NRL Late Mail round 17: Nathan Cleary cleared of groin issue but will he kick goals?

Nathan Cleary made it through captain’s run and is set to play for the Panthers, while mystery surrounds star recruit Lachlan Galvin’s role at the Bulldogs.

Full predicted team changes for round 17 of the NRL.

NRL ROUND 17 LATE MAIL

PANTHERS V BULLDOGS

Thursday, 7:50pm, CommBank Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Matt Eisenhuth

Players cut: 20. Daine Laurie 21. Trent Toelau 22. Luke Sommerton

Late Mail: Nathan Cleary made it through captain’s run but it’s unclear whether he’ll kick goals due to an ongoing groin injury.

Dylan Edwards would kick goals if Cleary doesn’t take the tee.

Fellow Origin stars Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Edwards are back after being rested post-Origin.

Daine Laurie, Trent Toelau and Luke Sommerton were cut at the 24-hour mark with the Panthers set to be 1-17.

Nathan Cleary is set to play through a groin issue. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Lachlan Galvin

Reserves: 19. Kurtis Morrin 22. Jethro Rinakama

Players cut: 20. Mitchell Woods 21. Samuel Hughes 23. Blake Taaffe

Late Mail: Also set to be 1-17 after resting up over the bye.

Jacob Kiraz moves to the wing, while Origin players Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Max King and Kurt Mann are back.

Coach Cameron Ciraldo says he has a number of options on how to use recruit Lachlan Galvin.

“I’ve probably got plan A, plan B and plan C again,” Ciraldo said.

“He’s there as a bit of insurance for our backs, and if an opportunity arises somewhere else, he’s been training in a number of positions.

“I can’t say too much, but it’s good that we’ve got guys fighting for positions and guys who can play a number of positions and do what’s best for the team.

“It’s about making the right decision at the right time.”

SEA EAGLES V TIGERS

Friday, 6pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Tommy Talau 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. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Nathan Brown 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee-Kam 19. Jason Saab 20. Clayton Faulalo 21. Joey Walsh 22. Caleb Navale

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Lehi Hopoate is back after two weeks off following a concussion and then the bye.

He will play fullback with Tom Trbojevic switching to centre and Reuben Garrick to the wing.

Jazz Tevaga also returns from concussion.

Lachlan Croker missed the squad after suffering a concussion at training, with Tevaga to start at hooker and Jake Simpkin coming on to the bench.

Wests Tigers

1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Jack Bird 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar

Reserves: 18. Luke Laulilii 19. Charlie Murray 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Charlie Staines 22. Tristan Hope

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: No changes at this stage.

Jarome Luai will switch to five-eighth with young gun Latu Fainu to play halfback.

Heath Mason replaces Jahream Bula at fullback.

KNIGHTS V RAIDERS

Friday, 8pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. James Schiller 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange: 14. Brodie Jones 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Elijah Leaumoana 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Fletcher Hunt 21. Greg Marzhew 22. Jack Hetherington

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Greg Marzhew (arm) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) have been named on the extended bench and could come into the 17.

Jacob Saifiti (calf) is on track to return.

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Trey Mooney 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Chevy Stewart 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Blues forward Hudson Young has been rested as he battles an ongoing osteitis pubis injury.

BRONCOS V WARRIORS

Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Selwyn Cobbo 20. Deine Mariner 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Ben Talty

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Selwyn Cobbo is on the extended bench but unlikely to come into the 17, with Josiah Karapani to retain a wing spot.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Marata Niukore 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima

Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Samuel Healey 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Taine Tuaupiki

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: To come

DRAGONS v EELS

Saturday, 5:30pm, WIN Stadium

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Corey Allan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Toby Couchman 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Viliami Fifita 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Nicholas Tsougranis 22. Nathan Lawson

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Corey Allan and Christian Tuipulotu are both set to return from hamstring injuries.

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Matt Doorey 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Joash Papali’i

Reserves: 18. Dan Keir 19. Toni Mataele 20. Brendan Hands 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Dylan Brown is back from suspension at five-eighth.

The Eels have confirmed Mitchell Moses (calf) is aiming for round 20-21.

Ryley Smith (two games) and Will Penisini (three games) both pled guilty to charges on Tuesday.

DOLPHINS V RABBITOHS

Saturday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Ray Stone 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Aublix Tawha 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Peter Hola

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Junior Tupou will start on the wing after Jack Bostock (ACL) was ruled out for the season.

Felise Kaufusi will miss at least another three games for the Dolphins after undergoing knee surgery last week.

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Isaiah Tass 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Ryan Gray 22. Jacob Host

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Campbell Graham (back), Peter Mamouzelos (elbow) and Cody Walker (groin) are all set to return.

STORM V SHARKS

Sunday, 2pm, AAMI Park

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Kane Bradley

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Jack Howarth will miss the next few weeks with appendicitis.

“Jack came down with appendicitis yesterday (Tuesday) and had surgery to remove his appendix last night,” said Storm head of football Frank Ponissi. “Unfortunately, it rules Jack out for the next few weeks.”

Will Warbrick is working on his fitness following concussion issues but would return through lower grades.

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolph 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru 21.Chris Vea’ila

22. Jayden Berrell

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Oregon Kaufusi (hamstring) is confirmed to return.

TITANS V COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tom Weaver 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asumaleaui

Interchange: 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Mo Fotuaika 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui

Reserves: 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Tuki Simpkins 21. Sean Mullany 22. Brian Kelly

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Jayden Campbell will miss both this week and next (bye) due to concussion, with Tom Weaver to play halfback.

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Tom Duffy 19. Kaiden Lahrs 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Braidon Burns 23. Marly Bitungane

Players cut: To come

Late Mail: Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter expected to play after being rested post-Origin. “It was a smart decision around a couple of things they could have made worse by playing again,” coach Todd Payten said.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 17: Nathan Cleary cleared of groin issue but will he kick goals?