Who's Playing Who?

The Glory Bound Rounds continue in Round 21, and after a great weekend of footy last week, the standards are set pretty high for this round. There are also some big ins and outs, so check out the team lists below for the changes and expert comments from Adrian and Chief NRL Analyst Matt. 

 

FRIDAY, July 29

Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm

Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Matt Gillett, Ben Hunt, David Hala, Josh McGuire

Ins: David Hala

Outs: Mitchell Dodds (shoulder)

Sharks: Nathan Gardner, John Williams, Matthew Wright, Colin  Best, Nathan  Stapleton, Wade Graham, Chad Townsend, Josh Cordoba, John Morris (c), Luke  Douglas, Taulima Tautai, Anthony Tupou, Jeremy  Smith (c). Interchange (from): Kade Snowden, Sam Tagataese, Stuart Flanagan, Ben Pomeroy, Johnny Mannah

Ins: Matthew Wright

Outs: None

Adrian Considers: The Broncos will be looking to get their run to the finals back on track in this Friday night clash. For the Sharks, a loss here would more than likely mean an end to their finals chances. Only one change for the Broncos, with David Hala replacing the injured Mitchell Dodds, while Darren Lockyer has been cleared to play. The Sharks welcome back Matthew Wright, pushing Ben Pomeroy back to a five-man bench. There’s no sight of Paul Gallen again, which will severely damage their chances of grabbing a sneaky win in Brisbane.

 

 

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers at Bluetongue Stadium, 7.35pm

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, Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange (from): Vic Mauro, Jamie Buhrer, Shane Rodney, George Rose, Tim Robinson, Darcy Lussick

Ins: Michael Robertson, Anthony Watmough, Tim Robinson

Outs: Michael Oldfield (dropped)

Tigers: Tim Moltzen, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange (from): Wade McKinnon, Todd Payten, Mitch Brown, Aaron Woods, Matt Groat

Ins: Wade McKinnon, Matt Groat

Outs: Lote Tuqiri (quad)

Matt Considers: A match of the round candidate in a bumper round, this match has been taken to Bluetouge Stadium in Gosford for the second year in a row. For the home side, Anthony Watmough returns after pulling out late last week, while Tim Robinson again is on an extended bench. Michael Robertson also returns, which means Michael Oldfield is left out. For the Tigers, it seems Lote Tuqiri can’t take a trick, tearing his quad which means he’s out for four weeks, with Matt Utai coming into the starting line-up, and Wade McKinnon and Matt Groat going on an extended bench. The Tigers will need to fight extremely hard to get the points here, but it certainly isn’t out of their grasp if they are on their game. The Panthers took it to Manly last week and if the Tigers do the same, they may have the attack to take the chances the Panthers missed.

 

 

SATURDAY, July 30

Sydney Roosters v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Sydney Football Stadium, 5.30pm

Roosters: Anthony Minichiello, Sam Perrett, Kane Linnett, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Jason  Ryles, Jake Friend, Nate Myles, Braith  Anasta (c), Aidan Guerra, Frank Paul  Nuuausala. Interchange (from): Anthony Mitchell, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brad Takairangi, Tinirau Arona, Tom Symonds

Ins: Tinirau Arona, Tom Symonds

Outs: Mose Masoe (dropped)

Bulldogs: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Timoteo Lafai, Jamal Idris, Jonathon Wright, Ben  Roberts, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Joel Romelo, Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Andrew Ryan (c), Dene Halatau. Interchange: Greg Eastwood, Chris Armit, Corey Payne, Josh Reynolds

Ins: Chris Armit, Corey Payne

Outs: David Stagg (ankle), Martin Taupau (ankle)

Adrian Considers: Two sides which many would have pencilled into their top eight at the beginning of the season go head to head on Saturday night. The Roosters’ finals chances are over, and will be now looking to finish their season on a positive note, all the while building for season 2012. Mose Masoe is dropped, with Tinirau Arona and Tom Symonds coming in on an extended bench. The Bulldogs have lost defensive work horse David Stagg and impressive youngster Martin Taupau through ankle injuries. Chris Armit and Corey Payne have been named to replace them, with the later being one of the more impressive players during the Bulldogs solid start to the season. I would hope new coach Jim Dymock gives him plenty of minutes, especially as he is going to be part of the roster for the next few seasons.

 

 

North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm

Cowboys: Matt Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Ben Jones, Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, Ashton Sims, Gavin Cooper, Tariq Sims, Dallas Johnson. Interchange (from): James Segeyaro, Glenn Hall, Cory Paterson, James Tamou, Leeson Ah Mau

Ins: Leeson Ah Mau

Outs: None

Panthers: David Simmons, Ryan Walker, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Adrian Purtell, Harry Seijka, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva (c), Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Luke Lewis. Interchange: Sam McKendry, Dayne Weston, Nathan Smith, Matthew Bell

Ins: Ryan Walker, Harry Seilka, Luke Lewis

Outs: Lachlan Coote (ankle), Travis Burns (hand/pectoral), Nafe Seluini (NSW Cup)

Matt Considers: Despite going down to Manly last week, the Panthers showed plenty of heart and courage in what coach Steve Georgallis called a game of finals football. Fullback Lachlan Coote has rediscovered the form which saw him win a City jersey in 2010, and despite missing Luke Lewis, the Panthers experienced forwards such as Petero Civoniceva and Trent Waterhouse stepped up to fill the hole. Lachlan Coote and Travis Burns are massive outs for the Panthers, and Steve Georgallis has thrown his weight behind debutantes Ryan Walker and Harry Seijka. The return of Luke Lewis is also massive. The Cowboys have won two from three without Thurston so far, but did struggle against cellar dwellers the Titans last weekend. Matt Bowen has been outstanding at fullback for the last month, while Matt Scott made a big difference in his return last week. The Cowboys are unchanged from last week’s win, with only Lesson Ah Mau added to the bench.

 

 

SUNDAY, July 31

Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium, 2.00pm (local)

Warriors: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Joel Moon, Shaun Berrigan, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Aaaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (c), Michael Luck. Interchange: Pita Godinet, Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor

Ins: None

Outs: None

Raiders: Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, Brett White, Alan Tongue (c), Dane Tilse, Josh Papalii , Bronson Harrison , Shaun Fensom. Interchange (from): Glen Buttriss, Josh Miller, Danny Galea, Sam Mataora, Joe Picker

Ins: Josh Miller, Joe Picker

Outs: Trevor Thurling (Achilles)

Adrian Considers: The Warriors are back at Mt Smart Stadium, and after the big victory against the Rabbitohs last weekend, will be looking to do the same against a Canberra side who claimed a win at the death against the premiers. No changes for the home side, with Pita Godinet retaining the utility spot on the bench in the absence of Lance Hohaia. The Raiders have lost Trevor Thurling for the rest of the season, but he hopes to return at the start of the 2012 campaign and play his 100th game in Round 4, alongside Terry Campese who is also sitting on 96 games first grade appearances. Josh Miller and Joe Picker have been named as replacements, with one to drop off the extended bench.

 

 

Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans at Ausgrid Stadium, 2.00pm

Knights: Kurt Gidley (c), James McManus, Junior Sa’u, Keith Lulia, Akuila Uate, Ryan Stig, Jarrod Mullen, Evarn Tuimavave, Isaac De Gois, Antonio Kaufusi, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Joel Edwards. Interchange (from): Matt Hilder, Mark Taufua, Cameron Ciraldo, Zane Tetevano, Marvin Karawana

Ins: Evarn Tuimavave, Neville Costigan

Outs: Richard Fa’aoso (hamstring)

Titans: Jordan Rankin, Dominique Peyroux, William Zillman, Clinton Toopi, David Mead, Beau Henry, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey (c), Matt Srama, Anthony Laffranchi, Bodene Thompson, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird. Interchange: Matt White, Brenton Lawrence, Luke O’Dwyer, Preston Campbell

Ins: Jordan Rankin, Dominique Peyroux

Outs: Luke Capewell (dropped), Steve Michaels (concussion)

Matt Considers: The Titans season is officially over now, and the team this week is extremely reflective of this. Luke Capewell is punished for signing with the Broncos for next year by being dropped this week. Young prodigy Jordan Rankin comes into the side at fullback, while debutante Dominique Peyroux replaces Steve Michaels. The match is also Anthony Laffranchi’s 200th first grade game. For the Knights, Richard Fa’aoso is out for a week with a hamstring injury, but they do enjoy the return of Neville Costigan and Evarn Tuimavave. Jarrod Mullen has been named, but is awaiting the results of a scan to his torn pectoral. The Knights need to win here to be serious finals contenders, and start to create the fortress Ausgrid that Nathan Tinkler would be after.

 

 

St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium, 3.00pm

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

Ins: Ben Hornby, Dan Hunt, Jon Green

Outs: Jack De Belin (Illawarra A Grade), David Gower (Illawarra A Grade)

Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan  Farrell, Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen , John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Ben Ross, Issac Luke, Shannan McPherson, Jason Clark, Eddy Pettybourne, Michael Crocker (c). Interchange (from): Luke Burgess, David Tyrrell, Ben Lowe, Nathan Peats, Shaun Corrigan

Ins: Michael Crocker

Outs: None

Adrian Considers: The Rabbitohs head to WIN Stadium to take on the defending Premiers, who will be disappointed with their last minute loss against the Raiders. The streak continues! They have some handy ins this week, with Ben Hornby, Dan Hunt and Jon Green returning, relegating Jack De Belin and David Gower to Illawarra A Grade. Most significantly, the inclusion of Hornby allows Nathan Fien to return to hooker. The Rabbitohs welcome back stand-in skipper Michael Crocker, after he was a late scratching last week. He should definitely play, after being touch-and-go last round. Not only is the on-field competition going to be fierce, it will also be intense off it. Both sides are competing on Twitter to see who can be a trending topic- Rabbitohs fans, tag all your tweets with #rabbitohsrep, and if you’re a Dragons supporter, use #redvrep. Both sides have strong membership numbers, which hopefully translates to this battle of the hashtags.

 

 

MONDAY, August 1

Parramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm at Parramatta Stadium, 7.00pm

Eels: Luke Burt, Etu Uaisele, Justin Horo, Ben Smith, Jordan Atkins, Jarryd Hayne, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh (C), Taniela Lasalo, Reni Maitua. Interchange: Casey McGuire, Shane Shackleton, Mitchell Allgood, Pat O’Hanlon

Ins: Shane Shackleton

Outs: Joseph Paulo (NSW Cup)

Storm: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Dane Nielsen, Maurice Blair, Justin O’Neill, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Kevin Proctor. Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Adam Woolnough, Jaiman Lowe

Ins: Matt Duffie

Outs: Beau Champion (NSW Cup)

Matt Considers: The Eels are shuffling more than a dealer at Star City at the moment, this time the centres and back-row are the main differences. Shane ‘The Love Shack’ Shackleton comes into the side on the bench, with Joseph Paulo back in NSW Cup. Justin Horo goes into the centers for Ryan Morgan, who injured his hamstring in the lead up to last week’s game, while Ben Smith goes back there after some time in the second row. Reni Maitua also starts at lock, with Casey McGuire on the bench. For the Storm, Matt Duffie returns after that unusual facial injury, and Beau Champion goes back to the Sharks NSW Cup. Unfortunately for Parramatta, this COULD be a cricket score if they aren’t on.