NRL Finals 2021: Every club’s injury, suspension list and players set to be rested

It is a tough road heading into the NRL finals. We take a look at the health of your roster and predict who may rested in the final round.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Clint Gutherson of the Eels is tackled during the round eight NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Parramatta Eels at Stadium Australia, on May 01, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

A healthy roster is almost more important than form heading into the finals. Michael Carayannis breaks down the teams in finals contention and the casualty ward at each club.

A host of big name stars are expected to be missing from the final round of the competition as coaches take a conservative approach to protect their players.

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The Eels have indicated that Clint Gutherson would likely be rested before finals. Picture: Getty Images.

Already Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has indicated Clint Gutherson won’t play for an Eels side who are already dealing with Reed Mahoney, Maika Sivo and potentially Reagan Campbell-Gillard out for the rest of the year.

With most spots already decided on the competition ladder and finals to be played at neutral venues there is no urgency to risk players before the knockout stages of the competition.

The Eels will be undermanned when they play the Panthers next week.

“As for next week we will worry about it when we get there but next week might be more about getting ready for the following week and just looking to rest a couple of players off the back of a lot of blokes who have played a lot of footy and not missed any games,” Arthur said. “Clint Gutherson hasn’t missed a game in a couple of seasons. What’s important for us (on Saturday) is Gutho has a red-hot crack.

“The last couple of years we needed to win games to finish (in a certain spot). We are not in that situation. We know we’re going to be playing finals in that bottom half. So it’s about getting ourselves in the best shape.”

The Roosters are by far the most injury affected team, yet still look set to make the top-four. Picture: Getty Images.

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien is also considering resting some forwards for their game against Brisbane but will keep his spine in-tact.

The Storm fielded a near unrecognisable line-up in their final match of the regular season against St George Illawarra last year. A win against the Eels will guarantee another premiership but Storm coach Craig Bellamy said they might not rotate their squad again.

“We just thought last year that was the right thing to do at that time,” Bellamy said.

“We’ll go with what we think is best for the team and best for our individuals.

“We haven’t really looked at it too closely this week, we wanted to get this week over and done with and then have a look.

“There will be some players that don‘t want a rest.

“Some players that we did rest last year thought they lost a bit of momentum leading into the finals.

MELBOURNE STORM

Health Rating: A+

Sidelined stars: Dale Finucane (concussion - rd 25), Max King (Achilles - season), George Jennings (knee – TBA), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring - rd 25)

Melbourne should have their top squad to pick from next week but are expected to rest players. Have been riddled with injuries throughout the season but are coming good at the right time.

PENRITH PANTHERS

Health Rating: A

Sidelined stars: Matt Eisenhuth (ribs - rd 25), Spencer Leniu (ankle rd – 25).

Their recent weeks have been plagued by injuries but the Panthers will not be without any superstars come finals time. Nathan Cleary’s shoulder is an obvious ongoing concern.

SOUTH SYDNEY

Health Rating: A

Sidelined stars: Keaon Koloamatangi (suspension – first week of finals), Josh Mansour (knee – season).

The Rabbitohs will have Koloamatangi back for the finals with only veteran Josh Mansour sidelined. In good shape to make a premiership tilt.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Health Rating: F

Sidelined stars: Angus Crichton (suspension – rd 25), Adam Keighran (head knock – rd 25), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (knee – rd 25), Matt Ikuvalu (ankle – finals), Josh Morris (hamstring – finals), Victor Radley (suspension –first week of finals), Nat Butcher (knee – likely season), Dale Copley (foot – likely season), Luke Keary (knee), Brett Morris (knee), Boyd Cordner (concussion), Jake Friend (concussion), Billy Smith (foot), Joseph Suaalii (foot), Lindsay Collins (knee) – all season.

The Roosters could have the worst injury run in premiership history with the amount of big names sidelined. Have shown fight but any more injuries could leave them struggling to field a competitive squad.

The Roosters have had three players forced into retirement in 2021, losing Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Brett Morris. Picture: Toby Zerna.

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Health Rating: A-

Sidelined stars: Sean Keppie (personal reasons – rd 25), Taniela Paseka (ankle – rd 25), Tevita Funa (suspension – first week of finals), Morgan Boyle (shoulder – season), Andrew Davey (knee – season), Manase Fainu (stood down – season).

Won’t be missing any regular starters next week. Have had a tricky time dealing with injuries but are looking strong at the back end of the year.

PARRAMATTA EELS

Health Rating: C +

Sidelined stars: Wiremu Greig (ankle – rd 25), Tom Opacic (ribs – rd 25), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (groin – second week of finals), Ryan Matterson (suspension – first week of finals), Reed Mahoney (shoulder – season), Nathaniel Roache (knee – season), Maika Sivo (knee – season).

Missing big names Reed Mahoney and Maika Sivo for the rest of the year while Reagan Campbell-Gillard may also not play. Ryan Matterson will be back for the opening finals game but depth being tested.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Health Rating: A-

Sidelined stars: David Klemmer (suspension – rd 25), Daniel Saifiti (knee – first week of finals), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder – season), Edrick Lee (foot – season).

The Knights have had a horrid run for extended periods throughout the season but have been able to string matches together with their first choice spine. Only Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Edrick Lee won’t play again this year.

If the Sharks manage to stay in the top eight they will need to do so without stars like Wade Graham, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Shaun Johnson. Picture: Getty Images.

CRONULLA SHARKS

Health Rating: D

Sidelined stars: Franklin Pele (foot – rd 25), Josh Dugan (stood down – season), Andrew Fifita (throat – season), Wade Graham (concussion – season), Shaun Johnson (hamstring – season), Ronaldo Mulitalo (jaw – season).

A large chunk of their salary cap is sidelined with the club’s highest paid players in Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, Josh Dugan and Shaun Johnson not playing again. In-form winger Ronaldo Mulitalo’s season is also over.

GOLD COAST TITANS

Health Rating: A

Sidelined star: AJ Brimson (jaw – second week of finals).

Only Origin fullback AJ Brimson is missing who is fighting an up-hill battle to return this season.

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Health Rating: B

Sidelined stars: Jarrod Croker (knee – rd 25), Tom Starling (jaw – third week of finals), Corey Harawira-Naera (suspension – first week of finals), Xaiver Savage (shoulder – season), Curtis Scott (sacked – season).

Should get veteran Jarrod Croker back next week but dynamic hooker Tom Starling is unlikely to play again. Skinny in the outside backs if they lose another.

Originally published as NRL Finals 2021: Every club’s injury, suspension list and players set to be rested