Broncos star suffers ACL injury in crushing Madge blow; Dogs’ bench call — Team Tips

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium, 4:05pm AEST

Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jethro Rinakama 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 23. Jacob Kiraz 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 16. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Toby Sexton 22. Harry Hayes. 18th man: 5. Blake Wilson

Team Tips: This is will be tough reading for Bulldogs fans. The Dogs could be without up to five first choice players. The big name is Stephen Crichton, who suffered an ankle injury in the loss to Melbourne. Thankfully, Crichton will avoid surgery but is set to miss this week. He is some chance of returning for a prelim if the Bulldogs beat Penrith. The club’s outside back depth will be seriously tested with Enari Tuala and Jethro Rinakama joining the mounting list of injuries. Tuala will miss the rest of the season after suffering a lower leg injury, while Rinakama picked up an ankle injury in the final five minutes of the game when Harry Grant produced a hip-drop-like tackle off the ball on him and he will be racing the clock to be fit. Meanwhile, Marcelo Montoya was set to return this week from an ankle injury, but is now in serious doubt after a second scan showed it’s more serious than initially thought. Blake Wilson was 18th man last week and will be the man to slot onto the wing. Matt Burton switched to the centres when Crichton left the field against the Storm but it remains to be seen whether coach Cameron Ciraldo sticks with that or moves Jacob Kiraz – who was spotted in a moon boot the day after the game – into the centres. There is some relief though with Bronson Xerri due back from a head knock in the centres, while Toby Sexton declared to media on Monday that he will overcome a sternum injury to play. He’ll either be named in the halves – where he played when Burton went into the centres – or on the bench to cover hooker and the halves again. There’s also some good news regarding Viliame Kikau with the barnstorming back-rower being cleared of a facial fracture, according to Code Sports. Reed Mahoney could be a chance to return to the bench, but that seems unlikely.

Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 14. Brad Schneider 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 9. Luke Sommerton 15. Liam Henry 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Luke Garner. 18th man: 18. Thomas Jenkins

Team Tips: Penrith got through their trip to New Zealand unscathed. Unlike their opponents, the Panthers will field the strongest and healthiest line up they’ve had in some time. In a huge boost, dummy-half Mitch Kenny returns from a hamstring injury. He’ll slot into the starting side, pushing Luke Sommerton out of the 17. Brad Schneider likely keeps the No. 14 jersey, despite starting last week against the Warriors. Brian To’o made a successful return with Thomas Jenkins brutally dropped and he is set to miss out again.

PRELIMINARY FINALS – SEPTEMBER 26-27

Second Preliminary Final: Second Qualifying Final winner (Storm) vs. First Semi Final winner (Raiders or Sharks) at AAMI Park 7.50pm AEST.

Last week’s Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 20. Jack Howarth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 14. Jonah Pezet 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 4. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 7. Tyran Wishart 11. Ativalu Lisati 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica. 18th man: 17. Bronson Garlick

Team Tips: The Storm reshuffled their team against the Bulldogs, with Jack Howarth returning from injury at centre, pushing Joe Chan to the second row and Ativalu Lisati to the bench. Jonah Pezet starred after starting at halfback and will likely wear the No. 7 jersey with Tyran Wishart on the bench. That is unless Jahrome Hughes makes a miracle return from a fractured forearm ahead of schedule, which would likely see him start at No. 7, with Pezet and Wishart vying for a bench role. Hughes is targeting a return in the preliminary final, but may be held back until the decider to be safe, given how well they performed against the Bulldogs. Ryan Papenhuyzen is due back from a concussion, which will see him start at No. 1, with Nick Meaney shifting to the centres and Grant Anderson dropping out. Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s season is over after the Storm’s win, which rules him out of the Grand Final due to suspension for the second year running if the Storm make it.

First Preliminary Final: First Qualifying Final winner (Broncos) vs. Second Semi Final winner (Bulldogs or Panthers) at Suncorp Stadium 7.50pm AEST

Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt. 18th man: 18. Jesse Arthars

Team Tips: In a crushing blow, Broncos playmaker Billy Walters has suffered “some damage to his ACL”, meaning his season is likely over according to The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel. The club put out a statement on Monday that read: “Scans have confirmed Billy Walters suffered damage to his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in Sunday afternoon’s victory over the Raiders. Walters will work with the Club’s medical team to assess the next steps in his recovery.” Patrick Carrigan has been suspended for a high tackle on Morgan Smithies and will miss the preliminary final unless he successfully challenges the decision at the judiciary. However, if he fails at the judiciary he will be rubbed out for two games, including the Grand Final if the Broncos make it. Kobe Hetherington is the likely replacement at lock. The club has confirmed that Xavier Willison is clear to return from a broken arm. Expect Willison to be named on the bench. Reece Walsh escaped with fines after he was charged for two separate incidents, including his headbutt of Hudson Young. Adam Reynolds should be fit to return from a hamstring injury, but how he fits back into a winning team remains to be seen. The most obvious choice would be pairing Reynolds with Ben Hunt in the halves, with the latter to play five-eighth. Ezra Mam is also a chance to return, but it is unlikely the Broncos will change both their halves for such a big game. Payne Haas injured his ankle against the Raiders but battled on to finish the game and with two weeks rest he is likely to play, even if he needs a needle. Brendan Piakura suffered a facial injury against Canberra, but will likely play given the two weeks to recover. Gehamat Shibasaki returned last week from suspension and Jesse Arthars looks set to be the odd man out yet again.