NRL Early Mail Round 25: All the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements
THE NRL career of Jamie Lyon is over with the Manly legend succumbing to a hamstring injury. Get all the latest team news in the Round 25 edition of NRL Early Mail.
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GET all the latest team news in the Round 25 edition of NRL Early Mail.
In the biggest team news so far.
* The NRL career of Jamie Lyon is over after his hamstring injury caused him to be ruled out for the rest of the season.
* Paul Gallen is a certain starter for Cronulla’s clash with Sydney Roosters this weekend as the Sharks seek a way out of their late NRL season woes.
* Junior Paulo is in doubt for Canberra’s match against Manly on Saturday with the big prop suffering rib damage against Parramatta last week.
* Jarryd Hayne could switch to fullback for the Titans with Tyrone Roberts back and Ash Taylor to return after being rested last week.
* Benji Marshall’s NRL career could be over with the veteran halfback set to be dumped to reserve grade.
* The Bulldogs will be without Sam Kasiano until the finals after he copped a suspension for kicking Corey Parker in the face.
* Kodi Nikorima will return from a shoulder injury on the bench for the Broncos.
BULLDOGS V COWBOYS
7:50pm Thursday at Belmore Sports Ground
Bulldogs: Prop Sam Kasiano has been suspended for his kick on Corey Parker with Danny Fualolo to replace him on the bench. No other changes are expected. Canterbury have lost their last two matches at Belmore and are 1-2 at the venue since their return last season, going down to Canberra 22-8 earlier this year.
Cowboys: Hooker Jake Granville is expected to be held back for at least another week. John Asiata is tipped to return on the bench for Coen Hess after dropping back to the Queensland Cup for a week to play more minutes.
STORM V BRONCOS
7:50pm Friday at AAMI Park
Storm: Stars Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk are unlikely to be rested. Kevin Proctor is expected to return at second row, which will send Kenny Bromwich back to the bench and Tim Glasby to prop. Jordan McLean is a chance of returning and would likely be included at the expense of Ben Hampton on the bench.
Broncos: Utility Kodi Nikorima is scheduled to return, most likely for bench forward Jai Arrow. The chances of Jack Reed playing again this season get slimmer by the week with no return date scheduled.
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SEA EAGLES V RAIDERS
3:00pm Saturday at Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles: Jamie Lyon has played his final game for Manly after succumbing to a hamstring injury. Manly are incredibly low on troops and are set to roll out Matt Wright at five-eighth again, unless Api Koroisau is passed fit. Darcy Lussick is expected to return.
Raiders: Prop Junior Paulo damaged his ribs against Parramatta and will get the scan results back on Tuesday. If he’s ruled out, Paul Vaughan and Jeff Lima come into the frame for a first grade recall, although they missed last week’s NSW Cup match with injury themselves. Edrick Lee is scheduled to return from a calf injury and will likely replace his cousin Brenko on the left wing. Josh Hodgson will return at hooker, sending Kurt Baptiste to the bench.
TITANS V PANTHERS
5:30pm Saturday at CBUS Super Stadium
Titans: Ash Taylor will be back after being rested last week, forcing Neil Henry to bite the bullet and either move Jarryd Hayne to fullback or send Tyrone Roberts to the Queensland Cup. If Hayne does go to fullback, Anthony Don seems the man to miss out with David Mead to take his place on the wing. If Hayne cannot handle the workload of 80 minutes at fullback, look for him to swap with Mead.
Panthers: No changes are expected for the Panthers unless they recall Te Maire Martin to first grade. Martin got through another NSW Cup match on the weekend but Anthony Griffin might be hesitant to change a winning combination.
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SHARKS V ROOSTERS
7:30pm Saturday at Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sharks: Skipper Paul Gallen is a certain starter as Cronulla seek a way out of their late NRL season woes. Winger Sosaia Feki could also make his return from injury.
Skipper Gallen sat out the Sharks’ 12-6 loss to South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Monday night due to a calf injury, which had also forced him to miss the loss to St George Illawarra the round before.
Hooker Michael Ennis admitted the Sharks missed Gallen in the loss to Souths.
“That is two big bodies we had out with him and Sam Tagataese (both not playing),” he said.
“We could have used them against that big Souths pack.
“I believe he will be back. I hope so.”
Roosters: Mitchell Aubusson might be given a week off after copping some knees to the back against the Dragons but Dale Copley is a certainty to return after suffering a concussion against the Broncos two weeks ago.
WARRIORS V TIGERS
Sunday 2pm (AEST) at Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors: Solomone Kata will be back after missing last week with a hamstring injury, replacing Matt Allwood. Allwood may get a reprieve if Ken Maumalo is not fit after the big winger went down with a hamstring problem against the Cowboys.
Tigers: Chris Lawrence should be fit after suffering a knee injury last week. Justin Hunt could come into the team at fullback given the unfortunate performance of Jordan Rankin. Tim Simona or David Nofoaluma could also spend some time at the back.
KNIGHTS V RABBITOHS
Sunday 4pm at Hunter Sports Stadium
Knights: Sione Mata’utia will return after missing a week with a concussion but Will Pearsall is out after suffering a neck injury. Jack Cogger could be recalled from the under-20s or Tyler Randall could shift to the halves. The game will be Jeremy Smith’s last home game before his retirement at the end of the season. James McManus will also be celebrated following his concussion-forced retirement earlier this year. Nathan Ross will miss the game through suspension and will likely be replaced by Cory Denniss.
Rabbitohs: Halfback Adam Reynolds was concussed during the win over the Sharks and is in some doubt. Zane Musgrove will be able to return after serving his suspension but could struggle to break into the team given their strong recent form.
EELS V DRAGONS
Monday 7pm at Pirtek Stadium
Eels: Bevan French is free to play after taking an early guilty plea for his dangerous throw. Rory O’Brien has been rubbed out for a week after pleading no contest to his dangerous contact charge. Brad Takairangi is still a week away and is unlikely to be rushed back. This will be the club’s final match at Pirtek Stadium before it is upgraded as well as the last Monday night football game before it is removed from the schedule next season.
Dragons: Taane Milne is facing suspension for a dangerous throw. He’ll miss one week with an early guilty plea or two if he fights and loses. If he’s out, he’ll be replaced by Kalifa Faifai Loa or Tim Lafai. Tariq Sims will be included on the bench after overcoming a knee injury. Drew Hutchinson is expected to replace Benji Marshall, who seems set to spend the rest of the season in reserve grade.
Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 25: All the latest team news ahead of Tuesday’s team announcements
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