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Roosters centre Joseph Manu will sidelined for two to three weeks after suffering a grade two calf strain causing a big headache for Trent Robinson.
Storm forward Kenny Bromwich will need to pass concussion protocols, while a number of Souths guns will also be racing the club to return from head knocks.
Meanwhile, the Sharks could be without barnstorming centre Siosifa Talakai after an ugly hip-drop tackle from Knights prop Mat Croker.
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Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels at BlueBet Stadium Stadium, 7.50pm AEDT
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Charlie Staines 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Robert Jennings 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Christian Crichton 6. Kurt Falls 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Lindsay Smith 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Chris Smith 12. Scott Sorensen 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Soni Luke 15. Eddie Blacker 16. Liam Henry 17. Jack Cole
Team Tips: The Panthers will welcome back a host of big-name stars for their cross-town clash against the Eels. Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, Taylan May, Jarome Luai, Moses Leota, James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau, Isaah Yeo, Api Koroisau, Liam Martin and Spencer Leniu will likely return to the side. With 13 players returning, that leaves four spots remaining, which are likely to be taken by Scott Sorensen, Mitchell Kenny, Matt Eisenhuth and a returning Jaeman Salmon. J’maine Hopgood is also a strong chance of holding a position on the bench after impressing in recent weeks.
Last week’s Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Marata Niukore 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi
Team Tips: The Eels will likely field the same 17 when they travel to BlueBet Stadium but a hand injury to Mitch Moses could throw a spanner in the works. Parramatta’s main man will almost certainly play.
SATURDAY
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park, 5.30pm AEDT
Last week’s Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 19. Cooper Johns 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 15. Tui Kamikamica 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 16. Trent Loiero 17. Chris Lewis
Team Tips: Kenny Bromwich will have to pass NRL concussion protocols to take part, but with a nine-day turnaround he should be cleared. Enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona also escaped suspension for a late hit on Mitchell Moses. Jahrome Hughes is also likely to return from a calf injury in place of Cooper Johns.
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Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 20. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 18. Albert Hopoate
Team Tips: Elliott Whitehead and Jack Wighton will return to the side, replacing Matt Frawley and Corey Harawira-Naera after being rested. Harawira-Naera will likely displace Albert Hopoate out of the starting side.
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys at BlueBet Stadium, 7.30pm AEDT
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Matt Ikuvalu 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Teig Wilton 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Luke Metcalf
Team Tips: Barnstorming centre Siosifa Talakai will give Craig Fitzgibbon a nervous wait after injuring his ankle late in their clash with the Knights. The Sharks coach revealed Talakai had surgery on that ankle, which stopped him from suffering a more severe blow meaning he is a chance to play against the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Dale Finucane is set for a return, Will Kennedy will need to get through the week’s training to replace Lachlan Miller, while Toby Rudolf is set to play.
Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 21. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 6. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Griffin Neame
Team Tips: Jason Taumalolo got an early breather against the Panthers so will be fresh and ready to go. Todd Payten is expected to name an unchanged side.
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SUNDAY
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium, 4.00pm AEDT
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Paul Momirovski 3. Drew Hutchison 4. Joseph Manu 20. Kevin Naiqama 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Siosiua Taukeiaho 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May 21. Oliver Gildart
Team Tips: Trent Robinson has a big headache on his hands ahead of the club’s elimination finals. Joseph Manu has been sidelined for two to three weeks, with Joseph Suaalii a strong chance of shifting into the centres if deemed fit after he was a late pullout due to a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Daniel Tupou will have to prove his fitness after a groin injury, likely taking Kevin Naqaima’s spot on the wing. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sam Verrills will also have to prove their fitness this week according to a club statement. In a huge boost, Victor Radley is due to return from concussion protocols and will slot into the No.13 jersey, pushing Siosiua Taukeiaho to the bench in place of Oliver Gildart.
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Jaxson Paulo 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Hame Sele 19. Kodi Nikorima
Team Tips: According to Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou, star player Cameron Murray will be fit to play despite leaving the field with an ugly head knock during Round 25.
“Cam is fine; it’s a long turnaround, he has no symptoms, so 100 per cent he will play,” Demetriou said to the SMH. “There is no way I would ever pick him if he was a risk. But he has never been knocked out, and he has never laid on the floor convulsing.” Meanwhile, Campbell Graham and Damien Cook are due to return. Graham will likely replace Taane Milne, with Jaxson Paulo shifting to the wing. Siliva Havili is also a good chance of playing week one of the finals after suffering two head knocks, shifting to the bench in place of Peter Mamouzelos.
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