NRL teams Round 26: Teams analysis, silver lining in Melbourne Storm resting

The Storm have followed through with their promise of resting players and plenty of SuperCoaches are struggling to field a 17 for grand finals this week. But it’s not all bad news.

The Storm have followed through with their promise of resting players and plenty of SuperCoaches are struggling to field a 17 for grand finals this week.

Our initial prediction of 10 players being rested was very close to the mark with Crag Bellamy deciding to sit 11.

Among them are popular SuperCoach players Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Eliesa Katoa.

Grant’s resting is particularly problematic given Api Koroisau is on the bye, meaning many SuperCoaches are without a hooker.

NRL ROUND 26 TEAMS: SCROLL DOWN FOR EVERY SQUAD, SUPERCOACH NEWS

Likewise, those who own both Hughes and Nathan Cleary (shoulder) are without a halfback.

While those who own Katoa, Kai Pearce-Paul (leg laceration) and Samuela Fainu (bye) could be short in the back row.

Thankfully, there is a silver lining with Bellamy deciding not to rest popular players Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen, who need more miles in the legs after injury-interrupted seasons.

Likewise, early-season cheapie Joe Chan has come from the wilderness to earn a starting back row spot and could be a crucial extra number in an injury-depleted position.

Cameron Munster won’t be rested, but 11 of his teammates will. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

WINNERS FROM TEAMS

* Joshua Curran 2RF/FRF $534,000 - Named to return from a shoulder injury and could be an extra number, or trade saver, on grand final week.

* Payne Haas FRF $626,700 - Named on the extended bench for the Broncos in what could be a huge boost for those who held. Plenty of fitness questions to answer at training this week.

LOSERS FROM TEAMS

* Nicholas Hynes HFB $693,500 - The most popular buy of the week is set to drop well down the rankings after being named on the extended bench. With 24 hour-cuts coming just before the Penrith game, SuperCoaches selling Nathan Cleary should know if Hynes will play with 25 minutes left on the clock. And if that falls over you could ‘pivot’ to Sam Walker (who plays Sunday afternoon). Hynes may even be eased back from the bench given how well the Sharks have gone without him. This is therefore a very risky trade, not to mention he may also take some time to get up to speed, just like Munster. Avoid.

* Apisai Koroisau HOK $552,700, Lachlan Galvin 5/8 $655,900, Samuela Fainu 2RF/FRF $559,400 - The Tigers are stacked with popular SuperCoach players but are on the bye this week.

* Kai Pearce-Paul 2RF $483,800 - Out with a severe leg laceration in a blow for 13 per cent of teams.

* Casey McLean CTW $427,700 – Popular cheapie misses out for the Panthers, who have brought Sunia Turuva and Paul Alamoti back into the side.

* Storm resting contingent - 11 rested. See analysis above

BUY

* Jacob Liddle HOK $673,200 - With Api and Harry both out, hooker is cooked. Liddle is the most popular replacement and the crowd is speaking sense here. Liddle is in great form, possessing the best five-round average of any fit hooker. The Dragons likely have to win both games to make the eight so Liddle is no chance of being rested.

* Angus Crichton 2RF $712,100 - The fourth most popular player as SuperCoaches look to replace Katoa, Fainu and Pearce-Paul. Crichton is coming off a hat-trick and has been in beast mode all year. Resting is the issue - and it could come as early as this week if results go the Roosters’ way given they play the last game of the round.

* Matt Burton 5-8/HFB $645,700 - The Dogs are the clear premiership dark horses (though their lack of middles could hurt when the refs put the whistle away for finals footy) and Burton is central to their great run of form. Manly then the Cowboys is not the easiest draw and despite Burton coming off a big 100 last week I prefer the next man on this list.

* Sam Walker HFB $728,200 - The Roosters scored a billion points last weekend against the Titans and yet Walker, who scored a try himself, finished with just 68 SuperCoach points. This is the risk that comes with the Roosters. You can be assured the team will score plenty of points (except against the Storm or Panthers who appear to well and truly have the measure of the Tricolours), but with so many attacking threats it’s a lottery as to which players will cash in personally. The draw, Raiders into Rabbitohs, is a positive one and Walker is due a big one. Beware of resting though.

* Zac Lomax CTW $712,000 - Has produced the sixth best average of any fit player - regardless of position - in a stellar season. The Dragons have decent match-ups to finish against the Eels and Raiders and Lomax is no chance of being rested. He scored 73 on weekend with no big attacking stats and the upside is huge.

HOLD

Greg Marzhew CTW $510,700 - Popular sell this week and fair enough given his overall and recent averages sit barely over 50. But Marzhew is coming up against a leaky Titans edge that conceded mass tries last week against the Roosters. Jot him down for a meat pie.

HAAS A CHANCE FOR BRONCOS

Superstar Broncos prop Payne Haas could make a shock return from injury in a desperate bid to save Brisbane’s season.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has named his No.1 prop on an extended bench for Saturday night’s must-win Battle of Brisbane blockbuster against Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

Bennett is also taking a gamble, naming star duo Jeremy Marshall-King (foot) and Tevita Pangai Jr (hamstring) on the Dolphins’ extended bench in the slim hope both will take the field.

Haas damaged his foot three weeks ago in Brisbane’s heavy 46-18 loss to the Titans and there were fears the Broncos’ $1 million man had suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury.

But with the Broncos plunged into a five-way battle for the final spot in the top eight, Walters is prepared to roll the dice and unleash 118kg enforcer Haas against fellow finals aspirants the Dolphins.

Haas has been named in jumper No.22. The five-time Paul Morgan Medallist will train on Wednesday in the first step towards getting the green light to take part in the fourth instalment of the Battle of Brisbane.

Should he pull up well on Thursday, the Broncos will watch Haas closely at Friday’s captain’s run to make a final determination on whether he runs out against the Dolphins.

At this stage, the odds are stacked against Haas.

Payne Haas and Kevin Walters at red Hill during the captains run for the Brisbane Broncos. Picture: Tertius Pickard

It’s a delicate balancing act for the embattled Broncos. There is a risk that fresh damage to his foot could see Haas require surgery on his Lisfranc, which could sideline the prop for three to four months and impact on his 2025 pre-season.

Corey Jensen and Xavier Willison performed admirably as starting props in last week’s 30-24 defeat of the Eels, but the presence of Haas would undoubtedly give the Broncos a more intimidating look.

In one boost for the Broncos, hulking 205cm prop Ben Te Kura has been named on the bench to give Brisbane some interchange muscle as they chase a fourth consecutive derby defeat of the Dolphins.

HYNES EYES EARLY COMEBACK

Nicho Hynes is a step closer to making his comeback from a major foot injury with the star halfback named in Cronulla’s 22-man squad.

Eight weeks after fracturing his leg and rupturing his syndesmosis in a training mishap, Hynes will be included in Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s extended team list to face the Warriors at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night.

Hynes will be required to pass a number of searching fitness tests before a final call is made on Friday.

The return of Hynes would prove a massive boost for the Sharks as they chase a top-two finish on the NRL ladder.

The match will mark Cronulla Old Boys Day, Cam McInnes’s 200th NRL game and Warriors veteran Shaun Johnson’s last match of his career.

It was originally feared Hynes wouldn’t be in contention to play again until week one of the finals.

However, the 2022 Dally M winner has dedicated himself to a relentless rehabilitation program in order to return for Cronulla.

Daniel Atkinson, who has starred in Hynes’ absence, will be named in the halves alongside Braydon Trindall.

Meanwhile, Siosifa Talakai is set to be named to return from a calf complaint to replace the suspended Jesse Ramien.

Nicho Hynes could return for the Sharks. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

NRL ROUND 26 TEAMS

COWBOYS VS STORM

Thursday, 7.50pm, Q.C.B Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Tomas Chester 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Braidon Burns

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Grant Anderson 8. Lazarus Vaalepu 9. Tyran Wishart 10. Christian Welch 11. Kane Bradley 12. Joe Chan 13. Alec MacDonald

Interchange: 14. Keagan Russell-Smith 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Ativalu Lisati 17. Tristan Powell

Reserves: 18. Coby Williamson 19. Ammaron Gudgeon 20. Josh King 21. Trent Loiero 22. Nick Meaney

BULLDOGS VS SEA EAGLES

Friday, 6pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran

Reserves: 19. Eli Clark 20. Jack Underhill 21. Drew Hutchison 22. Blake Taaffe 23. Lipoi Hopoi

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Tolutau Koula 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Karl Lawton 20. Jamie Humphreys 21. Clayton Faulalo 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

PANTHERS VS RABBITOHS

Friday, 8pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Daine Laurie 20. Casey McLean 21. Luron Patea 22. Luke Sommerton

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Tyrone Munro 3. Taane Milne 4. Fletcher Myers 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Jacob Host 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Siliva Havili

Reserves: 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Brock Gray 21. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 22. Richard Kennar

EELS VS DRAGONS

Saturday, 3pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Dan Keir

Reserves: 18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Morgan Harper 22. Ofahiki Ogden

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange: 14. Toby Couchman 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. Mikaele Ravalawa 20. Michael Molo 21. Connor Muhleisen 22. Moses Suli

DOLPHINS VS BRONCOS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Kenny Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

Interchange: 14. Mason Teague 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Tesi Niu 17. Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Tevita Pangai Junior 20. Trai Fuller 21. Anthony Milford 22. Jeremy Marshall-King

Broncos

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Benjamin Te Kura 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Corey Oates 21. Cory Paix 22. Payne Haas

SHARKS VS WARRIORS

Saturday, 7.35pm, PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Siosifa Talakai 4. Kayal Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Chris Veaila 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Billy Burns 22. Nicho Hynes

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker

Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Demitric Sifakula

Reserves: 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Leka Halasima 21. Edward Kosi 22. Paul Roache 23. Jacob Laban

KNIGHTS VS TITANS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Brodie Jones 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Will Pryce 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Thomas Cant

Reserves: 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Jackson Hastings 21. David Armstrong 22. Thomas Jenkins

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall

Interchange: 14. Josiah Pahulu 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas

Reserves: 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Joe Stimson 21. Arama Hau 22. Jaylan De Groot

ROOSTERS VS RAIDERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher

Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Robert Toia 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Mark Nawaqanitawase

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Ata Mariota 17. Simi Sasagi

Reserves: 18. Jed Stuart 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. Adam Cook 22. Trey Mooney