NRL Late Mail for round 24: ASADA bans rule out six players, including Paul Gallen

THE ASADA scandal has created havoc in the weekend teams, with six players – including Paul Gallen – ruled out. LIVE BLOG

Storm v Sharks

THE ASADA scandal has created havoc in the weekend teams, with six players – including Paul Gallen – ruled out of action.

Gallen, Anthony Tupou (Sharks), Jeremy Smith, Kade Snowden (Knights), Luke Douglas (Titans) and Matthew Wright (Cowboys) have all been banned until November 21 after accepting plea deals from ASADA on Friday morning.

Eleven other players also copped bans, although none will affect NRL teams this weekend.

Wade Graham (foot) is out for the season. Nathan Gardner (Sharks) and Albert Kelly (Tweed) have been named for feeder teams. Stuart Flanagan (Appin) plays in the local Campbelltown competition. Ben Pomeroy (Catalans Dragons), Paul Aiton (Leeds Rhinos) and Josh Cordoba (London Broncos) are playing Super League. Colin Best, John Morris, John Williams and Broderick Wright have retired.

Check out our full updates to Late Mail below.

Jeremy Smith has copped a ban.

Friday, Aug 22, Eels v Sea Eagles, Pirtek Stadium, 7.45pm

The Eels completed their captain’s run on Thursday morning and expect to be 1-17, with David Gower and Peni Terepo (both knee) right to go. Ken Sio (shoulder) and Mitchell Allgood (knee) are set to be available next week, while Willie Tonga (back) and Manu Ma’u (broken arm) are aiming for round 26.

The Sea Eagles are hoping for no changes. Steve Matai (shoulder) trained on Wednesday and Thursday and is set to play, although he’s yet to be officially cleared. Dunamis Lui (knee) is aiming for next week, while Glenn Stewart (ankle) is back running and also pushing to be fit for next round, although a round 26 return is more likely at this stage.

UPDATE 1pm: Steve Matai is all but cleared. “Matai, we are pretty confident he will play. He should play,” said coach Geoff Toovey. “We have to get those combinations going, that is important.”

Saturday, Aug 23, Broncos v Knights, Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm

Justin Hodges is set to play plenty of fullback, with Lachlan Maranta to switch to the wing and Dale Copley shifting to centre. Hodges has trained strongly in the No. 1 all week. The Broncos had the day off on Thursday, but no other changes are expected.

The Knights have their captain’s run on Friday before boarding a plane to Brisbane. They have no fitness concerns, with Willie Mason (illness) training this week and certain to return. Jeremy Smith and Kade Snowden face ASADA plea decisions.

UPDATE 1pm: Jeremy Smith and Kade Snowden have been banned until November 21 after accepting an ASADA plea deal. Chris Houston will come into the 17, with the other replacement not yet confirmed. Jarrod Mullen (cork) didn’t make it through training on Friday, with Michael Dobson travelling as cover.

Saturday, Aug 23, Rabbitohs v Cowboys, ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm

Kyle Turner (head knocks) was rested last week, but is fit to take the back row spot of Ben Te’o (suspension, finals week two), with the Rabbitohs set to be unchanged. John Sutton (knee) is aiming for next week.

Matthew Wright faces an ASADA plea decision. Curtis Rona and Kyle Feldt could come into contention for his spot. James Tamou (neck) remains a week-to-week proposition.

UPDATE 1pm: Matthew Wright has copped an ASADA ban. Kyle Feldt or Curtis Rona will come into the side on the wing, with Antonio Winterstein moving to centre.

Sunday, Aug 24, Warriors v Roosters, Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm (local), midday (EST)

The Warriors had six players miss their first session this week, but coach Andrew McFadden expects all to be fit come Sunday. Konrad Hurrell (hamstring) will return. The Warriors are yet to decide if Shaun Johnson (groin) will resume the goalkicking duties.

Sonny Bill Williams (broken thumb) was in Samoa earlier this week to promote the NRL’s Pacific Strategy. He has since returned to training and is pushing to be a late inclusion. Jake Friend (hamstring) is also a chance.

UPDATE 1pm: Both Sonny Bill Williams (broken thumb) and Jake Friend (hamstring) are firming to be late inclusions.

Sunday, Aug 24, Sharks v Raiders, Remondis Stadium, 2pm

Paul Gallen and Anthony Tupou will miss the match if they take ASADA’s plea deal. However, if they fight the charges, they are free to play until a final verdict in the case is reached.

UPDATE 1pm: Paul Gallen and Anthony Tupou are out for the rest of the season after accepting ASADA deals. Unknown forwards Scott Sorensen, Michael Morris (both Holden Cup) and Patrice Siolo (NSW Cup) have been added to the Cronulla squad. Sorensen is the nephew of New Zealand internationals Dane and Kurt Sorensen. 18th man Sione Masima will also come into contention for a spot.

The Raiders expect no changes. Terry Campese (oblique) has a fitness test on Friday, but would play NSW Cup if fit. Brenko Lee (hamstring) won’t be a late inclusion. Jeremy Hawkins has been handed a second tier salary cap exemption and will debut.

Sunday, Aug 24, Dragons v Titans, WIN Jubilee Oval, 3pm

The Dragons have two training sessions left and are yet to decide on a final 17. Ben Creagh (hamstring) and Dan Hunt (back) have trained on their own so far as they push to be late inclusions.

Dave Taylor (calf) won’t be a late inclusion and may even miss another week. Paul Carter (shoulder) is in doubt. David Mead (hamstring) and Maurice Blair (shoulder) have completed some training this week and are pushing for call-ups. Luke Douglas and Albert Kelly face ASADA plea decisions, although Kelly has been named in Queensland Cup.

UPDATE 1pm: Final decisions on Nate Myles (shoulder/hand) and Paul Carter (shoulder) will be made on Saturday. Luke Douglas is out due to an ASADA ban.

Monday, Aug 25, Panthers v Storm, Sportingbet Stadium, 7pm

James Segeyaro (ankle) has been cleared of serious injury and is set to take his place in the side. He will have a reduced training load this week and attempt to prove his fitness in Sunday’s captain’s run. Popular SuperCoach player Isaah Yeo (ankle) is out for 4-6 weeks.

The Storm have no injury concerns out of last week’s clash and expect to be 1-17.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail for round 24: ASADA bans rule out six players, including Paul Gallen