NRL Early Mail Round 11: Leo Thompson, Greg Marzhew add to Knights injury woes

The 14th-placed Newcastle Knights are on the verge of another injury crisis, while across the league a host of big guns are eyeing returns.

The Knights are on the verge of another crisis with star prop Leo Thompson unlikely to be named and Greg Marzhew to miss at least a month.

Desperate to respond following an embarrassing second-half collapse against the Titans last Friday night, the Knights are preparing to be without Thompson due to the impact of delayed concussion.

Jack Hethrington is likely to come into consideration should Thompson be ruled out ahead of team list Tuesday.

Marzhew failed to finish Friday’s game due to a knee injury.

—David Riccio and Michael Carayannis

TITANS’ FORAN BOOST

In a major boost for Gold Coast, star player Kieran Foran is expected to return from injury this weekend.

Foran needs to complete a final training session on Tuesday to be named in the Titans side for Sunday’s match against Canberra at GIO Stadium.

The 34-year-old underwent surgery after rupturing a bicep in Gold Coast’s trial match against the Dolphins in February.

It is unknown where coach Des Hasler will name Foran.

Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson started in the halves during Gold Coast’s win over Newcastle last Saturday night.

Foran could also be considered as a utility bench player.

Hasler will announce his side at 4pm on Tuesday.

Behind 20-0 last week, Gold Coast scored 24 unanswered points to record a famous club win.

—Dean Ritchie

Max Bryden’s Early Mail talking points

Predicted team changes are in for round 11 and here are the big talking points.

* Roger Tuivasa-Scheck (hamstring) is nearing a return to solve an emerging backline crisis at the Wahs.

* Zac Lomax (foot) is poised to prove his case for Origin with a timely return.

* James Fisher-Harris will push for a return with implications for popular cheapie-come-mid ranger Leka Halasima.

* Toby Couchman is in doubt due to another shoulder issue.

* Zac Hosking is set to benefit from the expected absence of Matty Nicholson (ankle).

* Alex Johnston (hamstring) is pushing for return with eyes on the Tigers’ brittle right edge.

Zac Hosking is set to switch to the edge for the Raiders. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

KNIGHTS v EELS

Friday, 6:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights:

Leo Thompson is set to miss the game through concussion.

Greg Marzhew suffered a knee clash during the Knights’ loss to the Titans and has been sent for scans. The initial prognosis looks like at least four weeks on the sidelines with more news to emerge early this week.

The club is pushing for the mid-season signing of Dom Young from the Roosters who would immediately join the first grade side. Otherwise Kyle McCarthy is the frontrunner to replace Marzhew on the left.

Coach Adam O’Brien will also be watching reserve grade closely to monitor the formline of several players who could be brought into first grade to help reverse their formline.

Eels:

Zac Lomax is pushing hard for a return from a foot injury and to prove his fitness for the NSW Blues.

His return comes at the perfect time with Bailey Simonsson suffering a foot fracture which is set to sideline him for at least eight weeks.

Bench forward Sam Tuivaiti is expected to miss 8-10 weeks having undergone surgery to repair a syndesmosis injury.

Joey Lussick is due back from a thumb injury this round which could place pressure on Ryley Smith’s minutes at hooker.

BULLDOGS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium

Bulldogs:

Jaeman Salmon is out for 10 weeks with an ankle fracture. He failed to finish his side’s Round 10 clash and now adds to their forward depth woes.

Sitili Tupouniua and Jacob Preston are both suspended until Round 15 and Josh Curran until Round 12.

Harry Hayes has a chance to start in the second row, with Kurt Mann starting at lock.

Roosters:

The Roosters are expected to name the same squad who defeated the Dolphins at Magic Round, with Sandon Smith to play given the bye fell during his HIA stand down period.

Scans revealed Jaeman Salmon suffered an ankle fracture in Round 10. He will require surgery & the Bulldogs expect him to miss around 10 weeks.

Appeared to be iced up over medial/inner ankle - if a tibia fracture is the main weight bearing bone of the shin/ankle. pic.twitter.com/AtdlEF2UqV

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 11, 2025

DOLPHINS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins:

Jeremy Marshall-King won’t be available again this week as he continues his recovery from an infection. Kurt Donoghoe will start in his place with Harrison Graham likely to join the bench as a utility.

Marshall-King is expected to be treated cautiously by the club moving forward and may not be unavailable until after their bye in Round 13.

Tom Gilbert will again start at lock with Ray Stone or Connelly Lemuelu to start in the second row.

Warriors:

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak made a successful return for the Wahs’ win over the Dragons, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is also nearing a return to action which could come as soon as this week.

RTS’s return would be timely with fellow backs Ali Leiataua, Rocco Berry and Ed Kosi all facing time on the sidelines, Leiataua the first expected back in Round 13.

James Fisher-Harris will push for a return to the front row from a pectoral injury. If available he’ll be a direct swap from Jackson Ford who failed a HIA in Round 10.

Should RTS and JFH return, it could see Kurt Capewell shift back to the second row and Leka Halasima to the bench.

Bunty Afoa is also expected to miss some game time with a knee injury.

COWBOYS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 5:30pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys:

The Cowboys are humming and finding a way to fight despite some key outs.

Sam McIntyre will again start at lock with Reuben Cotter not available until Round 13 for the Cowboys.

Jason Taumalolo was a late out in Round 10 with a calf issue and is not expected to play in Round 12. Coen Hess will start in his place with Kai O’Donnell to join the bench.

Sea Eagles:

Josh Aloiai was described as a ‘couple of weeks away’ with a shoulder injury by coach Anthony Seibold, which should see Jake Trbojevic remain in the front row rotation for the time being.

This paves the way for Jazz Tevaga to continue to start at lock with Jake Simpkin at hooker.

The rest of the starting side is expected to be named 1-13. Tommy Talau was a late out in Round 10 with hamstring tightness and isn’t expected to be named this week.

SHARKS v STORM

Saturday, 7:35pm, Sharks Stadium

Sharks:

Teig Wilton will aim for a return this week from a shoulder issue which has seen him miss 3 rounds. If fit, he’ll push Billy Burns to the bench or out of the 17.

Siosifa Talakai is available again having missed Round 10 whilst in HIA protocols. He’ll likely return via the bench at the expense of Jesse Colquhoun.

Storm:

Harry Grant will again push for a return this week from a hamstring issue to get some game time before his state of Origin duties.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona also made a successful return from concussion on the weekend and was one of the Storm’s best. He’s expected to hold a bench spot moving forward.

Jahrome Hughes left the field early against the Tigers in Round 10 but this was purely precautionary as he manages an on-going shoulder issue.

Will Warbrick has still not returned to Melbourne Storm training as the club manage his return from concussion symptoms. Sua Fa’alogo is expected to hold the right wing spot in his continued absence.

BRONCOS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos:

Ben Hunt’s hamstring injury has paved the way for a return to first grade for Ezra Mam, but Mam faces a nervous wait after being penalised for a high tackle in his Queensland Cup return.

Hunt is facing 4-6 weeks on the sidelines ruling him out of Origin Game 1. Halves understudy Jock Madden is also out for up to 10 weeks after suffering an injury in Queensland Cup.

Brendan Piakura appears to have locked down a starting edge spot having played 80 minutes for the last two rounds.

Dragons:

Toby Couchman got through just 27 minutes in Round 10 due to a shoulder injury. This is the second week in a row where his shoulder has impacted his minutes, and he is rated a 50-50 chance to be available for this round.

Dylan Egan was interchanged directly for Couchman during Round 10 and he or Jack De Belin could move into the starting side at prop should Couchman miss any game time with Blake Lawrie joining the bench.

The rest of the side is expected to be named 1-17 with debutant Loko Pasifiki Tonga to hold his spot. Corey Allan will hold the left wing spot with Christian Tuipulotu expected back after the first Origin bye.

Matty Nicholson comes off late with an ankle injury. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

RAIDERS v TITANS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders:

Zac Hosking is expected to move to the right edge to replace second-rower Matty Nicholson who picked up an ankle injury late in Round 10.

Nicholson will be sent for scans this week but is expected to be out for at least two weeks and as long as eight pending the severity and if surgery is required.

Corey Horsburgh is expected to return to the starting side having missed last round while in HIA protocols.

Titans:

Kieran Foran is expected to return from injury - but where he slots into Des Hasler’s 17 remains a mystery.

Jayden Campbell made a surprise return in Round 10 to help inspire his side’s come-from-behind victory against the Knights.

Campbell partnered AJ Brimson in the halves in the side’s last-start win, laving Hasler with a selection headache.

Replacement half Tom Weaver is available for selection again having missed last round whilst in concussion protocols but is expected to miss the 17.

Jaimin Jolliffe is available again having served suspension and will return via the bench, most likely replacing Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui who failed a HIA in Round 10.

David Fifita is expected to miss at least a month of footy after undergoing surgery on his ankle. Klese Haas will start in the second row alongside Beau Fermor in his absence.

TIGERS v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Tigers:

Fonua Pole was seen with ice on his knee after failing to finish the first half of the Tigers loss to the Storm and will be sent for scans. Should he miss any game time, it could pave the way for Latu Fainu to join the bench should brother Sione move to the starting side.

Starford To’a will push for a return this round having missed the Tigers’ last two games with a neck issue.

If fit, he will return at right centre with one of Brent Naden or Charlie Staines to drop out of the side.

Rabbitohs:

Alex Johnston is nearing a return to full fitness following a hamstring injury. If selected it would come at the expense of Bayleigh Bentley-Hape.

Coach Wayne Bennett made several selection shake ups in Round 10 with Jai Arrow and Keaon Koloamatangi shifted from the second row to the front row.

Following their victory against the Broncos, he’s expected to keep that formation with Tallis Duncan and Euan Aikten to remain on the edges, and Lachie Hubner at lock.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 11: Leo Thompson, Greg Marzhew add to Knights injury woes