Who's Playing Who?

Plenty of upsets over the weekend plus a couple of injuries and suspensions has meant there are some interesting teams listed for Round 3. We’ve got all the Ins and Outs, plus our thoughts on each side- essential reading for Dream Team coaches and tipsters alike!

 

FRIDAY

Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium, 7:30PM

Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Chris Walker, Ryan Morgan, Etu Uaisele, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Casey McGuire, Shane Shackleton, Nathan Hindmarsh (C), Taniela Lasalo, Ben Smith.  Interchange:  Matt Keating, Justin Horo, Billy Rogers, Fuifui Moimoi.

Ins: Chris Walker, Etu Uaisele, Billy Rogers
Outs: Mitchell Allgood (broken finger, round 4), Paul Whatuira (NSW Cup), Chris Hicks (NSW Cup)

Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (c), Eddy Pettybourne, David Taylor, Dave Tyrrell. Interchange: Ben Ross, Shannon McPherson, Michael Crocker, Chris McQueen.

Ins: None

Outs: None

Adrian Considers: Walker and Uaisele back in for the Eels, and former Melbourne Storm Toyota Cup player Billy Rogers makes his FG debut for the Eels off the bench. Allgood is anything but (sorry, I had to), out for the week with a broken finger. This sees Shackleton move from the bench to partner Mannah in the front row, while Horo makes way for Ben Smith at Lock. Rabbitohs are as they were last week, 1-17.

Matt Considers: Walker returns from injury, but was he really the difference between Parramatta Round One and Parramatta Round Two? The Love-Shack gets a long-awaited start at the expense of youngster Mitchell Allgood, which also opens the door Billy Rogers to debut on the bench, and there is also some shuffling of the forward pack. The Rabbitohs, surprisingly considering their overall performance last week, remain unchanged, with Wesser retaining the fullback role amongst speculation in the poorly informed News Limited press.

 

 

Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos at Skilled Park, 7:30PM

Titans: William Zillman, Esikeli Tonga, Steve Michaels, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, Greg Bird, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Riley Brown, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison.  Interchange (from): Michael Henderson, Sam Tagataese, Ryan James, Preston Campbell, Brad Meyers.

Ins: Anthony Laffranchi, Esi Tonga, Brad Meyers, Michael Henderson

Outs: Luke Capewell (Ipswich), Clinton Toopi (Burleigh), Kevin Gordon (knee, season)

Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer, Peter Wallace, Sam Thaiday, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange (from): Ben Hunt, Ben Te’o, Josh McGuire, Shane Tronc.

Ins: Justin Hodges, Ben Hannant

Outs: Dale Copley (dropped), Dane Gagai (ankle, round 4)

 

Adrian Considers: Changes ahoy at the Gold Coast! Capewell and Toopi have been dropped, while Kevin Gordon will sadly miss the rest of the season. Bird moves into 5/8, Esi Tonga gets a spot on the wing, while Bodene Thompson finds himself in the centres. Laffranchi gets his first start for the year, and one man is to be omitted from the bench. Two big inclusions for the Broncos- Hodges and The Polar Bear. An injury to Gagai pushes Beale to the wing, allowing Hodges to reclaim his spot, partnering promising young ginger Jack Reed in the centres.

Matt Considers: Big changes for the Gold Coast, and its no surprise considering their start to the year. DT gun Laffranchi returns from injury, whilst Capewell and Toopi become victims of the chop. Unfortunately for youngster Kevin Gordon his season is over, and he is replaced on the wing by Esi Tonga. Some big changes for the Broncos, with big money players Hodges and Hannant returning, with Gagai dropping out with injury, and Dane Copely left out.

 

 

SATURDAY

Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks at Centrebet Stadium, 5:30PM

Panthers: Lachlan Coote, Michael Gordon, Michael Jennings, Adrian Purtell, David Simmons, Luke Lewis, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Matthew Bell.  Interchange (from): Sam McKendry, Masada Iosefa, Sarafu Fatiaki, Sandor Earl.

Ins: Masada Iosefa, Sandor Earl

Outs: Brad Tighe (suspended, round 4), Travis Burns (hamstring, round 4)

Sharks: Nathan Gardner, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, John Williams, Albert Kelly, Wade Graham, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke Douglas, Jeremy Smith, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen.  Interchange (from): Josh Cordoba, Broderick Wright, Paul Aiton, Dean Collis, Johnny Mannah.

Ins: Dean Collis, Paul Aiton

Outs: Stuart Flanagan

 

Adrian Considers: Injury and suspension sees Iosefa and Sandor Earl rejoin the FG squad, but I have the feeling that this is all smoke and mirrors. Why would they carry a winger on the bench?  I’m picking Earl will drop off the reserves, with Purtell taking that bench spot, allowing one Timana Tahu to take his place in the centres. Alternatively, he might start from the bench. Collis and Aiton return for the victorious Sharkies, with Flanagan missing out.

Matt Considers: Will we see Tahu this week? That is the big question at the foot of the mountains, with a confusing bench including Earl and Iosefa, but word is Tahu will come in, with the likely situation being that described above by Adrian. Aiton and Collis come back for the Sharkies following their impressive win, but the latter is unlikely to get a start considering the form shown by starting centres Pomeroy and Best.

 

 

Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders at CampbelltownSports Stadium, 7:30PM

Tigers: Wade McKinnon, Lote Tuqiri, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Andrew Fifita, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Simon Dwyer, Todd Payten, Chris Heighington.  Interchange (from): Tim Moltzen, Aaron Woods, Jason Schirnack, Alan Schirnack.

Ins: None

Outs: None

Raiders: David Milne, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Matt Orford, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Glen Buttriss, David Shillington, Joe Picker, Bronson Harrison, Shaun Fensom.  Interchange (from): Travis Waddell, Trevor Thurling, Dane Tilse, Brett White, Josh Miller, James Stuart, Reece Robinson.

Ins: Brett White, James Stuart, Reece Robinson

Outs: None

Adrian Considers: No changes for the Tigers, while the Raiders name a 7-man MEGABENCH. Plenty of competition for spots, but you’d think that the last three would miss out.

Matt Considers: The Tigers remain unchanged, with Ellis out for around a month and Gibbs remaining on the sidelines. This game also sees Tigers forward Todd Payten play his 250th first grade game against his junior club. The Raiders add extra men to the bench, but expect two of Stuart, Miller and Waddell to miss out as the Raiders look to their massive pack to dominate a smaller Tigers bench.

 

 

SUNDAY

New Zealand Warriors v St. George Illawarra Dragons at Mt. Smart Stadium, 2:00PM

Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Joel Moon, Jerome Ropati, Krisnan Inu, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Russell Packer, Simon Mannering (c), Feleti Mateo, Micheal Luck. Interchange (from): Shaun Berrigan, Jacob Lillyman, Ben Matulino, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor.

Ins: James Maloney, Elijah Taylor

Outs: Isaac John (ankle, indefinite)

Dragons: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Mark  Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Dan Hunt, Nathan Fien, David Gower, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior.  Interchange (from): Michael Greenfield, Jon Green, Trent Merrin, Kyle Stanley, Mitch Rein.

Ins: David Gower, Mitch Rein

Outs: Michael Weyman (groin, unknown)

 

Adrian Considers: Maloney returns after his one-week suspension, replacing  Isaac John, who has had a tough time with injury in his career so far in FG. For the Dragons, some big changes. David Gower has been named to start in the front row, while young Hooker Mitch Rein provides cover on the five-man bench.

Matt Considers: Maloney makes a much-needed return for the Warriors, with Inu and Locke retaining their spots on the wing – the former unlikely to fire after having a good game last start. For the Dragons, Weyman is out with a groin injury, opening the door for former NSW State Cup Player of the Year David Gower to make his Dragons debut in the starting pack.

 

 

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 2:00PM

Bulldogs: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Timoteo Lafai, Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin, Kris Keating, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Sam Kasiano, Jake Foster, Andrew Ryan, David Stagg.  Interchange: Mickey Paea, Frank Pritchard, Corey Payne, Dene Halatau.

Ins: David Stagg

Outs: Chris Armit (dropped)

Roosters: Anthony Minichiello, Sam Perrett, Kane Linnett, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Jason Ryles, Mark Riddell, Martin Kennedy, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Aubusson, Nate Myles.  Interchange (from): Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Mose Masoe, Jake Friend, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Tom Symonds.

Ins: Tom Symonds

Outs: None

Adrian Considers: Stagg is back (much to the relief of many Dream Team coaches), while for the Roosters, Tom Symonds finds himself again on the bench, and might miss out again.

Matt Considers: Stagg returns to the side for the Doggies, with Halatau retaining his spot on the bench, and last start debutant Lafai remaining in the centres. For the Roosters, Riddell is named in the starting line-up after coming in at the last minute last week, with Friend to the bench, and Symonds is again added on an extended bench, although as Adrian alludes to, is unlikely to get a run.

 

 

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights at Brookvale Oval, 3:00PM

Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Will Hopoate, Tony Williams, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King (c), Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony  Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange (from): Terence Seuseu, Jamie Buhrer, George Rose, Vic Mauro, Tim Robinson.

Ins: Jason King, Glenn Stewart

Outs: Daniel Harrison (dropped)

Knights: Kurt Gidley, James McManus, Tafeaga Junior Sa’u, Wes Naiqama, Akuila Uate, Beau Henry, Jarrod Mullen, Antonio Kaufusi, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Zeb Taia, Cameron Ciraldo, Chris Houston.  Interchange (from): Ben Rogers, Cory Paterson, Lisiate Richie Fa’aoso, Dan Tolar, Joel Edwards.

Ins: Kurt Gidley, Joel Edwards

Outs: Shannon McDonnell (dropped)

 

Adrian Considers: Big ins for both sides here. Jason King and Glenn Stewart are back, which will add some serious grunt and experience to the Manly pack. Kurt Gidley is the big in for the Knights, taking his spot at fullback.

Matt Considers: Co-captain Jason King returns for the Eagles, whilst Glenn Stewart returns for his first start of the season following a lengthy suspension. For the Knights, captain Gidley has been named, but is still in serious doubt, with McDonnell on standby, not being named in their Central Coast Centourians feeder side.

 

 

MONDAY

North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7:00PM

Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Will Tupou, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Leeson Ah Mau, Tariq Sims, Ashton Sims.

Ins: Kalifa Faifai Loa, James Segeyaro

Outs: Michael Bani (dropped), Ben Jones (dropped)

Storm: Billy Slater, Justin O’Neill, Dane Nielsen, Beau Champion, Anthony Quinn, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Kevin Proctor, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Ryan Hinchcliffe.  Interchange (from): Todd Lowrie, Jaiman Lowe, Troy Thompson, Jesse Bromwich, Matt Duffie, Adam Woolnough.

Ins: Matt Duffie, Adam Woolnough

Outs: None

Adrian Considers: Bani and Ben Jones are gone for the Cowboys, replaced by James Segeyaro and Kalifa Faifai Loa, the later of which is a very exciting prospect. For the Storm, no changes to the side that smashed the Titans, however Blair and Proctor trade places, but I doubt this will change their roles in the team too much. Duffie and Woolnough are added to an extended bench, but both might miss out, unless there are late injuries (much like last week).

Matt Considers: The Cowboys bring in some changes, with Bani finally being dropped after a shocking start to the year, and Ben Jones dropping out for young-guns Faifai Loa and Segeyaro. The Strom haven’t made any changes, but added Matt Duffie and Adam Woolnough to an extended bench, the former forced out late last week with injury.