NRL teams lists Round 13: Blake Ferguson dropped, Matt Dufty, Jack de Belin return, KFC SuperCoach analysis

Blake Ferguson has paid the price for poor form while an Origin contender remains the mix for Parra’s big clash against Newcastle. Check out all the ins and outs for Round 13.

From Origin contender to reserve grader. That is the dramatic fall from grace for Parramatta flyer Blake Ferguson who was omitted from two teams in the space of 72 hours.

Ferguson was close to earning an Origin recall with Blues selectors tossing up between the nine-capped player or handing rookie Brian To’o a shot. Eventually To’o’s form proved too irresistible to ignore but now Ferguson finds himself on the outer at the Eels.

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Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has swung the axe on the off-contract Ferguson who became the biggest name casualty in the Eels’ flimsy right hand side defence. Haze Dunster will replace Ferguson as the Eels try to fix their defensive woes.

Dylan Brown returns from suspension and he and Tom Opacic will partner Dunster on the right side of the field.

Ferguson is on the lookout for a new deal elsewhere. He will meet an NRL rival this week and despite being pushed out of Parramatta’s top squad, there is still interest in the 31-year-old.

Ferguson was the biggest omission as club’s dealt with the burden of not being able to pick Origin players this week.

The Eels have named Reed Mahoney despite the hooker being selected in the extended Maroons squad. Parramatta expect to know by captain’s run on Saturday if Mahoney will be excused from the Queensland camp to play for them.

Other team news include;

– Jack de Belin confirmed to start off the interchange bench while Jack Bird has switched to the second-row for the Dragons.

– Penrith have overlooked Brent Naden despite missing eight regular first-graders. Tyrone May and Matt Burton will start in the halves. Naden is named on an extended bench.

– Matty Johns’ son Jack Johns named to make his Newcastle debut and another son of a legend Jayden Campbell will play for the same club as dad Preston at the Titans.

– Newcastle new recruit Jake Clifford picked on an extended interchange bench.

ROUND 13 TEAMS

DRAGONS

TEAMS COMMENT: Four huge inclusions with Jack de Belin (stood down), Matt Dufty (shoulder), Josh Kerr and Mikaele Ravalawa (both suspension) returning, with only one forced omission in Tariq Sims, who has been named for the Blues. De Belin slots onto the bench for his first NRL game since 2018, replacing Jaiyden Hunt. Dufty’s return pushes Cody Ramsey to the wing with Jordan Pereira dropping out of the 17. Kerr starts in the back row with Billy Burns dropping out. Sims is replaced in the back row by Jack Bird, who switches from centre. Brayden Wiliame takes Bird’s centre spot with Ravalawa returning on the wing.

BRONCOS

TEAMS COMMENT: Without both Payne Haas and Xavier Coates due to State of Origin, but have halfback Tyson Gamble and prop Matt Lodge back from suspension. Lodge replaces Haas in the front row in a straight swap. Thomas Flegler takes the other prop spot, essentially swapping from lock with John Asiata. Highly-rated youngster Selwyn Cobbo debuts on the wing for Coates. Gamble’s return sees Albert Kelly shift from halfback to five-eighth with Anthony Milford dropped. Popular KFC SuperCoach cheapie Keenan Palasia drops to the bench to accommodate the return of skipper Alex Glenn in the second row.

Matt Dufty returns from injury for the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

WESTS TIGERS

TEAMS COMMENT: Stefano Utoikamanu is a huge inclusion on the bench for KFC SuperCoaches. He replaces Alex Seyfarth, who has been promoted to the starting side in place of Origin-bound Joe Ofahengaue. Luciano Leilua (shoulder charge) has been named in his usual back row spot after being cleared at the judiciary.

PANTHERS

TEAMS COMMENT: Without eight players — Kurt Capewell, Isaah Yeo, Apisai Koroisau, Brian To’o, Liam Martin, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary (Origin) and Moses Leota (suspension). Matt Burton and Tyrone May form a new-look halves pairing in place of Cleary and Luai. Dylan Edwards (hamstring) is a timely return at fullback. KFC SuperCoach fancy Spencer Leniu earns a starting prop spot in place of Leota. Scott Sorensen earns a second row spot in place of Martin, while Matt Eisenhuth wins a promotion to Yeo’s lock spot. Mitch Kenny will play hooker in place of Koroisau, while Robert Jennings wins To’o’s wing spot. Jaeman Salmon, J’maine Hopgood, Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago join the bench.

STORM

TEAMS COMMENT: Josh Addo-Carr (NSW) and Felise Kaufusi (suspension or Queensland) are missing from last week’s team, while Christian Welch, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster are also on Origin duty. Dean Ieremia replaces Addo-Carr on the wing. Kenny Bromwich (hamstring) returns in the second row in place of Kaufusi.

TITANS

TEAMS COMMENT: Missing four players due to Origin with David Fifita, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui all selected for Queensland. Fifita is replaced in the second row by Sam Stone. Brimson is replaced at fullback by Jayden Campbell, the son of legend Preston Campbell. Fotuaika is replaced at prop by Jaimin Jolliffe. Fa’asuamaleaui is replaced at lock by Sam McIntyre. Ash Taylor (hip) returns from injury in the halves with Tanah Boyd dropping out of the 17. Tyrone Peachey (suspension), Joseph Vuna and Erin Clark join the bench.

Blake Ferguson has been dropped for the Eels’ clash against Newcastle. Picture: Getty Images

KNIGHTS

TEAMS COMMENT: New-look front row. David Klemmer (suspension) will miss two weeks and is replaced by Sauaso Sue, while Daniel Saifiti (NSW) is replaced by brother Jacob. Tyson Frizell (ankle) is replaced in the second row by Brodie Jones. Kurt Mann, Nathanael Sasagi and Jack Johns join the bench. Fresh recruit Jake Clifford has been included on the extended bench.

EELS

TEAMS COMMENT: Winger Blake Ferguson has been axed in favour of youngster Haze Dunster. Reed Mahoney is a shock inclusion despite being named for the Maroons. He is 19th man for Queensland and the Eels hope he will be released for the game. Five-eighth Dylan Brown and prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard return from suspension, with Oregon Kaufusi going to the bench and Jakob Arthur sliding back to the reserves. Marata Niukore replaces NSW bench forward Junior Paulo in the front row. Will Smith (thumb) returns from injury in the bench utility role.

Originally published as NRL teams lists Round 13: Blake Ferguson dropped, Matt Dufty, Jack de Belin return, KFC SuperCoach analysis