NRL Early Mail Rd 10: Zac Lomax ramps up Origin bid, Ezra Mam to return in Queensland Cup

Parramatta Eels star Zac Lomax continues to push for an early return, while underfire Bronco Ezra Mam will return through Queensland Cup.

Parramatta star Zac Lomax has continued to push for an early return ahead of Thursday’s clash with the Dolphins at CommBank Stadium.

The Eels winger trained on his own at the club’s Kellyville headquarters on Tuesday as his teammates kicked off preparations on a separate field.

He ran unencumbered with a trainer, putting up bombs and undergoing agility drills before returning to the gym as his teammates were put through a contact session.

The 25-year-old is considered an outside chance to be named to face the Dolphins later on Tuesday, and with the short turnaround, is more likely to return against Newcastle next Friday night.

Should he miss the Dolphins game, it would give him just one week to impress NSW coach Laurie Daley ahead of game one at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.

Lomax has been sidelined for the past month with a foot fracture which was expected to sideline him for six weeks.

Last week coach Jason Ryles said last week he was not going to rush his return.

“I think at a pinch he was pushing for (round 10), but I think that’s dead and buried at the moment,” Ryles said.

“He’s tracking along really well, but at the end of the day, it’s a bone and it takes that little bit of time to heal.

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MAM TO RETURN THROUGH RESERVES

Underfire star Ezra Mam will make his return from a nine-week suspension for Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup.

Mam could still be named in Brisbane’s extended squad after the Broncos suffered a fresh injury blow involving back-up playmaker Jock Madden.

Madden, Adam Reynolds’ halfback understudy, suffered suspected pectoral damage playing for feeder club Wynnum Manly in Sunday’s 30-12 Hostplus Cup loss to the Hunters in Papua New Guinea.

Madden returned to Australia with the Seagulls squad on Monday and will undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury.

Madden has been a regular in Brisbane’s extended 22-man squads over the past two years and was named in jersey No. 21 for Brisbane’s 32-8 loss to Penrith last Sunday at Magic Round.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire will name his 22-man squad on Tuesday afternoon, but Maguire will resist bringing the playmaker back into the first grade side.

The Hostplus Cup was due to have a bye weekend this week, but will stage three games that were postponed in March following the Cyclone Alfred saga.

One of those games involves Broncos feeder club Souths Logan, with whom Mam is affiliated.

—Peter Badel

Ezra Mam at Broncos training at Red Hill on Tuesday. Picture Lachie Millard

POSITIVE NEWS FOR KENNEDY

Dally M leader Will Kennedy is set to be named at fullback for Cronulla after being given the all-clear from an ankle complaint.

In sizzling form, Kennedy was caught up in a painful tackle against the Eels last Friday night.

Cronulla face Manly on Sunday and will be without Siosifa Talakai (HIA).

It’s anticipated that either Daniel Atkinson or Tuku Hau Tapuha will replace Talakai on the bench.

— David Riccio

NOTES FROM SOUTH SYDNEY TRAINING

South Sydney star Jamie Humphreys trained strongly on Monday morning and looks set to replace Lewis Dodd at halfback against Brisbane on Friday night.

Humphreys, who has not played since round 5 after picking up a hamstring injury, trained in the halves alongside Jayden Sullivan on Tuesday morning.

Dodd earned his first start in the halves against Newcastle last week but ran with the reserve grade side in the opposed session.

Superstar Latrell Mitchell missed Magic Round due to suspension but will take his place at fullback on Friday night.

Jye Gray, who has deputed for Mitchell in the no. 1 jumper, did not train on Tuesday morning.

Gray suffered a corked quad in last week’s loss to the Knights but it expected to be available for selection against the Broncos.

Josh Schuster, who is edging closer to an NRL return, also took part in the opposed session but did so running with the reserve grade outfit.

Euan Aitken was named in the centres last week but ran on the right edge alongside Campbell Graham and Bailey Bentley Hape.

Peter Mamouzelos joined the Rabbitohs’ burgeoning casualty ward after he suffered a dislocated below in Magic Round.

He was a keen observer at Heffron Park this morning, sporting a sling.

Saliva Havili lined up at dummy half during Tuesday’s morning session.

—Fatima Kdouh

Jamie Humphreys could line up in the halves for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Getty Images

BULLDOGS ROLL DICE ON PRESTON

In-form Bulldogs forward Jacob Preston is ready to fight a crusher charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night in a desperate bid to play in weekend’s blockbuster against Canberra and keep his NSW dream alive.

Preston was slapped with a grade one charge on Monday morning by the match review committee after an awkward tackle involving Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui on Sunday afternoon.

A grade one charge would generally mean a fine but Preston’s prior offences - this was his third charge - meant he was facing a ban of three matches even with an early guilty plea.

Rather than take the plea, the ‘Dogs decided late on Monday to fight the charge, risking a ban of four matches if Preston is found guilty at the panel.

The young back rower has been among the Bulldogs’ best this season and his importance to the side has only been amplified by the ongoing absence of Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua to suspension.

Preston is now in danger of joining them on the sidelines, stripping the Bulldogs of one of their best players and ruining his outside chances of forcing his way into the NSW side.

Referee Todd Smith sends Jacob Preston of the Bulldogs (centre) to the sin bin during the round nine NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and Canterbury Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

EELS v DOLPHINS

Thursday, 7:50pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels:

The Eels are expected to name the same starting side, with Zac Lomax progressing well in rehab and aiming for a return to action as early as next week.

Jordan Samrani shifted to a role in the middle forwards off the bench and could hold his spot.

Dolphins:

Max Plath underwent surgery on a foot injury last week which is set to see him out of action until Round 13, ruling him out of contention for the Queensland Origin side for Game 1.

Kurt Donoghue is expected back this round following a minor ankle issue. Daniel Saifiti and Felise Kaufusi will also push for a return this week.

KNIGHTS v TITANS

Friday, 6:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights:

Jacob Saifiti and Adam Elliott both made successful returns in Round 9 for the Knights engine room, helping turn around their attacking fortunes.

Jack Cogger also had his best game of the season and is expected to hold onto the number 7 jersey for the time being.

They’re expected to be named 1-17.

Titans:

All eyes will be on the Titans second row after David Fifita was dropped to reserve grade for Magic Round.

The Titans were comfortably handled by the Bulldogs pack but it remains to be seen if Fifita has done enough in the eyes of coach Des Hasler to earn a recall.

Tom Weaver is expected to be ruled out of Round 10 following a Category 1 HIA suffered in Magic Round.

Kieran Foran is nearing a return and, if fit, could come straight into the halfback slot. Hasler also indicated that Jayden Campbell is a chance of returning this week.

Jojo Fifita was a late out in Magic Round, with Tony Francis expected to replace him at right wing if required.

RABBITOHS v BRONCOS

Friday, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs:

Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension for the Bunnies and will likely slot back into the fullback jersey following another tough week on the injury front for the Rabbits.

Jack Wighton was named at five-eighth in the last round but ruled out for at least a month with a calf issue.

Jye Gray is in doubt for Round 10 having suffered a corked quad at Magic Round. If fit, he could slot in the halves or into the 14 jersey.

Peter Mamouzelos had to be assisted from the field following a dislocated elbow and will be in some doubt for the Rabbitohs.

Jamie Humphreys will push for a return to first grade as well from a hamstring issue. If fit, he could be in line for a shift to hooker if Mamouzelos is ruled out.

Broncos:

Ezra Mam is back. The Broncos half has served a 10 game suspension for off-field issues and is now available for selection.

It came at a good time for the club following a shock shellacking to the Panthers, with pressure on both Ben Hunt and hooker Billy Walters to hold their starting spots over Mam.

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

RAIDERS v BULLDOGS

Saturday, 3:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders:

Corey Horsburgh was sent for a HIA late in his side’s Golden Point victory against the Storm at Magic Round, which could see him miss Round 10 if failed.

The rest of the side is expected to be unchanged.

Bulldogs:

Jacob Preston is facing a 3-4 match ban for a crusher tackle, his third subsequent offence.

The Doggies welcome back Matt Burton from suspension this round with Bailey Hayward expected to drop back to the bench, and Blake Taaffe most likely out of the 17.

The rest of the side is expected to be unchanged.

DRAGONS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 5:30pm, WIN Stadium

Dragons:

Lykhan King-Togia was solid in his first game at halfback for the season having replaced Lachlan Illias. The young halfback set up two tries and kicked well and is expected to hold his spot.

Corey Allan returned to first grade for the first time in almost two seasons and will likely keep his spot on the left wing with Christian Tuipulotu still a few weeks away.

Hamish Stewart got his first start of his career in Round 9 at lock and is expected to hold his spot given a performance which included a try.

Emre Guler suffered a dislocated shoulder and is expected to be unavailable for at least four weeks with Blake Lawrie most likely to come onto the bench.

Warriors:

Centre Rocco Berry was forced from the field at Magic Round and is expected to be ruled out with a hamstring injury. Kurt Capewell could shift from second row to the centres to cover him.

Fellow centre Ali Leiataua also missed the clash with an ankle issue suffered midweek and is touch and go to return to the lineup this round.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is nearing a return and could come into the side as early as this round. Bench forward Jacob Laban could return to the 17 after missing Round 9 through concussion.

COWBOYS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys:

Reuben Cotter is facing a two-game ban from a high shot during Magic Round. That likely sees Sam McIntyre start at lock with Kai O’Donnell to return to the 17 via the bench.

Panthers:

Brian To’o is close to a return from a hamstring issue, but the club may continue to take a cautious approach as they near the representative period.

Should To’o return, Tom Jenkins could be on the chopping block with Luke Garner performing strongly in his third start at centre.

Scott Sorensen is out for a further two rounds with suspension with Isaiah Papali’i to start in his place. Hooker Mitch Kenny returns having served a two-game suspension.

Dylan Edwards came from the field early when the result was settled with reported hamstring tightness but is expected to be named this week.

STORM v TIGERS

Sunday, 2:00pm, AAMI Park

Storm:

Hooker Harry Grant is eyeing a return this round from a hamstring injury, which would see Bronson Garlick shift into the number 14 jersey. If Grant is unavailable this round he should definitely be fit for Round 11 in an attempt to prove his fitness for State of Origin.

Will Warbrick will again push for a return to action having battled with concussion symptoms this season.

Tigers:

Starford To’a missed Round 9 with a neck issue and isn’t expected to return until Round 11.

His replacement Brent Naden was hampered by a knee injury during the Tigers victory against the Dragons.

Solomona Faataape is expected to join the starting side at centre with Naden’s fitness set to determine if Charlie Staines remains in the starting side.

Latu Fainu is nearing a return from a finger injury and will again place pressure on coach Benji Marshall to decide his preferred halves pairing.

Winger Luke Laulili’i was spotted during the week with a cast on his hand and is expected to be available for selection for the next few weeks.

SEA EAGLES v SHARKS

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles:

Jake Trbojevic returns for Manly having missed their previous game while in HIA protocols.

He will most likely come in at lock, with Jazz Tevaga shifting to hooker and Jake Simpkin to the bench.

Jason Saab is not expected to be fit to return from an ankle injury, with Tommy Talau to deputise for him on the right wing until he’s available.

Sharks:

KL Iro made a successful return from a hamstring injury and will again be named at left centre this week.

Inside him should be Billy Burns with Teig Wilton expected out for 1-3 weeks as he manages a shoulder issue.

Siosifa Talakai suffered a category 1 concussion in the opening game of Magic Round and will be unavailable for Round 10.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Rd 10: Zac Lomax ramps up Origin bid, Ezra Mam to return in Queensland Cup