Cronulla Sharks wield axe with mass changes for Round 21
The Cronulla Sharks have wielded the axe at the selection table, dropping a playmaker as several big names return to NRL action.
State of Origin is done and dusted for another year, with everyone’s focus now on the race to the finals which is about to heat up with some of the biggest names in the game returning in Round 21.
It doesn’t get much bigger than Latrell Mitchell who is set to play his first game in more than two months when the Rabbitohs take on the Broncos in a Friday night blockbuster.
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The superstar fullback hasn’t played since he hurt his calf just days out from the Origin opener, and he’s joined by fellow big guns Campbell Graham and Jai Arrow who are also set to return from their respective injuries.
The Bunnies are just holding on to their spot in the top eight and face a Broncos side that has received a major boost in the race for the minor premiership with Reece Walsh returning from suspension and Payne Haas back from the ankle injury that kept him out of the Origin dead rubber.
Patrick Carrigan also starts at lock after he was rested for the win over Canterbury, while halfback Adam Reynolds has shaken off a hand injury.
The Panthers don’t need any extra help in their quest for a third title in a row, but they just got it with champion playmaker Nathan Cleary set to make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Round 14.
He’s been named for Sunday’s game against the Bulldogs, with Penrith also welcoming back Origin quartet Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo after they were given the weekend off.
There’s mixed news for the Bulldogs who have lost Braidon Burns and Toby Sexton to injury, with Kyle Flanagan earning a rare start at halfback.
But there’s plenty of intrigue on the bench with former Panther Viliame Kikau listed in the reserves for what would be his first game in four months after he suffered a pec injury at training, while Josh Addo-Carr is a chance of overcoming a hamstring strain.
While there are plenty of big names coming back, there’s drama at the Sharks where coach Craig Fitzgibbon has finally swung the axe on his underperforming left edge.
Veteran five-eighth Matt Moylan has been dropped and Siosifa Talakai has been dumped to the bench after last week’s costly loss in New Zealand, while back row options Wade Graham (toe) and Teig Wilton (knee) are both out.
It means Braydon Trindall starts in the halves, Connor Tracey gets a crack in the centres and Jesse Colquhon makes the first start of his NRL career.
The Sharks host a Sea Eagles side that has included Matt Lodge on the bench for his club debut, while his former side the Roosters welcome back skipper James Tedesco after he was rested for the loss to the Storm.
The Chooks travel to face a Titans side that gets AJ Brimson back but has lost skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to suspension for his shoulder charge.
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That was on Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard who has also been banned for four games, with Ofahiki Ogden replacing him in the starting side and Haze Dunster on standby should Maika Sivo fail to have his charge downgraded at the judiciary.
The Raiders have received a massive boost ahead of their trip across the ditch with Josh Papali’i returning from a hamstring injury, while the Warriors get Marata Niukore back from suspension.
And Ben Hunt returns for the Dragons in their wooden spoon battle with the Wests Tigers, with Tyrell Sloan also cleared to play, while the visitors get veteran winger David Nofoaluma back from injury.