The final instalment of Magic Round 2026 features the top two sides on the NRL ladder looking to flex their muscle and the bottom two sides determined to give their fans hope by starting the long climb back.
We launch our Sunday feast with the Titans (2-7) squaring off the dangerous Knights (6-4) who are ready to unleash Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, Dylan Brown and last week’s five-try hero Greg Marzhew.
Up next it’s the Warriors (7-2) and Broncos (5-5) doing battle, with the men from Auckland certain to have massive support among the boisterous Suncorp crowd.
The premiers have conceded 70 points across the past fortnight and more defensive lapses could prove fatal against the Wahs.
The final game of Magic Round features table toppers Penrith and the last-placed Dragons, a clash that pits runaway Dally M leader Nathan Cleary against the recalled Kyle Flanagan.
Like many of his embattled teammates, Flanagan is a man with a point to prove, but the assignment doesn’t get any tougher than trying to contain the Panthers.
Follow all the Magic Round action on NRL.com’s live blog.
Titans v Knights at Suncorp Stadium
37th minute: Newcastle have gone on the attack now and Sandon Smith has forced a line drop out. The kick looked set to roll dead but a charging Fletcher Sharpe got there in time to knock it back and the Titans took it dead. Big chance for the Knights to hit the lead before half-time. Titans 6 – Knights 6.
32nd minute: Gold Coast have picked up from where they were before the Fletcher Sharpe try and are back on the attack. Jojo Fifita came close to scoring and got over the line but couldn’t get the ball down. Newcastle were offside, however, the Titans receiving a fresh attacking set of six. Titans 6 – Knights 6.
27th minute: Newcastle have turned defence into attack and we are all locked up. After spending the past few minutes camped on their own line, the Knights eventually regained possession. Jermaine McEwen burst through to put his side on the attack and they instantly capitalised, Fletcher Sharpe slicing through to score the try. Meanwhile, Titans forward Chris Randall has left the field for an HIA. Titans 6 – Knights 6.
26th minute: Another trip to the Bunker, with the Titans claiming the try this time. AJ Brimson chases a grubber through, Dane Gagai turns to get to the ball and grounds it just before Brimson gets his hand on the ball. Newcastle line dropout. Titans 6 – Knights 0.
599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>
Up Next
/
Replay
Play Next
Keep your eye on Marzhew
22nd minute: The Knights goal-line defence is keeping them in the match, with Newcastle turning Gold Coast away multiple times in the past few minutes. Errors and poor discipline have handed the Titans attacking chances but they haven’t been able to convert. Titans 6 – Knights 0.
599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>
Up Next
/
Replay
Play Next
Campbell causing headaches
17th minute: Titans hooker Oliver Pascoe is receiving treatment after he was dragged down from behind. Beau Fermor produced an offload for Jayden Campbell, who broke through into the back field and linked up with Pascoe. The hooker was tackled awkwardly by Jacob Saifiti and has received some treatment but is back on his feet and will walk it off. Ominous signs from the Titans, who are playing free with ball in hand. Titans 6 – Knights 0.
599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>
Up Next
/
Replay
Play Next
Don’t let the Steeden bounce
13th minute: Dom Young has regathered a short kick to deny the Titans another attacking chance. Kalyn Ponga misjudged a Jayden Campbell bomb, Dom Young and Dane Gagai let it bounce, Ponga had to race back into the in-goal but was promptly tackled by the Titans chasers. Titans 6 – Knights 0.
9th minute: We’re off to the Bunker for what would be a spectacular try if awarded. A Dane Gagai grubber in the in goal looked to be heading dead, Mat Croker and Sandon Smith both raced through to tap it back, with the two Knights getting a hand to the ball. Croker is ruled to have tapped it back but the ball eventually rolled forward on to the dead ball line before bouncing back to Dylan Lucas. Gold Coast survive and receive a 20m tap. Titans 6 – Knights 0.
599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>
Up Next
/
Replay
Play Next
Oliver Pascoe Try
3rd minute: It’s a dream start for the Titans, who score inside the first three minutes. A miscommunication from the Knights back three saw Gold Coast regather a bomb and earn a fresh set of six on attacking territory. Cooper Bai skittled the Newcastle defensive line, Oliver Pascoe took advantage of a quick play the ball and slammed the ball down. Titans 6 – Knights 0.
599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>
Up Next
/
Replay
Play Next
Holbrook weighs in on Ponga at halfback for Maroons
Kick-off: We are underway on the final day of Magic Rounds with the in-form Knights taking on the Titans. Gold Coast are wearing a teal jersey inspired by the old Chargers design and they are looking to put on a show for the fans at Suncorp Stadium. Newcastle were forced into a late change after Bradman Best went down with a calf injury, with Sandon Smith into the halves and Fletcher Sharpe shifting to centre. Titans 0 – Knights 0.
599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>
Up Next
/
Replay
Play Next
Kini keen for Ponga matchup
Late Mail
Titans: The Titans are 1-19 with no late changes. Josh Hannay sticks with the same starting side that pushed the Roosters all the way last weekend. Zane Harrison will play his second game in the No.7 jersey while Cooper Bai has one last chance to force his way into the Queensland Origin team.
Knights: Late backline changes for Justin Holbrook after star centre Bradman Best dropped out on Saturday due to a calf injury suffered at training. Fletcher Sharpe goes from five-eighth to centre, Sandon Smith will play five-eighth and Fletcher Hunt reverts to the six-man bench.
Numbers Game
The Titans have lost their last four games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Knights have won four of their five Magic Round games.
Titans winger Phillip Sami has scored eight tries in nine games against the Knights.
Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored eight tries in his last two games.
Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika will equal the club’s all-time appearance record held by Mark Minichiello (173 games).
Warriors v Broncos at Suncorp Stadium