NRL 2022: Round One late mail and team news

The NRL season is under way, check out all the latest team news for Round One right here.

The Titans have been dealt a blow in the lead-up to Sunday’s round 1 clash against Parramatta with winger Corey Thompson out and five-eighth AJ Brimson in grave danger.

Thompson suffered a hand injury at training and is expected to be a late withdrawal, opening the door for metre-eating Greg Marzhew to come into the starting side.

Brimson has been carrying a groin injury and despite training on Friday morning, the Queensland Origin star is still in doubt for the clash at CommBank Stadium.

If Brimson is ruled out, former Eel Will Smith will come into the starting side and Tanah Boyd will move onto the bench.

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Greg Marzhew has secured a start for the Titans after an injury to Corey Thompson. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

ROUND 1 LATE MAIL

EELS v TITANS

Sunday, CommBank Stadium, Sydney, 4.05pm

EELS

1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Sean Russell, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Ryan Matterson

Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa, 15. Oregon Kaufusi, 16. Ray Stone, 17. Jake Arthur

Reserves: 19. Bryce Cartwright, 23. Wiremu Greig

Players Cut: 18. Nathan Brown, 20. Mitch Rein, 21. Tom Opacic, 22. Hayze Perham, 24. Ky Rodwell

LATE MAIL:

The big question mark sits around the fitness of Nathan Brown on return from injury. He had a limited pre-season, not featuring in either trial, and may be eased back with a run in NSW Cup. If named, he’d likely play a limited stint off the bench. Either way, I expect Ryan Matterson to spend some time on the edge throughout the clash.

TITANS

1. Jayden Campbell, 2. Phillip Sami, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 24. Greg Marzhew, 6. AJ Brimson, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Will Smith, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Kevin Proctor

Reserves: 19. Tanah Boyd, 21. Esan Marsters

Players Cut: 5. Corey Thompson, 18. Jarrod Wallace, 20. Herman Ese’ese, 22. Sam McIntyre, 23. Paul Turner

LATE MAIL:

A few big changes with AJ Brimson and Corey Thompson expected to miss through injury, with Will Smith and Greg Marzhew to come into the side. This would see Tanah Boyd come onto the bench as the utility.

Matt Dufty is one of eight club debutants in the Bulldogs’ squad.

COWBOYS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, QCB Stadium, Townsville, 6.15pm

COWBOYS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Coen Hess, 11. Heilum Luki, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Reuben Cotter, 15. Jordan McLean, 16. Mitchell Dunn, 17. Tom Gilbert

Reserves: 19. Scott Drinkwater, 20. Griffin Neame

Players Cut: 18. Jake Granville, 21. Brendan Elliot, 22. Ben Condon, 23. Connelly Lemuelu, 24. Daejarn Asi

LATE MAIL:

I expect the Cowboys to run out 1-13 unchanged, but I’d be surprised if they run with the four forward bench. I’m tipping either Jake Granville or Scott Drinkwater to come in for Tom Gilbert. With Rueben Cotter able to cover for Reece Robson at hooker, Drinkwater may be the preferred option.

BULLDOGS

1. Matt Dufty, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Braiden Burns, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Jake Averillo, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Jack Hetherington, 12. Tevita Pangai Jr, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Max King, 17. Chris Patolol

Reserves: 20. Aaron Schoupp, 23. Ava Seumanufagai

Players Cut: 19. Brandon Wakeham, 21. Joe Stimson, 22. Josh Cook, 24. Kyle Flanagan, 25. Reece Hoffman

LATE MAIL:

The new era at the Bulldogs begins with a stack of club debutants. Aaron Schoupp was a shock omission on Tuesday, with Braidon Burns preferred at centre. They’re expected to run out as named.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Round One late mail and team news