NRL Early Mail Round 18: Predicted team changes
There are injuries and suspensions galore in the NRL this week. Get the predicted team changes in Early Mail.
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Predicted NRL team changes heading into Round 18
Latest updates:
* Shaun Johnson (ankle) is set to be named despite leaving Melbourne in a moon bhoot last week.
* Big guns Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco, Corey Oates, Boyd Cordner (rested following Origin), Nathan Cleary (ankle), Kalyn Ponga (calf), James Graham (broken leg) and Matt Gillett (groin) all return.
* Sam Burgess (shoulder) is a chance to be named but more likely for next week. Tom Burgess (ankle surgery) and Alex Johnston (bone bruising) are still 2-3 weeks away.
* Veteran fullback Michael Gordon (blood clot) is back in full training and set to slot straight back into the fullback role at the Titans.
* Cowboys utility Jordan Kahu (eye socket fracture) will miss up to a month.
BRONCOS V BULLDOGS
Thursday 18 July, Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm
Broncos: Corey Oates (niggles) and Matt Gillett (groin) are expected to return. Rookie halfback Thomas Dearden (ankle) is getting close to a return.
Bulldogs: Will be without two middle forwards in Sauaso Sue (ACL) and Aiden Tolman (ribs). Expect Danny Fualalo and Ofahiki Ogden to come into the 17. Kieran Foran (hamstring) is also gunning for a return and could replace young gun Brandon Wakeham in the halves.
NRL CASUALTY WARD: All weekend injuries
WARRIORS V SHARKS
Friday 19 July, Westpac Stadium, 6pm
Warriors: Forward Lachlan Burr (groin) and winger Ken Maumalo (concussion) are both expected to be named.
Sharks: Under-fire Cronulla playmaker Shaun Johnson has fended off calls for his axing ahead of his planned return to New Zealand to face his former club for the first time on Friday night. Johnson is battling to overcome an ankle injury in time to face the Warriors as the injury ravaged Sharks look to turn around a dramatic drop in form.
The Sharks are expected to name Johnson in their side, despite the five-eighth leaving Melbourne in a moon boot following last Saturday night’s loss to the Storm, their fourth straight defeat. Cronulla have dropped out of the top eight following four straight losses and are preparing to play the Warriors without Paul Gallen, Wade Graham and Josh Dugan, while Matt Moylan and Josh Morris are also in doubt.
Full story by Michael Carayannis here
PANTHERS V DRAGONS
Friday 19 July, Panthers Stadium, 7.55pm
Panthers: Halfback Nathan Cleary (ankle) will be named to return from the injury that kept him out of Origin. Liam Martin (quad) is another week away after a late withdrawal on the weekend.
Dragons: St George Illawarra forward James Graham is hopeful of returning from a leg injury as the Dragons attempt to spark their quickly fading NRL season. Graham has been absent for the last two months because of abroken fibula but is aiming to return to the park against Penrith on Friday night. The Dragons’ season is on life support following their 36-14 loss to Canberra on Sunday, leaving them needing to win seven of their last eight games to make the finals.
Graham would come in for Jeremy Latimore (knee) who made it through just 19 minutes on Sunday. “They’re weighing up that risk of re-fracture, just getting the movement patterns back into training, weighing up whetherthey’re where they need to be,” Graham said.
“Another week of training under my belt and I should be alright to go.”
ROOSTERS V KNIGHTS
Saturday 20 July, Sydney Cricket Ground, 3pm
Roosters: Origin players James Tedesco and Boyd Cordner both return after being rested last week. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (facing suspension) has pled not guilty at the judiciary. He faces two weeks.
Knights: Superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga (calf) trained with the squad on Monday. He will be named and is set to play. Mitchell Barnett (suspension) also returns.
RAIDERS V TIGERS
Saturday 20 July, GIO Stadium, 5.30pm
Raiders: Centre Nick Cotric (suspension) has taken the guilty plea and is out for three weeks. His likely absence would open the door for Michael Oldfield or Sebastian Kris. Star hooker Josh Hodgson (ankle) failed to finish against the Dragons but is expected to be named.
Tigers: Got through the weekend unscathed and expected to be unchanged.
COWBOYS V RABBITOHS
Saturday 20 July, 1300 SMILES, 7.35pm
Cowboys: Utility Jordan Kahu (eye socket fracture) will miss up to a month. Michael Morgan (concussion) remains sidelined indefinitely.
Rabbitohs: Coach Wayne Bennett is yet to rest his Origin players Damien Cook, Dane Gagai and Cameron Murray despite declaring he would — this could be the week. Liam Knight is facing a 2-3 game suspension for a hit on Daly Cherry-Evans. Murray (dangerous contact head/neck) can escape ban with an early guilty plea. Sam Burgess (shoulder) is a chance to be named but more likely for next week. He suffered complications from shoulder surgery, forcing a delay to his return. Tom Burgess (ankle surgery) and Alex Johnston (bone bruising) are still 2-3 weeks away
TITANS V STORM
Sunday 21 July, Cbus Super Stadium, 2pm
Titans: Veteran fullback Michael Gordon (blood clot) is back in full training. He is set to come straight back into the side in the No. 1, with AJ Brimson moving to the halves to replace Ryley Jacks (ribs). Shannon Boyd (arm) is also in doubt. Ashley Taylor (personal issues) is set to return via reserve grade. Jai Arrow (ankle) is ahead of schedule and aiming for next week.
Storm: Melbourne’s Origin contingent — Cameron Munster, Will Chambers, Josh Addo-Carr, Felise Kaufusi, Dale Finucane — have had a heavy workload after all backed up for #Cam400. Coach Craig Bellamy has hinted at least some will be rested this week against the lowly Titans, especially given the long travel. Christian Welch (suspension) will miss one game.
SEA EAGLES v EELS
Sunday 21 July, Lottoland, 4.05pm
Sea Eagles: Star fullback Tom Trbojevic (rested) will return in place of Brendan Elliot.
Eels: No changes. New recruit Waqa Blake (knee) is back training but is a few weeks away.
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