Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 8

It’s a long round this week, spanning Thursday night through Tuesday, which means there is a lot to keep an eye on as things progress. Hopefully this means more rest, and more likelihood of 1-17s, but as always we’ll need to be prepared for anything.

As usual, the updates across the round will be on Twitter @AStilesAuthor

RABBITOHS V PANTHERS, THURSDAY 7:50PM

RABBITOHS: For the second week in a row, Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson has been scratched due to his ongoing ankle injury and has been replaced on the wing by Taane Milne. Can’t see any other changes outside the now only semi-frequent prop-swap.

24 HOUR CUTS: Thompson, Lovett, Duncan

PANTHERS: Luke Garner remains on the extended bench after the first team cut but at this stage I don’tsee him coming into the side. Should be 1-17.

24 HOUR CUTS: Blacker, Henry, Peachey

EELS V BRONCOS, FRIDAY 8:00PM

EELS: The last couple of weeks have been chaos in the forwards with J’maine Hopgood, Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright being flung between positions as though Sticky is at the helm. Would have to at least be on the lookout for it again this week. Simonsson survived the first team cut which is concerning for potential Dunster owners.

24 HOUR CUTS: Murchie, Makatoa, Asi

BRONCOS: Looking like a 1-17 on the cards here. As Lakey said in the team’s analysis, I’ll be all over Jordan Riki’s groin (injury) and he’s expected to play at this stage. Jock Madden trained in place of Adam Reynolds earlier in the week but I’ve seen nothing since then so will assume he was just being rested.

24 HOUR CUTS: Madde, Piakura, Mariner

BULLDOGS V SHARKS, SATURDAY 5:30PM

BULLDOGS: The Rugby League Guru got us all excited when he noted that Jeral Skelton and Karl Oloapu were pulled from the NSW Cup side this week, however Gus Gould hosed down debut speculations Tweeted that both are only being considered as the 18th man – at least this week. Even so, I’ll be watching the lineup with interest at both cuts.

SHARKS: 1-17 on the cards here for the Sharkies.

COWBOYS V KNIGHTS, SATURDAY 7:35PM

COWBOYS: A game day shuffle in the forwards wouldn’t be surprising given the mass moving parts last weekend (interpreting that on a Bucks Day while swinging clubs at Topgolf was not enjoyable) so I’ll be on the lookout for that again.

KNIGHTS: Barry Toohey likes Tyson Gamble at lock and given the constant revolving door at the #13 position in Newcastle, it may well happen though at this stage I believe it is just speculation/Barry’s preferred position for Gamble, and not necessarily something we’ll see on game day. Expecting 1-17 at this stage.

DOLPHINS V TITANS, SUNDAY 2:00PM

DOLPHINS: Another 1-17 likely here though it wouldn’t surprise me to see one swap in the forwards – Ese’Ese can often find himself benched on game day.

TITANS: AJ Brimson has surfaced on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion at fullback, which would trigger a shuffle of Jayden Campbell to the bench and someone, potentially Kruise Leeming, to drop out.

TIGERS V SEA EAGLES, SUNDAY 4:05PM

TIGERS: An absolutely wild bench make-up here but at this stage I’m not going to predict any game day changes, though it will be an interesting watch.

SEA EAGLES: I’d hope this is the week Josh Schuster finally makes his return, though given the previous few weeks I’ll be happier when he’s locked in an hour out. Not expecting any changes.

ROOSTERS V DRAGONS, TUESDAY 4:05PM

ROOSTERS: The carnage on TLT will hopefully not flow on to game day – expecting 1-17 here.

DRAGONS: Jack de Belin has finally been named in a starting position so I’m expecting the Dragons to run out unchanged as well.

STORM V WARRIORS, TUESDAY 7:00PM

STORM: 1-17 expected here as well.

WARRIORS: Another team that I was not enjoying the game day updates for at Topgolf, I’m going to expect game day shuffles in the forwards every week from now on. Having said, with Niukore back and Bayley Sironen already on the bench, Josh Curran may not get another start this round.