NRL Late Mail round 22: Brian To’o cleared to play for Panthers

The Panthers have breathed a sigh of relief, with Brian To’o cleared to take the field despite a week of drama featuring a contract saga and a virus. See all the predicted team changes.

Brian To’o will take the field for the Panthers against the Knights despite a week featuring a contract saga and a virus.

To’o – who returned to training on Thursday after being ill the day before – has told the club he wants to see out the rest of his deal which expires at the end of 2027.

—Michael Carayannis

ROUND 22 LATE MAIL

PANTHERS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Luron Patea 21. Asu Kepaoa

Players cut: 19. Jack Cole 20. Brad Schneider 22. Luke Sommerton

Late Mail: Brian To’o will play despite a contract dispute and a virus this week. No changes to the starting 17 in the 24-hour team update.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Brodie Jones

Players cut: 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Will Pryce 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

Late Mail: No changes expected with Phoenix Crossland named in the halves in place of Jackson Hastings. No changes to the starting 17 in the 24-hour team update.

BULLDOGS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann

Interchange: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Harry Hayes

Reserves: 19. Jeral Skelton 22. Poasa Faamausili

Players cut: 20. Liam Knight 21. Blake Wilson 23. Drew Hutchison

Late Mail: Backline stars Stephen Crichton (neck) and Josh Addo-Carr (hamstring) are on track to play. Josh Curran (knee) remains in doubt. No changes to the starting 17 in the 24-hour team update.

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 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. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 16. Ata Mariota 17. Zac Hosking

Reserves: 18. Adam Cook 21. Zac Woolford

Players cut: 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Corey Horsburgh 22. Emre Guler

Late Mail: No changes expected. No changes to the starting 17 in the 24-hour team update.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 22: Brian To’o cleared to play for Panthers