Who's Playing Who?

Plenty to talk about this week, as we have reached the Heritage Round of the NRL. With injuries and suspensions dominating the headlines, be sure to check out all the Ins and Outs of your team. Also, with Dream Team hotting up, check out your key players, and any possible late pick-ups with this week’s Team Lists!

 

FRIDAY

 

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans @ Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7:30pm

 

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 (from): James Segeyaro, Leeson Ah Mau, Tariq Sims, Ashton Sims, Scott Bolton, Antonio Winterstein.

Ins: Scott Bolton, Antonio Winterstein

Outs: None

 

Titans: William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, Luke Capewell, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ben Ridge. Interchange (from): Michael Henderson, Sam Tagaetese, Ryan James, Riley Brown, Luke O’Dwyer.

Ins: Luke Capewell, Scott Prince, Nathan Friend, Luke O’Dwyer

Outs: Greg Bird (suspended), Preston Campbell (medial ligament), Brad Meyers (wrist)

 

 

Adrian Considers: Plenty of depth now for the Cowboys, with some handy inclusions in the form of Winterstein and Bolton on the six-man bench. I wouldn’t be rushing Winterstein into the team, as the two wingers are in some pretty good form currently. Hopefully Bolton’s inclusion doesn’t mean the end of Tariq Sims’ time in the FG squad- he’s shown why he was the best player in the Toyota Cup last year, and has made a great start in the first team.

Matt Considers: Whilst the return of Scott Prince and Nathan Friend is great for the Titans, the loss of Bird and Campbell is equally bad. They finally won without Prince and Friend, but I think they will struggle with Capewell back at five-eighth. As for the Cowboys, Winterstein may return from a broken jaw, and Scott Bolton returns from a calf injury on an extended bench.

 

 

Wests Tigers v South Sydney Rabbitohs @ Sydney Football Stadium, 7:30pm

 

Tigers: Wade McKinnon, Mitch Brown, Blake Ayshford, Geoff Daniela, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Tim Moltzen, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Simon Dwyer, Alan Schirnack, Chris Heighington.  Interchange: Jacob Miller, Andrew Fifita, Aaron Woods, Todd Payten.

Ins: None

Outs: None

 

Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merrit, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi, Sam Burgess, David Taylor, David Tyrrell.  Interchange: Ben Ross, Shannan McPherson, Michael Crocker, Chris McQueen.

Ins: Rhys Wesser, Sam Burgess,

Outs: Kane Morgan (NSW Cup), Nathan Peats (NSW Cup)

 

 

Adrian Considers: Burgess returns… again! I only hope that he’s good to go, because I wouldn’t want to risk long term injury by rushing him back. Wesser take his spot back at fullback, and the week off might freshen him up a bit. The Tigers, despite a huge injury toll, are fielding a strong team which is testament to the depth of the squad. Dream Team/Supercoach players will be pleased to see Benji named… Hopefully he takes the field and dominates (but not too much!)

 

Matt Considers: Souths again welcome back Sam Burgess, a week after he was named. Rhys Wesser also comes back in after being a late scratching last week, whilst youngsters Kane Morgan and Nathan Peats return to the North Sydney NSW Cup team. The Tigers are unchanged after one of most rigid and lost attacking performances in years. Moltzen will be better for the run last week, and Miller may get a larger opportunity depending upon the game situation. There is some word that Gareth Ellis would be returning this week, but that is highly unlikely.

 

 

 

SATURDAY

 

Warriors v Sydney Roosters @ Mt Smart Stadium, 5:30pm

 

Warriors:  Glen Fisiiahi, Bill Tupou, Shaun Berrigan, Simon Mannering (C), Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, James Maloney, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Lewis Brown, Ukuma Ta’al, Michael Luck.  Interchange (from): Kevin Locke, Jeremy Latimore, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Matt Robinson.

Ins: Jeremy Latimore, Matt Robinson

Outs: Russell Packer (NSW Cup)

 

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

Ins: Jason Ryles, Phil Graham, Frank-Paul Nuuausala

Outs: None

 

 

Adrian Considers: Looks like if you don’t perform for the Warriors, you aren’t guaranteed your spot, which is a bold move but perhaps something that Cleary feels his players need. The Fish played well at fullback, and it could be where he plays for the foreseeable future. I don’t know where that leaves Hohaia, maybe as a utility off the bench. Symonds is named in the starting 13 for the Roosters, with plenty of quality included on the 7-man MEGABENCH.

 

Matt Considers: The Warriors have made only one change to the side that disposed of the Sharks, with the drastic changes made last week by Ivan Cleary working for at least one game. Russell Packer is sent packing to NSW Cup, whilst Jeremy Latimore comes into the side. For the Roosters, Ryles, Graham and Nuuausala come onto an extended bench, with Conn and Arona expected to drop off despite performing quite well last week.

 

 

Cronulla Sharks v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles @ Toyota Stadium, 7:30pm

 

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

Ins: Stuart Flannagan, Dean Collis, Taulima Tautai

Outs: John Morris (knee)

 

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

Ins: Brett Stewart, Steve Matai, George Rose, Tony Williams

Outs: Michael Oldfield (NSW Cup), Anthony Watmough (disciplinary suspension), Terrance Seu Seu (disciplinary suspension)

 

 

Adrian Considers: The Shark’s starting 13 has been very settled the last few weeks, and the only change is the loss of Morris at 9. A pretty handy replacement comes in the form of Aiton, who will enjoy starting and getting some decent minutes. Manly have fantastic inclusions, with Matai making his first appearance for the year, pushing the impressive Will Hopoate to the wing. It’s a shame Watmough and Seu Seu find themselves suspended, because the side could have been at full strength for the first time in a long while.

Matt Considers: John Morris’s 117 game streak in first grade is over after a knee injury ruled him out this week. Stuart Flannagan joins the bench with another former Tiger in Dean Collis and Taulima Tautai. The Eagles welcome back big names Brett Stewart, Steve Matai, George Rose and Tony Williams for the clash, with Watmough and Seu Seu suspended in-house by the club for relieving themselves on a shop-front on The Corso.

 

 

Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders @ Centrebet Stadium Penrith, 7:30pm

 

Panthers: Michael Gordon, Sandor Earl, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, David Simmons, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Sarafu Fatiaki. Interchange (from): Dayne Weston, Matthew Bell, Timana Tahu, Nafe Seluini, Masada Iosefa, Adrian Purtell.

Ins: Sandor Earl, Luke Walsh, Sarafu Fatiaki, Dayne Weston

Outs: Lachlan Coote (groin), Luke Lewis (wrist)

 

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

Ins: Reece Robinson, Danny Galea, David Milne, James Stuart

Outs: Josh Dugan (calf), Dane Tilse (hamstring)

 

 

Adrian Considers: Things are not looking good for the Panthers. Lewis and Coote are pretty big outs, but I’m confident that Flash will get the job done at Fullback (plus, his Dream Team points should get a bit of a leg up with more involvement). I’m not entirely sure why Dugan  played last week when he clearly wasn’t in a good place with that troublesome calf… I’m really interested to see how Ferguson fairs at fullback- he’s been a shining light for the Raiders so far this season, and his kick returns could be lethal.

 

Matt Considers: The Panthers have suffered a massive blow with Luke Lewis out for six weeks with a wrist injury, and Lachlan Coote out with a persistent groin injury. Luke Walsh returns to replace Kevin Kingston, which should be music to the ears of Dream Team coaches as Kingston will now be able to earn his optimum points. The Raiders have big changes again, although the much talked about change didn’t happen with Matt Orford retaining his spot in the side. Josh Dugan is out again with a calf injury, whilst Dane Tilse out with a hamstring injury. Danny Galea is expected to survive the cut on the bench, whilst Reece Robinson comes onto the wing with Blake Ferguson hoping to get over his case of the dropsies at fullback.

 

 

SUNDAY

 

Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels @ AAMI Park, 2:00pm

 

Storm: Billy Slater, Justin O’Neill, Dane Nielsen, Beau Champion, Matt Duffie, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Troy Thompson, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Kevin Proctor, Todd Lowrie.  Interchange (from):

Ryan Hinchcliffe, Atelea Vea, Adam Woolnough, Jesse Bromwich, Anthony Quinn, Jaiman Lowe.

Ins: Anthony Quinn, Jaiman Lowe

Outs: None

 

Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Ben Smith, Etu Uaisele, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Casey McGuire, Shane Shackleton, Nathan Hindmarsh (C), Taniela Lasalo, Justin Horo.  Interchange: Anthony Mitchell, Mitchell Allgood, Carl Webb, Fuifui Moimoi.

Ins: Casey McGuire, Fui Fui Moi Moi

Outs: Ryan Morgan (ankle), Matt Keating (dog bite)

 

 

Adrian Considers: No changes in Storm land, with two added on the bench. I don’t know if I would tamper with the team that beat the previously undefeated Bulldogs. Morgan makes way, with Ben Smith lining up in the centres. Matt Keating is an early front runner to win the ‘Strangest Injury’ award, after his bulldog gave him a bit of a bite (maybe it thinks Kris is the better player).

 

Matt Considers: The Storm are unchanged, with late inclusion Matt Duffie retaining his spot over Anthony Quinn, who is on an extended bench with Jaiman Lowe, after a good performance against the Dogs. The Eels have some injury concerns, with Ryan Morgan out with an ankle injury, whilst Matt Keating is forced out for a few weeks after being bitten by his Australian bulldog after wrestling with it in the backyard. Another story for the crazy injury list!

 

 

St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs @ Sydney Cricket Ground, 3:00pm

 

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

Ins: Adam Cuthbertson, Michael Greenfield, Mitch Rein

Outs: None

 

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

Ins: Mickey Paea

Outs: None

 

 

Adrian Considers: What is with these huge benches this week? They’re a nightmare for Dream Team coaches… The MEGABENCH returns for St George, with the last three named probably the ones to miss out, unless injury strikes. Good to see Dean Young back- he gives them plenty of options either at Hooker or in the back row. Paea returns for the Dogs, and goes straight back into the starting 13.

 

Matt Considers: Neither side has anyone out, but the Dogs welcome back Mickey Paea, with Sam Kasiano going back to the bench. The Dragons had Dean Young return last week, and as Adrian discussed, have named a MEGABENCH which includes Adam Cuthberston, Michael Greenfield and Mitch Rein.

 

 

 

MONDAY

 

Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights @ Suncorp Stadium, 7:00pm

 

Broncos: Gerard Beale, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, DarrenLockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Sam Thaiday,Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker.Interchange (from): Mitchell Dodds, Ben Te’o, Josh McGuire, Shane Tronc, Dane Carlaw, Nick Kenny, Corey Norman.

Ins: Dane Carlaw, Nick Kenny, Corey Norman, Mitchell Dodds

Outs: Ben Hunt (knee)

 

Knights: Wes Naiqama, James McManus, Tafeaga Junior Sa’u, Adam MacDougall, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley, Jarrod Mullen, Antonio Kaufusi, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Zeb Taia, Chris Houston, Joel Edwards.  Interchange: Marvin Karawana, Cory Paterson, Lisiate Richie Fa’aoso, Dan Tolar.

Ins: None

Outs: None

 

 

Adrian Considers: A settled team named for the Knights, who were unlucky to claim a victory against the Premiers last Sunday afternoon. While only one player is out through injury… four players have been named to replace him! It all depends on what game they want to play, but Dane Carlaw would be a good bet to get the last bench spot.

 

Matt Considers: The Knights are unchanged after a close loss to the Dragons last week. The Broncos have lost Ben Hunt for a little while, with forwards Dane Carlaw, Mitchell Dodds and Nick Kenny added to the another MEGABENCH in addition to Corey Norman, who isn’t expected to play.