Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 2

You know it’s week one when you rack up a streak of 1-17s in game day mail, but unfortunately it looks as though that will end with several players already under a cloud or ruled out early – headlined by Jason Taumalolo – in what should be a wet and wild weekend.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @AStilesAuthor for all the 24 hour and game day updates and to get in your questions while I’m out and about.

PSA: I’ll be at a bucks day on Saturday so the updates could get a bit dicey but I’ll do my best for everyone.

WARRIORS V KNIGHTS, FRIDAY 6:00PM AEDT

Warriors: Wayde Egan and Bailey Sironen have both been cleared to play despite being under injury clouds so it looks like the Warriors will be 1-17. Tom Ale and Marcelo Montoya were omitted at first cut. Update: 1-17

Knights: I couldn’t believe Kurt Mann was named this round after his knee injury but despite it not being as severe as expected he has been ruled out early. Phoenix Crossland will replace him at five-eighth. Barry Toohey says there is no guarantee Connor Watson starts at lock this week (apparently it will be weather dependent) but he, Bradman Best and Starford To’a have all been cleared for takeoff. Dominic Young was the other man to drop out Thursday evening. Update: Sue starts at lock with Watson to bench, on top of the above Mann/Crossland mail.

TITANS V BRONCOS, FRIDAY 8:05PM AEDT

Titans: No changes expected for the Titans, should be 1-17. Herman Ese’ese and Sam McIntyre were cut 24 hours out.

Broncos: Xavier Coates and John Asiata failed to finish last round but both have been cleared to play so no game day changes are expected. Cory Paix and Corey Oates were dropped from the extended squad Thursday night.

BULLDOGS V PANTHERS, SATURDAY 3:00PM AEDT

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs look set for 1-17. Katoa and Smith drop out at first cut.

Panthers: The Panthers also seem that they’ll run out unchanged. Burton and Jennings were the first two omitted.

SEA EAGLES V RABBITOHS, SATURDAY 5:30PM AEDT

Sea Eagles: Keiran Foran was in doubt for the Sea Eagles after copping a cork last round but at this stage he is strongly expected to play after training well on Thursday. Curtis Sironen will be out for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, basically locking Andrew Davey in for 80 minutes with Jack Gosiewski on the other edge.

Rabbitohs: Jaxson Paulo has been named on Josh Mansour’s wing but needs to pass concussion protocols to line up. Presumably Mansour would come back in should he be ruled out. Tom Burgess is also looking likely despite being hauled from the field last week with neck and shoulder concerns but he’ll need to get through captain’s run. Liam Knight is also lurking on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion.

COWBOYS V DRAGONS, SATURDAY 7:35PM AEDT

Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo broke his hand at training – not on Peyton’s face after last week’s team presser, contrary to popular belief – and will miss at least 4 weeks. Corey Jensen is a chance to be promoted to lock from the bench with one of Lachlan Burr or Shane Wright joining the interchange. No other changes are expected.

Dragons: Cody Ramsey has been nursing an ankle injury but at this stage should play. I expected a forward pack reshuffle last week and Hook stayed the course, so this round I’ll assume that they will run out as named.

TIGERS V ROOSTERS, SUNDAY 4:05PM AEDT

Tigers: James Roberts is working through a shoulder complaint and as such has been on light training duties this week, with a call to be made on Saturday’s captains run. Keep an eye on the 24 hour mail if you’re sweating his availability. With a long turnaround he is a better chance of playing and will likely be replaced by Tommy Talau if he’s ruled out.

Roosters: Luke Keary failed to see out the match last week due to a knee knock and is some doubt, but as with James Roberts above the long turnaround helps. Again, captain’s run and 24 hour mail is key. Sam Walker is on the extended bench and could come into play if he’s ruled out but likely from the interchange, with Drew Hutchinson starting and Lachlan Lam pushing to dummy half after a stint for Freddy Lussick.

SHARKS V RAIDERS, SUNDAY 6:15PM AEDT

Sharks: No changes expected, should be 1-17.

Raiders: Also appearing 1-17.

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muddy

Does that mean Watson may not play at all?

muddy

Cheers – had me worried there

johnnybigspuds

Hi Stiles Long time lurker, first time poster. AAA+ content you are dishing out here. That wet and wild weekend line in the opening salvo of the AAA+ content got me a good one. AAA+ laughs were had. I have an inquiry about James Roberts injury. Do you think this will effect his passing game? My data shows an upswing of +45% in passing points when J Roberts plays in wet weather on a Sunday afternoon with in Campbelltown. This data is based on two shoulders though. Would I just divide this by 2 if he plays with one shoulder,… Read more »

monojoker

Great job Stilesy as always, enjoy your buck’s day and try to stay dry 

FatBoy94

So what weather does Watson start/come off bench?

Dravid

I think the wetter it is, the more likely chance of him coming off the bench (so a decent chance IMO). They are trying to take it easy on his achilles.

BunnyAllStars

Souths
Tom Burgess good to go
L Knight drops off- concussion issues still from training

vertigo

Why not just name them like that, this coach is a fking idiot.

Last edited 3 years ago by vertigo
Mr Perfect

Do we have any ideas what the go is at Easts? I have Lam at 5/8 so his benching spoils doom for me, is this likely to be long term?

juggler

Tele reporting Api Koroisau out with a broken wrist suffered in first half last week – Mitch Kenny the replacement.

Sorjas

Out for six weeks.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/03/17/round-2-late-mail-knights-broncos-duos-set-to-suit-up/

Maaaan – Crichton, Matto, Kaufusi and Api. I have a lot of work to do 🙂