Team Tips, Round 25, Penrith Panthers resting players, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Damien Cook in, South Sydney Rabbitohs, positive Covid result

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at AAMI Park Park, 7.55pm AEDT

Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 4. Joseph Manu 18. Drew Hutchison 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Lindsay Collins 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho

Team Tips: The Roosters will be without a number of key players for their crucial cross-town grudge match including Lindsay Collins, Victor Radley and Daniel Tupou. Collins is facing a lengthy suspension and will be sidelined for four games with the early guilty plea, which will likely see Terrell May slot onto the bench. Radley suffered an ugly head knock and will be sidelined for at least one game, likely shifting Siosiua Taukeiaho into lock and Fletcher Baker onto the bench. Meanwhile, Paul Momirovski and Oliver Gildart will fight it out to take over Tupou’s wing spot.

Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 19. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 16. Siliva Havili 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Mark Nicholls 17. Thomas Burgess 22. Michael Chee Kam

Team Tips: Front row gun Tevita Tatola will have to pass concussion protocols to take the field against the Roosters, but Jason Demetriou has a bigger headache on his hands. Damien Cook’s positive Covid test could see the gun dummy-half miss the Rabbitohs Round 25 clash, but according to the SMH, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is a huge Souths fan, has reportedly given the club information to suggest the mandatory seven-day isolation period for a positive Covid test could be reduced to only five days, meaning Cook would be free to leave isolation on Thursday.

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SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3

Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium, 3.00pm AEDT

Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 18. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 14. Freddy Lussick 10. Tohu Harris 12. Josh Curran 16. Eliesa Katoa 15. Dunamis Lui 13. Bunty Afoa 17. Tom Ale 21. Ben Murdoch-Masila 23. Taniela Otukolo

Team Tips: Interim coach Stacey Jones will be facing a nervous wait with Shaun Johnson potentially sidelined with a calf injury. Daejarn Asi will be the likely man to replace him if he is ruled out. Meanwhile, a number of players could return for the club’s final round clash. Wade Egan was a late withdrawal and could return in place of Freddy Lussick who could push Taniela Otukolo off the bench. Meanwhile, Jesse Arthars could slot into the side in place of Adam Pompey after being ruled out due to illness. Euan Aitken is a chance of returning after dropping out due to personal reasons, potentially shifting Josh Curran to lock and Eliesa Katoa out of the side. Jack Murchie is a chance of returning from a hip injury, potentially shifting Tom Ale or Ben Murdoch-Masila from the starting 17.

Last week’s Titans team: 1. Jayden Campbell 5. Greg Marzhew 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Brian Kelly 18. Corey Thompson 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam McIntyre 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu 14. Paul Turner 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Klese Haas

Team Tips: Phillip Sami is a chance of returning if he passes concussion protocols, potentially taking the place of Brian Kelly after he copped a four-week suspension. David Fifita suffered a suspected dislocated finger but is expected to play in Round 25.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Brisbane Broncos at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium, 5.30pm AEDT

Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Cody Ramsey 5. Tautau Moga 2. Mathew Feagai 4. Zac Lomax 17. Tyrell Sloan 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 13. Jack de Belin 9. Jayden Sullivan 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh Mcguire 12. Jaydn Su’A 3. Jack Bird 8. Aaron Woods 14. Tyrell Fuimaono 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Jackson Ford

Team Tips: The Dragons aren’t expected to make any changes to their side, but coach Anthony Griffin could again switch up his player’s positions. Jack Bird shifted from centre to lock but also played the dummy-half role for much of the contest while Jayden Sullivan floated. Meanwhile, Jack de Belin shifted from lock to prop late. Tyrell Sloan was a late inclusion and was solid on the wing and could keep his spot.

Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 19. Jordan Pereira 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 16. Corey Jensen 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 21. Keenan Palasia 22. Zac Hosking

Team Tips: Coach Kevin Walters will be facing a nervous wait with Adam Reynolds in doubt. The veteran playmaker will have to pass concussion protocols to play. Meanwhile, Kobe Hetherington will also need to pass protocols. Thomas Flegler is set to be ruled out after being sent to hospital with breathing difficulties, with Corey Jensen the likely man to take his place. Brenko Lee also suffered a hamstring injury and is in major doubt, with Delouise Hoeter in line to start. Walters revealed Herbie Farnworth is an outside chance of making a return. In a boost to the Broncos, Selwyn Cobbo will return in place of Jordan Pereira as Patrick Carrigan takes up the lock spot.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7.35pm AEDT

Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 15. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 10. Reuben Cotter 14. Tom Gilbert 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 20. Jake Granville

Team Tips: Tom Dearden is an outside chance to return after suffering a ruptured testicle, likely shifting Scott Drinkwater to fullback and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to the bench. Coen Hess is also facing a sideline stint for a grade two careless high tackle, which will likely see Reuben Cotter take his spot in the front row and Griffin Neame move onto the bench.

Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 20. Chris Smith 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Spencer Leniu 19. J’maine Hopgood

Team Tips: The Panthers are set to rest a number of big names players including Apisai Koroisau according to captain Isaah Yeo. Speaking on ABC Sport, Yeo said “A fair few of the boys had their last hit out before the semis”.

“We have done it a bit of different ways. Ivan has touched on a few players would get a rest. I’m not fussed – whatever he wants to do. I can play and keep up my match fitness but it helps with a few niggles,” he added. Yeo revealed Spencer Leniu was struggling after suffering a shoulder injury while Koroisau pulled up okay from an ankle injury. Cleary’s plans could see any of Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards, Viliame Kikau, James Fisher-Harris and Brian To’o sit out. First grade’s plans could see reserve grade’s finals chances take a hit. The Panthers NSW Cup side face the North Sydney Bears in the first week of finals football. Charlie Staines, Robert Jennings, Kurt Falls, Soni Luke, Lindsay Smith and Chris Smith could be the men to take the first against the Cowboys.

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