Lake Mail – Round 26

Two more weeks to go and head to head premierships are on the line. There doesn’t appear to be too much to worry about heading into the weekend but that’s where problems arise. So expect the unexpected and keep notifications on this weekend and I’ll try to keep on top of any late changes to the teams.

PENRITH PANTHERS vs PARRAMATTA EELS

Thursday, 7.50pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Penrith Panthers

20. Jesse McLean 21. Thomas Jenkins 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Jack Cogger 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Zac Hosking 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner 

Reserves: 18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Luke Sommerton

Late Mail:

Dylan Edwards and Sunia Turuva have been cut from the squad for a rest before finals. Jesse McLean makes his NRL debut at fullback with Tom Jenkins in on the wing.

The restings are worrying for SuperCoaches next week. Ivan Cleary has said that some injuries have stopped their plans to rest guys before the post season, and with Brian To’o and Scott Sorensen rested last week, Edwards and Turuva now, there’s only a couple of stars left due a rest next week.

Parramatta Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Shaun Lane 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Joe Ofahengaue 

Reserves: 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Brendan Hands

Late Mail:

There are whispers the Shaun Lane could return to the left edge at the expense of Ryan Matterson. Otherwise, I wouldn’t expect any changes.

THE WARRIORS vs St. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Friday, 6.00pm, Daniel Anderson Stadium, Auckland

The Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Freddy Lussick 

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Edward Kosi 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Kalani Going

Late Mail:

I’m not expecting anything major here but Te Maire Martin has been named in the reserves as he seeks his first game since a a fractured leg in round 6. If he’s brought in, it would be for Freddy Lussick.

St George-Illawarra Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Michael Molo 

Bench: 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove 

Reserves: 18. Toby Couchman 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Max Feagai 21. Sione Finau 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Late Mail:

Zac Lomax is back but he was named last week before being withdrawn at the 24 hour cuts so we’ll have to keep an eye on him leading into this. Connor Muhleisen and Jacob Liddle could once again swap for the run on side.

THE DOLPHINS vs NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Friday 8:00pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

The Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Robert Jennings 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Josh Kerr 16. Euan Aitken 17. Herman Ese’ese 

Reserves: 18. JJ Collins 19. Isaiya Katoa 20. Valynce Te Whare 21. Anthony Milford 22. Kurt Donoghoe

Late Mail:

Bennett confirmed today that Robert Jennings and Jesse Bromwich will miss this weekend. Jarrod Wallace goes to prop and Euan Aitken moves to centre. Isaiya Katoa comes onto the bench where he’s likely to be joined by JJ Collins but that hasn’t been 100% confirmed. Shout out to @ReadingThePlay on twitter for the heads up.

Nth Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Heilum Luki 13. Reuben Cotter 

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 

Reserves: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Brendan Elliot 20. James Tamou 21. Robert Derby 22. Jack Gosiewski

Late Mail:

No changes expected apart from the standard forwards shuffle.

MELBOURNE STORM vs GOLD COAST TITANS

Saturday, 3.00pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Melbourne Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Alec MacDonald 

Reserves: 18. Reimis Smith 19. Ryan Papenhuyzen 20. Chris Lewis 21. Tariq Sims 22. Tyran Wishart

Late Mail:

The big watch is on Ryan Papenhuyzen, named in the #19 jersey. Reports are that Craig Bellamy remains cautious with his start fullback but the players are pushing for his return game. It’s looking likely he’ll be brought back in a bench role.

Gold Coast Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 

Bench: 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Isaac Liu 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick 

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini 19. Jo Vuna 20. Tony Francis 21. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 22. Josiah Pahulu

Late Mail:

Again, there shouldn’t be much of a change to this 17 but I would expect to see Jaimin Jolliffe and Isaac Liu swapping spots to start.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS vs WESTS TIGERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Sydney Roosters

1. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Corey Allan 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 

Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 

Reserves: 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Egan Butcher 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Naufahu Whyte

Late Mail:

Sandon Smith has been named in the 14 but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him dropped for Drew Hutchison who provides more versatility for the Chooks.

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Triston Reilly 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Will Smith 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 

Bench: 14. Justin Matamua 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth 

Reserves: 18. Aitasi James 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Josh Feledy 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Tommy Talau

Late Mail:

No changes expected.

CANBERRA RAIDERS vs BRISBANE BRONCOS

Saturday, 7:35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Canberra Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. James Schiller 17. Ata Mariota 

Reserves: 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Brad Morkos 20. Jack Wighton 21. Sebastian Kris 22. Adrian Trevilyan

Late Mail:

Jack Wighton should come in at #6 for Matt Frawley. Corey Horsburgh suffered a head knock last week but signs are suggesting that he’ll be ok to play. However, there is serious doubt over Albert Hopoate with his ribs injury. Sebastian Kris is in the reserves but isn’t likely to be able to play so the assumption is James Schiller would go to the wing and Pasami Saulo would be called up.

Brisbane Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Jensen 

Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Martin Taupau 21. Tristan Sailor 22. Deine Mariner

Late Mail:

Corey Oates is set to play game 200 for the Broncos but Jesse Arthars is on standby should he be unable to overcome his knee injury. Marty Taupau has served his suspension so could come back in on the bench.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS vs MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES

Sunday 2.00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Harrison Edwards 

Bench: 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Luke Thompson 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Tevita Pangai Junior 

Reserves: 19. Jayden Okunbor 20. Samuel Hughes 21. Jeral Skelton 22. Hayze Perham 23. Joseph O’Neill

Late Mail:

There shouldn’t be anything of major here but I’d expect Luke Thompson promoted to starting lock as he has the previous two weeks.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Kelma Tuilagi 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor 

Reserves: 18. Josh Schuster 19. Dean Matterson 20. Ben Condon 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Reuben Garrick

Late Mail:

Reuben Garrick is named in the reserves but won’t be called in. Josh Schuster will be sent to ressies while Gordon Chan Kum Tong makes his NRL debut off the bench. What a fall from grace for Schuster.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS vs CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS

Sunday, 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Newcastle Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Brodie Jones 22. Fa’amanu Brown

Late Mail:

No late changes expected. The news appears positive for Jackson Hastings.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 

Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Matt Moylan 

Reserves: 18. Jesse Colquhoun 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Oregon Kaufusi 21. Kayal Iro 22. Jayden Berrell

Late Mail:

The Sharks have found form and aren’t likely to mess with their starting 17.