of late changes to her forward pack last week, Karyn Murphy has reverted back to her original make up for Saturday's clash. Sienna Lofipo has been named at prop, with Lily-Rose Kolc at hooker and Georgia Hale at lock. Takoda Thompson shifts back to the bench as a result. No changes to the backline as the Titans chase three in a row. Taliah Fuimaono and Megan Pakulis remained in the squad when it was trimmed on Friday.
Bulldogs: Holli Wheeler has not been named in a major blow for the Bulldogs, with Shannon Muru coming into the starting side as a result. Adi Buleki's return to the wing sees Bridget Hoy drop back to the reserves, while Hope Millard is back at prop after acting as 18th player last week. Kalosipani Hopoate has been named on the interchange after starting against the Roosters last Saturday. Paea Uilou is the other new face on the bench. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update with Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau is the 18th player.
Match: Titans v Bulldogs
Round 5 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jaime ChapmanFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie Robinson
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Georgia GreyWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Elizabeth MacGregor
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Sarina MasagaCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Monica Tagoai
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Ivana LolesioCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Moana Courtenay
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Winger for Titans is number 5 Lily PatstonWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Adi Vani Buleki
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Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Pauline Piliae-RasabaleFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
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Halfback for Titans is number 7 Lauren BrownHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
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Prop for Titans is number 10 Jessika EllistonProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
-
Hooker for Titans is number 13 Georgia HaleHooker for Bulldogs is number 14 Anneka Wilson
-
Prop for Titans is number 15 Laikha ClarkeProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Hope Millard
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Jasmine Solia2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Shannon Muru
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2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Latisha Smythe
-
Lock for Titans is number 8 Sienna LofipoLock for Bulldogs is number 16 Paea Uilou
Interchange
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Interchange for Titans is number 9 Lily-Rose KolcInterchange for Bulldogs is number 9 Ebony Prior
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Interchange for Titans is number 14 Lailani MontgomeryInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Shaniece Monschau
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Interchange for Titans is number 16 Natasha PenitaniInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kalosipani Hopoate
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Interchange for Titans is number 17 Takoda ThompsonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 22 Pauline Suli-Ruka
Reserves
-
Replacement for Titans is number 18 Taliah Fuimaono
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 18 Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans are aiming for three consecutive wins for the first time since 2023.
- The Bulldogs’ line-up is the youngest in the NRLW in Round 5 (average age 23 and 140 days).
- The Titans have lost both games played at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
