Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 9

What a mess. With the short turnaround it was barely worth naming an extended bench for some teams, while others rushed to get names on a team list sheet and will figure it out on the fly as the round progresses. Unfortunately, those teams include the Panthers and Sea Eagles in relation to Cleary and Turbo respectively. Oof. It also means I’ll be on the clock for Twitter updates for 12 days straight – I start getting overtime soon, right fellas?

As usual, the updates across the round will be on Twitter @AStilesAuthor. Best of luck for what is shaping as the hardest round in recent memory.

SHARKS V COWBOYS, THURSDAY 7:50PM

SHARKS: Expecting 1-17 here with a standard 24 cut.

24 HOUR CUTS: Tracey, Colquhoun, Berrell

COWBOYS: On paper looking like 1-17 as well, though we could again see a forward pack shuffle that sees Jake Granville start somewhere.

24 HOUR CUTS: Elliot, Sadrugu, Finefeuiaki

EELS V KNIGHTS, FRIDAY 6:00PM

EELS: The forward pack shuffles have been highly Supercoach relevant in recent weeks, so despite Cartwright being named on the bench on TLW (jeez that feels odd to type) I will be on the lookout for another rotation an hour out.

24 HOUR CUTS: Murchie, Asi, Lumelume

KNIGHTS: Kalyn Ponga reverted to the bench before kickoff last round but I’m expecting him to start, meaning the Knights should line up as named despite the constant through of a swap at the lock position on a weekly basis.

24 HOUR CUTS: Hunt, Lucas, Clune

BRONCOS V RABBITOHS, FRIDAY 8:00PM

BRONCOS: Jordan Riki has so far played through his groin injury but needs to make it through captain’s run to line up, according to Pete Bade. No other changes expected at this stage.

24 HOUR CUTS:

RABBITOHS: Tom Burgess has actually been named on the bench, so I guess this means we can fully expect him to shift to starting prop somehow on game day. They may opt to ease Tevita Tatola back from the bench as he returns from injury.

24 HOUR CUTS:

RAIDERS V DOLPHINS, SATURDAY 3:00PM

RAIDERS: Xavier Savage is on the extended bench and will be a watch to see if he comes into the side on game day, however it seems unlikely at this stage. Keeping an eye on the 24 hour update to see if he is still around.

DOLPHINS: Edrick Lee is on the extended bench along with Anthony Milford. It will be interesting to see if either make the final side, though given Tesi Niu is just around the corner they likely stick strong with Robert Jennings until then. As usual I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a prop-swap, particularly now Mark Nicholls is out with a broken thumb.

SEA EAGLES V TITANS, SATURDAY 5:30PM

SEA EAGLES: Tom Trbojevic has been ruled out following a Friday morning fitness test. Kaeo Weekes will come in at fullback as a straight replacement like earlier in the season.

TITANS: Not expecting many changes here, though Klese Haas dropped out last round to accommodate a different bench makeup so it could play out similarly this week.

PANTHERS V TIGERS, SATURDAY 7:35PM

PANTHERS: Sunia Turuva is carrying an ankle injury but seems likely to play at this stage in a relief for owners. I’m also seeing some Twitter speculation (that has since been confirmed by the Telegraph) that Nathan Cleary could be rested. That would just about do most SuperCoaches this round if he and Turbo don’t suit up, on top of all the other outs. However, Scott Bailey is reporting that Cleary is in no doubt and Penrith will not be resting anybody. Massive news.

TIGERS: Nothing is jumping out at me for late changes at the Tigers, though it similarly wouldn’t surprise me to see a few moving parts. 1-17 for now, though.

WARRIORS V ROOSTERS, SUNDAY 2:00PM

WARRIORS: Dylan Walker is free to play after a successful night at the judiciary. It feels like the Warriors don’t have the cavalry this round to make any big changes given their outs (despite a few key ins).

ROOSTERS: It wouldn’t surprise to see either Angus Crichton or Sitili Tupouniua named to start but that’s just speculation on my part and nothing I’ve seen online. The rest of the side should be unchanged.

DRAGONS V BULLDOGS, SUNDAY 4:05PM

DRAGONS: Expecting 1-17 at the Dragons, though as usual a shuffle in the forwards wouldn’t surprise.

BULLDOGS: Max King is out with a rib fracture. Nu Brown may return from injury on the bench after the King shuffle occurs.