NRL Early Mail round 10

THE Titans are set to unleash another NRL rookie, with young gun AJ Brimson in the frame to face Melbourne.

Trent Merrin of the Panthers.

THE Titans are set to unleash another NRL rookie, with young gun AJ Brimson in the frame to face Melbourne.

Star off-season recruit Bryce Cartwright’s form at five-eighth has come under scrutiny, and the former Panther could find himself on the bench for Saturday’s clash.

Brimson, 19, has been talked up as a player with a bright future. Earlier this year veteran recruit Michael Gordon gave rave reviews of Brimson’s talent.

Hearing Titans young gun AJ Brimson in line for NRL debut this week. Bryce Cartwright faces being benched again. #nrl @cmail_sport

— Travis Meyn (@travismeyn) May 8, 2018

“I’ve been super impressed with him,” Gordon said.

“I’ve spoken to him a lot about his footy. He could be a great fullback if he wants to be or even a great half.

“He could play anywhere and do a great job. He is one of those naturally gifted footballers.

“He reminds me so much of (Knights playmaker) Connor Watson. Strong and fast and can play footy anywhere on the park.”

AJ Brimson, pictured in action for Tweed Heads Seagulls, could make his NRL debut.

Meanwhile, the Sharks hope to have captain Paul Gallen back from injury for Sunday’s clash against the Raiders at GIO Stadium.

Gallen hasn’t played since round 6 due to an MCL tear.

His return is a welcome one for the injury-hit Sharks, who lost Wade Graham (hamstring) and Scott Sorensen (broken hand) in Saturday’s thrilling win over the Eels.

Luke Lewis (calf, round 12) and Josh Dugan (foot, round 12-14) are also sidelined, but Jayson Bukuya (virus) will return.

“Gal will be close, if you see him jumping around the change room at the moment you’d think he’d be right so he’s pretty excited,” coach Shane Flanagan said.

“Luke Lewis is still a couple of weeks away, but it will be nice to get Gal back and Jayson Bukuya will be back as well.”

Paul Gallen is set to return from a knee injury. Picture: Brett Costello

Elsewhere, Penrith’s NRL injury crisis has reached breaking point after forward Moses Leota was on Tuesday ruled out for at least eight weeks with a pectoral tear.

Leota is the third player the Panthers have lost since Friday’s loss to North Queensland, after Trent Merrin (finger) and Jack Hetherington (suspension), to take their total injury toll to nine players.

The Leota injury is the latest blow for coach Anthony Griffin, who is tipped to blood his fifth debutant this year in prop Nick Lui-Toso for Friday’s clash against Newcastle.

Nathan Cleary (knee) is back training but considered more of a chance for next week, while Sam McKendry (ACL, season), Tim Browne (ruptured bowel, retired), Waqa Blake (ankle, round 14), Josh Mansour (facial fractures, round 19) and Dylan Edwards (shoulder, season) are already sidelined.

CASUALTY WARD: Full injury recap

Trent Merrin has a broken finger.

TIGERS V COWBOYS

Thursday 10 May, Leichhardt Oval, 7.50pm

Tigers: Russell Packer (knee) is aiming to return with Tim Grant the likely omission. Chris Lawrence (concussion) must pass protocol, but will be named. Josh Reynolds (shoulder) is expected to miss at least another week.

Cowboys: Francis Molo is in line to make his North Queensland debut in place of prop Scott Bolton against the Wests Tigers this week. Bolton has has flown home to Townsville after being charged with assault with an act of indecency following an alleged incident at a Bondi club over the weekend. While Bolton has not been stood down by the club, he appears unlikely to return to Sydney in time for Thursday’s NRL clash with the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval. This brings former Brisbane forward Molo into the mix to make his first NRL appearance in three years.

KNIGHTS V PANTHERS

Friday 11 May, McDonald Jones Stadium, 6pm

Knights: No injury concerns out of the loss to South Sydney.

Trent Merrin's finger injury.

Panthers: Nathan Cleary (knee) is back training, but he’s more of a chance for next week.

Moses Leota (pectoral tear) is out for at least eight weeks, Jack Hetherington (dangerous contact) has copped a one-game ban, while Trent Merrin (broken finger) is facing a stint on the sideline, while Isaah Yeo (ribs) is in doubt. With nine players currently out, the biggest casualty ward in the NRL, coach Anthony Griffin will be forced to delve deep into his roster. Nick Lui-Toso, Kaide Ellis and Tom Eisenhuth are contenders to come into the 17.

BULLDOGS V EELS

Friday 11 May, ANZ Stadium, 7.55pm

Bulldogs: Set to be unchanged following a controversial loss with coach Dean Pay to persist with last week’s late changes, which included Rhyse Martin on the right edge, Josh Jackson at lock, Jeremy Marshall-King at hooker and Matt Frawley in the halves.

Eels: No injury concerns out of the last-ditch loss to the Sharks. Beau Scott (ribs) is nearing a return.

WARRIORS V ROOSTERS

Saturday 12 May, Mt Smart Stadium, 3pm

Warriors: Shaun Johnson (ankle) and Issac Luke (shoulder) have been sent for scans and are in serious doubt. Mason Lino is the obvious replacement for Johnson, while Karl Lawton is set to start at hooker in place of Luke following a strong club debut. Gerard Beale (broken leg) is on track to return this week, but likely through the lower grades. Adam Blair (ankle) failed to finish but will be named and is expected to play.

Roosters: Victor Radley (high tackle) is facing a one-week ban, with Nat Butcher likely to return to the 17 after dropping out of the squad on Sunday. Joseph Manu (dangerous contact) is free to play if he takes the early guilty plea.

STORM V TITANS

Saturday 12 May, Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm

Storm: Centre Curtis Scott (ankle) is expected to be named after a late withdrawal on the weekend. Justin Olam is the likely omission.

Titans: Rookie playmaker AJ Brimson is in the frame to make his NRL debut, which would result in Bryce Cartwright being benched. Jai Arrow (ribs) is a chance to play after being cleared of serious injury. Dale Copley (hamstring) will come into contention for a backline spot. Will Matthews (concussion) is expected to return, while Keegan Hipgrave (concussion) must pass protocol. Jarrod Wallace (virus) will be named after coming from the field on the weekend.

Jai Arrow has been cleared of serious injury.

SEA EAGLES V BRONCOS

Saturday 12 May, Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm

Sea Eagles: Manly face another week of uncertainty around their cursed No.6 jersey, after Dylan Walker hyper-extended his knee late in the Sea Eagles’ 22-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters. Walker played on following the injury, but hobbled out of the Sea Eagles’ sheds after the match. The Manly five-eighth was hit slightly above the knees by Roosters winger Joseph Manu’s head as he attempted to remain upright in a three-man tackle, before he was taken to ground.

Coach Trent Barrett is confident he will be fit to take on Brisbane next week, but it will again prompt questions over a possible return to first grade for exiled playmaker Jackson Hastings.

It comes after a week of speculation at Brookvale, following the season-ending knee injury to regular five-eighth Lachlan Croker suffered last week. Barrett also has an option in youngster Tom Wright, who the coach revealed on Saturday would likely play five-eighth at some point this year. However the Sea Eagles mentor also said he would prefer not to blood him during their current losing streak.

- AAP

Broncos: Payne Haas (ankle, round 12-14) is out, replaced by Sam Tagataese on the bench. Jack Bird (quad) and Alex Glenn (hamstring) are expected to play despite failing to finish.

RABBITOHS V DRAGONS

Sunday 13 May, ANZ Stadium, 2pm

Rabbitohs: Sam Burgess (suspension) returns. Jason Clark is the likely omission. Angus Crichton (head gash) is right to go.

Dragons: Tyson Frizell (dangerous contact) is free to play if he takes the early guilty plea for a tackle on Billy Slater.

RAIDERS V SHARKS

Sunday 13 May, GIO Stadium, 4.10pm

Raiders: Canberra’s forward depth will be stretched to its limit with key prop Junior Paulo (foot) ruled out for 8-10 weeks. Paulo sustained the injury in the win over the Titans on Saturday. The Samoan international will not require surgery, but will be unable to run until his foot improves. Shannon Boyd is expected to start in his place with Liam Knight or Charlie Gubb tipped to come in on the bench. Sam Williams (knee) will return through reserves.

Sharks: Paul Gallen (knee) is pushing to return, while Jayson Bukuya (virus) is a confirmed starter after sitting out last week. However, Wade Graham (hamstring) and Scott Sorensen (broken hand) are out.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 10