Lake Mail – Round 27

Here it is. The last late mail of the year. It’s funny, because the one time where we shouldn’t see too many changes to the teams as they’re named it’s because we’ve already been stripped of almost all our SuperCoach players. And the changes we’re going to see might just take the few we have.

Well, without further ado…..the pain.

BRISBANE BRONCOS vs MELBOURNE STORM

Thursday, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Brisbane Broncos

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Tyson Smoothy 10. Corey Jensen 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Keenan Palasia 

Bench: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Cory Paix 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau 

Reserves: 18. Benjamin Te Kura 19. Israel Leota

Late Mail:

Stock standard cuts 24 hours out and they should run out 1-17.

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Grant Anderson 3. Justin Olam 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Reimis Smith 6. Jayden Nikorima 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Tariq Sims 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Tepai Moeroa 11. Chris Lewis 19. Joe Chan 13. Josh King 

Bench: 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Howarth 

Reserves: 21. Cole Geyer 22. Tristan Powell

Late Mail:

Well, Thursday picked up right where Tuesday left off, with Eliesa Katoa and Will Warbrick out at the 24 hour cuts.

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES vs WESTS TIGERS

Friday, 6.00pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

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. Dean Matterson 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor 

Reserves: 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Josh Schuster 20. Ben Condon 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Christian Tuipulotu

Late Mail:

No late changes expected.

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Triston Reilly 4. Josh Feledy 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Apisai Koroisau 8. Alex Twal 9. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. Justin Matamua

Bench: 14. Asu Kepaoa 15. Kit Laulilii 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Seyfarth

Reserves: 18. Tallyn Da Silva 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Will Smith 21. Aitasi James 22. Tommy Talau

Late Mail:

The Tigers are running out with two debutants in Josh Feledy and Kit Laulilii.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS vs SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Friday 8:00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Shaquai Mitchell 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Jai Arrow 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Hame Sele 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Taane Milne 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Dean Hawkins

Late Mail:

It’s a must win for the Bunnies and they should run out at as named.

Sydney Roosters

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

Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton

Reserves: 18. Corey Allan 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Dylan Napa

Late Mail:

As if we all weren’t short enough already, Joey Manu won’t play this weekend due to the hamstring injury picked up last week. Corey Allan will come in.

THE DOLPHINS vs THE WARRIORS

Saturday, 3.00pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

The Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Euan Aitken 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. Isaiya Katoa 16. Max Plath 17. Herman Ese’ese

Reserves: 18. Valynce Te Whare 19. Mason Teague 20. Brayden McGrady 21. Trai Fuller 22. Kurt Donoghoe

Late Mail:

No late changes expected for the Phins.

The Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Dylan Walker

Bench: 14. Brayden Wiliame 15. Jackson Ford 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Kalani Going 20. Jacob Laban 21. Ben Farr 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Paul Roache

Late Mail:

The Warriors have gone for a similar tact as the Storm/Broncos by resting most of their top squad. I don’t think we see any changes to what’s been named.

PENRITH PANTHERS vs NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Saturday, 5:30pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

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

Reserves: 18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Izack Tago 20. Thomas Jenkins 21. Luke Garner 22. Matt Eisenhuth

Late Mail:

The Panthers lineup will likely depend on the result of Thursday night. If the Broncos lose, the Panthers will have a shot at the minor premiership and should go all out for that. If the Broncos lose, the Panthers cannot move up or down from 2nd spot, so there’s a real chance we could have Stephen Crichton, Nathan Cleary and/or Isaah Yeo drop out due to Penrith’s recent resting plans.

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. Robert Derby 20. James Tamou 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Jack Gosiewski

Late Mail:

The Cowboys have named the same 17 who beat the Dolphins last week and as they need a win to make finals, won’t be resting anyone. They’ll be 1-17.

St. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS vs NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

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. Connor Muhleisen 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Michael Molo 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Ryan Couchman

Reserves: 18. Toby Couchman 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Alexander Lobb 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Viliami Fifita

Late Mail:

There’s a small chance Jayden Sullivan comes onto the bench but the Drags should be as named.

Newcastle Knights

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Brodie Jones 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Riley Jones 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Oryn Keeley 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 21. Jackson Hastings 22. David Armstrong

Late Mail:

I’m not expecting anything to change here. Despite Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Jackson Hastings being named on the bench, I’m sure both will be rested one more time before finals next week.

GOLD COAST TITANS vs CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

Sunday 2.00pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

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. Keano Kini 15. Kruise Leeming 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick

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

Late Mail:

Moe Fotuaika missed due to the birth of his child so is in no danger of being withdrawn again. The side should be 1-17.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Hayze Perham 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Luke Thompson 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Max King

Bench: 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jayden Okunbor

Reserves: 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Bailey Biondi-odo 21. Jayden Tanner 22. Ryan Sutton 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Late Mail:

There shouldn’t be too much change as the Bulldogs run out for their final game of 2023. Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Ryan Sutton may make an appearance but would likely be bench roles only.

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS vs CANBERRA RAIDERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

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. Kayal Iro 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Oregon Kaufusi 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Daniel Atkinson

Late Mail:

As long as Nicho Hynes is ok the Sharks will run out 1-17, but Matt Moylan will be called up if Nicho can’t get through the captains run.

Canberra Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Sebastian Kris 3. Jack Wighton 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Emre Guler 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Jarrod Croker 17. Hohepa Puru

Reserves: 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Trey Mooney 21. Danny Levi 22. James Schiller

Late Mail:

Corey Horsburgh will drop out having had his suspension upheld at the judiciary on Tuesday night. No word yet on his replacement but it’s likely to be Ata Mariota if the bench make up is anything to go by. But…. we all know it isn’t. Not with Ricky naming his team according to a boggle board. For all we know, the Raiders run out as named. Or they’d be just as likely to have Jack Wighton move back to halves and Jarrod Croker in centres. Who knows?