Who's Playing Who?

So the Men of League Heritage Round is now beyond us, and the contenders and the pretenders in the NRL are starting to show their faces. There are some big changes in teams this week, so make sure you check out the teams before putting in your tips and making any trades for Dream Team.

FRIDAY

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, 7.35pm

Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Jacob Loko, Jordan Atkins, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Casey McGuire, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Taniela Lasalo, Justin Horo.  Interchange (from): Billy Rogers, Shane Shackleton, Mitchell Allgood, Carl Webb, Ben Smith.

Ins: Casey McGuire, Carl Webb

Outs: Anthony Mitchell (NSW Cup)

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): Chris Armit, Grant Millington, Corey Payne, Dene Halatau, Michael Hodgson.

Ins: Grant Millington

Outs: None

Expert Analysis: A couple of big ins for the Eels, with Casey McGuire returning to the side along with big Carl Webb, with Anthony Mitchell dropping back to Wentworthville in the NSW Cup. The Bulldogs don’t make any changes after their loss to the Dragons last week, with only Grant Millington joining the bench after an impressive start to the season with their NSW Cup side.

Gold Coast Titans v Wests Tigers at Skilled Park, 7.35pm

Titans: Luke Capewell, Steve Michaels, Esikeli Tonga, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, William Zillman, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Matthew White, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison.  Interchange (from): Michael Henderson, Sam Tagataese, Ryan James, Ben Ridge, Luke O’Dwyer.

Ins: Greg Bird, Ashley Harrison

Outs: Anthony Laffranchi (high ankle sprain)

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

Ins: Beau Ryan, Aaron Woods

Outs: Geoff Daniela (pectoral), Keith Galloway (groin)

Expert Analysis: Some positive news for the Titans, with Greg Bird and Ashley Harrison returning to the back-row, covering the loss of Anthony Laffranchi, who is out for up to 8 weeks with a high ankle sprain. The usually reliable Laffranchi should be sold by DT coach’s immediately after a slow start to the year, and could free up some much needed cash. For the Tigers, Beau Ryan returns from injury and Aaron Woods comes back from Toyota Cup. Ryan isn’t 100% to play, whilst Keith Galloway will have a test on Thursday and is an outside chance to play. Wade McKinnon is also in doubt, and with Sean Meaney and Sam Latu not named for NSW feeder side Balmain, expect them to travel with the team as cover.

SATURDAY

Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors at Brookvale Oval, 5.30pm

Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, William Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart.  Interchange (from): Terence Seu Seu, Jamie Buhrer, George Rose, Vic Mauro, Tim Robinson, Michael Oldfield.

Ins: Brett Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Terrence Seu Seu, Tim Robinson

Outs: Daniel Harrison (NSW Cup)

Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Bill Tupou, Shaun Berrigan, Simon Mannering (C), Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, James Maloney, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor, Michael Luck.  Interchange (from): Jeremy Latimore, Ben Matulino, Ukuma Ta’al, Russell Packer, Sione Lousi.

Ins: Russell Packer, Sione Lousi

Outs: Glen Fisiiahi (high ankle sprain)

Expert Analysis: The ‘Wee’ Eagles bad boys Watmough and Seu Seu return after a week’s internal suspension, whilst Brett Stewart has been named, but again will be in a little doubt. Russell Packer is back in for the Warriors, with youngster Glen Fisiiahi out for an extended period with a high ankle sprain. Lewis Brown could be a good pick-up for DT as he moves back to the second-row after a small stint in the centres.

North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm

Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Antonio Winterstein, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, Ashton Sims, Scott Bolton, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson.  Interchange (from): James Segeyaro, Leeson Ah Mau, Tariq Sims, Ricky Thorby, Isaak Ah Mau.

Ins: Lesson Ah Mau, Ricky Thorby, Isaak Ah Mau

Outs: Gavin Cooper (suspended), James Tamou (disciplinary suspension)

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

Ins: Joel Thompson, Sam Williams, David Milne

Outs: Matt Orford (back), James Stuart (dropped)

Expert Analysis: FINALLY………….MATT ORFORD, HAS BEEN DROPPED, FROM THE RAIDERS (yes, that is a Rock reference). Although technically he is injured, I’d say he has been dropped for this week, along with fill-in centre James Stuart. Joel Thompson returns after a week off due to low levels of haemoglobin in his blood. For those of you who don’t understand this, I have some personal experience with it, and it basically makes it very hard to stay upright for long periods. Sam Williams gets another chance to impress in a big game for the Green Machine. For the Cowboys, Gavin Cooper accepted a 1 match ban, whilst James Tamou is suspended for breaking the club’s drinking rules.

Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos at Bluetongue Stadium, 7.30pm

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

Ins: Mark Riddell, Tom Symonds

Outs: Phil Graham (NSW Cup)

Broncos: Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Ben Te’o, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker.  Interchange: Mitchell Dodds, Dane Carlaw, Nick Kenny, Corey Norman.

Ins: None

Outs: None

Expert Analysis: Minimal changes for either side, with the Broncos holding strong with the side that scrapped a win over the Knights, whilst the Roosters only have Tom Symonds and Mark Riddell return after a bruising defeat across the ditch last week. Dane Carlaw could be a good pick up for any DT coaches out there, as his low price would rise with some first team time in the coming weeks.

SUNDAY

Newcastle Knights v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Ausgrid Stadium, 2.00pm

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

Ins: Marvin Karawana

Outs: None

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 Flanagan, Dean Collis, Johnny Mannah.

Ins: Dean Collis

Outs: None

Expert Analysis: Again not too many changes with either side. Dean Collis has been named on the bench for the Sharks, but probably won’t play, whilst Marvin Karawana joins the bench for the Knights. Second-rower Cory Paterson has accepted a 1 match ban from the judiciary, and therefore won’t play, so expect Fa’aoso to come into the starting side and Karawana to play off the bench.

Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm at Centrebet Stadium, 3.00pm

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): Nafe Seluini, Matthew Bell, Timana Tahu, Sam McKendry, Masada Iosefa.

Ins: None

Outs: None

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

Ins: Jaiman Lowe, Justin O’Neill

Outs: Troy Thompson (knee)

Expert Analysis: No changes for the Mountain Men, who got back on the winners list last weekend, with Masada Iosefa joining the bench. For the Storm, Justin O’Neill joins the bench after being a late pull-out last weekend, with Jaiman Lowe also coming in to replace the injured Troy Thompson. DT coaches could look at Atelea Vea for a cheap bench option, as he gets through a lot of work for not too much money.

MONDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium, 7.00pm

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

Ins: Nathan Peats

Outs: Luke Stuart (knee)

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: Jon Green, Dean Young, Adam Cuthbertson, Kyle Stanley.

Ins: None

Outs: None

Expert Analysis: No changes for the defending premiers, whilst Souths only change is youngster Nathan Peats coming in for Luke Stuart, who’s season may be over with an ACL injury, unless he opts for the new LARS surgery that could have him back in about 12-14 weeks. Dean Young could be a good pick-up for DT as his price has fallen due to injury in the opening rounds, and he will be a key player for the Dragons for the rest of the year.