Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 5

There’s no way around it, round 5 has already been an absolute cluster no matter how many times I type 1-17 below. The hour-ish period on Wednesday night was one of the most eventful I can recall where we were dished up a triple serving of a May assault charge, a Haas suspension and the late injury scrubbing of Koula. This is without even broaching the AFB conundrum that still looms over owners who are deciding whether to hold or sell.

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

WARRIORS V COWBOYS, FRIDAY 6:00PM

WARRIORS: Addin Fonua-Blake owners weren’t granted any favours at first team cut, with the big unit still named on the extended bench after suffering a vague, apparently minor, lower body injury last round. “I could but I won’t be with that one. It is something that is best kept to ourselves, just for obvious reasons if he does play,” is the quote from Nathan Brown on NRL.com, referring to why there is no info about AFB’s injury circulating. We may not have any clarity until the final team announcement unfortunately, however the official Warriors Twitter account said Friday morning that he is a chance to lineup tonight.

Viliami Vailea has unfortunately been trimmed from the extended squad after Jesse Arthars’ starring performance last week, despite being fit to return. Taniela Otukolo, Pride Petterson-Robati, Junior Ratuva and Otukinekina Kepu were the other players cut 24 hours out.

COWBOYS: Expecting 1-17 here. Coen Hess will not return from a shoulder injury this round and dropped out Thursday evening along with Emry Pere, Ben Condon, Ben Hampton and Daejarn Asi.

BRONCOS V ROOSTERS, FRIDAY 7:55PM

BRONCOS: Whether you agree with it or not, Payne Haas and Albert Kelly (who is out injured anyway) are set to be suspended for two matches each. The silver lining for Haas owners is that the suspension is going to take place after this week’s game against the Roosters, but make plans accordingly for next week.

No changes on game day expected with Jordan Riki and Kurt Capewell cleared to return. Brenko Lee, Delouise Hoeter, Jordan Pereira, Ezra Mam and Logan Bayliss dropped out Thursday night with Rhys Kennedy and Tyson Gamble remaining on the extended bench.

ROOSTERS: Siosiua Taukeiaho dropped out of the side on Thursday night which sees Lindsay Collins move to prop and Fletcher Baker join the interchange. Joseph Suaalii will not return this round with the young back dropping off the extended bench along with Sam Verrills, Renouf Atoni and Adam Keighran. Lachlan Lam and Naufahu Whyte remain on the extended bench.

RAIDERS V STORM, SATURDAY 3:00PM

RAIDERS: The only change I’m expecting here is the weekly Matt Frawley-Tom Starling switcharoo. The rest of the team should be as named.

STORM: The King-Smith-NAS swap did not eventuate last weekend so I have no reason now to suspect that the side won’t run out as is.

RABBITOHS V DRAGONS, SATURDAY 5:30PM

RABBITOHS: Nobody seems to be in any doubt here so the Bunnies should be 1-17.

DRAGONS: There were huge changes in round 4 for the Dragons and this week they have been named accordingly. Tyrell Sloan has been named on the extended bench but given what transpired last week I think he’s a coin toss to come back into the side or not.

TITANS V EELS, SATURDAY 7:35PM

TITANS: Beau Fermor is apparently good to go after his late Covid-omissions last round so I’m expecting another 1-17 here, with Liu and Sami also returning from the spicy cough.

EELS: Another 1-17 seems on the cards here, despite an absolutely vintage Carty Party showing last round.

SHARKS V TIGERS, SUNDAY 4:05PM

SHARKS: Yet another 1-17 expected here. I’m starting to get scared.

TIGERS: Kelma Tuilagi is the main concern here after failing to return last round with a shoulder injury. He made it back to the sidelines which seems promising but never got back on the field. I’d expecting he’s OK at this stage but captain’s run is surely key.

BULLDOGS V PANTHERS, SUNDAY 6:15PM

BULLDOGS: Another 1-17 on the cards here.

PANTHERS: Taylan May. Jeez bud. Despite being charged for alleged assault (albeit for apparently defending his teammates) after last year’s grand final, this does not activate the NRL’s no fault standdown policy. Although the incident only just coming to the surface, he had previously been cleared to continue playing and go unpunished by both the Panthers and the NRL. I take this to mean it is business as usual for his playing status until such a time that any further police-updates dictate.

Nothing else major happening in the side, should be 1-17.