NRL Early Mail Round 18: All the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements

GET all the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 18 edition of NRL Early Mail.

Could Cordner make a comeback?

GET all the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements in the Round 18 edition of NRL Early Mail.

This is our last Origin-impacted round of the season and some teams will need to dig deep into their lower grades to fill the gaps.

In the biggest news so far:

* Boyd Cordner is a chance of returning for the Roosters against Parramatta.

* Brad Takairangi and Tim Mannah are both listed to make injury comebacks against the Roosters.

* The Sharks will field a bare bones side without their five Origin players and both Ricky Leutele and Valentine Holmes in doubt.

* Greg Eastwood is expected to make a belated return from injury against the Tigers.

VICTORY: Sea Eagles end losing streak

KENT: Blues finally have some hope

ROOSTERS V EELS

Friday 7:50pm at Allianz Stadium

Eels: CentreMichael Jennings is Parramatta’s sole State of Origin player and he’s expected to be replaced by the returning Brad Takairangi. Prop Tim Mannah is also expected to be fit after battling a shoulder injury for several weeks.

Roosters: Centre Blake Ferguson and back-rower Aidan Guerra are unavailable due to Origin with Mitchell Aubusson to switch to centre, Sio Siua Taukeiaho to second-row and Isaac Liu to lock, unless Boyd Cordner is fit. If Cordner can play he’ll come straight into the team.

BULLDOGS V TIGERS

Saturday 7:30pm at ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: Back-rower Josh Jackson is out due to Origin and Greg Eastwood is expected to be fit in a straight swap. Blues prop David Klemmer will also be unavailable with Sam Kasiano expected to start at lock.

Tigers: Blues James Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Robbie Farah are all in camp for Origin, which will see Jordan Rankin switch to fullback and Josh Addo-Carr slot in on the wing. Dene Halatau and Elijah Taylor are expected to cover Farah’s absence at hooker. Tim Grant is expected to start in place of Woods.

PANTHERS V SHARKS

Sunday 4pm at Pepper Stadium

Panthers: Fullback Matt Moylan’s Origin exclusion means the Panthers will be at full strength except for Blues winger Josh Mansour.Waqa Blake is expected to move to the wing and Isaah Yeo to the centres while Chris Grevsmuhl is tipped to start.

Sharks: Cronulla will be without Jack Bird, James Maloney, Andrew Fifita, Paul Gallen and Wade Graham due to Origin while Ricky Leutele and Valentine Holmes are in doubt with injury. As a result Luke Lewis may switch to the centres while Mitch Brown and Jordan Drew will compete for the final backline spot. Fa’amanu Brown will come into the team for Maloney while Matt Prior, Jayson Bukuya and Joseph Paulo are expected to start. Jesse Sene-Lefao seems the obvious candidate to fill one spot on the bench while Matt McIlwrick and Harrison Muller are candidates to come in on the bench.

RAIDERS V COWBOYS

Monday 7pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Forward Josh Papalii is out due to injury and will be replaced on the right edge by Sia Soliola.Jordan Rapana and Shannon Boyd are both in doubt with Zac Santo and Clay Priest on standby. Kurt Baptiste was charged for a lifting tackle but will be free to play with an early guilty plea. Luke Bateman will miss one game for dangerous contact regardless of his plea but the club may yet fight the charge.

Cowboys:Johnathan Thurston, Justin O’Neill, Gavin Cooper, Matt Scott and James Tamou are all in camp for Origin. Lachlan Coote may be named at fullback but he’ll line up in the halves with Jahrome Hughes to slot in at fullback. Kane Linnett could return from injury and jump in at right centre, allowing Javid Bowen to remain at left centre. If Linnett’s not fit, Tautau Moga will make his return to first grade. Scott Bolton and Ben Hannant will start in the front-row and Patrick Kaufusi should start from the bench. Coen Hess is likely to start on the left edge as Cooper’s replacement.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 18: All the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements