The Storm are set to welcome back a big gun for their blockbuster against the Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, Melbourne’s opposition could make several changes after some interesting comments from coach Cameron Ciraldo after the Bulldogs’ loss to the Roosters.
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Read on for the NRL Team Tips for Round 25.
THURSDAY AUGUST 21
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. St George Illawarra Dragons at Accor Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 18. Tyrone Munro 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Siliva Havili 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Brandon Smith 17. Thomas Fletcher 22. Cody Walker. 18th man: 14. Shaquai Mitchell
Team Tips: Jye Gray handed in an otherworldly performance against the Eels. He has to keep the No. 1 jersey for the rest of the season according to Fox League’s Kevin Walters and Cooper Cronk. That will mean Latrell Mitchell in the centres whenever he’s fit to return. Mitchell was strong at left centre against the Titans in Round 23. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape moved to centre when Mitchell was ruled out but he copped a head knock in the first half and will miss a game. Cody Walker started on the bench in his return from a calf injury but expect him to be named in the starting line up this week.
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 22. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jacob Halangahu 16. Hame Sele 17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga. 18th man: 2. Tyrell Sloan
Team Tips: It was a brutal night in Auckland for the Dragons, who lost three players to head knocks. Jack de Belin, Hame Sele and Hamish Stewart have all been stood down for 11 days because they suffered category one concussions. Already dealing with an injury crisis in the forwards, this triple blow will leave coach Shane Flanagan with some headaches. In some good news, Jaydn Su’A is a chance of returning this week as is prop Michael Molo. Tyrell Sloan was demoted to 18th man for the Warriors clash to make way for the return of Christian Tuipulotu. Sloan ended up coming on for 12 minutes because of the earlier concussion drama and played well. He is a chance of earning a recall to the 17.
FRIDAY AUGUST 22
Penrith Panthers vs. Canberra Raiders at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee, 6.00pm AEST
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey Mclean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen. 18th man: 18. Paul Alamoti
Team Tips: Liam Martin left the Storm game with a shoulder issue, but returned to the field. Expect him to be right for Friday night’s blockbuster. Co-captain Isaah Yeo remains sidelined with a shoulder injury with no clear indication when he will return. Isaiah Papali’i is playing well in Yeo’s absence and with the finals still three weeks away, the Panthers won’t be rushing their star middle back.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matt Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joe Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota
Team Tips: The Raiders are fresh off the bye and will be hoping to stamp their premiership credentials when they take on Penrith – the first meeting between the two sides this season. We don’t expect Ricky Stuart to make any changes to the side that beat the Sea Eagles in Round 23. This is such a well balanced team, with their bench being extremely impactful during their last 11 games, which the Raiders have won ten of.
Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park, 8.00pm AEST
Last week’s Storm team: 6. Cameron Munster2. Grant Anderson 1. Nick Meaney 4. Marion Seve 5. Xavier Coates 14. Jonah Pezet 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 3. Joe Chan 15. Alec Macdonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ativalu Lisati. 18th man: 18. Bronson Garlick
Team Tips: Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) is set to return for the Storm in the No. 1 jersey. That would move Cam Munster back to his natural five-eighth role and push Jonah Pezet either out of the side completely or back to the bench. Marion Seve will likely retain his spot in the centres alongside Nick Meaney. Joe Chan was named at centre last week but after Craig Bellamy’s reshuffle, he began on the bench.
Last week’s Bulldogs team: 21. Connor Tracey 1. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Reed Mahoney. 18th man: 2. Jethro Rinakama
Team Tips: Coach Cameron Ciraldo made a couple of interesting comments in his post-match press conference, seeming to indicate he won’t pick players who aren’t able to give their all at training. “I sort of blame myself there because we have guys carrying niggles and they just get through training instead of training. I’m going to stop that,” Ciraldo said. “If you can’t train (you get) results and a performance like that. We’ve got a deep squad, we’ve got a lot of good players who didn’t play tonight. So if we don’t want to prepare to win then I will put someone in who does want to prepare to win.” It’s unclear who he means but there have been a handful of players who have been dealing with niggling injuries, including Lachlan Galvin. “You sawGalvin, he’s been carrying a leg injury and a hand injury,” Matty Johns noted on Sunday night after discussing Ciraldo’s press conference comments. Last week, Ciraldo committed to Bailey Hayward as the team’s hooker going forward, but after the heavy loss to the Roosters, Fox League’s Nathan Hindmarsh says the Bulldogs have “lost a bit” since Reed Mahoney was benched. “They’ve lost a bit with Mahoney not starting … They seem to be a better attacking team with Reed starting,” Hindmarsh said on Sunday Night with Matty Johns. Marcelo Montoya is due back on the wing and he’ll take the place of Enari Tuala. Sitili Tupouniua will likely be back on deck this weekend. One of either Josh Curran or Sam Hughes could make way. Curran’s form of late hasn’t been flash while Hughes has played well in recent weeks.
SATURDAY AUGUST 23
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Dolphins at 4 Pines Park, 3.00pm AEST
Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Tommy Talau 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Schoupp
Team Tips: The Sea Eagles will likely be without gun centre Reuben Garrick for the remainder of the year because of a shoulder injury. Tommy Talau came on for Garrick but didn’t have his strongest outing. Aaron Schoupp was 18th man for the Tigers loss and could earn a recall from coach Anthony Seibold to replace Garrick. Jake Trbojevic missed the Tigers game with a head knock but Seibold has already ruled out Trbojevic for the Dolphins clash. It’s unclear if one of the Sea Eagles’ fearless leaders will return this season.
Last week’s Dolphins team: 20. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3. Jake Averillo 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Aublix Tawha 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Josh Kerr 18. Peter Hola. 18th man: 22. James Walsh
Team Tips: The Dolphins made a shock call days before their loss to the Broncos, shifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to centre and recalling Trai Fuller. Fuller played well in patches at fullback but coach Kristian Woolf says he’s leaning towards naming the ‘Hammer’ in the No. 1 jersey this weekend. The Dolphins are set to welcome back a couple of key forwards from suspension in Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo. Expect Aublix Tawha and Peter Hola to be the two players who make way.
Gold Coast Titans vs. New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm AEST
Last week’s Titans team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Phillip Sami 12. Beau Fermor 5. Tony Francis 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 17. Josh Patston 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Keano Kini 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Tukimihia Simpkins
Team Tips: Keano Kini was eased back from a neck injury last week via the bench and while coach Des Hasler said they won’t be rushing him he could still be elevated to start at fullback to relieve some of the pressure that’s come from so many injuries in the backline. If so, that would allow AJ Brimson to move to the centres and Beau Fermor to the second row. Brian Kelly is due back from a concussion and his return could spark a bit of a reshuffle. He’ll slot in at centre and if Brimson takes the other centre spot, Phillip Sami could shift to a wing and force Jaylan De Groot or Tony Francis out of the side.
Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore
13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith. 18th man: 18. Freddy Lussick
Team Tips: The Warriors scrambled to get the win last week and will be buoyed by the return of two-to-three players. Kurt Capewell and Te Maire Martin are due back from head knocks, while Rocco Berry is a chance of returning from a shoulder injury. Capewell will slot into the second row, which will allow Marate Niukore to shift to prop to replace Jackson Ford – who is facing a three-to-four game for a crusher tackle. Coach Andrew Webster will face an interesting decision on his halves and whether Martin comes straight back in or Tanah Boyd retains his spot after a win.
Parramatta Eels vs. Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Last week’s Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr 21. Isaiah Iongi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 17. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Luca Moretti 11. Charlie Guymer 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Dylan Walker 16. Matt Doorey. 18th man: 18. Jordan Samrani
Team Tips: With no players due back from injury, coach Jason Ryles is expected to name the same 17 that lost to the Rabbitohs last week. Isaiah Iongi successfully returned from a hand injury. He was named at five-eighth but played at fullback with Joash Papalii partnering Mitchell Moses in the halves.
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 17. Spencer Leniu 14. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 12. Egan Butcher 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep. 18th man: 18. Ethan King
Team Tips: Just one change expected to the side that upset the Bulldogs with Siua Wong returning from a head knock. Wong will likely slot back into the second row with Victor Radley either returning to lock or bumping back to the bench like he did a couple of weeks ago. Coach Trent Robinson has been tinkering with his pack over the last few games and may continue to do so as the Roosters continue their quest to lock in a top eight spot.
SUNDAY AUGUST 24
Newcastle Knights vs. Brisbane Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium, 2.00pm AEST
Last week’s Knights team: 1. Connor Votano 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 19. James Schiller
Team Tips: It’s been a tough trot for the Knights, who lost their sixth-straight game on the weekend and it’s not going to get any easier with a bunch of their key players still in the casualty ward. They are due to welcome back workhorse utility Phoenix Crossland though and is an option to play at lock – where he started before suffering a head knock – or off the bench. Adam Elliott is also closing in on a biceps injury, but given he hasn’t played since Round 12 he’d likely be eased in off the bench. Meanwhile, Dane Gagai shifted back to the centres, which opened up an opportunity for young gun Connor Votano to debut at fullback. Coach Adam O’Brien didn’t give much away when asked about his performance in the post-game press conference but the 19-year-old will likely be retained.
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. Jack Gosiewski 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: Brisbane’s new-look spine worked a treat so expect to see Billy Walters and Ben Hunt named in the halves again with Cory Paix and Tyson Smoothy sharing dummy-half duties. The Broncos will, however, lose Jack Gosiewski after he suffered a shoulder injury. But Brendan Piakura is penciled in to return from a concussion and will be a straight swap for Gosiewski in the second row.
Wests Tigers vs. North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval, 4.05pm AEST
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Heath Mason
Team Tips: The Tigers are likely to be without Starford To’a, who suffered a shoulder injury in the second half of last week’s win over Manly. Toa will have to get scans on the injury with coach Benji Marshall conceding post-game that it “didn’t look good” for the 25-year-old. Brent Naden is expected to come into the backline for Toa.
Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 18. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 4. Zac Laybutt 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 17. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kai O’Donnell
Team Tips: The Cowboys have welcomed back some key players over the last couple of weeks and they’re set to get another big in with Murray Taulagi due back from a hamstring injury. Todd Payten has been really impressed with Braidon Burns’ form this season so it could be Semi Valemei who makes way for Taulagi’s return.
Bye: Cronulla Sharks
