NRL Early Mail Round 24: Adam Doueihi sidelined, Tom Trbojevic to play, Clint Gutherson among rested Eels stars
Wests Tigers’ slim finals hopes have taken a major hit with star five-eighth Adam Doueihi ruled out of their clash with Penrith, while the Raiders have made a key change to their line-up.
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The Wests Tigers tough ask to overcome the high-flying Panthers has been dealt a huge blow with in-form five-eighth Adam Doueihi (knee) out.
Doueihi is expected to miss the rest of the season because of the injury, with Jock Madden the man to replace him, potentially ruining a KFC SuperCoach cheapie for 2022. The Tigers will have James Tamou, James Roberts, Jacob Liddle available this week.
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RAIDERS SWITCH HALFBACKS
— Nick Campton
With their season on the line, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart will make a vital change to his halves with Matt Frawley to start alongside Jack Wighton at the scrumbase.
The Raiders went down 19-18 to Manly last week and must beat the Warriors on Friday night to keep their playoff chances alive.
Frawley will replace Sam Williams at halfback in an effort to spark the side after two straight losses to the Sea Eagles and Storm. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will once again come off the bench with Jordan Rapana again preferred at fullback.
Corey Horsburgh has been recalled from his loan deal with Canterbury and will also come off the pine for his first match for Canberra since the Round 12 loss to the Roosters in May.
ROOSTERS LOAN LUSSICK TO DRAGONS
St George Illawarra have turned to the Roosters in a bid to fix their undermanned hooking stocks.
The Dragons will borrow Freddy Lussick for the next two games and he is expected to start at hooker against the Cowboys.
The Dragons used veteran forward Josh McGuire at hooker last week following the season ending injuries to Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough.
FERGO FIRED UP FOR RETURN
— Dean Ritchie
Blake Ferguson says being able to play park football was a “blessing in disguise’’ and it has reinvigorated him before an NRL return with Parramatta.
Ferguson, 31, will on Tuesday be named as the replacement for injured winger Maika Sivo. He said his three games in NSW Cup helped him reclaim his hunger and desire for rugby league. He made his NRL return in round 19 against Canberra but injured a calf.
He is now back again to help the Eels as they prepare for mammoth challenges against Melbourne and Penrith before the finals. Only a week before his reserve grade stint, Ferguson was being discussed as a possible NSW Origin winger.
“It was a blessing in disguise,” Ferguson said. “It was just good to not be playing in front of the cameras. It was basically playing park footy.
“It was weird but I actually enjoyed playing down there. It was fun playing with all the young guys. There wasn’t as much pressure. It was different because I hadn’t played reserve grade for a very long time. For me to be in reserve grade, it was an eye-opener.
“But it also made me realise how much I wanted to come back and play in the NRL. I was always optimistic when playing down there. I just had to work harder. They say the harder you work, the easier things come and now I’ve got my shot again.
“I didn’t have the shits when dropped. I went down there and just got on with it. I knew I hadn’t been playing too well for the previous couple of weeks against Souths and Manly.”
Ferguson (pictured) is a renowned big-match player.
He has played in 13 finals across three clubs and scored 122 tries in 245 NRL games.
“Leading into the finals, it would be good to bring some experience with Maika being out for a long period,” he said. “I will just do my job.
“It’s been three weeks, I’ve done enough work. I got flogged today. I’d rather be playing than training hard seven days a week.
“The last week has been full-on and I’m looking forward to being out there this coming week. I’ve got to get through the next couple of training sessions – Wednesday and Friday – and then hopefully get a run.
“It was probably the right call from Brad (Arthur, coach) to put me down and get me to work on a few things, and I did that. I feel like I’ve been playing some decent footy this season. I needed to work on a couple of things defensively but I think I have fixed those deficiencies.
“I came back and my defence was good against Canberra and it would be good to do the same this weekend against Melbourne.”
Melbourne will present another change for a Parramatta side which snapped a four-game losing sequence last weekend with a 32-16 win over North Queensland.
The Eels defeated the Storm 16-12 in round two at Bankwest Stadium.
“We know we can match it with the best of them,” Ferguson said. “We played them earlier this year and we got ‘em. It should be good.”
Ferguson is off contract after this season but the Eels will not be re-signing him.
“I don’t know what will happen,” Ferguson said. “I want to play on and I’m looking forward to next year and what comes with that.”
MANLY SUPERSTAR GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT
Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic has been given a clean bill of health from his older brother Jake, who has confirmed the fullback will take the field against Canterbury.
Tom aggravated a cheekbone injury in the Sea Eagles’ win against Parramatta in round 22.
Coach Des Hasler opted to rest the key cog in his side’s attack rather than risk further injury against the Raiders last weekend.
“He’ll be fine to play. It was a precaution last week. Three years ago he got a plate put in and it flared up. He could have played last week but they erred on the side of caution,” Jake said.
Manly ran riot the last time these two sides met in round 16, posting a 66-0 victory against Trent Barrett’s outfit.
Despite Canterbury’s wooden spoon position, Trbojevic said coach Hasler is unlikely to rest Tom with a top four spot on the line.
“It got a bit swollen for one day but it was normal [after]. He was fine. He obviously wanted to play and was bugging Des [Hasler] but they pulled him and said no because it was a short turnaround, only six days. But with the longer turnaround I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Jake said.
Forward Sean Keppie will rejoin the squad on the Sunshine Coast this Thursday after making a mad dash back to Sydney for the birth of his first child.
Keppie will be available for selection this weekend but won’t be rushed back into the 17.
“He comes out of quarantine on Thursday so I’m not too sure how it’s going to work but he is definitely joining us this Thursday. We’re looking forward to him joining the team,” Toafofoa Sipley said.
TEDDY HINTS AT BENCH ROLE FOR WALKER
— Nick Walshaw
Roosters captain James Tedesco has hinted halfback Sam Walker may play off the bench again against South Sydney in Friday Night Football, suggesting it would help “refresh” the Dally M Rookie contender prior to the NRL finals series.
While Walker has been outstanding for the Roosters this year, coach Trent Robinson played the 19-year-old off the bench for the first time in his young career in Sunday’s win over St George Illawarra.
The young No.7 finished up with 38 minutes against the Dragons, scoring one try and setting up another after Drew Hutchison and Lachlan Lam started in the halves.
Exactly how Robinson plans to manage Walker moving forward remains a mystery, however Tedesco said on Monday there were advantages in playing him off the pine again before the playoffs begin in a fortnight.
“I think it worked well on the weekend,” the Roosters No.1 said of Walker’s interchange role.
“Lamy did well starting and Sammy coming on creating havoc when the middles were tired, it was good for him.
“Talking to him before the game, he had never come off the bench before. But it was good for him to come off the bench and not have that responsibility.
“You forget how young he is. Being a 19-year-old playing week in, week out in first grade — being targeted in defence — it does take a toll.
“So it’s good for Sammy to refresh a bit and just get back to his footy.”
Asked what impact it could have for Walker to earn a break, of sorts, before the finals, Redesco continued: “It’s huge.
“You think of so many young halves who come through, it takes a long time for them to really nail their role and mature as a footballer.
“And for Sammy who is still learning, still quite fresh, he’s had a lot of responsibility this year with Luke (Keary) going down. He’s had to really control our team.
“It’s beena big ask for him and he’s been awesome. He gets a lot of traffic coming his way in defence and has handled it really well.
“(But) he is still finding his feet … and you definitely need to get that rest when you can. Before we head into the finals it’s good for him to feel refreshed and not feel run down.”
SOUTHS FUME OVER BAN, COOK COOKED
— Paul Crawley
South Sydney is privately furious that Keaon Koloamatangi has been banned for two matches for trying to avoid a dangerous tackle.
The Rabbitohs are also likely to be without star hooker Damien Cook for Friday’s blockbuster showdown with the Sydney Roosters.
Cook has suffered a minor quads strain but it is enough for coach Wayne Bennett to want to make sure it doesn’t become a bigger issue in the countdown to the finals.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs are mystified why forward Koloamatangi was charged for his innocuous tackle on Penrith’s Brent Naden that has only heightened confusion surrounding a series of recent crusher tackle charges.
In this instance, Naden clearly spins into the tackle and drops to the ground.
Replays show Koloamatangi pulled back as soon as he realised the tackle was getting into a dangerous position.
While it brought a penalty on the field, it seems extraordinary that he will now miss two games for it.
It’s just another example of the crusher tackle confusion after the Roosters’ Angus Crichton was banned for a similar incident two weeks ago yet Penrith’s Viliame Kikau escaped suspension for one that looked more dangerous.
The inconsistency is alarming people across the game.
Crichton’s suspension led to coach Trent Robinson saying that he no longer understands how the NRL interprets crusher tackles.
It’s fair to say Bennett feels exactly the same.
Souths chose not to fight it, not because they didn’t believe they had justifiable cause but because of the fear of getting rubbed out for week one of the finals if found guilty by the judiciary panel.
Cook’s expected absence is a big loss against the Roosters.
On Sunday, Bennett was waiting to speak with club medical staff but he won’t be risking Cook if there is any fear of the injury becoming worse.
ARTHUR TO REST EELS STARS FOR BLOCKBUSTER
— Dean Ritchie
Premiership heavyweights Penrith face a soft run-in to the NRL finals with neighbours Parramatta preparing to rest key players, including skipper Clint Gutherson, for a final round game between the two Western Sydney rivals.
News Corp can reveal Eels coach Arthur — aware the round 25 result is unlikely to affect his side’s ladder position — will withdraw players for a much-needed pre-finals freshen up.
After snapping a four-game losing streak with a 32-16 victory over North Queensland, Arthur plans to select his strongest side for Saturday’s match against Melbourne before then convincing several star players to sit out the Panthers game.
Not that Parramatta would care, but that decision could impact on Penrith.
After a tough win over Souths last Saturday night, the Panthers will face struggling Wests Tigers and then a weakened Eels side over the final two rounds — hardly a ferocious preparation for the finals.
“I haven’t worked out which players they’re going to be yet but I’m leaning towards getting ourselves ready for that first final. A few of the boys have played every game and haven’t missed a training session,” Arthur said.
“It will be tough convincing them but, at the end of the day, we have to do what’s best for them, moving forward. A lot of blokes haven’t had much rest. It might be about resting a few and getting ourselves ready for the finals.
“We definitely can’t go any lower on the ladder and it will be tough to jump a spot. A win or loss won’t count for too much. We know we’re playing finals, that’s the main thing.
“It’s very hard to encourage ‘Gutho’ (to have a rest). You pull him off with three minutes to go and he gets the shits. ‘Gutho’ played all the games last year. A lot of blokes have played a lot of footy and then you throw in rep footy.
“It’s not just the physical toll, it’s mental too. It’s how we can be ready for that first final but we definitely want to run with the same team and look to test ourselves against Melbourne.”
If Arthur rests players for round 25, it is uncertain whether Panthers coach Ivan Cleary could follow suit ahead of his side’s likely week one finals game against South Sydney.
“I don’t know what Ivan’s got in mind for our last game, either. He might have a couple of players who he might think having a rest and a week off will do them the world of good,” said Panthers group CEO Brian Fletcher.
“This stuff happens at the end of the year. It’s part of football — you’re protecting yourself for the finals aren’t you? I’m sure we will have a full side next week against the Tigers.”
Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy has rested players from the final round in past years but Roosters coach Trent Robinson is strongly against the theory.
Robinson said before the finals last year: “I don’t think we’ve ever disrespected the game, the product or the jersey. I think players that don’t play each week are still very good players. We don’t hand out anything for free.
“There is a balance of all of those things that go into your decision, but it is never to disrespect the game or the jersey.”
Parramatta’s Maika Sivo has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an MCL injury. He will miss four to six weeks and is currently walking with the aid of crutches.
Scans on Monday will confirm the extent of the injury with Arthur saying he would be “really surprised” if Sivo played again this year.
Veteran winger Blake Ferguson is certain to be named as Sivo’s replacement. Ferguson hasn’t played for three weeks through a calf injury. Arthur is expected to shift Haze Dunster from right wing to the left to allow Ferguson to play as the right winger.
Despite beating the Cowboys, TAB bookies remain unimpressed, posting Parramatta as $51 premiership outsiders alongside Newcastle. The TAB is paying $23 for Parramatta to reach the top four.
KNIGHTS V TITANS
Thursday 26 August, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 7:50pm
Knights: Come into the game off a five-day turnaround and likely without David Klemmer after he was charged with grade one contrary conduct and due to loading is looking at a one-week suspension with early guilty plea. Tyson Frizell returns from suspension with Brodie Jones shifting back to a bench role. Mitch Barnett could be in some doubt after he copped a knock to the knee during the game but was able to play out the game.
Titans: Could be without Kevin Proctor after he was forced from the field on Thursday with a shoulder injury with Beau Fermor to start on right edge. Moeaki Fotuaika returns after missing the Storm game due to management of an ongoing knee injury. Sam Lisone passed gameday HIA and will be fit to be named. Jamal Fogarty returned from a finger injury last week with Toby Sexton rested due to a short turnaround with Sexton an option to come back into the team for Ash Taylor.
WARRIORS V RAIDERS
Friday 27 August, BB Print Stadium, Mackay, 6:00pm
Warriors: Come into the game off a five-day turnaround after a bad loss to the Broncos and likely missing Josh Curran after he left the field late in the game due to concussion. Bayley Sironen passed gameday HIA and should be fit for selection but will be monitored. Matt Lodge returns after missing the last two weeks due to suspension. Eliesa Katoa missed the charge sheet despite being placed on report on Sunday but could miss some time after picking up foot injury.
Raiders: Could be without Sam Williams after he was forced from the field in second half of Manly game after copping a heavy knock. If out Matt Frawley would come into the halves. Jarrod Croker isn’t expected to return after missing the Manly game due to concussion. Iosia Soliola was a late withdrawal on the weekend after the passing of his mother overseas but has remained in the bubble and could return. Corey Horsburgh and Ryan James are both due to return from their two-week loan from the Bulldogs but the loans could be extended with Luke Thompson out suspended again.
ROOSTERS V RABBITOHS
Friday 27 August, Suncorp Stadium, 7:55pm
Roosters: Come into the game off a five-day turnaround and head into this heavyweight clash with a number of injury concerns out of the game on Sunday. Adam Keighran failed gameday HIA and with a short turnaround is expected to be ruled out. Nat Butcher is also expected to be missing after suffering a knee injury which forced him from the field. Jared Wearea-Hargreaves is already carrying a number of niggles and was bent over backwards in a tackle on Sunday. He was able to play on but could be in some doubt. Siosuia Taukeiaho left the field late in the game for HIA and will be monitored. Sam Verrills should be fit to play after playing the full 80 despite carrying an injury. Dale Copley suffered an ankle injury early in the game but had to play on due to the Keighran injury and will be in some doubt. Josh Morris (hamstring) and Matt Ikuvalu (ankle) are only outside chances to return from injury.
Rabbitohs: Come out of the Panthers game battered and bruised. Josh Mansour is out after he suffered a knee injury in a heavy collision which also saw him suffer concussion. Jaxson Paulo and Taane Milne are options to replace him on the right wing. Reports are Damien Cook will be rested due to a quad injury with Peter Mamouzelos set to come in at hooker. Keaon Koloamatangi won’t play again before the finals after taking the early guilty plea for a crusher tackle on Brent Naden with Jaydn Su’a set to be recalled to the starting line-up. Cameron Murray (shoulder) and Tevita Tatola (passed HIA) will all need to be checked to make sure they are fit for selection after picking up injuries in the Panthers game.
DRAGONS V COWBOYS
Saturday 28th August, Browne Park, Rockhampton, 3:00pm
Dragons: Have Mikaele Ravalawa (concussion) and Kaide Ellis (shoulder) in some doubt after they suffered injuries on Sunday. Josh McGuire passed gameday HIA and should be fit for selection but will be monitored. Ben Hunt isn’t expected to return from a broken arm until the Rabbitohs game in Round 25. He will see a specialist the week before to get final clearance.
Cowboys: Searching for a win but other than that they have little to play for in the final games of the season with coach Todd Payten giving his youngsters time in NRL to see if they are up to it. Griffin Neame is one of those rookies. He missed the Eels game due to suspension but should return after being impressive in limited minutes against the Tigers. Jason Taumalolo (hand), Murray Taulagi (concussion) and Lachlan Burr (concussion) all trained with the squad last week with non-contact vests but should be fit for selection this week. Kyle Feldt is in NRL concussion protocols. He is progressing through them and all going well will be fit for selection.
SHARKS V BRONCOS
Saturday 28th August, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 5:30pm
Sharks: Without Ronaldo Mulitalo after he suffered a broken jaw in the Tigers game which required surgery on Sunday. Connor Tracey is most likely to shuffle out to the wing which would allow Luke Metcalf to continue in the halves after a good game on the weekend with options of recalling Will Chambers at centre or shifting either 2RFs Siosifa Talakai or Teig Wilton. Aiden Tolman returns from suspension with Matt Moylan set to continue in the bench utility role as he works back to full fitness after a calf injury. Jesse Ramien passed gameday HIA on Saturday and should be fit to be named.
Broncos: Without Xavier Coates after he suffered arm injury late in Warriors game yesterday which will end his Broncos career with options of either David Mead or Jamayne Isaako to come onto right wing. Danny Levi was placed on report for the incident in the final minutes of the game but shouldn’t have too many concerns with no other concerns to come out of the game.
STORM V EELS
Saturday 28th August, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm
Storm: Welcome a few players back with Jahrome Hughes (HIA), Brandon Smith (rested) and Justin Olam (rested) all expected to return after missing the Titans game which will create a selection headache for coach Craig Bellamy as to who he starts at fullback and hooker but he may put that off another week if he rests another couple of players like he did last week. Dale Finucane may not return from concussion as the Storm take a conservative approach after multiple concussions this season. Dean Ieremia should return on the right wing with George Jennings likely out due to a knee injury. Ryan Papenhuyzen copped a knock to leg early on the weekend but was able to run it off and play out the game and should be fit for selection. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is probably a week away from returning from a hamstring injury.
Eels: Got the win on the weekend and finally found some form but will need to step it up against the Storm this week. They will be missing Maika Sivo after he suffered a knee injury on the weekend which will keep him out for a few weeks or potentially end his season. It’s hoped Blake Ferguson will return from a calf injury to replace Sivo, otherwise they may have to bring rookie Sean Russell back into the team. Tom Opacic is only an outside chance to return from a rib injury suffered in the Manly game. Clint Gutherson should be fit to play despite suffering a back injury during the game on the weekend. Brad Arthur talked about resting some players in the lead up to finals so we could see that either this week or next week.
SEA EAGLES V BULLDOGS
Sunday 29th August, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe, 1:50pm
Sea Eagles: Expecting Tom Trbojevic to return after he missed the Raiders game due to a cheekbone injury. Curtis Sironen left the field late in the game due to HIA and will need to pass required protocols to play with Kurt De Luis the option to come into the 17 if Sironen is ruled out. Brad Parker returns after missing the game on the weekend due to HIA with Martin Taupau (knock), Morgan Harper (shoulder) and Reuben Garrick (knock) should all fit to be named. Tevita Funa is looking at two-week suspension with an early guilty plea after being charged with grade one shoulder charge.
Bulldogs: Get two players back but lose another two. Dylan Napa (suspension) and Ofahiki Ogden (ankle) are set to return but they could be without both Corey Waddell and Luke Thompson. With an early guilty plea Thompson’s season would be over while Waddell could return in Round 25. Brandon Wakeham comes out of quarantine on the weekend and will be assessed medically as to if he is fit for selection with Jake Averillo hoping to recover from a foot injury to also be fit for selection. Josh Jackson passed gameday HIA on weekend and Joe Stimson copped a heavy hit but both should be right to play. Corey Horsburgh and Ryan James’ loan stint is expected to end but with Thompson’s suspension it could be extended another week. Matt Doorey is expected to start on the right edge for suspended Corey Waddell.
PANTHERS V TIGERS
Sunday 29th August, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe, 4:05pm
Panthers: Have a long nine-day turnaround which will be of assistance for Dylan Edwards after he failed gameday HIA. James Fisher-Harris is confirmed to return after missing the past few weeks due to travelling back to Sydney for the birth of his baby. Mitch Kenny passed gameday HIA in Bunnies game while Viliame Kikau had a head clash but should both be fit for selection. Matt Eisenhuth will probably be rested after picking up a rib injury on the weekend despite him being able to return to the field in second half. Tyrone May returned to running last week in recovery from a knee injury. He will still need to tick a few boxes but could be named on an extended bench.
Tigers: Without Kelma Taulagi after he suffered a shoulder injury while scoring a try on the weekend which will rule him out for the rest of the season. Adam Doueihi could be in some doubt after leaving the field late in the game and having the dreaded test for an ACL injury. But after the game coach Michael Maguire said Doueihi should be OK to play next week. James Tamou (foot) and James Roberts (match fitness) could come into contention for selection after missing the Sharks game on weekend. Jacob Liddle and Thomas Mikaele both return after missing last week due to suspension.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 24: Adam Doueihi sidelined, Tom Trbojevic to play, Clint Gutherson among rested Eels stars
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