NRL Late Mail round 18: Hudson Young out for Raiders, Adam Elliott out for Knights, Raymond Faitala-Mariner out for Dragons

The Raiders have suffered a blow with one of their biggest stars sidelined a surprise omission against Newcastle, while the Dragons and Knights have also lost players. See all the predicted Round 18 team changes.

The Raiders have suffered a blow ahead of their clash against the Knights, with NSW backrower ruled out 24-hours before kick-off. His withdrawal sees Ata Mariota called into the back-row, with Emre Guler the new face on the bench.

Newcastle lost starting lock Adam Elliott 24-hours before kick-off, with Matt Croker to start at lock.

The Dragons have made one change in their 24-hour team update, with Luciano Leilua called into the starting side after Raymond Faitala-Mariner was ruled out with a back injury, with Michael Molo the new face on the bench.

INJURED GRANT TO PLAY THROUGH PAIN FOR MAROONS

Harry Grant has been nursing a sternum injury that he is prepared to carry into State of Origin for Queensland.

Mystery has surrounded the Storm star and why he has been “rested” from the club’s clash with the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

It is the second consecutive match that Grant has been rested after missing the club’s win over the Raiders in round 16.

Storm officials have stated that Grant has been suffering from “bumps and bruises”, which can be revealed is related to a painful sternum issue.

It’s understood Maroons coach Billy Slater is aware of the issue for Grant with the outstanding hooker preparing to push through the pain barrier in the decider on July 17.

Bronson Garlick has been named to replace Grant against the Wests Tigers.

Harry Grant is carrying a sternum injury. Picture: NRL Photos

NRL ROUND 18 LATE MAIL

ROOSTERS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 2pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson

Interchange: 14. Naufahu Whyte 15. Terrell May 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 20. Sandon Smith

Players cut: 19. Siua Wong 21. Blake Steep 22. Salesi Foketi

Late Mail: No changes to the initial 17 in the 24-hour team update.

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 12. Jaydn Su’A 17. Luciano Leilua 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange: 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 18. Michael Molo

Reserves: 19. Fa’amanu Brown 20. Ryan Couchman

Players cut: 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Jack Bird

Late Mail: Raymond Faitala-Mariner (back) has been ruled out, with Luciano Leilua elevated to the starting side and Michael Molo the new face on the bench. Zac Lomax will play after being rested last week.

RAIDERS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Adam Cook 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 15. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Simi Sasagi 20. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Zac Woolford

Players cut: 11. Hudson Young 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru

Late Mail: Hudson Young has been ruled out for the Raiders, with Ata Marioita starting in the backrow and Emre Guler joining the bench. As per last week’s late changes, Kaeo Weekes has been named at fullback, Jordan Rapana on the wing and Adam Cook at halfback. Jamal Fogarty is due back from a biceps injury in round 20.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 18. Mathew Croker

Interchange: 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas

Reserves: 19. Jack Hetherington 22. Thomas Cant

Players cut: 13. Adam Elliott 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi

Late Mail: Adam Elliott was ruled out 24-hours before kick-off, with Mat Croker elevanted into the starting side. Kalyn Ponga is cleared to return from a foot injury, although he’s unlikely to kick goals. With no back-up hooker on the bench due to Phoenix Crossland’s concussion, expect Jayden Brailey to play 80 minutes.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 18: Hudson Young out for Raiders, Adam Elliott out for Knights, Raymond Faitala-Mariner out for Dragons