Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 20

It’s been very easy to get lost in the storylines of Round 20, but let’s not overlook the fact that it is Women In League round, which gives us the perfect opportunity to reflect on women’s contributions to the game and appreciate the women in our lives.

As usual I’ll update this article across Thursday evening/Friday morning and will be tweeting all the updates across the round @AStilesAuthor

SEA EAGLES V ROOSTERS, THURSDAY 7:50PM

SEA EAGLES: In what was already, for obvious reasons, a shorthanded Sea Eagles side, Sean Keppie was ruled out Wednesday night with a shoulder complaint and has been replaced on the interchange by Zac Fulton.

24 hour cuts: Keppie

Final side: Keppie out, Taupau prop, De Luis/Fulton bench, Weekes 18th man

ROOSTERS: The Roosters look settled here. Joseph Manu will be right to go after taking a week off to nurse his calf strain, which NRL Physio says would have been very beneficial for him moving forward.

24 hour cuts: Whyte, Thomas, Naiqama

Final side: 1-17, Keighran 18th man

WARRIORS V STORM, FRIDAY 6:00PM

WARRIORS: No changes appear likely here.

24 hour cuts: Volkman, Vailea, Otukolo

STORM: Jordan Grant drops off the bench again in favour of Tom Eisenhuth in what looks to be the only change to the side at this stage.

24 hour cuts: Jordan Grant, Johns, Faalogo

EELS V PANTHERS, FRIDAY 7:55PM

EELS: No changes appear likely for the Eels.

24 hour cuts: Ogden, Rodwell, Russell

PANTHERS: Moses Leota survives the first team cut and could be a late inclusion in what seems the only change in the cards.

24 hour cuts: Lindsay Smith, Chris Smith, Jenkins

TITANS V RAIDERS, SATURDAY 3:00PM

TITANS: Nobody in doubt for the Titans, should be 1-17.

RAIDERS: The Raiders also looks like they’ll be unchanged on game day.

SHARKS V RABBITOHS, SATURDAY 5:30PM

SHARKS: Dale Finucane was originally handed a three match suspension at the judiciary but subsequently managed to downgrade it to two weeks. Either way, he’ll drop out this round and Cam McInnes is the logical replacement at lock.

RABBITOHS: Nobody in doubt coming into this one so I’m hopeful for another 1-17.

BRONCOS V TIGERS, SATURDAY 7:35PM

BRONCOS: Nobody in doubt, could we have yet another 1-17?

TIGERS: Luke Brooks looks set to be shelved for quite some time with a calf injury. My original assumption was that Jackson Hastings reverts to the halves followed by some kind of forward pack and bench shuffle, though I’ve since heard that the Tigers have confirmed Jock Madden will come straight into the side at halfback.

KNIGHTS V BULLDOGS, SUNDAY 2:00PM

KNIGHTS: After a few false starts, it will be interesting to see if Kurt Mann is a late inclusion on game day either off the interchange or at lock. Dominic Young is also on the extended bench however NRL Physio has him as a round 21 return so he may be given another week to recover from his rib injury. Lakey has them both as strong chances to return though so I’m backing our boy in.

BULLDOGS: Corey Waddell had the whole library thrown at him at the judiciary and will be gone for five matches. Hard to tell if he’ll be replaced by Tevita Pangai or Joe Fitz’s best mate Joe Stimson in what should be the only change at this stage.

DRAGONS V COWBOYS, SUNDAY 4:05PM

DRAGONS: Nobody in doubt here, looks like another 1-17.

COWBOYS: Ben (NRLSC Sponge) I know you read this mate, so I’m all eyes on Reuben Cotter. Mixed reports on when he would return but he’s apparently been doing well with his recovery and according to Todd Peyton “Yeah he’s close, so we’re going to give him every chance to play”. I’d say he’s more likely than not but is likely going to be eased back from the interchange. Luciano Leilua and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown swapped positions an hour out last round so I imagine that is a consideration again.