NRL Magic Round Early Mail: Lachlan Ilias axed in Dragons shake-up

The St George Illawarra Dragons have confirmed the dropping of halfback Lachlan Ilias for Magic Round – and the race is on to replace him.

St George Illawarra have confirmed the sacking of halfback Lachlan Ilias for the Magic Round game against Wests Tigers on Saturday.

Ilias has struggled for much of the season since arriving from the South Sydney Rabbitohs, forcing coach Shane Flanagan to make the tough call.

The Dragons will announce their line up on Tuesday with Jonah Glover and Lyhkan King-Togia in contention to take over in the No.7 jersey.

After a poor performance against the Roosters on Anzac Day, the Dragons desperately need the two points against the Tigers.

Flanagan was giving nothing away when contacted by News Corp about Ilias: “I need to speak with the individuals first.”

—Phil Rothfield

Lachlan Ilias has been dropped by the Dragons. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

REYNOLDS TO BE NAMED

The Broncos have received a massive boost for their Magic Round clash with Penrith with Adam Reynolds looking likely to face grand final nemesis Cleary at Suncorp Stadium.

FULL STORY

CANTERBURY PACK TAKES SHAPE AFTER BANS

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo will turn to Daniel Suluka-Fifita to beef-up his undermanned forward pack but injured prop Sam Hughes is unlikely to be available for Sunday’s Magic Round clash against Gold Coast.

Hughes, who is yet to take the field in 2025, was scheduled to return from ankle surgery this weekend but did not train with the main group on Monday morning at Belmore Oval.

Ciraldo will be without five-eighth Matt Burton and forwards Sitili Tupouniua and Josh Curran after the trio were whacked with a total of nine weeks worth of suspensions for foul play in Round 8’s loss to the Broncos.

Tupouniua will miss five weeks for a shoulder charge and dangerous contact, while Curran was hit with a three game ban for a shoulder charge.

Suluka-Fifita will come into the side with the likes of Kurtis Morrin, Lipoi Hopoi and Jack Underhill also options in the pack for Ciraldo.

Bailey Hayward is expected to slot in at five-eighth for Burton, a role the versatile forward covered when Burton was sidelined with a knee injury in the early rounds of the season.

—Fatima Kdouh

Sitili Tupouniua sent to the sin bin over the weekend. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

REYNOLDS SET TO PLAY

Brisbane have received a massive boost for their Magic Round clash against Penrith with Adam Reynolds looking likely to face grand final nemesis Nathan Cleary at Suncorp Stadium.

Reynolds trained in a red bib which dictated no physical contact on Monday morning but the shoulder pain which saw him replaced in the landslide win over the Bulldogs is diminishing.

Reynolds has not been sent for scans and he will be named in the side on Tuesday to face the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday unless there are complications at Tuesday’s training session.

Reynolds had one of the best games of his career when he tormented the Bulldogs in driving rain with a kicking game that belied the challenges of a sodden Suncorp.

The Panthers may have won the last four premierships but they are last on the competition ladder after a horror start to the season.

—Robert Craddock

DODD TO START, SCHUSTER BENCH

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett is set to hand Englishman Lewis Dodd his first start in the halves after he trained alongside Jayden Sullivan at Heffron Park on Monday morning.

Latrell Mitchell hit

Bennett will name yet another new-look halves combination this weekend against Newcastle after fullback Latrell Mitchell was whacked with a one-game ban for a high shot Sua Fa’alogo.

Livewire Jye Gray, who played in the halves last weekend against the Storm, will deputise in the No. 1 jumper, where he has been a revelation for the Bunnies.

Gray was a notable absentee from Monday’s field session but the diminutive fullback spent the morning training in the gym and will be available to take on the Knights.

Dodd’s inclusion in the starting side puts Josh Schuster in the running to earn a bench spot, for what would be his first NRL game since August in 2023.

Schuster spent some time training on Monday morning at five-eighth, where he has been playing in NSW Cup in a bid to increase his match fitness before a return to the NRL.

—Fatima Kdouh

Josh Schuster (centre) and Lewis Dodd (right) during a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL training session at Pioneer Park in Sydney. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire

TO’O UNLIKELY, SORENSEN HEADS TO JUDICIARY

Powerhouse winger Brian To’o is considered only a slight chance to take the field against Brisbane.

While the four-time premiers, who are anchored at the bottom of the ladder, could do with To’o’s inclusion against the Broncos, medical staff are unlikely to rush the winger’s return to the field.

To’o has not played since suffering a hamstring injury back in round three against South Sydney.

Reliable backrower Scott Sorensen is headed to the judiciary to fight the NRL’s head-high crackdown on Tuesday to seek a downgrade on a grade two shoulder charge on Manly’s Nathan Brown.

The match review committee hit Sorensen, who was sinbinned for the hit, with a two-game ban but a successful downgrade to a grade one shoulder charge only carries a $1,500 fine, making him available for this weekend’s clash.

Sorensen will miss three games, against Brisbane, North Queensland and Newcastle, if he fails in his bid at the judiciary.

Backrower Luke Garner missed the Sea Eagles loss due to concussion but has come through return to play protocols and is expected to be named in the 17 to take on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Garner will replace Sorensen on the left edge if Sorensen is eventually rubbed out, but former Parramatta backrower Isaiah Papali’i is also an option.

Hooker Mitch Kenny still will return from a two-week suspension against the Cowboys in Round 10.

—Fatima Kdouh

Scott Sorensen of the Panthers is sent to the sin bin. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

FULL EARLY MAIL, VIA MAX BRYDEN

SHARKS v EELS

Friday, 6:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Sharks:

All eyes will be on Addin Fonua-Blake with the Cronulla bookend clutching heavily at his shoulder in the final stages of Golden Point. There was no comment from the club post match on his condition and with prop stocks dwindling the club will be hopeful he is fit to be named.

Teig Wilton will miss two to four weeks with a shoulder issue. Wilton was a late out in Round 8, replaced by Billy Burns who will keep the spot in the short term.

This adds to their woes in the second row with Briton Nikora potentially in trouble for his high shot on Jarome Luai in Round 8. Nikora was given 10 in the bin and could face 1-3 weeks on the sideline if charged.

Mawene Hiroti picked up a knee injury and is looking at 3-6 weeks on the sideline. The club is confident Kayal Iro will be fit to return from a hamstring injury but may need to instead turn to Chris Vea’ila.

Confirmation from the club has come through this round that prop Toby Rudolf is out for up to seven weeks with an ankle issue. In reserve grade, fullback Kade Dykes suffered a non-contact knee injury with scans to determine the prognosis.

Eels:

After a week off on the bye, the Eels will need to find a new second rower with Kelma Tualagi to miss the first of three games following a charge resulting from foul play in Round 7.

The rest of their outfit looks settled with Mitch Moses and Jack Williams both having successfully returned from injury prior to the bye.

ROOSTERS v DOLPHINS

Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Roosters:

After running rampant on ANZAC Day against the Dragons, the Chooks have also finished a round without any major injury concerns.

They’re expected to name the same starting 13 with Mark Nawaqanitawase holding his spot on the right wing ahead of Dom Young.

Dolphins:

The ‘Phins were down to their fourth choice hooker in Round 8 but the early news is looking good with reinforcements coming.

First choice hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is hopeful for a return this round as he manages a deep leg laceration suffered in Round 6.

Second choice hooker Max Plath was a late out in Round 8 with a foot injury. He’s listed as week to week and will start at lock should JMK be fit.

Bench hooker Kurt Donoghue hurt his ankle at captain’s run prior to Round 8 but should also be fit to return.

Prop Daniel Saifiti’s excellent start to the 2025 season appears to be on hold after suffering a shoulder injury mid-way through the ‘Phins loss to Canberra. He will go for scans this week.

Mark Nicholls could start at prop in his absence should Plath be fit to return at lock.

RABBITOHS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Rabbitohs:

Latrell Mitchell picked up a one game ban in his first match at fullback for the season. Jye Gray will take his place in the number 1.

Cody Walker suffered a calf injury mid week which is expected to sideline the veteran for at least five weeks.

Josh Schuster is in line to be named for his first game of first grade to replace him.

Jamie Humphreys is still 2-3 weeks away from returning from a hamstring issue. Winger Tyrone Munro is a further six weeks away from returning from a broken collarbone.

Lachlan Hubner is available for selection following a week off whilst in HIA protocols.

Knights:

Jack Cogger was a late in for the Knights at halfback in Round 8 but the halfback roulette in Newcastle isn’t straight forward.

Tyson Gamble was originally named for the clash but was a late withdrawal after requiring surgery following a broken nose suffered in Round 7.

He appears to be favoured to Cogger at the moment and will push for a return at Magic Round.

WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium

Warriors:

The Warriors will travel to Queensland with the same outfit that won over the Knights. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is nearing a return to First Grade and is expected to contend for selection next round.

Cowboys:

The Cowboys are expected to name the same 17. Kai O’Donnell was a late out in Round 8 paving the way for Jeremiah Nanai to play his most minutes of the year.

Hat trick hero Robert Derby also appears to have won the right wing spot with Braidon Burns having returned via Queensland Cup two weeks ago.

TIGERS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium

Tigers:

Api Korisau left the field in Golden Point with a knee issue but Coach Benij Marshall described the issue as ‘not serious’.

The Tigers will be hoping their skipper is fit but have solid depth in Tallyn Da Silva if required.

Brent Naden will hold down the left wing spot after a solidzq performance with incumbent Jeral Skelton out with a hamstring issue.

Lachie Galvin will be hoping Latu Fainu’s finger injury will make him unavailable, with the coaching staff again facing a difficult decision on Galvin’s future should Latu be available.

Dragons:

Hamish Stewart is available to return should he pass through HIA protocols. If selected, Blake Lawrie could drop off the bench.

Sione Finau is the first Dragons winger in three rounds to get through unscathed and should keep the role until Round 13 with Christian Tuipulotu and Matt Faegai unavailable.

TITANS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 1:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Titans:

Kieran Foran will aim to return this round following a long injury layoff. In pre-season he was touting a new role as a bench utility, but amidst a four-game losing streak those plans may have to be re-assessed.

With halfback Jayden Campbell out until Round 13, there’s a chance for Foran to slot straight into the halfback jersey he held last season.

Alternatively, Foran could be named at six to pair up with Tom Weaver with AJ Brimson to shift to fullback given the long-term injury to incumbent Keano Kini.

The rest of the starting side should be named as per with David Fifita again to come off the bench.

Jaimin Joliffe picked up a two match suspension and will be unavailable until Round 11.

Bulldogs:

A big loss and big suspensions for some big names at the Dogs.

Sitili Tuiponuia is facing five matches on the sideline from two separate charges, Josh Curran three matches, and Matt Burton one.

Bailey Hayward is expected to step into the number six jersey for the Bulldogs. Prop Sam Hughes is also a chance to come into the squad following ankle surgery.

PANTHERS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Panthers:

Scott Sorensen picked up a two-match ban in his side’s loss to the Sea Eagles. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Luke Garner or Isaiah Papali’i.

Garner is returning from a HIA and after starting Round 7 in the centres. He will pose an interesting dilemma for coach Nathan Cleary on how to use the veteran.

Right centre Izack Tago played arguably his best game in two years last round after his benching, while left centre Casey McLean has had a number of defensive lapses.

Brian To’o will push for a return to the side from a hamstring injury. If available, Tom Jenkins could drop out of the 17.

Broncos:

All eyes will be on the number 7 jersey and the fitness of Adam Reynolds. The veteran halfback was forced from the field with a shoulder issue in Round 8 but the initial prognosis appears to not be severe.

Jordan Riki is available to return after illness forced him to be a late out last round.

Ezra Mam is one week away from his 10 round suspension ending. All eyes will be on the role of Ben Hunt with a view towards his potential shift to hooker upon Mam’s return.

STORM v RAIDERS

Sunday, 6:25pm, Suncorp Stadium

Storm:

The prognosis on centre Jack Howarth’s shoulder is in, with the young gun facing at least another month on the sideline.

His absence is offset by Nick Meaney’s return. He got through Round 8 unscathed and is set to be named again at right centre.

Sua Fa’alogo failed a HIA following an act of foul play by Latrell Mitchell in Round 8. If first choice winger Will Warbrick is unable to play, Kane Bradley will start on the edge.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona is a chance to be named following a successful return to action via Queensland Cup over the weekend.

Harry Grant is aiming for a return from a hamstring issue in Round 10 or 11. Tui Kamikamica will miss at least another two rounds with an ankle issue.

Raiders:

After a big win at home, the Top 4 entrenched Raiders will again be named 1 through 17.