NRL Late Mail round 3: Joe Chan is a late withdrawal for the Storm

The Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights have made late changes to their teams for Sunday’s match - and both have significant SuperCoach implications.

The Storm have cut young backrower Joe Chan (hand) which opens the door for new recruit Shawn Blore to make his club debut. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is set return from a hamstring injury through reserve grade as rumours swirl he is on the outer at the club.

NAS faces a fight to win back his spot in the Melbourne Storm starting pack this season despite being on $850,000 a season.

“[Nelson’s] looking very close to playing again and getting some minutes under his belt with one of our feeder teams,” said Storm’s football manager Frank Ponissi.

Ponissi also said Cameron Munster is set to return in round 5, after next week’s bye.

Sua Fa’alogo (ankle), Christian Welch (concussion) and Bronson Garlick are also aiming for round 5.

-Tom Sangster

ROUND THREE TEAMS

TIGERS v SHARKS

Saturday 7:35pm, Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield

WESTS TIGERS

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu

Reserves: 18. Asu Kepaoa 22. Brent Naden

Players cut: 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Justin Matamua 21. Alexander Lobb

Late Mail: Justin Olam (knee) has overcome injury and will make his club debut. The job security of Solomona Faataape seems strong with Starford To’a (ankle) out for eight weeks.

SHARKS

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Jack Williams 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Dale Finucane 15. Royce Hunt 16. Billy Burns 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Kayal Iro 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Players cut: 20. Daniel Atkinson 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell

Late Mail: Royce Hunt (illness) returns on the bench.

EELS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday 4:05pm, CommBank Stadium, Parramatta

EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Morgan Harper 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 20. Brendan Hands

Players cut: 19. Wiremu Greig 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Daejarn Asi

Late Mail: Scans have cleared Kelma Tuilagi (shoulder) of serious injury but he remains a big watch. Bailey Simonsson (concussion) is hopeful of returning next week.

SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 20. Aaron Woods

Players cut: 19. Tommy Talau 21. Brad Parker 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Late Mail: Tommy Talau (ankle) was named on the extended bench on Tuesday but was culled 24 hours before kickoff.

KNIGHTS v STORM

Sunday 6:15pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton

KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 20. Mat Croker 21. Dylan Lucas

Reserves: 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce

Players cut: 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Jed Cartwright 22. Jackson Hastings

Late Mail: Adam O’Brien has made two changes to the bench he named on Tuesday, with Jack Hetherington and Jed Cartwright both dropping out in favour of Mat Croker and Dylan Lucas.Jayden Brailey (hamstring), Enari Tuala (quad) and Dylan Lucas (concussion) are all expected to return from injury. Greg Marzhew is set to undergo wrist surgery on a fractured scaphoid and will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 12. Eliesa Katoa 22. Shawn Blore 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Kane Bradley 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene

Players cut: 11. Joe Chan 20. Jack Howarth 21. Sualauvi Faalogo

Late Mail: Joe Chan (hand infection) is out replaced by Shawn Blore. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) is set to return through Queensland Cup. Cameron Munster (groin), Sua Fa’alogo (ankle), Christian Welch (concussion) and Bronson Garlick are aiming to return after next week’s bye.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 3: Joe Chan is a late withdrawal for the Storm