Round 16 Preview — 2026 NRL SeasonNRL Analytics

Titans v Panthers

Panthers 5-0 H2H streak. 71% at Cbus. ELO gap 377. Cleary, To'o, Yeo on reserves. Strong tip: Panthers by 20.

SavvyPlays · 20 June 2026 · Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast · Saturday 20 June · 5:30PM AEST

The Panthers have won the last five against the Titans on the trot and are 12-1 entering R16. The Titans sit 3-10 with the second-worst points differential in the competition. The Panthers travel to the Gold Coast with Cleary, To'o and Yeo rested on reserves — but the starting 17 they have named is still the highest-quality lineup of the round.

Squad starters: Panthers +16.1 ±/G per game, Titans -7.1. The gap of 23 points per game is the largest of the R16 fixtures. Add an ELO gap of 377 and a 5-0 H2H streak — Strong tip: Panthers by 20.

SavvyPlays Tip — Strong

01Panthers by 20

Panthers have won the last five against the Titans and are 10-4 at Cbus Super Stadium against this opponent. The ELO gap of 377 points is enormous — among the largest of any R16 matchup. Cleary, To'o and Yeo are named on the reserves list, available but not starting, which is a small wrinkle but not enough to swing the tip.

Strong tip: Panthers by 20. The Predict margin is -25.4 — comfortably beyond the Strong threshold.

-25.4

Predict Margin

-7.1

Titans Squad ±/G

+16.1

Panthers Squad ±/G

+23.2

Squad ±/G Gap

3-10

Titans Record

12-1

Panthers Record

0-5

H2H Last 5

71%

Panthers @ Cbus

Venue & Head-to-Head

02Venue & Head-to-Head

The Panthers have a remarkable record at Cbus Super Stadium — 10 wins in 14 visits (71%). It is one of the very few opposition grounds where they enjoy a clear historical edge. The Titans are 26-39 (40%) at home here since 2020 and have not built a fortress at their own venue.

The recent H2H is one-way traffic. Panthers have won the last five meetings without dropping a game — 30-26 in R22 2025 at Cbus, 18-12 at Penrith in R27 2024, and three more in 2021-2023. Even the narrowest of those (the 30-26 last year) was at this very venue.

Year	Round	Match	Score	Winner
2025	R22	Titans v Panthers	26-30	Panthers
2024	R27	Panthers v Titans	18-12	Panthers
2023	R25	Titans v Panthers	14-40	Panthers
2022	R8	Titans v Panthers	4-18	Panthers
2021	R10	Titans v Panthers	12-48	Panthers

Named Squads

03Titans — Squad avg ±/G: -7.1

#	Player	Position	GP	±/G
1	Keano Kini	Fullback	13	-7.5
2	Jensen Taumoepeau	Wing	5	-9.0
3	Jojo Fifita	Centre	11	-7.4
4	AJ Brimson	Centre	12	-6.9
5	Phillip Sami	Wing	13	-7.0
6	Jayden Campbell	Five-Eighth	11	-4.3
7	Zane Harrison	Halfback	5	-9.0
8	Moeaki Fotuaika	Prop	13	-8.1
9	Oliver Pascoe	Hooker	5	-9.0
10	Tino Fa'asuamaleaui	Prop	11	-6.6
11	Arama Hau	Second Row	13	-7.5
12	Beau Fermor	Second Row	13	-7.5
13	Cooper Bai	Lock	13	-2.1
14	Kurtis Morrin	Interchange	13	+0.9
15	Josh Patston	Interchange	—	—
16	Klese Haas	Interchange	12	-3.0
17	Jaylan De Groot	Interchange	2	-5.0

Out: The Titans are 3-10 and short on senior depth across the spine and pack.

Named Squads

04Panthers — Squad avg ±/G: +16.1

#	Player	Position	GP	±/G
1	Dylan Edwards	Fullback	13	+21.0
2	Thomas Jenkins	Wing	12	+20.6
3	Izack Tago	Centre	8	+12.6
4	Luke Garner	Centre	12	+11.6
5	Paul Alamoti	Wing	13	+21.0
6	Blaize Talagi	Five-Eighth	13	+21.0
7	Jack Cogger	Halfback	10	+7.1
8	Moses Leota	Prop	13	+12.3
9	Freddy Lussick	Hooker	10	+12.5
10	Liam Henry	Prop	4	+15.0
11	Isaiah Papali'i	Second Row	13	+18.5
12	Liam Martin	Second Row	6	+23.0
13	Lindsay Smith	Lock	13	+13.5
14	Billy Scott	Interchange	—	—
15	Scott Sorensen	Interchange	13	+8.7
16	Billy Phillips	Interchange	11	+4.5
17	Luron Patea	Interchange	—	—

Out: Cleary, To'o and Yeo named on the reserves list — available but rested from the starting side this week. The starting 17 is still elite top to bottom.

Match Analysis

05Key Matchups & Narratives

Panthers starters average +16.1 ±/G. Even with Cleary, To'o and Yeo on reserves rather than starting, the Panthers are sending out a starting 13 in which most players average double-digit positive ±/G. The forward pack remains intact and the spine retains the senior core that has carried the side all year.

Titans need their kids to fire. The Titans field a starting 13 with an average ±/G of -7.1 — a function of a side rebuilding around younger players and missing senior depth. They have shown flashes but not the consistency required against a top-of-the-table opponent.

Cbus is not a Titans fortress. The Titans' 40% home record since 2020 reflects a venue that does not give them a strong advantage. By contrast, the Panthers have travelled here as well as any visiting side in the competition.

The reserves note. Cleary, To'o and Yeo are listed on the Panthers' extended squad — available if needed but not starting. It indicates a measured workload management call rather than a withdrawal, and the rest of the named 17 is still elite.

ELO Gap and Streak

ELO gap of 377 between the two sides is the widest of any R16 fixture. The Panthers have won the last five against the Titans without dropping a game and are 10-4 (71%) all-time at Cbus Super Stadium. The squad ±/G gap of 23 points per game is the largest of the round. Quality, form and history all point one way.

Prediction

06Prediction Breakdown

Predict margin -25.4 — well clear of the Strong threshold. The model reflects the form, the ELO gap, and the historical dominance at this venue. The only realistic upset path is a major Panthers off-day combined with a Titans performance unlike anything they have shown all season.