NRL Late Mail round 9: Zac Lomax ahead of schedule, back in Origin frame

Zac Lomax has returned to Parramatta training and is back in contention for State of Origin, while Jack Wighton is in doubt for the Rabbitohs.

Zac Lomax has returned to Parramatta training and could be back in a fortnight, putting him back into State of Origin contention.

The centre practised separately to teammates on Wednesday as he warmed up while working towards returning from a foot injury.

Lomax took to band work for some resistance training alongside trainers before working his handy right foot with a few kicks.

He was also put to the test in the air before he moved into some running drills.

His rapid improvement comes after Lomax suffered an injury to his right foot in his side’s 23-22 win against the Dragons in Round 6 which ruled him out for six weeks.

Lomax picked up the injury earlier in the match but played on to win the game for his side with a late field goal.

The Blues winger looked like missing the first State of Origin match but an earlier return would put last year’s series winner back into the fold.

His expected return in Round 11 certainly strengthens his Origin prospects.

Eels captain Junior Paulo said Lomax had been tracking along well for his anticipated return.

“There’s no point in rushing Zac back, you want him to come back 100 percent,” Paulo said.

“With the inclusion of Zac, we’ve seen over the first couple of early games how much work he gets through, so it will be quite handy to have him back in the team.”

Zac Lomax is set to return early from a foot injury. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Lomax will be in the stands when his side opens Magic Round on Friday night against the Sharks, who suffered a golden point defeat three days ago against the Tigers.

Fresh off the bye, the Eels will hope to capitalise on Cronulla’s loss and continue their own momentum from the Easter Monday clash which saw star man Mitchell Moses return.

“I think just having the inclusion of Mitchy in our team sort of lifts the confidence of the boys,” Paulo said.

—George Al-Akiki

Wighton set to be ruled out

South Sydney star Jack Wighton is in doubt for Saturday’s match against Newcastle in Brisbane, creating a path for Englishman Lewis Dodd to enter the Rabbitohs side.

Wighton has been troubled by a hamstring injury and will face a final fitness test on Thursday.

If ruled out, which is expected, Souths coach Wayne Bennett could promote Dodd, who was initially named as a reserve, into the halves.

Should Dodd be elevated, Jayden Sullivan is tipped to move to five-eighth.

Bennett will also consider naming Josh Schuster in his squad as Wighton’s replacement.

Schuster has been playing NSW Cup after an injury-riddled start to the season.

Wighton’s likely absence would mean Bennett will also need to find a new skipper.

Forward Jai Arrow would be a candidate.

Souths are already without Latrell Mitchell, who is serving a one-game suspension.

—Dean Ritchie

NRL Late Mail Round 9

SHARKS V EELS

Friday, 6:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Hohepa Puru

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Addin Fonua-Blake (shoulder) struggled late in last week’s golden point loss to the Tigers but appears set to play.

Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is on track to return.

The Sharks have confirmed Mawene Hiroti (knee) will miss 4-6 weeks.

Young gun Kade Dykes has been ruled out for a third successive season due to a serious knee injury.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves: 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Bryce Cartwright 22. Jordan Samrani

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

ROOSTERS v DOLPHINS

Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls

Interchange: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Jeremy Marshall-King (leg gash), Felise Kaufusi (knee) and Kurt Donoghoe (ankle) are all aiming to return.

RABBITOHS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Dunan 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Davvy Moale 17. Fletcher Myers

Reserves: 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Nazareth Taua

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Jack Wighton (hamstring) is in doubt with Lewis Dodd or Josh Schuster to come into the halves.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Tyrone Thompson

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Marata Niukore 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark

Interchange:14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa

Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Eddie Ieremia 23. Edward Kosi

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Thomas Mikaele

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

WESTS TIGERS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lykhan King-Tongia 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Emre Guler 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Loko Jnr Pasi

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

TITANS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 1:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Klese Haas 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16 Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. David Fifita 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Allan Fitzgibbon

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Howard 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe

Reserves: 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

PANTHERS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Casey McLean 21. Billy Scott 22. Jack Cole

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Broncos

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jock Madden 22. Benjamin Te Kura

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: The Broncos are confident Adam Reynolds will play despite an infection and shoulder injury.

STORM v RAIDERS

Sunday, 6:25pm, Suncorp Stadium

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Nelson Asofa-Solomona is aiming to return to the top grade after easing back from concussion through NSW Cup last week.

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 9: Zac Lomax ahead of schedule, back in Origin frame