Welcome to the NRL Notepad where I look at something important heading into the upcoming round of footy.

If you’re looking for more on Round 24, I add more smaller pieces to the RLW Community over the weekend.

So, the idea that I might be able to write glowingly about the Gold Coast Titans after Round 23 didn’t pan out…

Moving AJ Brimson into the halves alongside Jayden Campbell didn’t pay off, and Josh Hannay has responded by recalling Lachlan Ilias into the #7 jersey. I, for one, like the move.

The feeling around Ilias is overwhelmingly negative. Most are waiting to see him sign with a Super League club sooner rather than later, never to see the NRL again. But at age 26 and following a turbulent, unlucky and at times simply poor, first 69 games, he has three more to finish the 2026 season and fight for his place in the Titans squad moving forward.