There are several Origin stars in doubt for Round 17 following the Blues’ Game II win.
The ultimate competitor, it takes a lot for Dragons outside back Zac Lomax to miss a game. However, he’s in some doubt against the Dolphins after his knee was strapped during Game II and then seen in ice post-match.
The Dolphins sweat on further news regarding Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s shoulder, with the flyer picking up an AC joint injury.
Meanwhile, the Panthers-Cowboys clash on Sunday could potentially see a number of late outs, with 11 players between the two sides taking part in Game II on Wednesday.
Read on for all the Round 17 Early Mail!
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FRIDAY
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Cronulla Sharks 8pm @ Accor Stadium
Bulldogs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Jacob Preston 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Eli Clark 22. Harry Hayes 23. Stephen Crichton
Players cut:
Early Mail: The short turnaround from Origin may work against the Bulldogs and Blues centre Stephen Crichton. No word yet on whether he’ll back up or not but he’s been named on an extended bench. Bronson Xerri and Jacob Kiraz will be the Bulldogs centre pairing if Cameron Ciraldo elects to rest his skipper. Should Crichton return, Kiraz will likely return to the wing with Jeral Skelton dropping out of the 17. Jacob Preston is pushing for a return from the reserves, though coach Cameron Ciraldo said on Thursday back rower is a 50/50 chance. Expect Jake Turpin to drop out of the side if he returns.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Teig Wilton 22. Jayden Berrell
Players cut:
Early Mail: With no players backing up from Origin Cronulla enter Round 17 relatively settled. Having missed a few weeks through injury Teig Wilton could be a late inclusion for Cronulla. He’d likely push Siosifa Talakai to the bench and Tuku Hau Tapuha to the reserves if he successfully makes his return.
SATURDAY
New Zealand Warriors vs. Brisbane Broncos 3pm @ Go Media Stadium
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Kurt Capewell 18. Tom Ale 20. Jacob Laban 21. Edward Kosi 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
Players cut:
Early Mail:Mitch Barnett was unused by the Blues and will line up for the Warriors in the back row. Fellow Origin forward Kurt Capewell played 37 minutes for Queensland across two stints, but is expected to tough it out and back up in a crucial match against Brisbane.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from his one-game suspension, replacing Ed Kosi.
Broncos team: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Blake Mozer 20. Reece Walsh 21. Payne Haas 22. Patrick Carrigan 23. Corey Oates
Players cut:
Early Mail: A tricky draw for the Broncos, who have to travel to New Zealand just a couple of days after Origin II, where they had three representatives (Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Reece Walsh). The Broncos are in a form slump as well at the moment and need all of their stars on deck to arrest it. All three could back up, pushing Tristan Sailor, Josiah Karapani and Martin Taupau out of the 17. Jesse Arthurs is set to make his return from a broken jaw, while Jack Gosiewski gets the starting edge forward role while Jordan Riki carries out his two-match ban.
Newcastle Knights vs. Parramatta Eels 5:30pm @ McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Kai Pearce-Paul 17. Brodie Jones 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. David Armstrong
Players cut:
Early Mail: Highly-touted English recruit Will Pryce has been named for his NRL debut at five-eighth, pushing Jack Cogger to the bench. Expect Pryce to provide the Knights with much-needed X-factor. Centre Dane Gagai wasn’t required to line up for Queensland, leaving no doubt he’ll play for the Knights this week while Kai Pearce-Paul has overcome his calf complaint and will either start on the bench or be switched with Dylan Lucas or Tyson Frizell on gameday.
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Blaize Talagi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Matt Doorey 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Daejarn Asi 19. Joey Lussick 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Jake Tago 22. Charlie Guymer
Players cut:
Early Mail:Mitch Moses was awarded player of the match in Game II for his four try assist performance. There didn’t appear to be any ill-effects post-match from the foot issue he carried into the game which forced him to delegate goalkicking duties. He’s been named in the starting side for Parramatta but at this stage, his status is up in the air. Maika Sivo is expected to put his hamstring injury behind him and start on the wing, pushing Daejarn Asi out of the 17. Matt Arthur, son of former Eels coach Brad, is named for his NRL debut off the bench while Kelma Tuilagi’s thumb injury opens the door for Bryce Cartwright to start and Matt Doorey to make his first NRL appearance of the season.
Jurbo chuffed with hard working Blues | 01:32
Melbourne Storm vs. Canberra Raiders 7:35pm @ AAMI Park
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Christian Welch 15. Bronson Garlick 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan 18. Reimis Smith 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Kane Bradley 22. Sualauvi Faalogo 23. Chris Lewis
Players cut:
Early Mail:Ryan Papenhuyzen is touch and go for this one after picking up a foot injury on his return last week, with Sua Fa’alogo on standby in case Papenhuyzen is unable to play. Reimis Smith is listed among the reserves and could be a late inclusion to play, likely forcing Jack Howarth or Joe Chan out of the side. Skipper Harry Grant was cut open in Origin II, but returned to the field and has since been cleared of any head injuries meaning he will suit up for the Storm.
Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Jordan Martin 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Zac Woolford 20. Adam Cook 21. James Schiller 22. Emre Guler
Players cut:
Early Mail:Tom Starling is named at hooker after missing last week through concussion, forcing Zac Woolford into the reserves. Back rower Jordan Martin has been named to make his NRL debut from the bench, while Albert Hopoate replaces the injured Nick Cotric (ankle) on the wing.
SUNDAY
St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs. The Dolphins 2pm @ Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Michael Molo 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Jesse Marschke 22. Jack Bird 23. Fa’amanu Brown
Players cut:
Early Mail: The Dragons’ Origin trio of Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax and Jaydn Su’A all backed up after Game I on just a two-day turnaround, so you think they will again on what is a four-day turnaround. With that said, Lomax has to be in some doubt considering his knee was iced up following Game II. He confirmed to Fox Sports post-match that he had to have his knee drained in the lead up due to an inflamed bursa. Should Lomax miss this clash, Jack Bird would be elevated from the reserves to starting centre, with Max Feagai shifting to the wing.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Felise Kaufusi 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Tevita Pangai Junior 18. Josh Kerr 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Kurt Donoghoe 21. Trai Fuller 22. Oryn Keeley
Players cut:
Early Mail:Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow picked up a shoulder injury in the first half of Game II and had to leave the field. After some painkilling injections, he re-entered the game and scored a try. Maroons coach Billy Slater wasn’t able to say whether the Dolphins star will be available for Game III but confirmed it was an AC joint injury. The NRL Physio is reporting Tabuai-Fidow will miss Round 17 and go for scans on his shoulder, opening the door for the electrifying Trai Fuller to play another first grade game. Elsewhere, Tesi Niu is named on the wing in place of Jack Bostock (concussion) while Connelly Lemuelu is named to start despite picking up a shoulder injury last week.
Penrith Panthers vs. North Queensland Cowboys 4:05pm @ BlueBet Stadium
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Luron Patea 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton 23. Trent Toelau 24. Tyrone Peachey
Players cut:
Early Mail: No word yet on whether the Panthers will rest or play their Origin stars, but all have been named in the starting side. Liam Martin was put on report twice but escaped with a fine. Jack Cole returns at five-eighth and Mitch Kenny will resume hooker duties.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Tomas Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Griffin Neame 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Jamal Shibasaki 20. Valentine Holmes 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Tom Dearden 23. Reece Robson 24. Reuben Cotter
Players cut:
Early Mail: North Queensland’s six Origin reps all appeared to get through Game II unscathed. For what it’s worth, Reece Robson and Murray Taulagi were rested after Game I with Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Val Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai all backing up. Nanai wasn’t named in the side to face Penrith anyway with Todd Payten preferring to manage him (calf). Despite missing some training for the Maroons in the lead up with that calf complaint, Nanai played the full 80 minutes against the Blues, even scoring a try.
BRUTAL hits spark WILD all in brawls | 01:57
Sydney Roosters vs. Wests Tigers 6:15pm @ Allianz Stadium
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Sitili Tupouniua 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 14. Spencer Leniu 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Blake Steep 21. Ethan King 22. Michael Jennings 23. Salesi Foketi 24. Delasalle Vaa
Players cut:
Early Mail: Blues interchange forwards Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu didn’t get through huge minutes in Origin II, making it highly likely they back up. Angus Crichton could also back up, though the Roosters’ edge forward depth offers Trent Robinson to chance to rest his star back rower, while Lindsay Collins will likely feature in reduced minutes off the bench.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomona Faataape 3. Brent Naden 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer 18. Kit Laulilii 19. Charlie Staines 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. John Bateman 22. Justin Olam
Players cut:
Early Mail: Benji Marshall’s extensive injury list could get shorter this week with John Bateman and Justin Olam pushing for returns. Bateman’s inclusion would likely see Reuben Porter droo the reserves, though it will be interesting to see who drops out for Olam, with Luke Laulilii the likeliest despite impressing on NRL debut last week. David Klemmer returns from suspension via the bench, though could be elevated to start alongside Stefano Utoikamanu on game day.