How each of the NRL’s finals contenders shape up ahead of the first week of the playoffs
Manly will be struggling to pick 21 players and the match review committee has hit clubs hard. Take a look to see how your club will line-up in week one of the finals.
Teams
Don't miss out on the headlines from Teams. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Manly will struggle to name a squad of 21 players for their do or die clash having been hit with a growing injury ward with their loss to Parramatta compounded by a possible suspension to Marty Taupau.
The match review committee has ravaged a host of teams with South Sydney’s Sam Burgess taking the early guilty plea meaning he will miss the Rabbitohs finals match.
The Roosters will fight Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ one game ban and Taupau will need to do the same if he is to play in the Sea Eagles’ elimination match.
Stream the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Get your 14 day free trial.
Taupau was whacked with a grade three careless high tackle for a sickening tackle on Parramatta’s Ray Stone. Parramatta have their own judiciary concerns with Kane Evans needing to beat a grade two careless high tackle charge to play this weekend. The Eels are likely to seek a downgrade at the judiciary.
Taupau is not the only concern for the Sea Eagles. The Sunday Telegraph has learnt scans revealed Taniela Paseka (knee) and Curtis Sironen (foot) will miss the rest of the year.
Manly will struggle to pick a fit squad for their opening final after losing 32-18 to Parramatta on Friday night.
Tom Trbojevic (pectoral) Joel Thompson (arm) and Trent Hodkinson (knee) won’t play again this year. Morgan Boyle (shoulder) and Jack Gosiewski (knee) missed Friday’s game and are no certainties to return the week.
The Sea Eagles could be forced to call on Toafofoa Sipley who has been cleared to return but has not played since a suffering a serious knee injury in round nine. The loss also meant the Sea Eagles gave up fifth spot on the competition ladder to the Eels.
Rabbitohs officials are confident Tom Burgess will return from injury but Dane Gagai (hamstring) is in doubt.
Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner came through Thursday’s match unscathed after five weeks on the sidelines.
Listen! Matty Johns and Paul Kent are this week joined by Balmain champion Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach, talking up the big eighth place battle at Leichhardt Oval Sunday, whether or not Robbie Farah should play, plus look at some of Manly’s best ever hit men and the time Kenty got completely jammed by Mark Geyer.
“In a weird way it felt good to be banged up again,” Cordner said. “I hate missing games. Although we took a cautious approach to my injury we could’ve pushed to be back a week or two before. I’m feeling fresh, ready to go. It might be a good thing in the back end of the year.
“It was a good hit out to punch out 80. I felt good. I didn’t feel behind the Eight ball. The lungs were OK.
“(The plan) was to play about 60-70. The game was stop-start in the second half.”
HOW THE FINALS TEAMS STACK UP
Melbourne Storm: A
Much will depend on Cameron Munster’s fitness but the Storm are confident he will be right to play in the opening week of the finals. Origin prop Christian Welch (shoulder) and Albert Vete (shoulder) are out for the season.
Sydney Roosters: B-
Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will need to beat a charge at the judiciary to play. Siosiua Taukeiaho (ribs) should return but co-captain Jake Friend (arm) remains in huge doubt. Veteran winger Ryan Hall is battling a knee injury.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: C
Sam Burgess is out after taking an early guilty plea for hair pulling but Rabbitohs officials are hope Tom Burgess (knee) will play. Braidon Burns (hamstring) won’t play again this year. George Burgess and James Roberts will return from suspension but there are question marks over Liam Knight (concussion), Dane Gagai (hamstring) Kyle Turner (quad).
Canberra Raiders: A
A clean bill of health for the Raiders. Joe Tapine (ribs) was ruled out of the yesterday but will be right for finals week one. Joey Leilua returns from suspension but Hudson Young could have a problem for an alleged eye gouge. Michael Oldfield (shoulder) didn’t finish the game. Fringe players Ata Hingano (shoulder) and Brad Abbey (knee) are unavailable
Parramatta Eels: A-
Interchange forward Ray Stone suffered a sickening concussion on Friday night so will need to pass protocols to play this week. Lock Nathan Brown returns from suspension. Kane Evans will need a downgrade at the judiciary to play.
Manly Sea Eagles: F
Manly’s growing injury ward has been compounded by a likely one game suspension to Marty Taupau. Tom Trbojevic (pectoral), Joel Thompson (arm) and Trent Hodkinson (knee) won’t play again this year. Morgan Boyle (shoulder) and Jack Gosiewski (knee) missed Friday’s. Gosiewski should be OK but Boyle is racing the clock. Taniela Paseka’s season is over (knee) as is Curtis Sironen’s (foot). Brad Parker (concussion) also didn’t finish Friday’s game. The Sea Eagles may need to call upon Toafofoa Sipley who hasn’t played since round nine.
Brisbane Broncos: B
Brisbane won’t have representative players Jack Bird (knee) or Tevita Pangai (suspension). Pangai won’t play until week three of the finals. Joe Ofahengaue (calf) will return but Richie Kennar (shoulder) and Tom Dearden (ankle) are unavailable.
Cronulla Sharks: A+
For the first time this year John Morris was able to choose from his full squad. Still have a game to play
Wests Tigers: C-
Much will depend on Robbie Farah’s fitness. Moses Mbye (hip) won’t play but will be right should the Tigers progress. Jacob Liddle (knee), Ben Matulino (knee), Josh Aloiai (hand), Russell Packer (foot) and Mahe Fonua (foot) won’t play again this year.
Originally published as How each of the NRL’s finals contenders shape up ahead of the first week of the playoffs
Broncos icon rejects Maguire peace offer
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has reportedly given new coach Michael Maguire a brutal response during an encounter.
How Bellamy’s Storm inspired Panthers dynasty
Having steered Penrith to its fourth successive NRL grand final win, coach Ivan Cleary has become a rugby league legend. And, he reveals, it was Melbourne that drove his winning strategy.