Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 4

Is it just me or do the SuperCoach gods seem to be exclusively targeting SC relevant players with the dreaded ‘in doubt’ status across the last few weeks? We’re only a month in and already we cannot catch a break!

The trend is set to continue with the proverbial dagger hovering above players like Hughes, Munster, Katoa, Doueihi and Hynes.

As usual, I’ll update this article across Thursday evening and all the weekend updates will be on Twitter @AStilesAuthor

EELS V PANTHERS, THURSDAY 7:00PM AEST / 8:00 AEDT

EELS: Nothing at the 24 hour cuts indicated anything other than 1-17.

24 HOUR CUTS: Ogden, Mataele, Dunster

PANTHERS: Zac Hosking was pulled from the Panthers’ NSW Cup side and there are rumblings that he could replace Liam Martin on the edge this round. The rest of the team should be unchanged after the bye round.

24 HOUR CUTS: Peachey, Cogger, Jenkins

STORM V TIGERS, FRIDAY 5:00PM AEST / 6:00PM AEDT

STORM: Jahrome Hughes was unsuccessful at the judiciary Tuesday night and has subsequently copped a two match ban for a shoulder charge on Tanah Boyd. This means the #PezetParty looks set to continue alongside Cameron Munster, who was likely looking at more time to heal his fractured finger if Hughes hadn’t been suspended.

24 HOUR CUTS: Hughes, Pene, Faalogo

TIGERS: Adam Doueihi is once again the big watch here after officially being diagnosed with turf toe (after NRL Physio already called it). Given he played last week I would expect him to suit up again this round and play through the pain in what could be a limited capacity. I will want to see him in the final 17 to breathe easy as an owner however.

24 HOUR CUTS: Ofahengaue, Nofoaluma, Simpkin

DOLPHINS V BRONCOS, FRIDAY 7:00PM AEST / 8:00PM AEDT

DOLPHINS: Felise “Phin Diesel” Kaufusi has been scrubbed for a month at the judiciary after his crushing tackles from the opening rounds veered into the illegal lane. Isaiya Katoa is unfortunately in doubt with an elbow complaint, so Doueihi/Katoa owners like myself will be sweating bullets on Friday, so it may be shrewd to have a backup plan if you need it. Luckily both play early in the round, however key five-eighths like Munster and Brown will have already run out.

24 HOUR CUTS:

BRONCOS: Let the good times roll!! No changes expected at this stage, however Kobe Hetherington has come onto the extended bench and could be a late inclusion.

24 HOUR CUTS:

Unrelated to late mail but I’ve heard this match referred to as WrestleWaynia and it now lives rent free in my head.

COWBOYS V TITANS, SATURDAY 4:30PM AEST / 5:30PM AEDT

COWBOYS: Lineup appears fairly settled with Heilum Luki successfully returning from injury last round. I expect he starts again at some stage though he could continue to get eased back in off the bench for now.

TITANS: 1-17 on the cards here with nobody named in doubt. While not relevant for this round, Patrick Herbert was released by the club on Thursday on compassionate grounds.

RABBITOHS V SEA EAGLES, SATURDAY 6:35PM AEST / 7:35PM AEDT

RABBITOHS: This may be wishful thinking but the last time Daniel Suluka-Fifita was named to start he dropped to the bench on game day with Davvy Moale getting the callup so we could see the same again here. No other changes expected.

SEA EAGLES: The Sea Eagles should be 1-17. Josh Schuster was experiencing cramping in his previously injured calf during the last game and while I’ve not seen anything this week placing him in doubt, I’ll be more comfortable seeing him on the final team sheet.

WARRIORS V BULLDOGS, SUNDAY 1:00PM AEST / 2:00PM AEDT

WARRIORS: The cavalry returns for the Warriors this round in the form of CNK and Jackson Ford, with both seemingly good to go after their respective concussions.

BULLDOGS: Another likely 1-17 here for the Bulldogs.

KNIGHTS V RAIDERS, SUNDAY 3:05PM AEST / 4:05PM AEDT

KNIGHTS: Tyson Frizell is lurking on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion for a pack that is well short on cavalry. Kurt Mann has also been training in a non-contact jersey during the week (courtesy of Barry Toohey) so he seems to be in doubt and likely needs to make it through captain’s run.

RAIDERS: Named according to their injuries, thought it wouldn’t surprise if Josh Papali’i drops to the bench on game day for Pasami Saulo or Emre Guler as he eases back from injury.

DRAGONS V SHARKS, SUNDAY 5:15PM AEST / 6:15 AEDT

DRAGONS: Another 1-17 on the cards here.

SHARKS: And we now get to the main event – Nicho Hynes. The absolute worst case for potential owners who have to wait until the final match to ensure he’s named with limited alternatives for your trade plans at this stage if he does drop out. I can see many “Any word on Hynes mate?” in my Twitter future across the weekend. If he does play, I’m not expecting any other changes to the side.