The Bulldogs have pulled a surprise move 24 hours ahead of their clash with the Dragons, with an in-form star dropping out of the team completely – and leaving Canterbury-Bankstown’s bench worryingly thin.
Meanwhile, Manly is set to debut an exciting youngster.
Read on for the Late Mail for Round 12.
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Teddy takes aim: “That’s not right!” | 01:18
THURSDAY MAY 17
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons 7.50pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 15. Josh Curran 14. Bailey Hayward 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston 21. Jake Turpin 22. Blake Wilson 23. Toby Sexton
Players cut: 13. Kurt Mann 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Blake Taaffe
Late Mail: There’s been a big change 24 hours before kick-off, with Kurt Mann dropped from the side completely, likely due to an as-yet-unrevealed injury. Josh Curran – who had been dropped to the bench this week after Jaeman Salmon’s return from staph infection – gets a reprieve and will start at lock. Jake Turpin joins the bench.
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Alec Tuitavake
Players cut: 19. Mathew Feagai 21. Toby Couchman 22. Jesse Marschke
Late Mail: No changes at the 24-hour update. The big news this week is Luciano Leilua’s return from a calf injury, though he’ll come off the bench.
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Arthur’s emotional thank you for support | 00:47
FRIDAY MAY 18
North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers 6pm AEST at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Jason Taumalolo 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Kyle Feldt 22. Jaxon Purdue
Players cut:
Late Mail: Kyle Feldt is a chance to return from an ankle injury after being named in the reserves, with Braidon Burns the unlucky man to drop out if he is fit after his double on debut for the club last week.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Declan Casey 4. Josh Feledy 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole 18. Sione Fainu 19. Alexander Lobb 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape
Players cut:
Late Mail: Justin Matamua joins the side and starts at lock, with Alex Twal dropping back to the bench, but could swap with Fonua Pole on game day.
Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm 8pm AEST at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles team: 21. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Karl Lawton 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Aaron Woods 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Jaxson Paulo 22. Toafofoa Sipley
Players cut: 1. Tolutau Koula
Late Mail: Anthony Seibold revealed at his captain’s run press conference that Tolutau Koula (AC joint) is out of Friday’s game, with exciting youngster Lehi Hopoate to debut. It is unclear though whether Hopoate will directly replace him at fullback or Reuben Garrick will shift to the No.1 jersey. Hopoate is the son of John and brother of NRLW player Kalosipani along with Will, Jamil and Albert and has shifted from the centres to fullback in NSW Cup recently. He had a try, three linebreaks, seven tackle busts and 199 running metres on the weekend. Jason Saab (shoulder) is on track to return earlier than expected, while Jaxson Paulo remains on standby after being named in the reserves.
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Trent Loiero 15. Grant Anderson 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Jack Howarth 20. Joe Chan 21. Dean Ieremia 22. Tristan Powell
Players cut:
Late Mail: Jahrome Hughes is named to return from a calf injury, but a decision on whther he plays will be confirmed closer to the end of the week.
Ritchie unloads on ‘disgraceful’ sacking | 02:29
SATURDAY MAY 19
Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters 3pm AEST at GIO Stadium
Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Emre Guler 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Peter Hola 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Zac Woolford 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Michael Asomua 22. Hohepa Puru
Players cut:
Late Mail: Jordan Rapana and prop Joseph Tapine both escaped suspensions and will line up in the starting team.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Terrell May 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Nat Butcher 20. Siua Wong 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Ethan King
Players cut:
Late Mail: Joey Manu is on track to return from the concussion protocol with Junior Pauga dropping back to the reserves. Victor Radley has been named in the second row with Naufahu Whyte at lock, but the English star will likely spend time at No.13.
Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers 5.30pm AEST at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Billy Burns 20. Samuel Healey 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Braydon Trindall
Players cut:
Late Mail: Braydon Trindall will bid for a return from the reserves for the second week in a row, but Craig Fitzgibbon could be reluctant to change a winning formula given Daniel Atkinson’s form.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Mavrik Geyer 19. Soni Luke 20. Trent Toelau 21. Jesse McLean 22. Tyrone Peachey
Players cut:
Late Mail: Scott Sorensen returns to the starting side, with Liam Henry back on the bench.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels 7.35pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Michael Chee Kam 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Dion Teaupa 19. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 20. Matthew French 21. Adam Christensen 22. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Players cut:
Late Mail: Jacob Host’s return from suspension in the back row sees Siliva Havili move to the bench with Michael Chee Kam set to return from a calf injury in the centres.
Eels team: 1. Blaize Talagi 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Brendan Hands 19. Morgan Harper 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Luca Moretti
Players cut:
Late Mail: Ryan Matterson’s return from illness is the only change.
Parra open up on chasing Bennett | 01:43
SUNDAY MAY 20
Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans 2pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Josiah Karapani 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Blake Mozer 21. Martin Taupau 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Players cut:
Late Mail: Reece Walsh (knee) and hooker Billy Walters (wrist) look set to return, while Payne Haas (toe) is also expected to play with a final call on the trio to be made at Satuday’s captain’s run.
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Tony Francis 6. Chris Randall 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Josiah Pahulu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Keenan Palasia 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Joe Stimson 18. Jacob Alick-wiencke 19. Kieran Foran 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Arama Hau 22. Jaylan De Groot
Players cut:
Late Mail: Kieran Foran is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring injury, but will likely be held back another week.
New Zealand Warriors vs The Dolphins 4.05pm AEST at Go Media Stadium
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tom Ale 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Jacob Laban 17. Marata Niukore 18. Paul Roache 20. Chanel Harris-Tavita 21. Zyon Maiu’u 22. Edward Kosi 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
Players cut:
Late Mail: Fullback Taine Tuaupiki is no certainty to play as he awaits the birth of his first child. Rocco Berry (hand), back-rower Marata Niukore (foot) and hooker Freddy Lussick (concussion) are all set to return.
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. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Trai Fuller
Players cut:
Late Mail: Max Plath is set to return from concussion protocols with Kenny Bromwich shifting to the bench and Kurt Donoghoe to the reserves
Bye: Newcastle Knights
