Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 16

Ahh, yet another post-Origin round. Though with game two being on Sunday we mercifully got a mostly clear picture of the aftermath prior to TLT with Munster being the only (albeit large) casualty so far. However, there are a few interesting storylines such as the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen and the big positional switch of Joey Manu, amongst whatever else the round throws up as things unfold.

This article will be updated across Thursday evening/Friday morning and as usual I’ll be tweeting the updates across the round @AStilesAuthor

SEA EAGLES V STORM, THURSDAY 7:50PM

SEA EAGLES: Both Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake “least enthusiastic thumbs up of all time” Trbojevic are fine to backup after Origin so the side looks like it’ll be unchanged.

24 hour cuts: Bullemore, Taufua, Weekes

Final side: 1-17, Ben Trbojevic 18th man

STORM: Cameron Munster was cut 24 hours out due to his shoulder complaint, which means that in conjunction with byes/Origin backup he will miss the next 2-3 matches most likely. The good news is that NRL Physio says it is just a pain management issue with only a slight risk of reaggravation. His omission triggered a chain reaction that sees Ryan Papenhuyzen make his long-awaited return at fullback and Nick Meaney shift into Munster’s vacated five-eighth position. Unfortunately it means we don’t get a chance to see Grant Anderson’s place in a full strength side though Timmy Williams tweeted that he’s won the spot and should be a play moving forward. Tom Eisenhuth dropped off the bench Wednesday night and has been replaced by Jordan Grant, while Bronson Garlick was the other player omitted.

24 hour cuts: Munster, Eisenhuth, Garlick

Final side: Munster and Eisenhuth out. Meaney wing, Nikorima halves, Ieremia and MacDonald bench. Kamikamica prop and Josh King bench. Wishart 18th man.

KNIGHTS V TITANS, FRIDAY 6:00PM

KNIGHTS: Daniel Saifiti makes his way onto the bench after overcoming his knee injury and replaced Pasami Saulo. Bradman Best was considered a chance to return but he dropped out Thursday night along with Hymel Hunt. Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Jake Clifford both remain on the extended bench and are ones to watch an hour out. Barry Toohey confirmed that Mitch Barnett will not be kicking for any potential owners holding out hope. I assume the duties fall to Tex Hoy or Clifford if he makes the final side.

24 hour cuts: Saulo, Best, Hunt

TITANS: Look like they’ll be 1-17.

24 hour cuts: Booth, Proctor, Sosefo Fifita

PANTHERS V ROOSTERS, FRIDAY 7:55PM

PANTHERS: All Panthers representative players should be right to play so 1-17 is on the cards here.

24 hour cuts: Jennings, Smith, O’Sullivan

ROOSTERS: Joey Manu will replace Drew Hutchison at five-eighth in a move that owners and Roosters fans are excited about as he’ll have his hands on the ball a lot more. This means that Paul Momirovski likely comes in at centre, which conversely has terrified Roosters fan who do not want to see the Panthers left running at him. Adam Keighran is also on the extended bench after the first team cut and could be in contention with Momirovski. Fletcher Baker dropped out Thursday night and has been replaced on the bench by Daniel Suluka-Fifita.

24 hour cuts: Baker, May, Lam

BULLDOGS V SHARKS, SATURDAY 3:00PM

BULLDOGS: Corey Allan dropped out Friday afternoon and has been replaced at centre by Declan Casey.

24 hour cuts: Allan, Biondi-Odo, Topine

SHARKS: Similarly, I can’t see too many changes at Cronulla. Nicho Hynes and Siosifa Talakai played 0 and 17 minutes respectively at Origin so will be fine to play and Ronaldo Mulitalo made it through his Kiwis debut unscathed.

24 hour cuts: Trindall, Dykes, Miller

COWBOYS V BRONCOS, SATURDAY 5:30PM

COWBOYS: Physio has Kyle Feldt down as a rounf 16-18 return and he is lurking on the extended bench, so he could come into the side on game day and push Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to a bench role. The Origin and international contingent of Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai and Jason Taumalolo are all fine to go.

BRONCOS: Payne Haas’ body seems to be held together by duct tape at the moment but despite picking up his latest complaint – a minor syndesmosis injury – he is likely to battle through but with likely reduced output. Adam Reynolds should be good to go after being named to return.

RABBITOHS V EELS, SATURDAY 7:35PM

RABBITOHS: Isaiah Tass looks like he’ll come into the side at left centre, which will shift Campbell Graham to the right and Taane Milne to 18th man. Apparently there has been some fake Cody Walker injury news doing the rounds so be wary of that one. Damien Cook and Cameron Murray should be right to go after Origin after the latter passed his HIA on the night.

EELS: Ryan Matterson picked up a rib cartilage injury in round 15. Physio has him in some doubt and it will come down to pain management, so I’d consider him highly questionable at this stage. The Eels had a stack of players on international duties and Junior Paulo with the Blues last weekend but all seem fine to back up.

WARRIORS V TIGERS, SUNDAY 2:00PM

WARRIORS: Regardless of the ins and outs I’m excited for the Warriors and their fans to finally be at home again. How good. Unfortunately, Reece Walsh has been ruled out with covid and Addin Fonua-Blake may also be a covid casualty.

TIGERS: Luke Brooks has been training at dummy half according to Christian Nicolussi so to me that foreshadows him switching there during the match with Adam Doueihi coming on in the halves. The rest of the side looks as is.

DRAGONS V RAIDERS, SUNDAY 4:05PM

DRAGONS: Ben Hunt should be OK to backup with the long turnaround after Origin so I’m not expecting any changes here.

RAIDERS: The Raiders similarly look 1-17 with Joe Tapine set to play after a rampaging 60 minutes for the Kiwis.