NRL Early Mail Round 25: Latrell Mitchell absent from Rabbitohs training, Broncos young gun Ezra Mam faces axe
While Damien Cook is already in doubt for the Rabbitohs due to Covid, another Souths’ star was absent from training on Tuesday. Check out all the latest Round 25 NRL team news.
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The Rabbitohs are confident Latrell Mitchell will be available to take on his former side the Roosters in Friday’s blockbuster battle at the new Allianz Stadium.
Mitchell wasn’t at training on Tuesday morning, with teammates revealing he’s headed to his farm in northern NSW to recharge his batteries ahead of the finals.
“I think he’s just up on the farm,” Cam Murray said.
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“He’s kicking back up there having a bit of time off. As far as I know, he’ll be fit and ready to go for the clash.”
While Mitchell is expected to be named this afternoon, it remains unclear whether hooker Damien Cook will be in the squad as he continues to recover from Covid-19.
The State of Origin rake tested positive to the virus on Saturday and missed their win over the Cowboys.
“I think so,” Cam Murray replied when asked if the team would be full-strength this week.
“I’m not sure about Cooky’s status, but as far as I know, most of the boys are playing except Cooky.”
No sign of Latrell Mitchell at Bun idea training today… he’s away up north. Seems very unlikely to play v Roosters on Friday. Big game for souths too - they can still finish 5th and meet Canberra in week 1.
— cody kaye (@Cody_KayeFOX) August 30, 2022
Think Latrell is just getting a rest and that he’ll play Friday…
— cody kaye (@Cody_KayeFOX) August 30, 2022
RAIDERS FINALS BOOST
The Raiders finals stocks will be boosted by the return of representative winger Nick Cotric.
Cotric missed last week’s win over Manly due to a groin injury with Albert Hopoate deputising on the wing.
Cotric will be named to return against the Wests Tigers on Sunday with the Raiders needing to win to confirm a top eight finish.
YOUNG GUN AXED IN DESPERATE BRONCOS SHAKE-UP
Desperate Broncos coach Kevin Walters is set to wield the axe with teenage sensation Ezra Mam in the firing line for Brisbane’s final-round clash against the Dragons.
Mam trained with the reserves and is poised to pay the price for Brisbane’s horrendous form slump which has seen the Broncos drop to ninth ahead of Saturday night’s crucial showdown with the Red V at Kogarah.
The Broncos face a Mission Impossible task to reach the finals and Walters is orchestrating change in a last-ditch bid to save Brisbane’s season.
Mam has been one of the fairytale stories of Brisbane’s season but the 19-year-old is likely to be axed in favour of Tyson Gamble after struggling defensively in recent weeks.
Gamble has more size and experience and Walters is banking on his bigger frame to stiffen up a Broncos defensive line that has conceded 113 points in the past two weeks.
Queensland Origin winger Selwyn Cobbo is expected to return after being rested last week and Walters is sweating on skipper Adam Reynolds, who must pass concussion tests to take his place against the Dragons.
Meanwhile, ironman lock Pat Carrigan returns from a four-match suspension in a huge boost for a Broncos side with one chance left for redemption and a slim hope of playing finals football.
The Tigers must beat Canberra on Sunday at Leichhardt for the Broncos to have any hope of a top-eight reprieve.
ROOSTERS ENFORCER COPS BIG BAN
Lindsay Collins will only take the field again this season if the Sydney Roosters play in the grand final after the forward accepted a four week ban.
The Queensland Origin prop was whacked with a grade three dangerous contact charge for a hip drop tackle on Melbourne’s Tom Eisenhuth. Storm medical staff revealed scans confirmed Eisenhuth suffered a grade three syndesmosis as a result of the tackle and will miss up to six weeks.
Hard man Victor Radley, who is unlikely to take on South Sydney this weekend after having a convulsion on the field, has also accepted an early plea for dangerous contact on Jahrome Hughes. The grade one charge comes with a $1,800 fine.
Enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is also free to line up for the Roosters after he copped a grade one contrary contact charge for making a second attempt at Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona in a tackle during the heated clash between the competition heavyweights.
The charge, which was his third and subsequent offence, carries a $3,000 fine.
COOK DOUBTS AS V’LANDYS ISSUES COVID ALERT
Peter V’landys has revealed South Sydney star Damien Cook is still in danger of missing Friday night’s blockbuster grudge match against the Sydney Roosters even if the Covid isolation period is reduced from seven to five days this week.
The news comes as the ARLC chairman also issued a pre-finals alert to all NRL players to “sacrifice for the next few weeks” to ensure Covid is not the deciding factor in the race for this year’s premiership.
PANTHERS SET TO REST STARS
Minor premiers Penrith Panthers are expected to rest a number of their frontline stars for their final-round clash against North Queensland, including star hooker Api Koroisau.
Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo confirmed coach Ivan Cleary could even force some players to be saved from making the trip to Townsville.
The finals start the following week, where Penrith will host either Melbourne or Parramatta at BlueBet Stadium in the first qualifying final.
“There will be a couple rested,” Yeo said on ABC Sport. “A fair few of the boys had their last hit out before the semis.
“We have done it a bit of different ways. Ivan has touched on a few players would get a rest. I’m not fussed – whatever he wants to do. I can play and keep up my match fitness but it helps with a few niggles.”
Yeo indicated Koroisau had pulled up OK from a rolled ankle while Spencer Leinu (shoulder) will be rested.
He said Leinu was “struggling more” than Koroisau.
Five-eighth Jarome Luai, who made a successful return from a knee injury in Friday’s win over the Warriors, is keen to get more game time against the Cowboys.
Luai had missed the previous four games due to injury.
Eels v Storm
Thursday, 7.50pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: No major changes expected at Parramatta for their blockbuster clash with Melbourne.
Ryan Matterson has been named to start the past two weeks before being a game day bench swap with Marata Niukore.
Storm: Tom Eisenhuth suffered a syndesmosis injury that’ll likely see him miss around a month of action. Trent Loiero is likely the man to take his place on the bench.
Bulldogs v Sea Eagles
Friday, 6pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Corey Waddell returns from a five-game suspension, while Luke Thompson is likely to return after missing the loss to Cronulla with Covid.
Waddell will come onto the bench but could also start on the edge, while Thompson will start at lock, pushing Joe Stimson to the bench, with Joshua Stuckey and Chris Patolo dropping out of the 17.
Tevita Pangai Jnr played NSW Cup on the weekend.
Sea Eagles: Andrew Davey is a chance to return in the back-row, if cleared he would push Ethan Bullemor to the bench. Morgan Harper is also a chance to return at centre which would see Ben Trbojevic shift back to the bench.
Roosters v Rabbitohs
Friday, 7.55pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: Lindsay Collins (suspension), Victor Radley (concussion) and Daniel Tupou (groin) are all expected to miss the clash with old rivals South Sydney.
Tupou is likely to be replaced by Oliver Gildart, although Paul Momirovski may shift to the wing. Momirovski was chosen as 18th man in the win over Melbourne, with Drew Hutchinson preferred at centre.
Fletcher Baker is likely to replace Collins on the bench, while it’ll be fascinating to see if Trent Robinson replaces Radley with a ball-playing lock such as Connor Watson, or if he opts for a bigger body in Siosiua Taukeiaho.
Rabbitohs: Damien Cook is touch and go to return for the highly anticipated clash with the Roosters after contracting Covid last week. If unavailable, Siliva Havili would again start at hooker.
Izaac Thompson is a chance to return from injury, this would see Taane Milne drop out of the team.
Warriors v Titans
Saturday, 3pm, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Shaun Johnson is unlikely for the final game of the season at home after suffering a calf injury against the Panthers. He’s likely to be replaced by Daejarn Asi in the halves, with Reece Walsh taking over the goalkicking duties.
Euan Aitken is expected to return on the edge, while Jack Murchie may return on the other edge if he’s cleared of a hip injury. This would see Eliesa Katoa move to the bench, and Josh Curran to lock.
Wayde Egan and Marcelo Montoya were late scratchings in Round 24 but could be in line to return.
Titans: Brian Kelly is facing a lengthy stint on the sideline for a dangerous throw on Knights winger Dominic Young. He’s likely to be replaced by Phillip Sami at centre, but he still has to pass concussion protocols after missing the win over Newcastle. This would see Jojo Fifita move back to the wing after playing centre in Round 24.
Dragons v Broncos
Saturday, 5.30pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Dragons: Andrew McCullough is pushing to play the final game of the season after missing the last gasp win over the Tigers due to injury. If cleared, he’d return at hooker, pushing Jayden Sullivan to the bench.
Aaron Woods must pass concussion protocols to take his place against Brisbane.
Broncos: Young gun Ezra Mam is poised to pay the price for Brisbane’s horrendous form slump, with Tyson Gamble his likely replacement.
Queensland Origin winger Selwyn Cobbo is expected to return after being rested last week and Walters is sweating on skipper Adam Reynolds, who must pass concussion tests to take his place against the Dragons.
Meanwhile, ironman lock Pat Carrigan returns from a four-match suspension in a huge boost.
Kobe Hetherington must pass concussion protocols to take his place on the bench.
Brenko Lee will miss the must-win clash with the Dragons after suffering a hamstring injury, he’ll be replaced by Delouise Hoeter.
Thomas Flegler is in doubt with a throat injury.
Cowboys v Panthers
Saturday, 7,35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys: Tom Dearden may return from a ruptured testicle, but is likely to be given one more week to be fully fit for finals. Scott Drinkwater was named to replace him in the halves against South Sydney, however he defended at fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the halves.
Coen Hess is facing a stint on the sidelines for a grade two careless high tackle charge, unless he fights and wins. If unavailable Reuben Cotter will come into the starting team, with Griffin Neame joining the bench.
Panthers: With the minor premiership sewn up, Penrith have hinted at mass restings for this clash, with as many as half the squad a chance to sit out.
Api Koroisau left the field early with an ankle niggle, so he’s likely to have the week off regardless, with Mitch Kenny starting at hooker.
Spencer Leniu suffered a shoulder injury that looks more serious.
Scott Sorensen is due back from a calf injury, but is another who may be wrapped in cotton wool for another week.
Liam Martin was rested in the win over the Warriors.
Knights v Sharks
Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: Mitchell Barnett (thumb) and Kurt Mann (quad) are chances to return from injury for the final game of the season.
Anthony Milford is in doubt for the clash and would likely be replaced by Phoenix Crossland if ruled out.
Sharks: Connor Tracey is a chance to return from a concussion, however he may be given one more week.
If cleared, he’d replace Kayal Iro on the wing. Pending recoveries of their own, Kade Dykes and Matt Ikuvalu would also be options to come onto the wing.
Dale Finucane is a strong chance to return from a rib injury, if given the green light he’d start at prop, with Cameron McInnes moving to the bench.
Tigers v Raiders
Sunday, 4.05pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Tigers: Luke Brooks is a chance to return from a calf injury for the final game of the season at Leichhardt Oval. If cleared, he’d replace Jock Madden in the halves.
James Tamou returns from suspension at prop, while Luke Garner must pass concussion protocols to play his final game for the Tigers. If cleared, he’d start in the back-row.
Ken Maumalo is unlikely to recover from a groin injury in time to face Canberra.
Raiders: Nick Cotric is pushing to return from a groin injury, if cleared he’d replace Albert Hopoate on the wing in the only expected change at the Raiders.
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