SuperCoach NRL Round 21 late mail: Predicted team changes, injury news

As if Newcastle needed any more injury concerns, but a Knights backline star has been ruled out of their Raiders clash. See all the Round 21 team news.

The Knights major injury drama continues with strike centre Bradman Best ruled out for the club’s road trip to Canberra.

Best has succumbed to a knee complaint, which while isn’t deemed severe, is enough for the NSW Origin centre to be ruled out of the match against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle have a bye next week, allowing Best time to recover for their round 24 clash with the Cowboys.

Bradman Best has been ruled out of the Knights’ Canberra clash. Picture: Getty Images

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has the option of using extended squad players James Schiller or Kyle McCarthy to replace Best.

Best joins the club’s attacking players on the sidelines with Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Lucas and Adam Elliott all unavailable.

—David Riccio

ROUND 21 TEAMS

RAIDERS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Simi Sasagi 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Manaia Waitere 21. Danny Levi

Players cut: 19. Trey Mooney 20. Joseph Roddy 22. Ethan Sanders

Late mail: No changes expected. Seb Kris (concussion) missed the squad but is due back next week, with Simi Sasagi to play centre.

Knights

1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 22. Kyle McCarthy 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jack Hetherington

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 20. Matthew Arthur

Players cut: 4. Bradman Best 19. James Schiller 21. Brodie Jones

Late mail: Bradman Best (knee) has been ruled out, with Kyle McCarthy named to replace him. Brodie Jones (illness) misses out once again.

BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward

Reserves: 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Players cut: 21. Blake Wilson 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton

Late mail: No changes in the 24-hour team update. Bronson Xerri is the big watch after being named to return from a groin injury. If he is a late scratching, expect Enari Tuala to move to centre and Jethro Rinakama to move to the wing.

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Reserves: 18. Tommy Talau 20. Caleb Navale

Players cut: 14. Jake Simpkin 19. Clayton Faulalo 21. Joey Walsh

Late mail: Manly have made one change in the 24-hour team update, with Jake Simpkin (concussion) ruled out and Gordon Chan Kum Tong coming onto the bench. Luke Brooks (hip flexor) will seemingly be good to go, with Joey Walsh dropping off the extended bench.

Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder) returns.

BYE: Dolphins

Originally published as SuperCoach NRL Round 21 late mail: Predicted team changes, injury news