NRL Early Mail round 10: Herbie Farnworth back, Josh Rogers firms for Broncos
The high-flying Dolphins are set to be boosted by the return of star centre Herbie Farnworth, while an injury crisis will significantly change Brisbane’s line-up.
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The high-flying Dolphins are set to be boosted by the return of star centre Herbie Farnworth for Thursday night’s clash with Manly.
Farnworth is on the cusp of returning from a shoulder injury that has sidelined the England international for the past month.
The former Broncos gun is expected to be named in coach Wayne Bennett’s starting side for the Sea Eagles showdown, replacing Tesi Niu.
Farnworth hasn’t played since suffering a painful AC joint injury in the Dolphins’ round 5 win against the Tigers.
The Dolphins are also hoping to welcome back Kenny Bromwich after he missed last week’s win against the Cowboys due to concussion protocols.
Big name players Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring), Tom Flegler (shoulder) and Tom Gilbert (knee) remain sidelined.
-Travis Meyn
MADDEN UNLIKELY AS LATE BLOOMER FIRMS
Jock Madden is at long odds to be passed fit as Ezra Mam firms to replace Adam Reynolds as Brisbane’s chief playmaker for Friday night’s clash against the Eels.
Madden was hopeful of being cleared but is unlikely to be named on Tuesday by coach Kevin Walters due to a pectoral strain he suffered against the Wests Tigers a fortnight ago.
That opens the door for late-blooming playmaker Josh Rogers, who is set to partner Mam in the halves for the round 10 clash at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.
Madden wore a red no-contact bib at Broncos training on Tuesday, with Mam and Rogers running in the halves with the main squad.Back-rower Brendan Piakura did not train due to illness but the Broncos are hopeful he will play.
Mam has been viewed as a long-term successor to Reynolds in the No.7 jumper and the young gun could get his chance at halfback this week if Walters names Rogers at second receiver.
Walters will finalise his 22-man squad on Tuesday afternoon but he is leaning towards Mam and the 27-year-old Rogers, the Perth-born playmaker who played his one and only NRL game in the final round of the regular season against Melbourne last year.
Reynolds has undergone surgery on a torn bicep and will be sidelined for at least three months.
Tristan Sailor is another option in the halves, but Walters believes the maturity of Rogers can complement the attacking brilliance of Mam, who has played halfback in the lower grades.
-Peter Badel
RABBITOHS LOSE ANOTHER OUTSIDE BACK
South Sydney’s horror injury run has continued with outside back Isaiah Tass facing multiple months on the sideline with an ankle injury.
Tass injured himself at training and underwent surgery to repair the damage. It could keep him sidelined for up to three months.
The injury ravaged Rabbitohs have already drafted ex-Cowboy Gehamat Shibasaki on a week-to-week basis. Shibasaki joins the club from Townsville Blackhawks who have a feeder relationship with the Rabbitohs.
-Michael Carayannis
SUPERCOACH FAVOURITE CLEARED
The Wests Tigers have averted a potential halves crisis after scans cleared boom five-eighth Lachlan Galvin of a hand injury, easing the pressure on coach Benji Marshall as he looks to piece together a side for the trip to Tamworth on Saturday to face Newcastle.
The Tigers, having lost five games in succession, will be without half Aidan Sezer for the game against the Knights after he entered an early guilty plea to a dangerous contact charge on Monday, sidelining him for four matches.
That news was compounded by revelations that young half Latu Fainu had suffered another hamstring issue and there were fears that Galvin would join them on the sideline after he was sent for scans on a hand problem he picked up at the weekend.
The Tigers were overloaded with halves when the season began but they were facing a dire shortage had Galvin been sidelined for an extended period.
However, it is understood Galvin was cleared of injury on Monday night and will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves to take on the Knights.
Sullivan came through NSW Cup unscathed at the weekend and will come straight into the side. Galvin has been a shining light for the Tigers this season and he was one of the few players to emerge from the loss to the Bulldogs at the weekend with his head held high.
It was a costly loss for the Tigers and some of their players, with the NRL lumping out a series of fines as the game descended into chaos in the dying minutes.
Props David Klemmer and Alex Seyfarth both entered early guilty pleas on Monday to contrary conduct and striking charges respectively, although both will be clear to play against the Knights given they only received fines.
Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney was also on the end of a pair of charges out of the game, although he too only received fines as both were only second offences.
The Tigers paid a far heavier price given the absence of Sezer, who has been suspended with the club battling injuries in their halves.
Fainu, in particular, is a major concern for the Tigers given he has endured ongoing issues with his hamstring. The Tigers delayed his start to the season as he struggled with injury in the pre-season but it is understood he has suffered a recurrence of the problem, leaving his immediate future in doubt.
-Brent Read
CLEARY CLEARED
Penrith champion Nathan Cleary is set to return from a hamstring injury against Canterbury on Friday night after being rested in a big win against South Sydney.
The star halfback trained on Monday and was practising his kicking game in preparation for a return to Bluebet Stadium against the Bulldogs.
Coach Ivan Cleary alleviated concerns there is a lingering problem for NSW in upcoming weeks.
“He’s good,” he said.
“He did everything in our lead up last week but he was feeling a little bit sore so it was enough to pull him out last week.
“At this point he’s good to go.
-Pamela Whaley
TWO STORM STARS JOIN PAP IN CASUALTY WARD
Melbourne are in the midst of injury dramas with halfback Jahrome Hughes and rising gun Sualauvi Faalogo both in doubt for Saturday’s top of the table clash with Cronulla.
The club is counting the cost of a brutal 22-20 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night with Hughes and Faalogo to be monitored over the next 48 hours, which follows confirmation star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will be sidelined for up to six weeks with an ankle fracture.
Hughes struggled through a calf injury against the Titans on Saturday night, while Faalogo copped a knock to his knee and came off the field with 15 minutes to play.
Faalogo, one of the brightest talents in the game who has recently signed a five-year extension with the club, was set to replace Papenhuyzen at the back over the next few weeks.
“He had head knock in the first half and then he came off with the knee knock,” said Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi.
“The medical staff at this stage aren’t overly concerned but they’re going to monitor him over the next 24 to 48 hours.
“At this stage he’ll probably be in some doubt but we won’t know until Tuesday.”
Tyran Wishart would be the next best option at fullback should Faalogo be missing, however the injury to Hughes makes the situation more complicated.
Backup halfback Jonah Pezet suffered a season ending ACL injury last week meaning Wishart could be needed in the halves.
“Jahrome Hughes is in some doubt for next week too, he struggled through the game, so if he was to be out (Tyran) might need to go to halfback,” Ponissi said.
Queensland winger Xavier Coates is due to return from a hamstring injury next week to help the cause.
—Pamela Whaley
FULL EARLY MAIL VIA TIM WILLIAMS
DOLPHINS v SEA EAGLES
Thursday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Dolphins: Tesi Niu is in doubt with an ankle injury suffered in the win over the Cowboys.
Herbie Farnworth is set to return from a shoulder injury.
Kenny Bromwich returns from a concussion either on the edge in place of Connelly Lemuelu, or via the bench.
Sea Eagles: Ben Trbojevic is nearing a return from a hamstring injury but may require another week.
PANTHERS v BULLDOGS
Friday, 6pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Panthers: Nathan Cleary was rested in the win over the Rabbitohs but is expected to return in round 10.
Izack Tago has been suspended for one game due to a hip drop tackle, with Paul Alamoti to come back into the team at centre.
Scott Sorensen is a chance to return on the edge from a knee injury, which would push Luke Garner to the bench.
Bulldogs: Connor Tracey is a chance to return from a calf injury, but may be given another week.
If cleared to play, he’d push Blake Taaffe to the bench.
EELS v BRONCOS
Friday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels: Clint Gutherson faces an extended stint on the sidelines due to a knee injury.
This will likely see either Daejarn Asi or Blaize Talagi start at fullback.
Rookie playmaker Ethan Sanders is likely to take over the goalkicking duties.
Bryce Cartwright is expected to return from a rib issue on the edge, pushing Ryan Matterson to the bench.
Broncos: Adam Reynolds is out long-term with a torn biceps injury.
With regular halfback replacement Jock Madden in doubt with an injury of his own, this may see Tristan Sailor come into the halves.
Jesse Arthars suffered a broken jaw and is out for a lengthy stint, this will see Corey Oates start on the wing.
TIGERS v KNIGHTS
Saturday, 3pm, Scully Park, Tamworth
Tigers: Api Koroisau remains in doubt with a back concern.
If cleared to return, he’d replace Jake Simpkin at hooker.
Lachlan Galvin has been cleared of a hand injury.
Aidan Sezer could miss up to four weeks for a hip drop tackle on Josh Curran.
This will see either Latu Fainu or Jayden Sullivan come into the halves in his place.
Knights: Jacob Saifiti (leg) and Tyson Frizell (hamstring) are both chances of returning from injury.
Phoenix Crossland is in some doubt after sustaining a shoulder injury late in the win over the Warriors.
DRAGONS v RABBITOHS
Saturday, 5:30pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Dragons: Moses Suli returns from a concussion at centre, pushing Zac Lomax to the wing and Christian Tuipulotu out of the team.
Luciano Leilua will continue his push to return from a calf injury.
Rabbitohs: Cameron Murray is out for six to eight weeks with a hip flexor injury.
Jye Gray suffered a syndesmosis injury that will see him miss six to eight weeks.
Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension in his place at fullback.
Dean Hawkins suffered a quad tear that will see him miss a minimum of six weeks.
This may force Jack Wighton to shift to the halves, while Dion Teaupa could also be called upon to make his NRL debut.
Alex Johnston is a chance to return on the wing from a hamstring injury.
Jacob Host has been suspended for two to three matches for a dangerous contact charge, with Tallis Duncan likely to come in on the edge should they opt to keep Jai Arrow as a middle.
Isaiah Tass is facing multiple months on the sideline with an ankle injury.
STORM v SHARKS
Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered a fractured fibula and will miss four to six weeks.
Likely replacement Sua Faalogo has a knee concern that has him in doubt to replace Papenhuyzen at fullback.
Xavier Coates is a chance to return from a hamstring injury.
Jahrome Hughes is in doubt with a calf issue, if unavailable Tyran Wishart would come into the halves with Jonah Pezet missing the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury.
Tui Kamikamica is pushing to return from a calf injury at prop.
Sharks: No changes expected at the ladder leading Sharks.
ROOSTERS v WARRIORS
Sunday, 2pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: Spencer Leniu returns from a lengthy suspension from Vegas.
Daniel Tupou is pushing to return from a knee injury, if cleared he’d replace Junior Pauga on the wing.
Victor Radley is a chance to return from a hamstring injury at lock, pushing Connor Watson to the bench.
Brandon Smith is in doubt with a calf niggle, if unavailable Watson and Sandon Smith would likely share the hooking role.
Warriors: Kurt Capewell suffered a calf injury and is in doubt to face the Roosters.
If unavailable, Jacob Laban is likely to come into the team on the edge.
Freddy Lussick is available for selection after serving a two-game suspension.
TITANS v COWBOYS
Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Tanah Boyd suffered a dislocated wrist in the loss to Melbourne and will miss an extended period.
This will likely see Tom Weaver join Kieran Foran in the halves.
Mo Fotuaika is expected to return from concussion at prop.
Cowboys: Murray Taulagi is a chance to return from a hamstring injury, if cleared he’d replace either Semi Valemei or Viliame Vailea.
BYE: Raiders
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 10: Herbie Farnworth back, Josh Rogers firms for Broncos
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