Dragons v Roosters
Dragons: Prop Jack De Belin is a late inclusion on the bench for the Red V, in place of Leeson Ah Mau. Fellow front-rower Tyson Frizell is fit for today’s clash and will start for Dan Hunt (back from a knee injury), who drops to the bench. St George Illawarra welcome back Joel Thompson (concussion) for the clash.
Roosters: Are 1-17, with 18th man Daniel Mortimer dropping off the bench. Gun winger Daniel Tupou is back after missing last weekend with knee soreness.
Dragons: Prop Jack De Belin is a late inclusion on the bench for the Red V, in place of Leeson Ah Mau. Fellow front-rower Tyson Frizell is fit for today’s clash and will start for Dan Hunt (back from a knee injury), who drops to the bench. St George Illawarra welcome back Joel Thompson (concussion) for the clash.
Roosters: Are 1-17, with 18th man Daniel Mortimer dropping off the bench. Gun winger Daniel Tupou is back after missing last weekend with knee soreness.
Storm v Warriors
Storm: No major changes expected, with two to drop off an extended bench. Tim Glasby, Mitch Garbutt, George Rose and Dayne Weston are the omission candidates. Ben Hampton is back at five-eighth for Ben Roberts (knee).
Warriors: Powerhouse centre Konrad Hurrell has travelled to Melbourne and replaces Dane Nielsen in the squad. He'll start from the bench with Ben Henry moving to the centres. Back-rower Jayson Bukuya has finally returned from a foot injury, while plenty of eyes will be on recalled enigma Feleti Mateo.
Broncos: Makeshift five-eighth Josh Hoffman is in serious doubt after suffering a suspected Achilles strain at training on Thursday. Ben Barba could now move to No.6, with Justin Hodges going to fullback, Dale Copley to centre and Lachlan Maranta brought in to play on the wing. Hodges is another option at five-eighth. Sam Thaiday (calf) is definitely out. Exciting prospect Jordan Kahu will return from a knee injury in Queensland Cup.
Rabbitohs: Former Australian Schoolboys star Alex Johnston is set to debut on the wing after the shock axing of club hero Nathan Merritt, though Joel Reddy is some chance to take the spot after being named on an extended bench. Hooker Apisai Koroisau (shoulder) has been cleared, while Greg Inglis (back), Kyle Turner and Dave Tyrrell (both concussion) are expected to play. Joe Picker is battling a rib problem but it likely to drop from the extended bench with Reddy and Ben Lowe. Top forwards George Burgess and Ben Te’o return to the starting side after suspensions.
Sharks v Panthers
Sharks: Popular winger Beau Ryan should play his first game of the season after overcoming a neck problem, at the expense of Jonathan Wright. Former Kangaroos back-rower Anthony Tupou is also likely to make a comeback from a knee reconstruction, off the bench in place of Siosaia Vave. Bench hooker Michael Lichaa was dropped for Isaac De Gois.
Panthers: Should be unchanged after lock Adam Docker beat a dangerous throw charge at the judiciary. Matt Robinson will drop off the bench.
Cowboys v Eels
Cowboys: Should be 1-17, with Glenn Hall and Ethan Lowe to drop from the extended bench. Centre Kane Linnett (back) is expected to be fit after being reinstated at the expense of Kyle Feldt. A revamped line-up has Ray Thompson a halfback for the dumped Robert Lui, while Rory Kostjasyn and the recalled Anthony Mitchell will share hooker duties.
Eels: No changes expected, with Pauli Pauli starting in the second row for Kenny Edwards (hand) and prop Peni Terepo coming on to the bench.
Bulldogs: The full squad is fit and firing so the top 17 should play, with Pat O’Hanlon and Moses Mbye dropping off the extended bench.
Knights: New Zealand Test back-rower Jeremy Smith is battling an ongoing knee injury and may be rested, dependent on a Friday fitness test. His omission would likely see Robbie Rochow start and veteran David Fa’alogo promoted. Prop Kade Snowden (concussion) is good to play, while Willie Mason will serve the first week of a two-match shoulder charge ban.
Sea Eagles v Raiders
Sea Eagles: Jesse Sene-Lefao may win yet another start after being named 18th man, with back-rower Anthony Watmough (elbow) and prop Jason King (groin) yet to be cleared. Gun halfback Daly Cherry-Evans returns from leg soreness, to be partnered by Jamie Lyon at five-eighth due to a one-month knee injury to Kieran Foran.
Raiders: No changes expected, with five-eighth Jack Wighton (concussion) cleared. Brilliant fullback Anthony Milford has a minor knee complaint but will play.
Wests Tigers v Titans
Wests Tigers: Veteran back-rower Liam Fulton (shoulder) returns, sending Sitaleki Akauola - expected to play despite a hip issue - to the bench. Bench prop James Gavet is out with a hamstring tear.
Titans: Centre Maurice Blair is in doubt with a wrist problem but is expected to play. There was some hope fullback William Zillman (hamstring) and prop Luke Bailey (ankle) could return but they should be back after the representative weekend break. Bench prop Matt White starts a two-game dangerous throw suspension
Storm: No major changes expected, with two to drop off an extended bench. Tim Glasby, Mitch Garbutt, George Rose and Dayne Weston are the omission candidates. Ben Hampton is back at five-eighth for Ben Roberts (knee).
Warriors: Powerhouse centre Konrad Hurrell has travelled to Melbourne and replaces Dane Nielsen in the squad. He'll start from the bench with Ben Henry moving to the centres. Back-rower Jayson Bukuya has finally returned from a foot injury, while plenty of eyes will be on recalled enigma Feleti Mateo.
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Broncos: Makeshift five-eighth Josh Hoffman is in serious doubt after suffering a suspected Achilles strain at training on Thursday. Ben Barba could now move to No.6, with Justin Hodges going to fullback, Dale Copley to centre and Lachlan Maranta brought in to play on the wing. Hodges is another option at five-eighth. Sam Thaiday (calf) is definitely out. Exciting prospect Jordan Kahu will return from a knee injury in Queensland Cup.
Rabbitohs: Former Australian Schoolboys star Alex Johnston is set to debut on the wing after the shock axing of club hero Nathan Merritt, though Joel Reddy is some chance to take the spot after being named on an extended bench. Hooker Apisai Koroisau (shoulder) has been cleared, while Greg Inglis (back), Kyle Turner and Dave Tyrrell (both concussion) are expected to play. Joe Picker is battling a rib problem but it likely to drop from the extended bench with Reddy and Ben Lowe. Top forwards George Burgess and Ben Te’o return to the starting side after suspensions.
Sharks v Panthers
Sharks: Popular winger Beau Ryan should play his first game of the season after overcoming a neck problem, at the expense of Jonathan Wright. Former Kangaroos back-rower Anthony Tupou is also likely to make a comeback from a knee reconstruction, off the bench in place of Siosaia Vave. Bench hooker Michael Lichaa was dropped for Isaac De Gois.
Panthers: Should be unchanged after lock Adam Docker beat a dangerous throw charge at the judiciary. Matt Robinson will drop off the bench.
Cowboys v Eels
Cowboys: Should be 1-17, with Glenn Hall and Ethan Lowe to drop from the extended bench. Centre Kane Linnett (back) is expected to be fit after being reinstated at the expense of Kyle Feldt. A revamped line-up has Ray Thompson a halfback for the dumped Robert Lui, while Rory Kostjasyn and the recalled Anthony Mitchell will share hooker duties.
Eels: No changes expected, with Pauli Pauli starting in the second row for Kenny Edwards (hand) and prop Peni Terepo coming on to the bench.
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Bulldogs v KnightsBulldogs: The full squad is fit and firing so the top 17 should play, with Pat O’Hanlon and Moses Mbye dropping off the extended bench.
Knights: New Zealand Test back-rower Jeremy Smith is battling an ongoing knee injury and may be rested, dependent on a Friday fitness test. His omission would likely see Robbie Rochow start and veteran David Fa’alogo promoted. Prop Kade Snowden (concussion) is good to play, while Willie Mason will serve the first week of a two-match shoulder charge ban.
Sea Eagles v Raiders
Sea Eagles: Jesse Sene-Lefao may win yet another start after being named 18th man, with back-rower Anthony Watmough (elbow) and prop Jason King (groin) yet to be cleared. Gun halfback Daly Cherry-Evans returns from leg soreness, to be partnered by Jamie Lyon at five-eighth due to a one-month knee injury to Kieran Foran.
Raiders: No changes expected, with five-eighth Jack Wighton (concussion) cleared. Brilliant fullback Anthony Milford has a minor knee complaint but will play.
Wests Tigers v Titans
Wests Tigers: Veteran back-rower Liam Fulton (shoulder) returns, sending Sitaleki Akauola - expected to play despite a hip issue - to the bench. Bench prop James Gavet is out with a hamstring tear.
Titans: Centre Maurice Blair is in doubt with a wrist problem but is expected to play. There was some hope fullback William Zillman (hamstring) and prop Luke Bailey (ankle) could return but they should be back after the representative weekend break. Bench prop Matt White starts a two-game dangerous throw suspension
