NRL Round 21 teams: David Fifita’s season all but over after latest ankle injury

David Fifita’s shocking 2025 season has taken another turn, with the Titans star set to be sidelined again after another ankle injury. See all the team lists for Round 21.

Teams are in for round 21 and here are the big SuperCoach talking points.

SUPERCOACH LOSERS FROM TEAMS

* Keaon Koloamatangi - Out for the season due to an ankle injury and therefore the most sold player.

* Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - Out for a month due to a knee injury and therefore the second most sold player.

* Isaiah Iongi - Popular early season cheapie is out for a month due to a broken hand. Thankfully for Eels fans though, Mitchel Moses is back in the halves, although Dylan Brown remains on the outer in jersey 22.

* Ryan Papenhuyzen – Misses what will be his fourth week out due to a calf injury.

* Jethro Rinakama - Most popular cheapie of the round misses out for the Bulldogs with Bronson Xerri back.

* Billy Smith - Out due to concussion and therefore a popular sell after making

* Valentine Holmes - Repeating news from after first lockout last week, Holmes is out for the season due to a shoulder injury.

SUPERCOACH WINNERS FROM TEAMS

* Payne Haas - Returns from a back injury for the Broncos and therefore the second most purchased player.

* Nathan Cleary - Back from a groin injury but still unsure if he’ll kick goals.

* Cameron Munster - Named despite talk be could miss out for the Storm due to the funeral of his father. One for Late Mail.

Cameron Munster will miss the match due to the funeral of his father. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

FIFITA’S SEASON ALL BUT OVER

David Fifita’s shocking 2025 season has taken another turn after the Gold Coast Titans star was sidelined again for Des Hasler’s 500th NRL game.

Fifita will not make the trip to New Zealand to face the Warriors on Saturday, with the Titans reporting he has aggravated an ankle injury.

Fifita has only played eight NRL games this year, scoring just one try, in what has been a turbulent second season under Hasler.

Once the NRL’s most destructive forward, Fifita may not play again this year and is facing an uncertain future on the Gold Coast.

The $1 million former Queensland Origin star was dumped to reserve grade by Hasler earlier in the year, making a one-off appearance for the Ipswich Jets.

Fifita had been complaining about a persistent ankle problem and was eventually sent for surgery, which sidelined him for a further two months.

He finally made his return against the Broncos a fortnight ago, playing 25 minutes off the bench in Gold Coast’s 26-14 loss.

Fifita only got 19 minutes off the pine in Sunday’s 21-20 loss to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, making a paltry two runs, and was one of the Titans players captured being sprayed by Hasler in the dressing room showers post-match.

Now Fifita has been sidelined again and it is unclear if he will play again in 2025, with Titans medical staff to assess his troublesome ankle.

Fifita has been replaced on the bench by one-game rookie Josh Patston for the trip to Auckland, in which Hasler will celebrate his 500th game as an NRL head coach.

Winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira will play reserve grade this week after spending the past two rounds on Gold Coast’s bench and not getting on the field.

-Travis Meyn

David Fifita is set to be sidelined again, after reaggravating his ankle injury. Picture: Getty Images

ROB SUTHERLAND’S SUPERCOACH MUSINGS

There were three types of SuperCoach last weekend. Those that owned Dylan Edwards and captained him. Those that owned Dylan Edwards but did not captain him. And those that did not own Dylan Edwards.

The first group were laughing. The second group had a little remorse, but still pocketed 170+ from a single player. The last group were left to kick stones.

Sadly I fell into the last group.

I had one spot free at flex and I wanted to save it for Nathan Cleary (who was not named last week). If I’d bought Edwards then the only way to get Cleary was going to be to axe one of Jahrome Hughes or Nicho Hynes.

I was loathe to do that and so I told myself I’d wait a week and grab Cleary this week (assuming he is named).

Unlike Edith Piaf, I have regrets.

So what to do this week? I run through the most popular buys of the round below, and as always please join me via the comments section below to talk trades.

NRL Round 21 Teams: Who to buy this week.

BUY/SELL ANALYSIS

Dylan Edwards: Penrith’s draw from rounds 20-23 (Souths/Tigers/Titans/Knights) was pretty much as good as it gets and Edwards cashed in in the first match of that series with a 173 point thumper. The energiser bunny made a monster 28 runs and was highly productive with those runs busting a season-high 15 tackles, scoring two tries and making two linebreaks. In Nathan Cleary’s absence the goalkicking duties fell to Edwards and he slotted five from five for an additional 20 points. If/when Cleary returns then you’d think he will resume goalkicking duties, but even if he does I still think Edwards has genuine value - after all he is averaging 81.5PPG this season and if you take away his goalkicking points he’s still averaging 79.1PPG. Just as I did last week I’m calling Edwards a BUY, but this time I might just take my own advice.

Nathan Cleary: When fit and healthy Cleary is the best halfback in SuperCoach. After being rested last week I expect to see him named this week. Does he goalkick? Great question and one we’ve asked our journos to answer. If I hear back you’ll be the first to know. I’ve said all I need to about Penrith’s medium term draw. If he resumes goalkicking I can see Cleary possibly averaging more than Edwards. But we know Edwards is healthy. We’re not sure about Cleary. I could be reacting to last week’s big game (in fact I am sure that is colouring my analysis) but I’ve jumped ships now and if I can have just one I’ll take the fullback and his big base. Still a BUY, just not my top buy anymore.

Payne Haas: Thousands of SuperCoaches are looking for a Keaon Koloamatangi replacement and the gold standard in SuperCoach FRF is Payne Haas. The big Bronco has been dealing with back spasms all season. His last game was Origin III on July 9th and I’m hoping two weeks away from the game will see him return to his usual big minutes/big workload role for the Broncos. With four 100s already to his name there’s no better FRF than Haas. A must for the run home. BUY.

Hudson Young: I had Young as a ‘slightly risky BUY’ last week due to worries about whether his ongoing osteitis pubis issues would see a reduced role (minutes or workload) for the Canberra left edge. Those concerns seem unfounded. Young played the full 80 minutes, made 19 runs and looked like the groin was at least a manageable concern. Anyone buying the Raider will have to keep in mind that Canberra do not play round 24 (bye) and thus has (at best) six games left, while the next two 2RF buy options are scheduled to play all seven remaining rounds. My Koloamatangi replacement is going to be a 2RF and it’s either this guy or one of the next two on this list. I’m less worried about the injury issue now, but the bye remains a concern. Still a BUY, but I think I’ll end up with either Olakau’atu or Carrigan as they have much lower ownerships within the top 10% and I need to chase points not defend them.

Haumole Olakau’atu: The big Sea Eagle is set to return to the NRL for his first game since he injured his shoulder in round 15. Haumole profiles as the riskiest of the three 2RF options due to his low base (averaging 41PPG in that area compared to Young’s 47PPG and Carrigan’s - who, to be fair, is a middle not an edge forward - 58PPG). Where Olakau’atu makes up ground is what he does with the ball he has. The Manly right edge forward has made 178 runs and busted 75 tackles. Young has made 249 runs and busted 65 tackles. Carrigan, again noting that he gets more work in the middle but also has to run at forwards not diminutive halves like Young and Ola, has made 268 runs and busted 23 tackles. Olakau’atu also has significantly better try assist/linebreak assist numbers. Another fillip for Olakau’atu is Manly’s move of Tom Trbojevic to the right centre position. Trbojevic is such an attacking threat that I expect his presence will see Haumole barge over for a few tries. Manly’s form (three wins from last three games including a win over the Storm) is good. Their draw is mixed. The Bulldogs and Raiders (away) will be tough, but I expect plenty of points against the Roosters, Dolphins, Tigers and Dragons. Verdict: A POD BUY.

Pat Carrigan: The last of my 2RF trio, Brisbane workhorse Pat Carrigan is the safest if unsexiest of the three. No, I’m not making a fashion call on Pat and his man bun, rather the fact that Carrigan and his zero linebreaks and zero tries is not the guy who is going to win you a head-to-head contest. Carrigan has played 121 premiership games and has exceeded 100 points in a game just twice. For comparison, Olakau’atu has gone 100+ six times from 108 games and Young 16 times from 134 games. As I mention above, Carrigan clearly has the others covered for base, and if you chuck in average offloads and tackle busts you can pencil him in for a safe 65 week in week out. The dual FRF/2RF is handy too. But at this stage do we want safe? After last week’s tough run where the top 2RFs had a nightmare (just three (Young/Fermor and Crichton) of the top-10 averaging 2RFs scored 60+ last week and none of them hit 70) I am tempted to say yes I do want to go safe. But I probably shouldn’t, and neither should you. VERDICT: It’s too late in the season to play safe, Pat’s not putting his bun in my oven - PASS.

Blayke Brailey: What flicked Blayke Brailey’s switch? In the first 13 games of his season Brailey had zero linebreaks. In the past five he has had five. Brailey had just nine tackle busts up until round 14; since then he’s busted 18. The draw is positive (Souths/Cowboys/Dragons/Titans/Bye/Knights/Bulldogs) and the form is good. A free running Brailey may well be the best hooker in SuperCoach from here till home - just make sure you have cover for that round 25 bye. VERDICT: BUY

Zac Lomax: Three tries from three games has seen Lomax move up to now sit with the third best average of any CTW (minimum 10 games). The return of Mitchell Moses will only be good for the Eels attack in general and the right edge attack (lomax’s side) in particular. The next fortnight (Broncos into Storm) is tough, but Lomax has such a good workrate that he’s likely to average 60+ over that span and then he should cash in against the Cowboys, Rabbitohs and Roosters after that. VERDICT: BUY

Jethro Rinakama: The Bulldogs rookie has been super impressive scoring a try in each of his two games so far. At a base price you could use him as a cash generator. Job security is not too bad with Marcelo Montoya not due back until round 25 and Bronson Xerri succumbing to a groin issue (return TBC). Not sure I would play him each week but would be tempted to roll him out in rounds 22 (Tigers) and 24 (Roosters) if he was in my team. VERDICT: BUY

Taylan May: The former Panther was very very good against the Titans in his NRL return. It helped that the Titans were very very bad. Priced at $444K it’s hard to get too enthused about May when most teams are already loaded at the CTW position. The draw is not great either with Panthers/Bulldogs/Bye on the horizon. VERDICT: PASS

James Tedesco: Teddy had a bit of a shocker against the Sharks last week, and had plenty of company with the Roosters attack not being fantastic. The Roosters have the Storm next (and in round 26 too) which is not great and with Dylan Edwards being such a hot buy there are plenty moving out Tedesco to make that happen. I would say this though - last week was Tedesco’s first score under 65 since round three and around those tough Storm games there are more generous matchups against the likes of the Dolphins/Eels and Rabbitohs to come. It could be my Rooster bias here but I have Tedesco as a HOLD.

Koloamatangi/Fa’asuamaleaui/Lucas/Holmes: All injured, all have to go. All were keepers before the injuries. SuperCoach is a cruel beast. VERDICT: SELL

NRL ROUND 21 TEAMS

ROOSTERS v STORM

Thursday, 7:50pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Ethan King 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Siua Wong

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu

Reserves: 18. Tom Rodwell 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Hugo Savala

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Joe Chan 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Kane Braddley

Reserves: 18. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 19. Josiah Pahulu 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Coby Williamson 22. Lazarus Vaalepu

COWBOYS v DRAGONS

Friday, 6:00pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Thomas Duffy 7. Tom Dearden 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Jaxson Paulo 19. Nicholas Lenaz 20. Temple Kalepo 21. Marly Bitugane 22. Dane Aukafolau

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo

Reserves: 18. Nicholas Tsougranis 19. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Jacob Halangahu

BRONCOS v EELS

Friday, 8:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19 Deine Mariner 20. Selwyn Cobbo 21. Ben Talty 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Eels

1. Joash Papalii 2. Zac Lomax 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 18. Dan Keir 19. Jordan Samrani 20. Bailey Simonsson 21. Toni Mataele 22. Dylan Brown

WARRIORS v TITANS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Go Media Stadium

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Eddie Ieremia

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas

Interchange: 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston

Reserves: 18. Arama Hau 19. Sean Mullany 20. Tom Weaver 21. Ryan Foran 22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

PANTHERS v WESTS TIGERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, CommBank Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Paul Alamoti, 19. Liam Martin 20. Daine Laurie 21. Maverick Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton

Wests Tigers

1. Sunia Turuva 2. Izaac Tu’itupou 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi

Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Jack Bird 16. Fonua Pole 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 19. Charlie Murray 20. Charlie Staines 21. Luke Laulilii 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

RABBITOHS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Jacob Host 16. Ryan Gray 17. Ashton Ward

Reserves: 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Shaquai Mitchell 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Ammaron Gudgeon

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-UeleReserves: 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Chris Veaila 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru

RAIDERS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Simi Sasagi 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Manaia Waitere 19. Trey Mooney 20. Joseph Roddy 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders

Knights

1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jack Hetherington

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Brodie Jones 22. Kyle McCarthy

BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerii 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward

Reserves: 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Blake Wilson 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Tommy Talau 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Originally published as NRL Round 21 teams: David Fifita’s season all but over after latest ankle injury