‘Pangai has been so hungry’: Bulldogs lose fastest man on planet but troops are starting to return

The Bulldogs get their big boys back, Tom Trbojevic is cleared to play and Cam Munster makes a shock move in another major team list Tuesday.

James Tedesco is one of two big ins for the Roosters as they look to bounce back from last week’s loss in Melbourne. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

The Bulldogs will be without Josh Addo-Carr for up to two months as the speedster recovers from ankle surgery, but the cavalry is slowly returning, with a number of key inclusions for their clash against the Eels.

Tevita Pangai Junior returns from a calf injury for his first match of the year, Viliame Kiaku and Raymond Faitala-Mariner are back from concussion protocols, while Jayden Okunbor is on the bench after serving his one-game ban.

Tevita Pangai Junior will return in the front row after missing the start of the season with a calf injury. Picture: Richard Dobson

“He (Addo-Carr) is a huge loss for us,” the Bulldogs’ Corey Waddell said.

“He’s playing some great football and I feel really sorry for him.

“We’ve got some guys coming back this week, so hopefully we get that connection back.

“He (Pangai) has been so hungry. He’s been diligent with his rehab and he’s been doing everything he can to come back as quickly as he can.

“The way Tevita plays, I think he needs to be on the red side of things. It’s just who he is, and I think that’s good for our team.

“He’s learnt how to balance that over the years, and I’m sure he’ll do everything he can to not overstep his mark.”

The reinforcements come at the perfect time after the Bulldogs were smashed by South Sydney and they’ll need Pangai to be at his aggressive best, with Eels big man Junior Paulo returning from suspension.

The round kicks off on Thursday with Dolphins skipper Jesse Bromwich back in the side after missing last week’s win due to illness, although the new franchise will be without Jarrod Wallace (concussion).

Wayne Bennett and Jason Demetriou spent plenty of time working together, but they’ll go up against each other on Thursday night. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Thursday’s match will be a battle of the coaches with former assistant Jason Demetriou set to take on Wayne Bennett in a master vs apprentice showdown.

Demetriou hasn’t had to make too many changes, with Alex Johnston and Jai Arrow back in the starting side, although Tevita Tatola does drop out with a knee injury.

The Roosters get skipper James Tedesco back from concussion protocols for Friday’s trip to the Shire, while Matt Lodge is set to make his return via the bench following a nasty facial fracture back in Round 1.

Those are two key ins against a Cronulla team which will be without big men Toby Rudolf (toe) and Dale Finucane (suspension), with Cameron McInnes to start at lock and Wade Graham to return from his ban on the bench.

Matt Moylan has kept his spot in the halves despite some defensive deficiencies, although Braydon Trindall is lurking in the reserves if Craig Fitzgibbon decides to make a late change.

Trbojevic has been named despite battling through back spasms in Saturday’s heavy loss to the Panthers. Picture: Brett Hemmings / Getty Images

There’s good news over the bridge with Tom Trbojevic set to play despite dealing with back spasms last week, while veteran Aaron Woods is in line to make his Sea Eagles debut.

Manly will be without Reuben Garrick (concussion protocols) and Karl Lawton (shoulder) for the game against Melbourne, but they could get Josh Schuster back with the exciting five-eighth included on the extended bench.

There’s been a major change in the halves for the Storm with Cameron Munster switching to fullback to replace Nick Meaney, who suffered delayed concussion symptoms following the win over the Roosters.

It means Jonah Pezet gets another crack in the halves, with the youngster a chance to take over the goal-kicking duties as well.

Cameron Munster has been unstoppable on the left edge but he’s been moved to fullback to replace Nick Meaney. Picture: Graham Denholm / Getty Images

The Warriors have been dealt a double blow with hooker Wayde Egan (concussion) and Te Maire Martin (leg) both missing this weekend, with utility Dylan Walker to shift into the halves while Freddy Lussick takes over at dummy-half.

The news is much better for their opponents with Murray Taulagi back from injury while Jeremiah Nanai returns from suspension to replace Griffin Neame (throat) in the back row.

The Knights have turned to Phoenix Crossland to replace Jayden Brailey, with the workhorse rake out for the rest of the year with a knee injury, while it’s smooth sailing for Penrith who could get Liam Martin back from a hamstring strain.

Veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran has been named after missing last week’s win over the Dragons, with the star playmaker set to replace Toby Sexton, who crossed for the winning try.

And the Raiders have received a triple boost with representative players Jack Wighton, Joseph Tapine and Nick Cotric all back to take on a Dragons side missing Francis Molo (suspension) and Mikaele Ravalawa (hamstring).