NRL Early Mail Round 17: Predicted team changes
Sharks coach John Morris makes a call on his misfiring half after hooking him, latest on Paul Gallen’s injury and South Sydney captain Sam Burgess update — check out all the latest team news.
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Shaun Johnson is set to be retained in the Cronulla halves to tackle Melbourne this weekend despite his misfiring form.
And in further news ahead of Cronulla’s grudge match with arch-rivals the Storm on Saturday night at AAMI Park, captain Paul Gallen (quad) is a chance of playing after positive scan results.
Gallen is eager to play in what will be former Test teammate Cameron Smith’s 400th NRL game.
Johnson was hooked by Sharks coach John Morris with the game on the line against Brisbane and was replaced by rookie half Kyle Flanagan.
Refusing to accept the poor standard of Cronulla’s attack — and needing Flanagan to kick goals + Cronulla coach John Morris made the gutsy call to replace their marquee star.
While Flanagan landed the Sharks’ only conversion, his brain snap on Broncos prop Matt Lodge — which led to a grade one dangerous contact charge — was a major turning point in the match.
In earning a reprieve, Johnson will be under no illusions that Morris is demanding results and a sharp improvement both in attack and defence.
While Gallen’s scans have come back positive, the Sharks are waiting on the medical results from Matt Moylan’s hamstring strain.
+ David Riccio
PANTHERS V TITANS
Fri Jul 12, Panthers Stadium, 6pm
Panthers: Penrith could be without their first choice halves combination. James Maloney would be backing up less than 48 hours after Origin, while Nathan Cleary (ankle) is pushing for inclusion following the injury that ruled him out of NSW contention but is more likely for next week. The Panthers have a ready-made replacement for one halves spot in young gun Jarome Luai. The rest of the squad is well-rested following the bye.
Titans: Halfback Ashley Taylor (personal reasons) is back in training. Coach Garth Brennan says the million dollar man won’t be rushed, but he could come in at halfback for Ryley Jacks. Tyrone Peachey (pectoral) is expected to be fit although it’s unclear if he will be selected following recent contract dramas with the club. Jai Arrow (ankle) is ahead of schedule and aiming for Round 19.
KNIGHTS V BULLDOGS
Fri Jul 12, McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.55pm
Knights: Back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon is facing at least a month on the sidelines after dislocating his elbow in Saturday’s NRL defeat to the Warriors. The Knights confirmed on Tuesday that Fitzgibbon suffered ligament damage when he hurt his left elbow after falling awkwardly while trying to gather a loose ball early in the clash at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The club says star fullback Kalyn Ponga, who was ruled out of Origin with a calf issue, is aiming for a return next week.
Knights winger Edrick Lee has undergone surgery on the broken arm suffered in the Round 15 win over Brisbane. He is expected to return before the finals. Coach Nathan Brown is hopeful his Origin contingent of Mitchell Pearce, Daniel Saifiti, David Klemmer and Tim Glasby will back up.
“We’ll have to have a look at it and see how they all come through, Brown said. “Certainly we didn’t back them up after the first one, then obviously they were stood down for the next one, so we’ll certainly be tempted to (play them).
“(Pearce has) played plenty of Origin, Klem’s played plenty, (and) Glas is getting his numbers up there now. We’ll just have to see how their bodies are.”
Bulldogs: Kieran Foran (hamstring) failed to finish last match but his injury is not considered serious and he is expected to play. Jeremy Marshall-King (knee) is also set to return despite rumours he would miss the rest of the season. Expect him to replace Michael Lichaa at hooker.
RABBITOHS V SEA EAGLES
Saturday Jul 13, ANZ Stadium, 3pm
Rabbitohs: South Sydney captain Sam Burgess (shoulder) is set to return after a five-week recovery from surgery, although he only missed two games of NRL action due to byes and the rep round. Alex Johnston (bone bruising to leg) is also in line for a comeback, likely as a straight swap for Corey Allan at fullback. Damien Cook, Cameron Murray, Dane Gagai and possibly Ethan Lowe (pending Matt Gillett’s injury) would be backing up from Origin.
Sea Eagles: No changes expected after resting up over the bye. Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans would be backing up from Origin.
BRONCOS V WARRIORS
Saturday Jul 13, Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm
Broncos: To come …
Warriors: Jazz Tevaga (ankle) went down against the Knights on the weekend. If Tevaga is out, expect Lachlan Burr to start at lock with Ligi Sao or Leivaha Pulu coming onto the bench. Bunty Afoa and Peta Hiku must pass concussion protocol but are expected to be named.
STORM V SHARKS
Saturday Jul 13, AAMI Park, 7.35pm
Storm: Excpect mass changes with Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane, Cameron Munster, Will Chambers, Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch to be named to back up.
Sharks: Shaun Johnson is set to be retained in the Cronulla halves to tackle Melbourne this weekend despite his misfiring form.
Captain Paul Gallen (quad) is a chance of playing after positive scan results. While Gallen’s scans have come back positive, the Sharks are waiting on the medical results from Matt Moylan’s hamstring strain.
ROOSTERS V COWBOYS
Sunday Jul 14, Central Coast Stadium, 2pm
Roosters: To come …
Cowboys: Expect minimal changes from the Cowboys’ last outing. Michael Morgan (five-eighth) and Josh McGuire (lock) will be named in their regular positions and their availability hinges on Wednesday’s Origin action. Matt Scott (shoulder) is getting close to a return and could replace Corey Jensen on the bench.
TIGERS V EELS
Sunday Jul 14, Bankwest Stadium, 4.05pm
Tigers: Just the one change with Moses Mbye to return from Origin duty at centre in place of Paul Momirovski.
Eels: Expect no changes from Parramatta’s last clash with sole Origin representative Blake Ferguson to be named to back up.
DRAGONS V RAIDERS
Sunday Jul 14, WIN Stadium, 6.10pm
Dragons: To come …
Raiders: To come …