Two losses in a fortnight have seen Cronulla drop to fifth on the ladder, but they arrive at the Goldy with an opportunity to sneak back into the top four if the Dolphins stumble.

Worse still for Craig Fitzgibbons’ men, unfortunately gun five-eighth Braydon Trindall picked up a shoulder injury and will likely miss a handful of matches.

Rookie halfback and former Newtown Jet Niwhai Puruthe takes his place in the halves alongside Nicho Hynes. There is good news in the forwards though, Addin Fonua-Blake returns from suspension and starts at prop, pushing Oregon Kaufusi back to the bench.

Waiting at Cbus Super Stadium are a Gold Coast side who have troubles of their own. The Titans went down 36-26 to the Knights last Sunday for a third straight defeat and Josh Hannay's men are still chasing the seventh win that would better last season's tally.

They arrive reshuffled too. Arama Hau comes into the back row for Josh Patston, Cooper Bai starts at lock with Chris Randall shifting to the interchange and Luke Sommerton replaces Sam Verrills on the extended bench.

History is not on the home side's ledger, but it generally isn’t for the Titans against any club. The Sharks dismantled the Titans 50-10 when these clubs met in Round 1, and Cronulla have won 12 of their last 13 against the Gold Coast.

Coming off two straight losses and missing a star half, the Sharkies are looking a touch vulnerable.

Can these Gold Coast boys stage an ambush in the great Southeast and surpass their 2025 winning record?

For the latest team news, odds and analysis ahead of this one, check out our Titans vs Sharks tips and predictions below.

Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

Hey Cronulla, this is not the time to stop winning games.

Someone has to tell them, because they've thrown away their top-four spot in the space of a fortnight after losing two on the trot.

Their opponents this week have them pipped on that front, mind you. The Titans brought up a third straight defeat last week, going down 36-26 to the Knights.

A loss here would be detrimental to the Sharks' top-four hopes, but we're not about to tip the Titans. Not in this old world.

Cronulla have won 12 of their last 13 matches against the Gold Coast, law of averages says the Titans are due for one.

Not this week though.

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks.

First Try Scorer Prediction

Ten months ago, Ronaldo Mulitalo was on an operating table with a ruptured ACL, picked up representing New Zealand in the Pacific Championships.

He was back on an NRL field by Round 11 and he marked the occasion with two tries in Cronulla's 38-16 win over the Bulldogs at Magic Round.

That is the sort of player who does not need long to find the line.

Fitzy’s men will have a huge focus on their start to this match, looking to play themselves back into form – we can see Mulitalo setting sail down the left wing.

Rooooonaldooooooo!!!

Betting tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Over/Under Prediction

Eight of Gold Coast's last nine home matches have gone under the total match points line, and 49.5 is a decent chunk of scoring to ask for from two sides who have lost five between them across the past fortnight.

Betting tip: Under (49.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

Fonua-Blake's return from suspension gives Cronulla a genuine edge through the middle, and we think they cover this comfortably.

Betting tip: Cronulla Sharks (-7.5) line.

Titans vs Sharks Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips

Jayden Campbell

One of the more beautiful sights in Rugby League is watching Jayden Campbell float across the field. The best player in the Titans backline, always a threat. 

Sione Katoa

The Tongan International winger is a seriously explosive power athlete. Good luck stopping him with the ball. 

Phillip Sami

Sami is Gold Coast's left winger and has always had a knack for finding the line. Deceptively fast and a brilliant finisher, if the Gold Coast have joy in this one Phil Sami is the likely candidate. 

KL Iro

Iro starts at right centre for the Sharks, a run and a pass threat; very hard to stop close to the line. 

Briton Nikora

The QLD Origin backrower is one of the best linerunners in the comp. Always a threat inside the opposition 20m. 

Odds are subject to change. * 

Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks Teams

Gold Coast Titans Team List

1. Keano Kini
2. Jaylan De Groot
3. Jojo Fifita
4. AJ Brimson
5. Phillip Sami
6. Jayden Campbell
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Oliver Pascoe
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
11. Arama Hau
12. Beau Fermor
13. Cooper Bai
14. Kurtis Morrin
15. Klese Haas
16. Chris Randall
17. Bodhi Sharpley

Cronulla Sharks Team List

1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Mawene Hiroti
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Niwhai Puru
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Jesse Colquhoun
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Siosifa Talakai
15. Billy Burns
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Thomas Hazelton

Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks Match Details

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Kick-off: 2:00pm AEST.

Location: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast.