Late Mail: Team news and changes for NRL preliminary finals

PAUL Gallen will not play in Cronulla’s preliminary final against Melbourne after succumbing to a shoulder injury — keep up to date with all the latest team news and changes for the NRL preliminary finals.

Paul Gallen is racing the clock to be fit for the Sharks. Picture: Getty Images

PAUL Gallen will fly to Melbourne this afternoon with his Sharks teammates but will not play against the Storm after succumbing to a shoulder injury.

Cronulla’s inspirational leader was a willing participant at Shark Park on Thursday morning as the side put the final touches to their preparation ahead of Friday night’s AAMI Park blockbuster.

However the 37-year old will not make a miracle recovery with Joseph Paulo expected to replace him in the matchday 17.

Paul Gallen is racing the clock to be fit for the Sharks. Picture: Getty Images

Gallen had worked around-the-clock to speed-up the recovery of torn ligaments in his shoulder of which he suffered last Friday night against Penrith.

Representative centre Josh Dugan is also headed to Melbourne, seemingly recovered from his shoulder injury.

Luke Lewis (cork) is in no doubt and will tackle the Storm.

PODCAST: LISTEN! Nick Campton and Tim Williams preview the NRL preliminary finals and review the seasons of the Dragons and Panthers

Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks

7.50pm Friday at AAMI Park

Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Joe Stimson, 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Kenny Bromwich, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Ryan Hoffman, 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Brandon Smith, 19. Jahrome Hughes, 20. Sam Kasiano, 21. Cheyse Blair

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Edrick Lee, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Luke Lewis, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Paul Gallen

Interchange: 14. Scott Sorensen, 15. James Segeyaro, 16. Aaron Woods, 17. Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18. Josh Dugan, 19. Ava Seumanufagai, 20. Joseph Paulo, 21. Kyle Flanagan

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Paul Gallen (shoulder) is out and will be replaced by Joseph Paulo. Josh Dugan (shoulder) is expected to be fit and would replace Edrick Lee on the right wing.

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

7.50pm Saturday at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Mitchell Aubusson, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Isaac Liu, 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Lindsay Collins, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Ryan Matterson

Reserves: 18. Matt Ikuvalu, 19. Sean O’Sullivan, 20. Paul Momirovski, 21. Sitili Tupouiua

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Campbell Graham, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Robert Jennings, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tom Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. George Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Sam Burgess

Interchange: 14. Hymel Hunt, 15. Cameron Murray, 16. Jason Clark, 17. Dean Britt

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns, 19. Tyrell Fuimaono, 20. Junior Tatola, 21. Connor Tracey

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come