NRL teams Round 5 2022: SuperCoach NRL news, analysis, Kyle Flanagan returns for Bulldogs

Kyle Flanagan’s NRL exile is over after he was named at halfback for the Bulldogs’ clash against premiers Penrith. Find out who’s in and who’s out this weekend.

Kyle Flanagan is back in first grade after scoring more points in reserve grade than what the Bulldogs have managed in the NRL this season.

The return of Flanagan alongside marquee five-eighth Matt Burton also delivers Canterbury fans the halves combination many experts have felt is overdue.

Flanagan — Canterbury’s third halfback in five matches — faces the arduous task of returning to the NRL against premiers Penrith on Sunday before then possibly facing South Sydney.

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“I feel sorry for him, he has worked hard and he deserves a shot to play in the halves, he has been hammered pillar to post, his confidence has been battered,” former playmaker and NRL 360 host Braith Anasta said.

“They didn’t give him a second, let alone a minute in the trials next to Burton, they get to Round 5 and they play the premiership heavyweights, the best team in the competition right now by a long way. And they go here you go buddy, do your best.”

Kyle Flanagan is back in first grade for the Bulldogs. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Anasta has previously said the Bulldogs need Flanagan’s organisational skills to compliment Matt Burton.

Flanagan was originally signed as the club’s chief playmaker but the 23-year-old has been forced to deal with constant speculation that he is on the outer at the club.

Putting his head and focusing on working on areas of his game that coach Trent Barrett had asked for, Flanagan has spent the past month steering the unbeaten Bulldogs to the top of the competition ladder.

The reserve grade Bulldogs have scored 136 points in four matches, an average of just over 32 points. Flanagan himself has scored 42 points.

Canterbury’s clunky first grade side have conjured just 28 points in four games with head coach Trent Barrett increasingly frustrated with the team’s attack.

Jake Averillo was given the first three rounds at halfback before Brandon Wakeham was selected for the Bulldogs last two games.

Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has reshuffled his halves again. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Last week’s 44-0 thrashing by the Storm was the final straw for Barrett.

“We had a lot of ball early in the first half and needed to come away with points in the first 15 minutes. We didn’t take our chances, they did,’’ Barrett said. “It’s (attack) been an issue for a while, but our execution was poor.’’

Bulldogs captain Josh Jackson described the performance as “embarrassing”.

“Just with the patience that we’re showing - I think we’re trying to score off of every play,’’ Jackson said. “We need to build our sets and be a little bit more patient, particularly against a team like Melbourne.

“It takes more than one or two plays to beat them. So there was certainly a sense of (frustration). And I think just a little bit of a lack of cohesion ... we always knew it was going to take a little bit of time (to develop together).’’

ROUND 5 TEAMS

KNIGHTS v SEA EAGLES

Thursday, 7.50pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Sauaso Sue, 16. Leo Thompson 17. Jirah Momoisea

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi, 19. Pasami Saulo, 20. Tex Hoy, 21. Edrick Lee, 22. Jaron Purcell, 23. Dylan Lucas, 24. Brayden Musgrove

TEAM NEWS: It’s an unchanged 17 from the Knights despite Tyson Frizell picking up a minor hamstring strain last week. Jake Clifford and Dominic Young both received fines for their charges against the Sharks and were clear to play.

Sea Eagles

1. Tolutau Koula, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Christian Tuipulotu, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Andrew Davey, 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Karl Lawton, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor, 19. Toafofoa Sipley, 20. Brad Parker, 21. Jorge Taufua, 22. Kurt De Luis, 23. Kaeo Weekes, 24. Ben Trbojevic

TEAM NEWS: Tolutau Koula impressed in his starting debut at centre, so much so that he has been named to start at fullback — let’s see if Des Hasler sticks with that or plays Garrick at fullback as he has previously. Christian Tuipulotu has been named at centre with Brad Parker in the reserves.

Tolutau Koula will fill in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback for Manly. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Friday, 6pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Warriors

1. Reece Walsh, 2. Edward Kosi, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Bunty Afoa, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matt Lodge, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Josh Curran

Bench: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Eliesa Katoa, 16. Aaron Pene, 17. Jack Murchie

Reserves: 18. Taniela Otukolo, 20. Addin Fonua-Blake, 21. Rocco Berry 22. Pride Patterson-Robati, 23. Junior Ratuva, 24. Viliami Vailea, 25. Otukinekina Kepu

TEAM NEWS: Addin Fonua-Blake is carrying an injury and has been named in the reserves with Bunty Afoa starting at prop. Jazz Tevaga is out which sees Josh Curran revert to lock and Bayley Sironen start on an edge. Ben Murdoch-Masilla is the other ‘out’ with Aaron Pene and Jack Murchie the new names on the interchange.

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Jordan McLean, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 11. Tom Gilbert, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Helium Luki, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Coen Hess, 19. Brendan Elliot, 20. Connelly Lemuelu, 21. Emry Pere, 22. Ben Condon, 23. Ben Hampton, 24. Daejarn Asi

TEAM NEWS: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (knee) is out and rather than shift Val Holmes to fullback the Cowboys have given Scott Drinkwater the custodian duties. Reuben Cotter is benched with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown to start against his old club. Coen Hess is named on the reserves as he works his way back from a shoulder injury

BRONCOS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 7.55pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos

1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Billy Walters, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Keenan Palasia, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Ryan James, 15. Corey Jensen, 16. TC Robati, 17. Cory Paix

Reserves: 18. Tyson Gamble, 19. Rhys Kennedy, 20. Brenko Lee, 21. Delouise Hoeter, 22. Jordan Pereira, 23. Ezra mam, 24. Logan Bayliss

TEAM NEWS: Pat Carrigan (knee), Albert Kelly (foot) and Tom Flegler ((suspended) are all out. Kobe Hetherington starts at lock, Billy Walters at five-eighth and Keenan Palasia at prop. Jordan Riki and Kurt Capewell both return at second row which sees TC Robati drop to the bench. Cory Paix comes on the bench as utility.

Roosters

1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Joey Manu, 5. Kevin Naiqama, 6. Sam Walker, 7. Luke Keary, 8.Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Connor Watson, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Nat Butcher, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Drew Hutchison, 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18. Naufahu Whyte, 19. Renouf Atoni, 20. Lachlan Lam, 21. Sam Verrills, 22. Adam Keighran, 23. Joseph Suaalii 24. Fletcher Baker

TEAM NEWS: No changes to the 17 that won last week. Sam Verrills and Joseph Suaalii named in the reserves as they regain fitness.

Billy Walters will start alongside Adam Reynolds in the halves for the Broncos. Picture: Liam Kidston

RAIDERS v STORM

Saturday, 3pm, McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga

Raiders

1. Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Elliott Whitehead

Bench: 14. Matt Frawley, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh

Reserves: 18. Xavier Savage, 19. Ryan Sutton, 20. Adrian Trevilyan 21. James Schiller, 22. Sam Williams, 23. Trey Mooney, 24. Peter Hola

TEAM NEWS: No changes.

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Alec MacDonald, 16. Trent Loiero, 17. Tepai Moeroa

Reserves: 18. Tyran Wishart, 19. Chris Lewis, 20. Marion Seve, 21. Jayden Nikorima, 22. Jordan Grant, 23. Will Warbrick, 24. Sualauvi Faalogo

TEAM NEWS: No changes.

RABBITOHS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Taane Milne, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Hame Sele, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Liam Knight

Reserves: 18. Blake Taaffe, 19. Isaiah Tass, 20. Peter Mamouzelos, 21. Richard Kennar, 22. Dean Hawkins, 23. Jaxson Paulo, 24. Siliva Havili

TEAM NEWS: Mark Nicholls (ankle) is out with Tom Burgess named ot start in his place and Davvy Moale coming on to the bench. Jaxson Paulo (concussion) is out leading to a recall for Josh Mansour. Saliva Havili drops out of the 17 due to Blake Taafe being available for his first game of the season.

Dragons

1. Moses Mbye, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Jack Bird, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Tariq Sims, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Jack De Belin

Bench: 14. Talatau Amone, 15. Josh Kerr, 16. Blake Lawrie, 17. Jackson Ford

Reserves: 18. Tautau Moga, 19. George Burgess, 20. Jack Gosiewski, 21. Tyrell Sloan, 22. Daniel Alvaro, 23. Poasa Faamausili, 24. Jaiyden Hunt

TEAM NEWS: Jaydn Su’A is a big return but coach Griffin has avoided swinging the axe elsewhere. Su’A comes in pushing Jack Gosiewski to the reserves.

Jaydn Su’A returns for the Dragons. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

TITANS v EELS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Jamayne Isaako, 2. Corey Thompson, 3. Phillip Sami, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. AJ Brimson, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Will Smith, 15. Jarrod Wallace, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Kevin Proctor

Reserves: 18. Paul turner, 19. Sam McIntyre, 20. Sam Lisone, 21. Herman Ese’ese, 22. Sosefo Fifita 23. Tony Francis 24. Jacob Alick

TEAM NEWS: Phillip Sami, Isaac Liu and Beau Fermor (all Covid) are all available and all slot straight into the starting lineup. Sami starts in the centres. Liu returns at prop pushing Jaimin Jolliffe to the bench. Fermor starts at second-row with Proctor moving to the bench. Jayden Campbell has been given another week to recover with Jamayne Isaako retaining his fullback role.

Eels

1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Waqa Blake, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa, 15. Ryan Matterson, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Mitch Rein

Reserves: 18. Bryce Cartwright, 19. Wiremu Greig, 20. Hayze Perham, 21. Samuel Loizou, 22. Jake Arthur, 23. Marata Niukore, 24. Solomone Naiduki

TEAM NEWS: After being a late withdrawal in the win over the Dragons, Shaun Lane returns pushing Ryan Matterson to the bench and Wiremu Greig dropping out of the side. Mitch Rein replaces Bryce Cartwright on the bench.

SHARKS v TIGERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks

1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Aiden Tolman, 15. Cameron McInnes, 16. Braydon Trindall, 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Jack Williams, 19. Mawene Hiroti, 20. Lachlan Miller 21. Royce Hunt 22. Jonaiah Lualua, 23. Kade Dykes, 24. Franklin Pele

TEAM NEWS: Unchanged with Siosifa Talakai named in the backline with Connor Tracey (groin) and Matt Ikuvalu (ankle) still unavailable.

Tigers

1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Oliver Gildart, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Jock Madden, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Alex Twal, 16. Luke Garner, 17. Alex Seyfarth

Reserves: 18. Starford To’a, 19. Jake Simpkin, 20. Thomas Mikaele, 21. Austin Dias, 22. Tukimihia Simpkins. 23. Junior Tupou 24. Rua Ngatikaura

TEAM NEWS: Losing form seems to be good enough for the Tigers who are unchanged. Kelma Tuilagi has been named to start despite not running out the game last week.

Kyle Flanagan has scored more points in NSW Cup than the Bulldogs’ NRL team this season. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

BULLDOGS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 6.15pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Matt Dufty, 2. Brent Naden, 3. Braidon Burns, 4. Jake Averillo, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Tevita Pangai Jr, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Brandon Wakeham, 15. Chris Patolo, 16. Max King, 17. Joe Stimson

Reserves: 19. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 20. Reece Hoffman, 21. Aaron Schoupp, 22. Jayden Okunbor, 23. Ava Seumanufagai, 24. Josh Cook, 25. Jackson Topine

TEAM NEWS: Yet another new halves pairing for the Dogs with Kyle Flanagan named to start at halfback. Brandon Wakeham goes to the bench and Bailey Biondi-Odo to the reserves.

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Taylan May, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Matthew Eisenhuth, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Robert Jennings, 19. Chris Smith, 20. J’Maine Hopgood, 21. Lindsay Smith, 22. Soni Luke, 23. Christian Chrichton, 24. Sean O’Sullivan

TEAM NEWS: No changes at the Panthers.