NRL Early Mail round 23
PENRITH great Brad Fittler has urged Panthers caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo to rest wounded playmaker James Maloney.
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PENRITH great Brad Fittler has urged Panthers caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo to rest wounded playmaker James Maloney or risk throwing away their NRL premiership chance.
The NSW State of Origin five eighth was clearly hampered during the Panthers’ get-out-of-jail win over the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Maloney played out the match but suffered a worrying knee injury just before halftime.
As he was against Canberra the week prior, he had a mixed performance before delivering a match-winning play.
He produced a poor missed tackle on Anthony Don, who raced 80 metres, before throwing an intercept pass for the Titans winger’s second-half try.
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On the opposite end of the spectrum, his long ball to Viliame Kikau was instrumental in Dean Whare’s try, which sent the match into golden point. But Maloney has continued to be hampered by a toe injury since State of Origin and a broken thumb.
Fittler, who coached Maloney during the Blues’ Origin series triumph this year, said the veteran needed a break with the finals looming and Penrith had the players to fill in.
“You look through those injuries, he’s 85kg max,” Fittler told the Sunday Footy Show.
“The job he’s got to do, he’s looking sore and I think if they don’t give him a rest, they’re taking any chance away of going deep into the semi-finals. “You have Tyrone May sitting there, Jarome Luai is playing reserve grade.”
BRONCOS V RABBITOHS
Thursday 16 August, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Lock Josh McGuire (suspension) returns after a week off.
Rabbitohs: Set to be boosted by the comeback of Greg Inglis (broken thumb), who will return to full training this week, although Alex Johnston (hamstring) will miss 2-3 weeks. Campbell Graham (wrist) is also in doubt after a late withdrawal.
SEA EAGLES V TITANS
Friday 17 August, 6pm, Lottoland
Sea Eagles: Centre Brian Kelly (ankle) and forward Kelepi Tanginoa (ribs) failed to finish the win over Canterbury.
Titans: Centre Brenko Lee (hamstring) and fullback Michael Gordon (wrist) are again expected to miss out after late withdrawals. Expect AJ Brimson to continue at fullback, where he pulled off a number of crucial plays against the Panthers.
STORM V EELS
Friday 17 August, 7.55pm, AAMI Park
Storm: Melbourne officials fear the career of Ryan Hoffman (hamstring) is over. “We’re all concerned, he’s in tears in the dressing room,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. “I’m not too sure he will play again, to be quite honest.” The likes of Tui Kamikamica and Brandon Smith will come into contention for his bench spot.
Eels: No changes expected following a big win over the Dragons.
PANTHERS V KNIGHTS
Saturday 18 August, 3pm, Panthers Stadium
Panthers: The Panthers have been urged to rest James Maloney (toe/thumb/knee). Coach Cameron Ciraldo also needs to fill a bench spot with Jack Hetherington (suspension) copping two weeks.
Knights: Recruit Connor Watson (groin) is nearing a return, which could see Jack Cogger drop out of the 17.
TIGERS V DRAGONS
Saturday 18 August, 5.30pm, Leichhardt Oval
Tigers: To come
Dragons: Five-eighth Gareth Widdop (dislocated shoulder) will go for scans on Monday but is expected to spend time on the sideline. Darren Nicholls is the expected replacement. Jason Nightingale (neck/shoulder) is set to miss another week with Jordan Periera to continue on the wing. Paul Vaughan (ankle) is aiming for next week, despite medical staff ruling him out until the first week of the finals.
SHARKS V COWBOYS
Saturday 18 August, 7.35pm, Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sharks: Forward Wade Graham (knee) failed to return against the Storm and is in doubt. Scott Sorensen has replaced him in the starting side previously this year. Josh Dugan (concussion) must pass protocol.
Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo (suspension) will miss a week. Shaun Fensom (concussion) is expected to return.
BULLDOGS V WARRIORS
Sunday 19 August, 2pm, ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs: Five-eighth Lachlan Lewis (family matter) will return in place of Matt Frawley.
Warriors: To come
RAIDERS V ROOSTERS
Sunday 19 August, 4.10pm, GIO Stadium
Raiders: To come
Roosters: Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs) is out for a month. Lindsay Collins and Nat Butcher will come into contention for spots in the 17.Fullback James Tedesco (concussion) missed the final 12 minutes against the Rabbitohs but didn’t have time to return. Luke Keary (knee) is at least a week away.