NRL Early Mail: Dolphins raid lower grades due to injury crisis, Jake Arthur earns start in halves

A host of sides are set for mass changes this week with the Dolphins to call up a host of reserve grade players and the Sea Eagles opting for a major reshuffle.

Ray Stone was sent to the sin bin for this tackle.

Wayne Bennett has been forced to raid the Hostplus Cup for players as the decimated Dolphins limp to the end of their foundation first grade season.

The Dolphins have been smashed by concussion and injury problems this week and are struggling to field a team for Saturday’s clash with the lowly Wests Tigers in Sydney.

Key players Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Connelly Lemuelu and Kenny Bromwich are set to miss the game due to head injury protocols.

Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder) will undergo surgery next week while Felise Kaufusi (hamstring) and Ray Stone (broken toe) also picked up injuries in last week’s loss to the Roosters.

Stone was hit with a grade one careless high tackle charge after being sin-binned and was facing a $3000 fine with an early guilty plea or a two-match ban if he unsuccessfully fought the charge at the judiciary.

Given he suffered a broken toe and has been sidelined, Stone entered a rare “no contest” plea, which meant he was handed a two-game ban but spared the $3000 fine.

The Dolphins are in the midst of an injury crisis. Picture: NRL Photos

The injuries have compounded what’s been a shocking few months for the Dolphins since their fairytale entry to the NRL.

After winning six of their first 10 games to sit fifth on the ladder, the Dolphins have lost eight of their past nine matches to fall into the bottom four.

Bennett is set to call on a stack of reserve graders to fill the top team for the Tigers game, with Redcliffe sensation Trai Fuller on the cusp of making his NRL debut.

“It looks like Trai Fuller’s going to get to make his NRL debut,” Dolphins prop Mark Nicholls said.

“It’s a good story, he’s been at the club for a long time playing Cup.

“It’s exciting. He’s been playing really good footy and got man-of-the-match on the weekend.

“Hopefully we can make it a good occasion for him.

“He is quick, elusive and has good skills. He’s not afraid to take the tough carry into the big boys.”

"This is a rarity. A Dolphin in the bin."

Ray Stone gets sent to the sin bin for high contact.

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DRAGONS TO NAME COVER FOR AMONE

St George Illawarra is set to name cover for Junior Amone in their extended squad on Tuesday as they prepare for their five-eighth to finally front court on assault charges.

Amone is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday to face charges emanating from an incident late last year, which resulted in him being charged with reckless grievous bodily harm, and destroying property and intimidation.

He was initially stood down under the game’s no-fault stand down rule but was subsequently cleared to play when the matter was moved to the local court.

He has been a fixture in the Dragons side since being cleared to return and is expected to be named at five-eighth to take on Melbourne on Saturday night in Wollongong.

However, his place in the side will hinge on how his court hearing unfolds later this week. The Dragons have been hit by a spate of injuries in recent weeks, young half Jayden Sullivan among those to be sidelined with hamstring problems.

Paul Turner played five-eighth in the NSW Cup last weekend and shapes as a potential replacement should Amone be a late scratching.

STARS BACK FOR PANTHERS

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is set to welcome back a host of injured stars as the club mounts a charge for the minor premiership.

Five-eighth Jarome Luai is a strong chance of taking the field against the Titans on Saturday, after he missed last week’s win against Manly with illness.

Medical staff will monitor Luai during the week before making a final call on the playmaker.

Cleary confirmed hooker Mitch Kenny and enforcer Spencer Leniu are set to return for the clash on the Gold Coast.

“It looks like it, he’s good,” Cleary said about Leniu.

Jarome Luai is a welcome return for the Panthers. Picture: Getty Images

Leniu wasn’t scheduled to return from a knee injury that has since round 21 until next weekend.

Kenny was a late omission against Manly after he failed to complete the captain’s run.

But star centre Izack Tago is still in some doubt to line-up this week.

A foot injury has kept Tago sidelined since round 20 but he is expected to make a return before the finals.

Utility Tyrone Peachey will also be available for selection after copping a two-match ban for a high shot on Cronulla’s Jack Williams.

Forward Zac Hosking has been filling in at centre with Peachey and Tago unavailable and could move to the bench to make way for Peachey.

The Panthers and Brisbane are in a neck-and-neck battle for the minor premiership with Penrith leading the Broncos on points differential at the top of the table.

Manly have fast-tracked Josh Schuster’s move to the backrow. Picture: Getty Images

MANLY MOVE SCHUSTER INTO THE FORWARDS

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has made the call to move Josh Schuster from five-eighth and into the back row against the Warriors on Friday night.

The major selection call to shift the $800,000 prodigy has been made as a result of both indifferent form and injuries in the Sea Eagles backrow.

Jake Arthur will partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves as a result of Schuster’s move.

Ben Trbojevic and Brad Parker are both unavailable due to HIA protocols. Schuster will cover the loss of Trbojevic, while Morgan Harper is expected to replace Parker.

Meanwhile, in positive news for the Warriors, talented hooker Wayde Egan has been cleared of any serious injury after being rushed to hospital last weekend.

Egan was hit in the throat against the Wests Tigers and there were initial concerns he may have suffered a fractured larynx.

However, Egan has been cleared of any concern and is set to be named to face the Sea Eagles.

HASTINGS AN ‘OUTSIDE CHANCE’ FOR THIS WEEK

Newcastle have been given some positive news with Jackson Hastings an outside chance of playing this week.

Hastings suffered a low grade syndesmosis ankle injury after being caught in a hip drop tackle.

It was the same ankle as the injury which ended his season at the Tigers last year.

Knights officials are privately hoping Hastings could be OK to take on South Sydney in a crucial clash on Sunday.

There has been an irritation of the old injury which is cause for concern.

Hastings has also commenced his rehabilitation in the hope of playing.

Jackson Hastings limps off with an ankle injury. Picture: Getty

Super League bound Adam Clune is on standby for Hastings.

Canterbury back rower Jacob Preston is facing a three-match ban for the tackle.

Preston was charged with dangerous contact by the match review committee on Monday morning.

Preston faces a three-match ban if he fights the charge at the judiciary and loses or a two-match ban if he enters an early guilty plea.

Canberra duo Jordan Rapana (tripping) and Matthew Timoko (careless high tackle) were also charged by the match review committee but can escape with fines if they plead guilty.

Jacob Preston's hip drop on Jackson Hastings.

PAPENHUYZEN EYES NRL RETURN – NEXT WEEK

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has hinted that Ryan Papenhuyzen could make a stunning return to the NRL in under a fortnight.

Papenhuyzen’s comeback from a shocking knee injury picked up steam at the weekend when he played his second game in the Queensland Cup – he punched out the full 80 minutes for the Sunshine Coast Falcons as he ran for 127 metres and recorded two line break assists, two try assists and a line break.

Bellamy was asked after his side’s big win over Canberra whether Papenhuyzen was a chance to return in the NRL against St George Illawarra on Saturday night.

While he wouldn’t rule it out, Bellamy indicated a comeback was more likely against the Gold Coast in round 26. That in itself will leave him with a conundrum given the brilliant form of fullback Nick Meaney this season.

“I will sit down with him and see where he is at,” Bellamy said.

“All along we haven’t had any expectations at all and we are just going to take it week by week. We will have to have a look at that and prepare notes.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is currently playing Queensland Cup.

“If you had a look at Nick’s performance today he was one of our best. There is no pressure on us to rush him back or have him back before he is not quite ready, whether that be footy side or mentally.

“Having said that, it would be good if he could come back because we know Nick can play any position in the backs.”

FULL EARLY MAIL VIA TIM WILLIAMS

COWBOYS v SHARKS

Thursday, 7:50pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: James Tamou is a chance to return from a foot injury off the bench.

Jeremiah Nanai is aiming to return in the next few weeks to bolster the Cowboys’ top eight bid.

Sharks: Tom Hazleton is due back from a concussion on the bench.

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WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES

Friday, 6pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: Wayde Egan will be named after being cleared of a serious throat injury.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is a chance to return from a concussion at fullback in place of Taine Tuaupiki, however the club may put him on ice for another week.

Shaun Johnson handed over the goalkicking duties at stages to Adam Pompey due to a minor quad concern.

He is expected to face the Sea Eagles on Friday.

Sea Eagles: Ben Trbojevic and Brad Parker are both out with concussion.

Josh Schuster will move into the back row for Trbojevic, while Morgan Harper is expected to replace Parker.

Jake Arthur will partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves as a result of Schuster’s move.

EELS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: Mitchell Moses is likely to have played his last game of the season having suffered a fractured eye socket.

This will see Daejarn Asi partner Dylan Brown in the halves.

Maika Sivo will return from suspension on the wing, with Sean Russell potentially shifting to centre in place of Asi.

Andrew Davey failed a HIA in the loss to Brisbane, meaning Ryan Matterson likely starts on the edge.

Shaun Lane is due back from an elbow injury in coming weeks.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard is also back from suspension and will start at prop.

Reports Mitch Moses will require surgery on a fractured cheekbone, with an expected 6 week recovery ending his season pic.twitter.com/8UMvmJE7zq

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Roosters: Nathan Brown (suspension) and Egan Butcher (concussion) return to bolster the forward pack against the Eels.

Joey Manu suffered a minor ankle injury in the win over the Dolphins, but is expected to be fit to take his place at centre.

Sam Walker made his return from injury via NSW Cup on Sunday, setting up two tries. He is in line for an NRL recall.

Angus Crichton is a chance to return from injury.

TIGERS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 3pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: No major changes expected at the Tigers following their loss to the Warriors.

Dolphins: In the midst of a horror injury crisis.

Connelly Lemuelu and Kenny Bromwich are both unlikely to face the Tigers having failed HIAs in the loss to the Roosters.

Ray Stone is set to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Jeremy Marshall-King’s season is over due to an ongoing shoulder injury.

Felise Kaufusi is in doubt with a hamstring injury.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is in doubt due to concussion.

TITANS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: Mo Fotuaika returns from suspension at prop.

Kieran Foran is in doubt to face the Panthers with a sternum injury.

If unavailable, AJ Brimson could slot straight into the halves if cleared to return from a rib injury.

Promising rookie playmaker Thomas Weaver could also be called in for his NRL debut.

Panthers: Jarome Luai (five-eighth), Mitch Kenny (hooker) and Spencer Leniu (bench) are all set to return from injury.

But star centre Izack Tago remains in doubt with a foot injury.

With Tago likely still out, Tyrone Peachey is expected to return from suspension at centre with Zac Hosking moving to the bench.

Mitch Kenny (top) sat out last week with injury. Picture: Getty

DRAGONS v STORM

Saturday, 7:35pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons: Zac Lomax is a chance to return from a shoulder injury.

If cleared, he’d push Max Feagai out of the side, and Moses Suli back to left centre.

Francis Molo is due back from a concussion.

Storm: No major changes expected at the Storm, although Harry Grant may start at hooker after playing from the bench in the big win over Canberra.

Ryan Papenhuyzen impressed in his first 80 minute game back this season and will likely be elevated to the NRL side before the end of the regular season.

KNIGHTS v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: Jackson Hastings suffered a low grade syndesmosis injury and is an outside chance to play.

Adam Clune is back from injury and is likely the man to replace Hastings if unavailable.

Bradman Best is a good chance to return from an adductor injury at centre in place of Enari Tuala.

Rabbitohs: Jed Cartwright, Tevita Tatola and Hame Sele will all push to return from injury to bolster South Sydney’s pack.

RAIDERS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: No forced changes expected at the Raiders at this stage, unless coach Ricky Stuart decides to shake things up after a big loss to Melbourne.

Matt Timoko (careless high tackle) and Jordan Rapana (tripping) were charged but escaped with fines, while Nic Cotric left the field late with a head knock.

Bulldogs: Jacob Preston is facing a 2-3 week ban for a hip drop tackle.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail: Dolphins raid lower grades due to injury crisis, Jake Arthur earns start in halves