Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 20

We’re finally here. That point in the season where even if there are late outs, we can’t do anything about it anyway with most SuperCoaches barely fielding a 17 post-trades – if we have any left to begin with. Ironically, there’s a freedom in approaching that moment where you’ve done all you can for your side and just have to ride things out. For those who are fortunate enough to have choice with your lineups, let’s have a look at what to expect this round.

As usual I’ll be tweeting all the 24 hour and game day updates across the round @AStilesAuthor

TIGERS V WARRIORS, FRIDAY 6:00PM

TIGERS: Alex Twal looks good to go at this stage so the Tigers should be 1-17. Jock Madden and Jake Simpkin were the first players cut.

WARRIORS: Josh Curran has been ruled out of this one for a thus far undisclosed reason, which sees Jazz Tevaga shift to lock and Viliami Vailea join the bench. Warriors only named 20 players so nobody else was trimmed Thursday evening. Peta Hiku seems set to return from his shoulder injury though Eliesa Katoa needs to pass concussion protocols. In better news, Addin Fonua-Blake’s injury may only keep him out this week – I’ll be holding.

BRONCOS V COWBOYS, FRIDAY 8:05PM

BRONCOS: TC Robati drops back to the extended bench to make way for Xavier Willison, who makes his debut. Albert Kelly and Xavier Coates were trimmed on Thursday night.

COWBOYS: Should be 1-17 in this one. Ben Hampton is still listed with a pectoral injury but he survived first team cut, as did Reece Robson who had to pass concussion protocols. Peter Hola and Ben Condon were the first to drop out.

DRAGONS V RABBITOHS, SATURDAY 3:00PM

DRAGONS: So here’s an interesting one – apparently Matt Dufty, Cody Ramsey and Jordan Pereira have been left out of the immediate 17 to allow for the 2019 premiership-winning SG Ball Illawarra Steelers players in the squad (Sullivan, Mat Feagai, Sloan and Amone) to take the field for the first time together in first grade. The Dragons’ own website was talking this up, so I assume the former players are no chance to come into the side late even if they do overcome the various injuries they are carrying. At this stage I’d have to expect they run out 1-17. Dufty and Wiliame were trimmed 24 hours out.

RABBITOHS: Campbell Graham and Liam Knight (both HIAs) have been ruled out, with Taane Milne coming into centre and Davvy Moale joining the bench. Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and Cody walker (knee) are listed in the casualty ward but have made it through captain’s run and will play.

KNIGHTS V RAIDERS, SATURDAY 5:30PM

KNIGHTS: Kalyn Ponga was a nightmare for me last week with his sternum issue. I tweeted out the final teams an hour out, then got home to a barrage of ‘he’s out/he’s in’s that I couldn’t verify until I flicked the game on. I personally subbed him out in Classic and Draft then watched him run out – though I’m not too upset missing his 50. It looks like he’ll play on this week as the issue is just one of pain tolerance. Unfortunately, Mitch Pearce will not come into the side on game day and will be given another round to recover. It also seems that Bradman Best will be good to return assuming he makes it through captain’s run.

RAIDERS: Josh Papalii headbutted the ground last week and will need to get through concussion protocols to line up. Elliott Whitehead and Jack Wighton are also listed in the casualty ward, with the latter the most in doubt after only performing non contact training this week.

STORM V PANTHERS, SATURDAY 7:35PM

STORM: Harry Grant could be a massive late in this week as he tries to return from his hamstring injury but I’ve seen mixed reports on how close he is and he’s still listed as round 21 in the casualty ward so I’m expecting another week on the sidelines. Tom Eisenhuth is named on the extended bench and is listed to return this round, so he could be a late inclusion on the bench but Grant’s availability may dictate that. The rest of the side should be good to go.

PANTHERS: TLT was a bloodbath for the Panthers but luckily nobody actually named is in the casualty ward so they should be 1-17.

BULLDOGS V TITANS, SUNDAY 2:00PM

BULLDOGS: Luke Thompson has been scratched for three rounds after failing at the judiciary this week. I’d have to think Dylan Napa moves to prop and Joe Stimson comes onto the bench. Adam Elliott also looks set to return from his cheekbone injury.

TITANS: Jamal Fogarty is firming to return in the halves and I’d have to think that Ash Taylor drops out based on form. Brian Kelly is carrying an ankle injury and will need to make it through captain’s run, and looking at that extended bench it seems Anthony Don would be the man to replace him should he be ruled out.

SHARKS V SEA EAGLES, SUNDAY 4:05PM

SHARKS: Matt Moylan looked set to return from his calf injury though it looks like he’ll be given another week. The rest of the side should line up as is.

SEA EAGLES: Karl Lawton and Curtis Sironen seem set to play after their respective back and knee injuries, and both Dylan Walker and Lachlan Croker have passed concussion protocols to line up.

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Wallah Hezbula

As per Manly website, Croker and Walker have passed concussion protocols and fit for Sunday’s game against the Sharks.

NB23

Is there any word on whether Fifita starts from the bench again? Or what edge he’s going to play on this weekend? Very keen on the Titans winger that plays outside him.

Wallah Hezbula

I’d say he goes back to right edge against Flanno. Marzhew on that edge as well so could bode well for scoring.

The Pretender

CG out for the bunnies, Milne survives again !

BT

Thanks Stilesy. Curran is a blow – hopefully he’s back next week!

I did read that Moylan will not return this week – https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/01/23/casualty-ward-all-the-latest-nrl-injury-news2/