Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 4

One game in and it’s already carnage with Covid claiming its latest SC relevant victim in Beau Fermor. I hope everyone reversed trades if you brought him in this week. Outside that, there is plenty going on in the late mail world so read on to find out all the news for round 4.

As always I’ll be tweeting out the rest of the mail @AStilesAuthor across the weekend.

SHARKS V KNIGHTS, FRIDAY 5:00PM AEST/6:00PM AEDT

SHARKS: Seem likely to run out 1-17. I was asked about Cam McInnes starting but I haven’t seen anything to suggest that at this stage (although if it did happen it wouldn’t necessarily be surprising). Luke Metcalf, Royce Hunt, Lachlan Miller, Jenson Taumoepeau and Franklin Pele were the first players omitted.

KNIGHTS: Kalyn Ponga finally seems good to go and Tyson Frizell pulled up OK after copping a knee injury last week so I’m expecting 1-17 here for Frizell’s 200th game. Edrick Lee, Mat Croker, Dylan Lucas and Brayden Musgrove were definitely trimmed Thursday evening. The official update from the Knights’ Twitter account and the updated match centre differ on whether Tex Hoy or Pasami Saulo was the final player to drop out, but I believe it is Hoy dropping out which further confirms Ponga’s availability.

PANTHERS V RABBITOHS, FRIDAY 7:05PM AEST/8:05PM AEDT

PANTHERS: Liam Martin and James Fisher-Harris have both been promoted to the bench at first team cut as they look to return from leg and shoulder injuries respectively. I assume either or both could be a chance to start on game day. J’maine Hopgood drops back to the extended bench to accommodate and Lindsay Smith is out altogether. Soni Luke, Eddie Blacker, Christian Crichton and Kurt Falls are the other players trimmed Thursday night.

RABBITOHS: Latrell Mitchell went down at training with a “bang to his right knee” but coach says he is apparently good to go and he survived first team cut. Josh Mansour, Richard Kennar, Dean Hawkins, Isaiah Tass and Peter Mamouzelos drop out first.

WARRIORS V BRONCOS, SATURDAY 2:00PM AEST/3:00PM AEDT

WARRIORS: Shaun Johnson is the big name lurking on the extended bench and it was confirmed Friday that he will start alongside Harris-Tevita. Kodi Nikorima will play from the bench. Rocco Berry is also out after contracting a virus (I don’t think it is covid at this stage). This sees Pompey shift from wing to centre and Kosi come into the squad out wide. Josh Curran also moves to the edge, with Jazz Tevaga starting at lock and Eliesa Katoa reverting to the bench. Pene drops out of the squad and Murchie goes back to the extended bench, which sees BMM join the bench. Petteson-Robati, Kepu and Ratuva were trimmed (this was a complete mess to interpret 24 hours out!!)

BRONCOS: Jordan Riki has ruled himself of this round with a rib cartilage issue. TC Robati starts on the edge Brenko Lee joining the interchange. MEad, Kennedy, Pereira, Paix and Capewell all drop out, with Tyson Gamble being added to the extended squad as a result.

SEA EAGLES V RAIDERS, SATURDAY 4:30PM AEST/5:30PM AEDT

SEA EAGLES: I’ve seen a bit of speculation about Tolutau Koula replacing Morgan Harper this round, but speculation is all it is as far as I can tell at this stage. Josh Aloiai is lurking on the extended bench but I’m unsure if he’ll be a late inclusion or not.

RAIDERS: Tom Starling was a late benching last week for Matt Frawley and it could be on the cards again. Ricky’s rotations can always come out of nowhere so I never rule out late changes on game day but nothing specific is floating around at this stage.

COWBOYS V ROOSTERS, SATURDAY 6:35PM AEST/7:35PM AEDT

COWBOYS: Coen Hess looked in all sorts last week and has been ruled out Friday morning. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown will come into the 17 but whether he starts or not is TBD.

ROOSTERS: “Watson bench, Hutchison hooker” is fast replacing “Watson bench, Sue lock” as my phone’s go-to predictive text. Lots of interest around Nat Butcher and Angus Crichton’s respective positions this week and I assume those two run out as named again. No other changes expected.

STORM V BULLDOGS, SUNDAY 4:05pm

STORM: I’ve had good mail that Brandon Smith starts at lock this week, pushing Josh King to prop and Nelson Asofa-Solomona to the bench in his previous impact role. I’ve had questions about King’s minutes in this scenario and though it is only speculation on my part, 45-50 seems like a reasonable estimate. The Nick Meaney truthers are also calling for him to come onto the bench in place of Tepai Moeroa, which isn’t too farfetched.

BULLDOGS: Luke Thompson has been benched the last few rounds in favour of Corey Waddell, but with the latter already named to start due to the season (and steak bet) ending injury to Jack Hetherington, the Bulldogs will likely run out as is.

EELS V DRAGONS, SUNDAY 6:15PM

EELS: Bailey Simonsson failed his HIA last round and while named, will need to pass concussion protocols. Hayze Perham is the most likely replacement though there is an outside chance we get a Solomone Naiduki sighting. The rest of the team should run out as is.

DRAGONS: Andrew McCollough is on the extended bench and could get the late callup at hooker, which would push Moses Mbye back into his utility role.

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AJW

Well done young Stilesy! Have had Fermor since round 0, so easy come, easy go (onto my NPR bench!). All the rest is good info
Any news about the wee Tiger 2RF (Tuilagi)? Anyway have a good one matie! 🙂

PnoyBronx

Any Frizell news?

PnoyBronx

thanks Stilesy.
didnt know it was his 200th game.
might take the VC off Nico and place it on the big guy.

Trade-a-holic

Big call. I have both and will be leaving the VC on Hynes (but hoping Frizell has a blinder for his 200th).

CoG

Cheers Stilesy – Down to Russell now as my only loop if needed

vertigo

Going momoisea over Leo really starting to annoy me now.