NRL Early Mail round 17: Ben Hunt in frame for return from injury, Taylan May to be named for Wests Tigers

Michael Maguire may have the chance to deploy his perfect Broncos spine with Ben Hunt in the frame for a return from injury while Jackson Hastings appears back in favour at the Knights.

Finally, Michael Maguire could have his Broncos Dream Team.

Marquee recruit Ben Hunt is in the frame to return from injury, giving Maguire the chance to deploy his perfect spine for Saturday afternoon’s clash against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.

Hunt will undergo a series of fitness tests on his hamstring this week - he could train as early as Tuesday - in the hope of taking the field for the first time since breaking down against Souths in round 10.

Maguire hopes to name Hunt in his 22-man squad on Tuesday.

That scenario would give Maguire the star quartet he has craved all season - a star-studded playmaking spine of Reece Walsh at fullback, Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds in the halves and Hunt at hooker.

Hunt started the season at five-eighth while Mam served a nine-game suspension, but Maguire was always planning to use the Queensland Origin utility at hooker with a full-strength squad.

Ben Hunt is in the frame to return from injury for the Broncos. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The fifth-placed Broncos are six competition points adrift of the Warriors but the possible return of Hunt would be a huge boost as Brisbane looked to close the gap on the top four.

Maguire remains hopeful the 35-year-old Hunt will play either this week against the Warriors or on Friday week against the Bulldogs.

“’Hunty’ is doing well,” he said.

“We have just got to make sure the old boy is 100 per cent ready to go.

The eventual return of Hunt will leave hookers Billy Walters and Cory Paix in the firing line as the duo battle it out for a supersub role.

–Peter Badel

LODGE BACK FOR SEA EAGLES

The Sea Eagles are set to recall powerhouse prop Matt Lodge for Friday night’s must-win game against the Wests Tigers.

Lodge has played two games for the Sea Eagles this season including a big win over the Brisbane Broncos a few weeks ago.

The 30-year-old hasn’t played since that win over the Broncos but is set to start against the Tigers at 4 Pines Park as Manly try to snap a two-game losing streak that has heaped pressure on everyone at the club.

Lodge has been called into action as Manly deal with an injury crisis that has claimed Taniela Paseka, Josh Aloiai and Haumole Olakau’atu.

–Brent Read

SPLEEN ISSUE ADDS TO SHARPE WOES

Jackson Hastings is poised to be chosen in the halves for Newcastle, just the second NRL starting jersey for the playmaker this season.

Hastings is expected to be named as Fletcher Sharpe’s replacement at five-eighth for the Knights clash with the Raiders on Friday night in Newcastle.

Sharpe remains hospitalised in Perth due to a ruptured spleen and lacerated kidney.

Jackson Hastings is set to take control of the halves at the Knights.

Hastings’ elevation into the starting line-up is ahead of fellow half Tyson Gamble, who returned from a broken thumb in NSW Cup last weekend.

Hastings has spent the majority of the year on the outer at the Knights, but a strong performance in his first NRL game of the season against the Roosters two weeks ago went a long way to proving the 29-year-old can play a major role in the club’s season.

Jacob Saifiti will make his return with the prop to play his first game since round 11.

- David Riccio and Michael Carayannis

MAY TO BE NAMED, FAINU TO START

Taylan May’s NRL exile is a step closer to being over with the besieged star set to be named for the Wests Tigers on Tuesday.

May told this masthead he was preparing to make his rugby league comeback through NSW Cup this weekend against the Sydney Roosters.

May hasn’t played since Round 10 last year and had been without an NRL club since parting with premiers Penrith last July after he was charged over domestic violence allegations.

The charges were withdrawn, opening the door for May to make an NRL comeback, with the Tigers handing the 23-year-old a lifeline train and trial deal until the end of 2025.

While May will be named on Tuesday, he is still no certainty to take the field given he has only been at the club for three weeks.

Meanwhile, exciting young half Latu Fainu is set to start at five-eighth against Manly on Friday night after a hamstring injury to Jahream Bula forced a backline reshuffle.

Heath Mason is poised to take over the No. jersey in Bula’s absence, clearing the way for Fainu to line up alongside Jarome Luai in the halves.

At Manly, forward Matt Lodge is set to earn an NRL recall for Friday’s clash against the Tigers.

- Fatima Kdouh, Brent Read

Taylan May is set to be named in the Wests Tigers squad.

FLANAGAN SURVIVES AXE

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan looks set to retain faith with his halves despite Lachlan Ilias and Jonah Glover guiding the Dragons NSW Cup side to their eighth successive win at the weekend.

Ilias had two try assists – his sixth and seventh in seven games – as the Dragons won 38-18 against the Magpies.

However, it is understood it wasn’t enough to convince Flanagan to pull the trigger as he retains faith in son Kyle and five-eighth Lykhan King-Togia in the halves against Parramatta on Saturday night.

Ilias and Glover have led the Dragons to second spot on the NSW Cup ladder, three points behind the Warriors with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, St George Illawarra are running 11th in the NRL, although they have lost their past two games to lose touch with the top eight.

—Brent Read

Kyle Flanagan will remain in the halves for the Dragons. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

EELS HIT HARD BY JUDICIARY

Will Penisini, Ryley Smith and Karl Lawton are facing a whopping 10 weeks on the sideline combined after the match review committee whacked the trio with heavy bans on Monday morning.

Parramatta centre Penisini was hit with a grade two dangerous throw charge for a lifting tackle on Gold Coast Titans forward Beau Fermor.

Penisini faces three weeks on the sideline for the ugly looking tackle but will miss a month of football if he opts to challenge the charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night but is unsuccessful.

He was sin-binned in the 79th minute over the incident with referee Gerard Sutton labelling the tackle “very dangerous”

“There is only one player in the tackle, so there is no mitigation,” Sutton said as he marched Penisini.

Will Penisini of the Eels is sent to the sin bin against the Titans. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“Very dangerous with a high risk of injury. On report and in the bin.”

Rookie hooker Smith is also facing at least two weeks on the sideline after he too was charged for a lifting tackle.

Smith was charged with a grade two dangerous throw after lifting Titans back Phillip Sami above the horizontal.

North Queensland utility Karl Lawton will also miss the next two matches for the Cowboys after his involvement in a three-man tackle that left Roosters forward Siua Wong with a knee issue.

The Roosters said Wong is likely to be sidelined for six weeks after suffering a moderate grade MCL injury.

Lawton will miss three weeks if he challenges the grade three dangerous conduct charge at the judiciary but loses.

-Fatima Kdouh

DOLPHINS’ INJURY WOES WORSEN

The Dolphins’ injury crisis has deepened after try-scoring sensation Jack Bostock was ruled out for the season and enforcer Felise Kaufusi underwent knee surgery.

Bostock suffered an ACL rupture in his knee in the Dolphins’ loss to Newcastle in Perth last weekend, a week after scoring four tries against the Cowboys.

Jack Bostock’s season is over. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

He will join Tom Gilbert (pec/shoulder), Tom Flegler (shoulder), Max Plath (knee) and Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) in the casualty ward for the remainder of the year.

The Dolphins have been decimated, particularly in the middle forwards, and Bostock is the latest player to join the long-term injury list.

Kaufusi, currently suspended, will also be unavailable for six weeks after undergoing knee surgery last week.

“The surgery went well but the recovery does have a six-week time period,” said Dolphins’ Head of Performance Jeremy Hickmans.

“Considering we have byes in both rounds 18 and 21, that should give Felise a good chance of playing against the Warriors in round 22.”

The Dolphins’ hot streak ended in a loss to the Knights ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium.

-Travis Meyn

NRL EARLY MAIL ROUND 17, VIA MAX BRYDEN

PANTHERS v BULLDOGS

Thursday, 7:50pm, ComBank Stadium

Panthers:

Round 16 hero Scott Sorensen is facing a two game ban for a hip drop tackle which ruled Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak out of the match through injury.

His absence will be offset by the return of the Panthers Origin contingent. Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Brian To’o are all expected to rejoin the starting side.

Cleary’s groin injury, apparent during Game 2 of Origin, is likely to keep him off the kicking tee with Dylan Edwards most likely to take over goal kicking duties.

Paul Alamoti, Daine Laurie and Brad Schneider will drop out of the starting line-up to accommodate the returning Origin players.

Bulldogs:

Three weeks into life as a Bulldog, and we’re unlikely to be any clearer on how Lachie Galvin fits in long term.

Matt Burton will resume five-eighth duties on the left after missing Round 15 through Origin. And the impressive performance of Toby Sexton should keep him starting as halfback for now.

Galvin is likely to be named off the bench where he could cover multiple positions.

Stephen Crichton and Max King also return from Origin commitments. Crichton will push Jacob Kiraz out to the wing, and King will start at prop. Blake Taaffe and Jake Turpin are the most likely to drop out of the 17.

SEA EAGLES v WESTS TIGERS

Friday, 6:00pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles:

A new era is set to kick off with Lehi Hopoate the preferred choice at fullback at Brookvale.

His form has forced Anthony Seibold’s hand, with Tom Trbojevic expected to be named in the centres.

The changes haven’t stopped there. Lachlan Croker, Corey Waddell and Jason Saab were asked to front up in NSW Cup this past weekend in another indication of their drop down the pecking order.

The back five is expected to feature Reuben Garrick and Tommy Talau on the wings and Tolu Koula partnering Trbojevic in the centres.

Haumole Olakau’atu is out until at least Round 21 with a shoulder injury. Waddell could start until his return.

Prop Josh Aloiai is also potentially facing medical retirement due to ongoing shoulder issues.

Wests Tigers:

Coach Benji Marshall indicated match conditioning is the only thing holding back young half Latu Fainu from an 80-minute role at the moment.

The youngest Fainu brother has had several hamstring issues over the last two seasons and the club is keen to play the long game with his health, such is his importance.

He has played three games off the bench as a lock forward, and also deputised at halfback twice so far in a sign of his versatility.

Heath Mason is expected to start again at five-eighth in the interim. Fonua Pole made a successful return from a knee issue and should start.

Reserve hooker Tallyn da Silva has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs and could depart before the June 30 deadline.

KNIGHTS v RAIDERS

Friday, 8:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights:

Five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe was hospitalised following the Knights’ win in Perth due to a lacerated kidney and ruptured spleen. He’s facing an extended stint on the sideline with Tyson Gamble likely to step into the halves in his absence.

Greg Marzhew was a late out last week as he manages a neck issue and is expected to be named but is a week to week proposition. James Schiller will remain on standby for him should he be unavailable.

Bradman Best made a successful return from a hamstring injury and will again be named to start on the left edge.

Dom Young made a successful return to the club on the right wing and will feature there for the remainder of the season barring injury.

Knights star Fletcher Sharpe is recovering in a Perth hospital after suffering a lacerated kidney in Newcastle’s win over the Dolphins on Saturday.

➡️DETAILS: https://t.co/NFQKmyIWux#SuperCoach#NRLpic.twitter.com/2Btjz1G6ns

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) June 22, 2025

Raiders:

Hudson Young did not play his usual 80 minutes in Round 16 and did confirm to the media an on-going osteitis pubis issue. He is however expected to be named and play in Round 17 to push his Origin 3 credentials.

The rest of the side will be named 1-17 with Jed Stuart to again start on the wing.

BRONCOS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos:

After a stirring comeback win against the Sharks, the news gets better for the Broncos this week with Ben Hunt close to rejoining the side.

Where he fits in exactly is still to be determined given the strong form of Ezra Mam.

Josiah Karapani has scored four tries in two games since joining the side and should have done enough to keep his starting spot on the left wing.

Payne Haas – who was touch and go for State of Origin – is playing through a groin injury. Having played 58 minutes in Round 16, he is expected to play on and manage the issue with a lighter training load.

Warriors:

Kurt Capewell will return to the line-up after missing last week due to his Origin commitments. He’s expected to start in the centres, but could shift back to his preferred role in the second row with Marata Niukore failing a HIA in Round 16 which will make him unavailable.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been sent for scans on his ankle and is expected to miss several weeks.

Taine Tuaupiki is favoured to replace him on the right wing but will need to overcome a recent concussion. Ed Kosi could be called up should Tuaupiki be unavailable.

Luke Metcalf has a quad cork which he is playing through. He’s not expected to goal kick until he’s fully recovered with Adam Pompey to take over the duties.

DRAGONS v EELS

Saturday, 5:30pm, WIN Stadium

Dragons:

Jaydn Su’A will push to return this week from an ankle issue which has seen him miss the last two weeks.

Toby Couchman has started on the right edge in his absence. He likely shifts to the left edge to start in the second row and play between the edge and middle.

Wingers Tyrell Sloan and Nathan Lawson both featured in NSW Cup over the weekend in an attempt to find form. Joining them in Cup was Luciano Leilua, who is yet to nail down an 80-minute role in first grade.

It remains to be seen who will feature on the flanks for the Dragons with Christian Tuipulotu and Corey Allan both nearing return from injury as soon as this week.

Eels:

Dylan Brown has served his one game suspension for making contact with a referee and will be named to start again at five-eighth, pushing Joash Papali’i out of the side.

Ryley Smith is facing a 2-3 match ban for a spear tackle which will see Joey Lussick take over the hooking duties.

Will Penisini is also charged and facing a three match ban which should see utility Jordan Samrani join the side at right centre inside Zac Lomax.

Mitchell Moses is targeting a return in Round 20 with Dean Hawkins to play halfback in his absence.

DOLPHINS v RABBITOHS

Saturday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins:

Jack Bostock suffered a suspected ACL injury in Perth and if confirmed would be out for the season.

He will likely be replaced in the line-up by winger Junior Tupou, but further backline shifts involving Jake Averillo could also eventuate to instead get Max Feagai back into first grade.

Josh Kerr was a late out last round with a hamstring injury adding to their middle forward woes. He’s touch and go to be named this week.

The rest of the side should be named 1-13 with Kurt Donoghoe to continue starting at lock.

Knights star Fletcher Sharpe is recovering in a Perth hospital after suffering a lacerated kidney in Newcastle’s win over the Dolphins on Saturday.

➡️DETAILS: https://t.co/NFQKmyIWux#SuperCoach#NRLpic.twitter.com/2Btjz1G6ns

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) June 22, 2025

Rabbitohs:

Keaon Koloamatangi seemingly rose from the grave to play last week after initial concerns of a facial fracture. He will now push hard for a return to State of Origin for the Blues in game 3 with a huge performance against the ‘Phins.

Five-eighth Cody Walker will also push for a return this week from a groin complaint. If fit, he will force Jack Wighton to the centres and Euan Aitken into the second row.

Campbell Graham has been managing a back issue and will also push for a return this week which could come at the expense of Isaiah Tass.

STORM v SHARKS

Sunday, 2:00pm, AAMI Park

Storm:

Xavier Coates will return having earned a rest post State of Origin Game 2.

His return will see Sua Fa’alogo likely drop out of the starting side and Grant Anderson shifted back to the right wing.

The rest of the side is expected to be named 1-17.

Sharks:

Oregon Kaufusi was ruled out on the weekend with a hamstring issue. And the Sharks forward depth is set to be further tested with Teig Wilton sent to hospital after an eye poke.

Wilton was forced from the field and undertook a HIA which he passed, but may be unavailable should there be damage to this eye. Billy Burns would come into the starting side as a direct replacement if required.

Hohepa Puru made his NRL debut off the bench in Round 16 and could feature again.

Winger Sam Stonestreet is aiming to push for first grade selection again in Round 19, Mawene Hiroti in Round 20.

Commiserations to Jayden Campbell owners.

Details: https://t.co/brVYvLvWgBpic.twitter.com/9FWvABMHuD

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) June 22, 2025

TITANS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, CBUS Super Stadium

Titans:

Jayden Campbell won’t be available after suffering a concussion in Sunday’s game. Tom Weaver is expected to join the side in the halfback jersey as a direct replacement.

After starting from the bench post Origin, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika will both return to the run on side.

David Fifita was set to return this week, but now won’t be seen until at least Round 19 following a further procedure on this ankle. Chris Randall will continue to start in the second row in his absence.

After being dropped last game, Brian Kelly isn’t expected to be recalled, with Phil Sami and Jojo Fifita to retain their spot in the centres and Allan Fitzgibbon on the right wing.

Cowboys:

After a string of heavy losses, the Cows will be buoyed by a return to Queensland this week and a couple of Origin stars returning to the fold.

Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson were given a rest after Game 2 of Origin but should slot straight back into the starting line-up this week. Karl Lawton (suspended) and Kai O’Donnell are expected to make way.

Viliami Vailea was a late out in Round 16, replaced by Braidon Burns.