NRL Round 16: The match-ups and showdowns you don’t want to miss this week

Young guns, square ups, the return of a crowd favourite, a superstar who needs to prove his worth to a glamour club, there is so much we are looking forward to watching in Round 16.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 05: Dominic Young of the Roosters is sent off by referee Grant Atkins after a high tackle on Blake Taaffe of the Bulldogs during the round five NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium on April 05, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Gosford is set to explode on Saturday when Sydney Roosters winger Dominic Young makes his first carry against Canterbury since he was sent off for a brutal high shot on the Bulldogs’ Blake Taaffe in Round 5.

The incident in the 26th minute sparked wild scenes and finished with the big Englishman leaving the field with a ripped jersey and looking like he’d been in a scrap with a pack of wild dogs.

Mr Third-Man in Reed Mahoney was on the scene after the high shot and will no doubt be keen to get in Young’s ear in the return bout. Incredibly, the Bulldogs only won by four points despite the Roosters finishing the game 11 men after Victor Radley was farcically sin-binned for what the ref incorrectly deemed to be a hip drop.

Dominic Young was marched from the field when he played the Bulldogs last. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Other things we’re keen to see:

1. Return of Paps

In full flow there’s few more exciting players to watch in the NRL than Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.

Unfortunately for league fans, injuries – knee, ankle, concussion, you name it – have limited Papenhuyzen to just 24 games over the past three seasons.

The game’s unluckiest star returns this week for his first game since round nine and even the most ardent Storm hater would be hoping to see the flying mullet get through 80 minutes unscathed.

NRL fans will enjoy watching Ryan Papenhuyzen back in the game. Picture: Getty Images

2. Can Cheese appease the Roosters hierarchy?

Dropped last week for disciplinary reasons, Brandon Smith wins a recall to the Roosters due to Connor Watson being called into the NSW team.

‘The Cheese’ is on big cheddar, and it is time he earned his $800K salary. Smith’s direct opponent this week is the always feisty Reed Mahoney and you can be sure the two will be chirping at each other all match.

With Sandon Smith on the bench, rising rake Tyler Moriarty in the reserves and Watson in the wings Smith is playing for his career every time he steps on the pitch.

The Tigers were denied an incredible comeback win late in the round 14 NRL match between Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

3. Tigers finally have a win, now they want revenge

Benji Marshall’s boys are off the bottom of the ladder – if only just – with last week’s win over the Titans lifting the Wests Tigers to 16th spot thanks to points differential. This week the Tigers host Canberra at Campbelltown Stadium.

When the two teams met at the ground last year the Raiders were leading 18-0 with just 12 minutes remaining. The Wests Tigers then scored three tries in the space of five minutes to level the scores.

Luke Brooks slotted a field goal in the 75th minute to snatch the unlikeliest of leads only for the Raiders to be awarded a penalty in front of the posts in the final minutes. Jamal Fogarty slotted the kick and the Tigers lost. A win would mean plenty in terms of avoiding another wooden spoon, but it would also mean a lot to those fans who had their hearts broken last year.

(L-R) Ethan Strange and Kaeo Weekes.

4. Ricky’s apprentice halves

Wily old former half Ricky Stuart is getting the absolute most out of the youngest halves combination in the NRL. Canberra half Kaeo Weekes is 22-years-old, his halves partner Ethan Strange is three years younger, and despite having just a combined 32 first grade appearances between them the pair have been far from overwhelmed since an injury to Jamal Fogarty brought them together at the Raiders scrumbase in round eight.

In six games together the duo have a 50% winning rate with wins over fellow top-eight rivals Manly, Bulldogs and the Dolphins. This week the duo take on fellow young gun Lachlan Galvin (10 NRL appearances) and veteran Aidan Sezer (165 NRL games, 62 Super League) from the Wests Tigers.

(L-R) Max Plath and Isaiya Katoa of the Dolphins.

5. Dolphins young 7 and 13 taking on the Storm

The Dolphins and the Storm kick off round 16 with Isaiya Katoa calling the shots and workhorse defender Max Plath making them with his hard hitting defence. Katoa’s form this year saw the young half mentioned as an Origin smokey while Plath has made the starting lock role his own. Katoa’s prodigious boot (he’s averaged almost 500 metres kicking per game this year), and Plath’s reliable defence (averaging just under 40 tackles per game at a 96% effectiveness) have been cornerstones of the Dolphins surge. Can they maintain their form against the table-topping Storm?

Lehi Hopoate of the Sea Eagles. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

6. Young guns aplenty

Manly excitement machine Lehi Hopoate gets another chance to make the fullback spot his own at the Sea Eagles as Tom Trbojevic edges closer to a return from injury. Coach Anthony Seibold has hinted at Turbo being moved to the centres and you can see why after some of Hopoate’s efforts in the NRL after making his debut in Round 12 against Melbourne. He’s averaging 129 metres and three tackle busts a game and his clash with returning livewire and opposite number Jye Gray from Souths will be worth the price of admission alone to Accor Stadium on Saturday night. Adding value to that ticket price will be the chance to see Manly unearth another young gun when NSW Cup lock Caleb Navale gets his chance off the bench in the top grade. The Sea Eagles have very high hopes for the powerful forward.