Dragons halfback Lachlan Ilias is reportedly set to be axed after his poor showing on ANZAC Day with Jonah Glover and Lyhkan King-Togia in contention to take over in the No.7 jersey.
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Adam Reynolds failed to finish last Thursday’s game with a shoulder issue, but the Broncos have since received a huge boost.
Meanwhile, a former Manly star has rocketed into contention for a vacant Rabbitohs halves spot.
Read on for the Round 9 Team Tips!
FRIDAY MAY 2
Cronulla Sharks v Parramatta Eels, Suncorp Stadium, 6pm
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Tuku Hau Tapuha 17. Thomas Hazelton 22. Jesse Colquhoun
Team Tips: A tricky test for the Sharks, who will open up Magic Round despite playing in the final game of Round 8. The hot-and-cold Sharks could have their outside back depth tested with second-string centre Mawene Hiroti to miss a few weeks with a knee injury. Kayal Iro has been out with a hamstring injury, but in a timely boost, he may be back in the line up for Magic Round. If Iro is unavailable, 20-year-old Michael Gabrael could be in line to make his NRL debut. He was excellent in NSW Cup last weekend and is knocking on the door of a first grade call up. Star edge forward Teig Wilton will be sidelined for up to four weeks with a shoulder injury. Billy Burns, who scored a try against the Tigers, will start in the back row.
Round 7 Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti
Team Tips: After a freshen up, don’t expect much of a change from Jason Ryles to the team that upset the Tigers on Easter Monday. Jack Williams has been one of the Eels’ best this season, but he is set for another sideline stint because of a knee injury. Ryan Matterson has been putting his hand up for a NRL recall with some strong reserve grade form. Expect him to come into the picture.
“A lot to like” Fitzy takes positives | 03:03
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Sydney Roosters v The Dolphins, Suncorp Stadium, 8pm
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher. 18th man: 18. Ethan King
Team Tips: The Roosters thrashed the Dragons on Anzac Day, with five-eighth Sandon Smith starring. Smith will again partner the solid Hugo Savala in the halves with coach Trent Robinson not expected to make any changes. Nat Butcher is a small chance of returning from injury. Mark Nawaqanitawase shifted from centre to the wing for the first time this season and that move proved a success, with the former Wallaby handing in his best performance of the season.
Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 15. Ray Stone 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Tevita Naufahu
Team Tips: Following three straight wins, the Dolphins crashed back to earth in the nation’s capital, bumbling an 18-point lead to a red-hot Raiders side. The Dolphins were missing a couple of key players including Jeremy Marshall-King, Felise Kaufusi and Max Plath. According to Kristian Woolf, the club are “hopeful” all three will be able to suit up against the Roosters. Plath was reportedly close to returning against Canberra so expect him to be named for Magic Round. Marshall-King is due to return this weekend as is enforcer Felise Kaufusi. Plath likely starts at lock, pushing Mark Nicholls back to the bench. Marshall-King would come in for Sean O’Sullivan while Kenny Bromwich is in danger of being dropped if Kaufusi is right to go. Daniel Saifiti didn’t finish the game because of a shoulder injury and was in a “fair bit of pain” according to Woolf. He’d be long odds of taking his place in Magic Round.
SATURDAY MAY 3
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights, Suncorp Stadium, 3pm
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 14. Jye Gray 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Jai Arrow 15. Siliva Havili 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tallis Duncan 19. Lewis Dodd 18th man: 18. Liam Le Blanc
Team Tips: Souths dropped their third straight with a loss to the Storm in Melbourne. Latrell Mitchell will miss a week after copping a ban for a high shot on Sua Faalogo. Dally M contender Jye Gray will return to his preferred position of fullback after one game at five-eighth. With Jamie Humphreys likely to still be a week away and Cody Walker to miss the next month with a calf injury, Lewis Dodd is the odds on favourite to make his first NRL start in the halves alongside Jayden Sullivan. Dodd has been solid in two games off the bench. Dodd isn’t assured of anything though, with a smokey to pull on the Bunnies’ No. 6 being Josh Schuster, who impressed off the bench in reserve grade over the weekend. Firward Lachlan Hubner is set
Last week’s Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 20. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 9. Phoenix Crossland 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones. 18th man: 21. Matthew Arthur
Team Tips: Something has to give at the Knights. They’ve been awful over the past month.
Jack Cogger returned from finger surgery against the Warriors, replacing Tyson Gamble, who was ruled out with a broken nose. He’s a chance of playing against Souths but it’s unclear who coach Adam O’Brien will task with to lead his team around the park.
Warriors hand Knights 5th loss in a row | 03:41
New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys, Suncorp Stadium, 5:30pm
Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 10. Mitchell Barnett 9. Wayde Egan 12. Marata Niukore 11. Kurt Capewell 14. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark 8. Jackson Ford 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban. 18th man: 20. Tanah Boyd
Team Tips:Marata Niukore copped a charge for a high shot which resulted in a sin bin but gets away with just a fine. Leka Helasima has been outstanding this season so expect him to be named in the starting side again. No injury concerns to note out of their Anzac Day win but star winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is close to returning from a wrist injury. James Fisher-Harris is still a couple of weeks away.
Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 21. Karl Lawton
Team Tips: There aren’t many teams, if any, travelling better than the Cowboys at the moment. They enter Magic Round winners of four straight. Barring Heilum Luki being out for the season, there aren’t any concerns on the injury front for coach Todd Payten. He’s a pretty loyal customer is the Cowboys coach, so don’t expect any changes to the 17 that thrashed the Gold Coast.
Wests Tigers v St. George-Illawarra Dragons, Suncorp Stadium, 7:45pm
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 21. Solomona Faataape
Team Tips: Given the fortnight they’ve had, Sunday’s win over the Sharks was massive. The main injury concern is skipper Api Koroisau. He didn’t play in the second golden point period because of a knee issue but in good news, Benji Marshall believes it isn’t too serious. If he isn’t available for Magic Round, Tallyn Da Silva would start.
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 17. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Emre Guler. 18th man: 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Team Tips: Is a change to the halves on the horizon for the Dragons? They were soundly beaten by the Roosters on Anzac Day with Lachlan Ilias and Kyle Flanagan failing to fire. The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield reported Ilias is set to be axed, with Jonah Glover and Lyhkan King-Togia in contention to take over in the No.7 jersey. The Dragons recruit has already publicly come under fire from coach Shane Flanagan this season. The problem for the Red V is there isn’t much depth at the position. Halfback Jonah Glover and five-eighth Lyhkan King-Togia are essentially the backups, but neither are in the club’s Top 30. They are on developmental contracts so they can be called up to first grade. Both players have impressed in reserve grade this season, with Glover (10) and King-Togia (9) sitting second and fourth respectively on the NSW Cup try assists list.
SUNDAY MAY 4
Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Suncorp Stadium, 1:50pm
Last week’s Titans team: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. David Fifita 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Brock Gray 17. Arama Hau 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Team Tips: The Titans got through their loss against the Cowboys largely unscathed, with Des Hasler confirming veteran Kieran Foran would be fit to return in Round 10. He has been recovering from a biceps injury, needing one more week before he’s fit to return. David Fifita also featured off the bench after a hamstring scare, and he could be set to slot back into the starting side in Magic Round.
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Bailey Hayward 18th man: 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Team Tips: The Bulldogs were hit with a wave of suspensions after their loss to the Broncos on Thursday night. The biggest loss could be Matt Burton, who earned a one-game ban for a careless high tackle, with Bailey Hayward the obvious man to wear the No. 6 jersey at Magic Round. Josh Curran was handed a three-game ban for a shoulder charge, with Daniel Suluka-Fifita likely taking his place in the middle rotation. The biggest ban of all came for Sitili Tupouniua who will sit out for five games after being hit with two separate charges, with Kurtis Morrin the potential forward to join the bench.
Titans concede 50 after blowing lead | 01:58
Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos, Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 14. Brad Schneider 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 9. Luke Sommerton 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer. 18th man: 18. Daine Laurie
Team Tips: Back rower Scott Sorensen earnt a two-game ban for a shoulder charge in his side’s loss to the Sea Eagles, with Isaiah Papalii the likely man to take his place and join the starting team. Luke Garner’s return from a concussion could mean Izack Tago returns to the bench and fill the vacant spot, with Garner slotting into the centres as he did in Round 7. Brian To’o, meanwhile, is scheduled to return from a hamstring injury and will likely replace Casey McLean in the backline. Tom Jenkins will then likely revert to the centres.
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 16. Brendan Piakura 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Tyson Smoothy 18th Man: 19. Martin Taupau
Team Tips: Adam Reynolds suffered a shoulder injury in Round 8 and according to Code Sports he will likely be fit to take the field against the reigning premiers. The veteran trained in a red bib, meaning he was not allowed to take part in physical contract on Monday. Reynolds avoided going for scans in a huge boost for Michael Maguire. “The aim is to play every game,” Reynolds said in the post-match press conference. “It’s a little sore. It went dead on me when I scored the try and got pins and needles, then I got it pretty bad that last one”. Jordan Riki is also due to return after sitting out due to an infection, with Brendan Piakura reverting back to the bench and Tyson Smoothy dropping out of the side.
Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders, Suncorp Stadium, 6:25pm
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Joe Chan 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18th man: 2. Kane Bradley
Team Tips: Nelson Asofa-Solomona played QLD Cup over the weekend, meaning he’s set to be fit to return to the NRL in Magic Round after a long lay-off due to concussion. His return could see Joe Chan drop out of the side with NAS featuring on the pine. Harry Grant will sit out for a further week alongside Tui Kamikamica, while Will Warbrick’s return to the field remains unclear as he battles with concussion symptoms.
Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18th man: 18. Simi Sasagi
Team Tips: The Raiders secured another win with an impressive comeback over the Dolphins in Round 8. No changes are expected otherwise, with Owen Pattie and Zac Hosking delivering impressive performances off the bench.
Bye – Manly Sea Eagles
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