NRL Early Mail round 26: Predicted team changes

PARRAMATTA have three key players back and the Sharks also have a triple boost, but the Titans will limp through the final round.

EARLY Mail and predicted team changes heading into round 26.

* THE Eels welcome back three key players in Kaysa Pritchard (knee), Beau Scott (bicep) and Manu Ma’u (suspension);

* JOSH Dugan (disciplinary) will earn a reprieve for the Dragons;

* BOOM rookie Dylan Edwards (knee) is out for 3-5 weeks, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to replace him at fullback. Penrith captain Matt Moylan (hamstring) is only a very slim chance of playing;

* WADE Graham (corked calf) and Jack Bird (shoulder) are chances to play for Cronulla, while Chris Heighington is free to play after taking the early guilty plea;

* THE Titans are without Jarrod Wallace (suspension), Nathan Peats (shoulder) and Dale Copley (groin), while Ryan James (shoulder) is racing the clock;

* FORMER Origin winger Daniel Tupou (groin) is expected to return for the Roosters;

* THE Broncos have lost Korbin Sims (broken arm) for six weeks.

INJURIES: Full NRL casualty ward

Beau Scott is back from what was originally thought to be a season-ending bicep injury.

COWBOYS V BRONCOS

Thursday, 31/08, 7:50PM, 1300SMILES Stadium

Cowboys: No changes following the timely returns of Lachlan Coote (ankle) and Gavin Cooper (calf) last week.

Broncos: Korbin Sims (broken arm) is out for six weeks. Sam Thaiday is his most likely replacement at prop with Ben Hunt to come into the starting side at hooker and Benji Marshall to play as a bench utility. Tevita Pangai Jnr (hamstring) and Joe Ofahengaue (suspension) trained on Monday and are set to return in place of Jadyn Su’a and Jai Arrow. Jordan Kahu (groin) returns on the wing in place of David Mead.

EELS V RABBITOHS

Friday, 01/09, 7:50PM, ANZ Stadium

Eels: The Parramatta side will have three huge inclusions with Kaysa Pritchard (knee), Beau Scott (bicep) and Manu Ma’u (suspension) all to be named. Suaia Matagi (tripping) escaped with a fine.

Rabbitohs: Aaron Gray (leg) is in doubt with Robert Jennings in line to earn a starting backline spot. Zane Musgrove is out after copping a one-match suspension for a shoulder charge. George Burgess is likely to start at prop. Adam Reynolds and Kyle Turner (both concussion) will be named but monitored during the week. Sam Burgess (head slam) escaped with a fine.

ROOSTERS V TITANS

Saturday, 02/09, 3:00PM, Allianz Stadium

Roosters: Daniel Tupou (groin) is expected to return on the left wing, with Latrell Mitchll returning to centre and Ryan Matterson to the bench. “There’s still plenty of time before the game so hopefully we’ll get him (Tupou) back this week, but if not it will be the week after,” captain Jake Friend said.

Titans: Jarrod Wallace (suspension), Nathan Peats (shoulder) and Dale Copley (groin) are confirmed outs. Morgan Boyle is set to start at prop for Wallace and Pat Politoni is Peats’ likely replacement at hooker. However, the Titans face a much tougher test to replace Copley with Konrad Hurrell (hamstring), John Olive (elbow), Dan Sarginson (shoulder) and Tyrone Roberts-Davis (shoulder) all injured and youngster Phillip Sami already filling a wing spot. Kevin Proctor (concussion) will be named and is expected to play. Ryan James (shoulder) will also be named but is racing the clock after missing last week.

SEA EAGLES V PANTHERS

Saturday, 02/09, 5:30PM, Lottoland

Sea Eagles: Curtis Sironen (pectoral) is close to a return after a nine week absence.

Panthers: Boom rookie Dylan Edwards (knee) is out for 3-5 weeks with a medial ligament tear. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will fill in at fullback with Dean Whare a chance to come into the backline. Matt Moylan (hamstring) is still struggling. He may score a spot in the extended squad but is only a very slim chance of playing.

STORM V RAIDERS

Saturday, 02/09, 7:30PM, AAMI Park

Storm: No changes for Craig Bellamy’s high-flying side.

R aiders:Sia Soliola (suspension) returns from a long lay-off. Aidan Sezer (cork/concussion) is expected to be named despite playing just 57 minutes on the weekend.

KNIGHTS V SHARKS

Sunday, 03/09, 2:00PM, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Joe Wardle (ankle) and Daniel Saifiti (dislocated shoulder) went down for the Knights last week. Josh King is free to play after taking the early guilty plea to a dangerous contact charge.

Sharks: Shane Flanagan’s side has received a triple boost. Wade Graham (corked calf) has been cleared of a fracture and is a chance to play, Jack Bird (shoulder) will be named to return at right centre and Chris Heighington (dangerous contact) is free to play after taking the early guilty plea. However, Sam Tagataese (calf) is in doubt with Jeremy Laitmore expected to come into the 17.

DRAGONS V BULLDOGS

Sunday, 03/09, 4:00PM, ANZ Stadium

Dragons: Paul McGregor will welcome back Josh Dugan (disciplinary) at right centre. “He’s done his punishment now, he’s missed a game of footy,” McGregor said. “He’ll be hurting pretty hard in there, letting the players down.” Dugan’s return would see Kurt Mann move back into the halves, with Josh McCrone to drop to the bench or out of the side as he struggles with hamstring injuries in both legs. “They’re both sore,” McCrone said. “It’s something I’ve been managing for two or three months and it’s progressively getting worse and worse.” Russell Packer (knee) is in line to return.

Bulldogs: Josh Reynolds (calf) is expected to return at five-eighth for a Canterbury farewell. Moses Mbye (concussion) will be named but must pass protocol. Brett Morris (ribs) has been cleared of fracture but remains in serious pain due to deep bruising, which could see Chase Stanley or Kerrod Holland earn a top grade reprieve.

TIGERS V WARRIORS

Sunday, 03/09, 6:30PM, Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers: Luke Brooks (hamstring) is expected to return in the halves after missing out last week, with Jack Littlejohn to make way. Michael Chee Kam (shoulder charge) and Matt McIlwrick (dangerous contact) miss the match due to one-match suspensions.

Warriors: Issac Luke (concussion) will be named but must pass protocol. Isaiah Papalii (dangerous contact) can escape suspension with an early guilty plea.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 26: Predicted team changes