NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v GOLD COAST TITANS at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm
COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Will Tupou, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Fai Fai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Leeson Ah Mau, Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims, Scott Bolton, Antonio Winterstein (two to be omitted).
Ins: Scott Bolton, Antonio Winterstein
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Brent Tate (knee, round 15)
Comment: The possible returns of Scott Bolton (calf) and Antonio Winterstein (broken jaw) pose some serious SuperCoach issues. The most pressing is whether Tariq Sims will drop off the bench in the place of Bolton. Winterstein’s possible comeback may cause a backline reshuffle. The worst outcome SuperCoach-wise would be Will Tupou losing his spot.
TITANS: William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, Luke Capewell, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ben Ridge. Interchange: Michael Henderson, Sam Tagaetese, Ryan James, Riley Brown, Luke O’Dwyer (one to be omitted).
Ins: Nathan Friend, Luke Capewell, Luke O’Dwyer, Scott Prince
Outs: Brad Meyers (wrist, indefinite), Greg Bird (suspension, round 6), Preston Campbell (knee, round 9)
Other unavailables: Ashley Harrison (hamstring, round 7), Kevin Gordon (knee, season)
Comment: Brad Meyers (wrist, indefinite), Greg Bird (suspension, round 6) and Preston Campbell (knee, round 9) are out. Scott Prince (hamstring) is in considerable doubt. But offsetting these injuries somewhat is the return of Nathan Friend, who will play his first game of 2011. Ashley Harrison (hamstring, round 7) may yet come into calculations. Anthony Laffranchi should continue to score well if Harrison doesn’t play. Esi Tonga’s price will rise after this week.
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WESTS TIGERS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS at Sydney Football Stadium, 7.30pm
TIGERS: Wade McKinnon, Mitch Brown, Blake Ayshford, Geoff Daniela, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Tim Moltzen, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Simon Dwyer, Alan Schirnack, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Jacob Miller, Andrew Fifita, Aaron Woods, Todd Payten.
Ins: None
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Lote Tuqiri (broken arm, round 12), Chris Lawrence (dislocated hip, indefinite), Robert Lui (ankle, indefinite), Gareth Ellis (ankle, round 7), Liam Fulton (shoulder, round 7), Junior Moors (foot, round 6), Ben Murdoch-Masila (shoulder, round 8), Beau Ryan (groin, indefinite), Nathan Waters (foot, round 7)
Comment: No changes. Robbie Farah is suffering osteitis pubis, which explains his below par showings over the first few rounds. He requires surgery, but is determined to keep playing – for now at least. Tim Moltzen will again play halfback, with Jacob Miller to come off the bench. The Tigers say Gareth Ellis is no chance of a return.
RABBITOHS: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Sam Burgess, David Taylor, Dave Tyrrell. Interchange: Ben Ross, Shannan McPherson, Michael Crocker, Chris McQueen.
Ins: Rhys Wesser, Sam Burgess
Outs: Nathan Peats, Kane Morgan
Other unavailables: Eddy Pettybourne (suspension, round 7), Scott Geddes (Achilles, season), Ben Lowe (foot, round 10), Jason Clark (hamstring, indefinite)
Comment: Rhys Wesser (hamstring) and Sam Burgess (shoulder) will have to pass fitness tests later in the week. Burgess’s price should drop dramatically after his third game due to his injury-affected 21 in round one.
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SATURDAY
NZ WARRIORS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at Mt Smart Stadium, 7.30pm
WARRIORS: Glen Fisiiahi, Bill Tupou, Shaun Berrigan, Simon Mannering (capt), Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, James Maloney, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Lewis Brown, Ukuma Ta’ai, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Kevin Locke, Jeremy Latimore, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Matt Robinson (one to be omitted).
Ins: Jeremy Latimore, Matt Robinson
Outs: Russell Packer (dropped)
Other unavailables: Jerome Ropati (knee, season), Isaac John (ankle, indefinite), Manu Vatuvei (knee, round 10)
Comment: Glen Fisiiahi retains his fullback spot following his breathtaking display on Sunday. He will see a price rise after this week. Russell Packer has been dropped for Jeremy Latimore, while backrower Matt Robinson has been named 18th man. Packer will join such stars as Brett Seymour, Joel Moon and Lance Hohaia in NSW Cup. Simon Mannering’s move to the centres appears to be at least semi-permanent after the Warriors scored their first win of the season with him there last weekend. Ditto for Feleti Mateo’s move to five-eighth. And while on Mateo, his price looks juicy this week.
ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Justin Carney, Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Martin Kennedy, Braith Anasta, Tom Symonds, Nate Myles. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Mose Masoe, Mark Riddell, Frank Paul Nuuausala, Daniel Conn, Tinirau Arona, Phil Graham (three to be omitted).
Ins: Jason Ryles, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Phil Graham
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Sam Perrett (broken ankle, round 13), Anthony Cherrington (knee, season), Anthony Watts (knee, round 11)
Comment: Jason Ryles and Frank-Paul Nuuausala return after late withdrawals against the Tigers. Phil Graham has been named on an extended bench after recovering from a torn pectoral. He may put potential cheapie Justin Carney’s spot in jeopardy. Tom Symonds has again been named in the starting side and will see a massive price rise after this week.
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PENRITH PANTHERS v CANBERRA RAIDERS at Centrebet Stadium, 7.30pm
PANTHERS: Michael Gordon, Sandor Earl, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, David Simmons, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Sarafu Fatiaki. Interchange: Dayne Weston, Matthew Bell, Timana Tahu, Nafe Seluini, Masada Iosefa, Adrian Purtell (two to be omitted).
Ins: Sandor Earl, Luke Walsh, Sarafu Fatiaki, Dayne Weston,
Outs: Lachlan Coote (groin, round 7), Luke Lewis (wrist, round 11)
Other unavailables: Nathan Smith (groin, round 7), Sam McKendry (hip, indefinite), Dane Laurie (knee, indefinite)
Comment: Lachlan Coote (groin, round 7) and Luke Lewis (wrist, round 11) are massive losses. But the plus side is that Michael Gordon takes Coote’s fullback position, where he scores MASSIVE. Sarafu Fatiaki scores Lewis’s starting lock spot, but would be hard to pick given his current average of 18. Will Trent Waterhouse step up in Lewis’s absence?
RAIDERS: Blake Ferguson, Reece Robinson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Matt Orford, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Travis Waddell, David Shillington (capt), Trevor Thurling, Bronson Harris (capt) Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Glen Buttriss, Josh Miller, Danny Galea, Brett White, David Milne, James Stuart (two to be omitted).
Ins: Reece Robinson, Danny Galea, David Milne, James Stuart
Outs: Josh Dugan (calf, round 8), Dane Tilse (hamstring, round 6)
Other unavailables: Joe Picker (ankle, round 6), Alan Tongue (shoulder, round 9), Terry Campese (knee, round 13)
Comment: Josh Dugan (calf, round 8) has been diagnosed with nerve damage. Blake Ferguson moves to fullback, where he should get more runs. Matt Orford has been retained, which, going on current form, may again see low SuperCoach scores for the Raiders. Dane Tilse (hamstring, round 6) should be back next week. Shaun Fensom produced a below par round four after playing from the bench. However, the big positive is that he still got 57 minutes.
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CRONULLA SHARKS v MANLY SEA EAGLES at Toyota Stadium, 7.30pm
SHARKS: Nathan Gardner, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, John Williams, Albert Kelly, Wade Graham, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke Douglas, Jeremy Smith, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Josh Cordoba, Broderick Wright, Paul Aiton, Dean Collis, Johnny Mannah, Taulima Tautai (two to be omitted).
Ins: Dean Collis, Taulima Tautai
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Scott Porter (knee, round 6)
Comment: No changes. Paul Gallen has a break even of 88 following his below par display on the weekend.
SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyo (capt), Steve Matai, Will Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King (capt), Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Jamie Buhrer, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Tim Robinson, Daniel Harrison, George Rose, Vic Mauro, Tony Williams (one to be omitted).
Ins: Brett Stewart, Steve Matai, George Rose, Tony Williams
Outs: Anthony Watmough (club suspension, round 6), Terence Seuseu (club suspension, round 6), Michael Oldfield (dropped)
Other unavailables: Shane Rodney (shoulder, indefinite), David Williams (knee, round 8)
Comment: Anthony Watmough and Terence Seuseu have been suspended for one week for urinating in public. The big winner out of this is Jamie Buhrer, who takes Watmough’s starting spot and may even fill in at hooker at some stage for Seuseu. Steve Matai returns from suspension. Boom cheapie Will Hopoate remains in the team on the wing, but is this only due to the injury to David Williams (knee, round 8)? Brett Stewart (hamstring) and George Rose (cork) have been named to make their returns, while Tony Williams (ankle) has been named on an extended bench. Brent Kite (ribs) and Kieran Foran (eye) are expected to play.
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SUNDAY
MELBOURNE STORM v PARRAMATTA EELS at AAMI Park, 2pm
STORM: Billy Slater, Justin O’Neill, Dane Nielsen, Beau Champion, Matt Duffie, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Troy Thompson, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Kevin Proctor, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ryan Hinchcliffe, Atelea Vea, Adam Woolnough, Jesse Bromwich, Anthony Quinn, Jaiman Lowe (two to be omitted).
Ins: Anthony Quinn, Jaiman Lowe
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Sika Manu (ankle, indefinite), Chase Stanley (knee, season), Rory Kostjasyn (ankle, round 6)
Comment: No changes to the starting 17. Cameron Smith is in brilliant form and must surely be considered by those who are not worried about Origin (and even by those who are). Jesse Bromwich pulled out an enormous 90 last week.
EELS: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Ben Smith, Etu Uaisele, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Casey McGuire, Shane Shackleton, Nathan Hindmarsh (capt), Taniela Lasalo, Justin Horo. Interchange: Anthony Mitchell, Mitchell Allgood, Carl Webb, Fuifui Moimoi.
Ins: Casey McGuire, Fuifui Moimoi
Outs: Ryan Morgan (ankle, indefinite), Matt Keating (hand, round 11)
Other unavailables: Chris Walker (hip, indefinite), Justin Poore (knee, indefinite)
Comment: Ben Smith moves to centre, replacing Ryan Morgan (ankle, indefinite). Parramatta will start the game with five props – Tim Mannah, Shane Shackleton, Mitchell Allgood, Carl Webb and Fuifui Moimoi. This doesn’t spell well for front-row game time, although starting backrowers Nathan Hindmarsh, Taniela Lasalo and Justin Horo may benefit. A player like Shane Shackleton may also spend time in the back row, which will increase his minutes. Casey McGuire (calf) has been named but is in doubt, while Moimoi returns from suspension.
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ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS at Sydney Cricket Ground, 3pm
DRAGONS: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Dan Hunt, Nathan Fien, Trent Merrin, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior. Interchange: Dean Young, Jon Green, David Gower, Kyle Stanley, Michael Greenfield, Adam Cuthbertson, Mitch Rein (three to be omitted).
Ins: Michael Greenfield, Adam Cuthbertson, Mitch Rein
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Michael Weyman (groin, round 8), Cameron King (shoulder, round 16)
Comment: No changes to the starting 17. It will be interesting to see how the return of Dean Young, who came back from a knee injury last week, will affect forward game time. Dan Hunt (as well as Luke Bailey) must surely come into consideration as replacements for Robbie Farah. David Gower probably dropped out of cheapie calculations following his 15 on the weekend.
BULLDOGS: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Timoteo Lafai, Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin, Kris Keating, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Mickey Paea, Frank Pritchard, Andrew Ryan, David Stagg. Interchange: Sam Kasiano, Jake Foster, Corey Payne, Dene Halatau, Chris Armit (one to be omitted).
Ins: Mickey Paea
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Josh Morris (knee, round 8), Ryan Tandy (sacked), Greg Eastwood (wrist, round 9)
Comment: Mickey Paea returns in the only change. He is expected to be fit after he was a late withdrawal on Monday night. Greg Eastwood’s comeback has been pushed back until round nine, which is good news for Aiden Tolman (and to a lesser extent Sam Kasiano and Jake Foster). The Bulldogs say Josh Morris won’t be sighted until round eight, which is good news for Tim Lafai.
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MONDAY
BRISBANE BRONCOS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS at Suncorp Stadium, 7pm
BRONCOS: Gerard Beale, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Sam Thaiday, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Mitchell Dodds, Ben Te’o, Josh McGuire, Shane Tronc, Dane Carlaw, Nick Kenny, Corey Norman (three to be omitted).
Ins: Mitchell Dodds, Nick Kenny, Dane Carlaw, Corey Norman
Outs: Ben Hunt (knee, round 7)
Other unavailables: Josh Hoffman (shin, round 6), Scott Anderson (calf, round 8)
Comment: Ben Hunt (knee, round 7) is out. The Broncos have picked an enormous bench, which could spell danger in terms of late withdrawals. Mitchell Dodds has been named for his first game of the season after breaking his hand in the trials. Dane Carlaw could play his first game for the Broncos since 2007. Nick Kenny finally returns to first grade after biding his time in Queensland Cup due to an injury-disrupted off-season. Corey Norman gets a recall following some brilliant Toyota Cup form. There’s still no sign of Dane Gagai, who played centre in Toyota Cup last week.
KNIGHTS: Wes Naiqama, James McManus, Tafeaga Junior Sa’u, Adam MacDougall, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley, Jarrod Mullen, Antonio Kaufusi, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Zeb Taia, Chris Houston, Joel Edwards. Interchange: Marvin Karawana, Cory Paterson, Lisiate Richie Fa’aoso, Dan Tolar.
Ins: None
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Beau Henry (ankle, round 10), Cameron Ciraldo (torn pectoral, indefinite), Ben Rogers (dislocated shoulder, indefinite), Isaac De Gois (thumb, round 6), Neville Costigan (broken arm, round 13), Mark Taufua (finger, round 6)
Comment: No changes. Matt Hilder continues to dominate. But will he post huge scores when Isaac De Gois (thumb, round 6) returns.
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Silvertails Cup (League invite code: 256124)
Results and Fixtures - Round 4
The Stevos 1,053 def by
1,063 WAMF's Eagles
BeRks_eAgLEs 997 def 926 Splinters
Kano's Eagles 951 def 702 Gilly's Gorillas
Wombats 1,015 def by
1,022 Bogans
Kavstars 806 drew 806 Raucous Curly
Lloyds legends 964 def by
1,001 Sydney Dugongs
2 Smokin Hotties 942 def by 1
,061 Axis of Ignorance
shakamaker 981 def 920 The Fluffers
The Stevos vs Kano's Eagles
BeRks_eAgLEs vs Wombats
Splinters vs Bogans
WAMF's Eagles vs Gilly's Gorillas
Kavstars vs 2 Smokin Hotties
Lloyds legends vs shakamaker
Sydney Dugongs vs The Fluffers
Raucous Curly vs Axis of Ignorance
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Silvertails Cup #2 (League invite code: 224391)
Results and Fixtures - Round 4
kaza 1,029 def 997 BeRks_eAgLEs
tractorboy 963 def 840 Gazza'sEagleRock
The Wolf Pack 1,085 def 1,066 Lockys Legends
Kiwigurlz 897 def by
1,000 Screamin' Eagles
Riley's Eagles 909 def by
1,050 Mudslingers
EagleBombers 959 def by
1,184 40_nil
St Bobs Boys 829 def by
985 The Short & Curlys
Mosman Possums 1,081 def 932 Brewskis Best
kaza vs The Wolf Pack
tractorboy vs Kiwigurlz
Gazza'sEagleRock vs Screamin' Eagles
BeRks_eAgLEs vs Lockys Legends
Riley's Eagles vs St Bobs Boys
EagleBombers vs Mosman Possums
40_nil vs Brewskis Best
Mudslingers vs The Short & Curlys
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Battle Of Brookie (League invite code: 464428)
Results and Fixtures - Round 4
Bones 1,048 def by
1,062 R
tractorboy 963 def 825 Razzas_Dazzlers
Big Guns 1,095 def 1,019 Clowns of Cabarita
The 4020's 837 def by
985 The Short & Curlys
4 No Caters 860 def by
1,061 Axis of Ignorance
mackayeagles 997 def by
1,082 Mattyk Seaeagles
Wombats 1,015 def 874 Venom
Kiwigurlz 897 def by
997 BeRks_eAgLEs
Bones vs Big Guns
tractorboy vs The 4020's
Razzas_Dazzlers vs The Short & Curlys
R vs Clowns of Cabarita
4 No Caters vs Wombats
mackayeagles vs Kiwigurlz
Mattyk Seaeagles vs BeRks_eAgLEs
Axis of Ignorance vs Venom