The Sharks have been handed a hammer blow, with superstar halfback Nicho Hynes set for a stint on the sidelines.
The Knights have a backline headache after three of their biggest stars were called into their respective Origin teams.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs will be forced to replace gun fullback Latrell Mitchell, and he could be out for the remainder of the year.
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Read below for Team Tips ahead of Round 19!
THURSDAY
Dolpins v South Sydney Rabbitohs, 7:50pm AEST at Kayo Stadium
Round 17 Dolphins team: 21. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 14. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 10. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Mark Nicholls 17. Tevita Pangai Junior 20. Kurt Donoghue 18. Josh Kerr
Team Tips: Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King suffered a fractured foot last time out against the Dragons and will be unavailable until at least Round 25. Post-game, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett confirmed Max Plath will likely play hooker in Marshall-King’s absence, opening the door for either Kenny Bromwich or Ray Stone to fill in at lock. Elsewhere, Trai Fuller will remain at fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in Origin camp, while Felise Kaufusi will also be out due to Origin camp, with Mark Nicholls or Tevita Pangai Junior likely taking his place in the front row. Jack Bostock is also due back from a head knock and will displace Tesi Niu on the wing.
Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Cameron Murray 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Michael Chee Kam
Team Tips:Latrell Mitchell has been sidelined, with Jye Gray the likely man to take over at fullback and could hold the No.1 jersey for the remainder of the year. Siliva Havili is due to return from a calf injury and could replace Peter Mamouzelos on the pine. With Cameron Murray in Origin camp, Michael Chee Kam looks the likely man to win a spot in the back row.
FRIDAY
Cronulla Sharks v Wests Tigers, 8:00pm AEST at PointsBet Stadium
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Daniel Atkinson 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 15. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes 8. Thomas Hazelton 14. Jack Williams 17. Teig Wilton 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Team Tips: It’s a horror blow for the Sharks, but Nicho Hynes could be looking at a lenghty stint on the sidelines after he was carried off the training paddock by club medicos. It remains to be seen the severity of the injury and he will be taken for scans on Monday afternoon. “I’m told it doesn’t look good for him. I think the week this weekend will be the least of his problem, I think he’s going to face a stretch on the sidelines,” veteran journalist Brent Read said on NRL360. If he’s out Daniel Atkinson will likely be called into the halves. He’s set to be replaced this week by Sione Katoa on the wing after he sat out due to a head knock. Siosifa Talakai has also been handed a suspension, which will see the back rower replaced by Teig Wilton, with Toby Rudolf or Braden Hamlin-Uele joining the bench.
Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 22. Justin Olam 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 17. David Klemmer 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 10. Fonua Pole 13. Justin Matamua 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 20. Solomon Alaimalo
Team Tips: Justin Olam was battling calf cramps in Round 18 but should be fit to take the field this week. Starford To’a and Junior Tupou are both due to return from their respective hamstring and foot injuries. Tupou will likely come straight back into the side in place of Charlie Staines if fit while Starford To’a could also slot into the backline, potentially replacing Solomona Faataape. Isaiah Papalii is also due to return from an ankle injury and is a strong chance of returning to the lock position, with Fonua Pole moving back to prop and David Klemmer shifting to the bench.
Slater responds to Maroons ‘media snub’ | 01:59
SATURDAY
Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels, 5:30pm AEST at Cbus Super Stadium
Last week’s Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 12. Beau Fermor 5. Jojo Fifita 18. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Josiah Pahulu 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Joe Stimson
Team Tips: Des Hasler revealed AJ Brimson was close to returning after his side’s Round 18 win, saying: “It’s a certain injury you don’t want to rush”. Brimson is expected to return this round, handing the Gold Coast coach a big headache. Keano Kini is a chance of dropping to the bench, with Brimson at fullback and Jayden Campbell returning from a hand injury in the No.6 jersey. Phillip Sami should also be good to go after sitting out with a calf niggle, shifting Beau Fermor back to the backrow and Jacob Alick potentially out of the team.
Last week’s Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Blaize Talagi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 15. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Shaun Lane 10. Junior Paulo 14. Matthew Arthur 16. Matt Doorey 17. Charlie Guymer
Team Tips: The Eels are set to be without Junior Paulo for eight to ten weeks after he suffered a Lisfranc injury in Round 18. Ofahiki Ogden is scheduled to return from a pectoral injury this week and could be a straight swap for Paulo on the bench.
Brisbane Broncos v St George-Illawarra Dragons, 7:35pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Deine Mariner 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 15. Xavier Willison 13. Patrick Carrigan 12. Kobe Hetherington 14. Tyson Smoothy 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Tristan Sailor
Team Tips: Tristan Sailor will once again take over at fullback with Reece Walsh on Origin duties. Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas will also join him in being out for Round 19, with Kobe Hetherington and Xavier Willison to take their spots at prop and lock. Meanwhile, Jordan Riki will then slot into the back row as he returns from suspension. Kotoni Staggs, after sitting out due to personal issues, will also take back his position in the centres with Selwyn Cobbo also called up to the Maroons side. Jock Madden also suffered a hamstring injury in a horror halfback blow, with Josh Rogers the man to take over in the No.7 jersey until Adam Reynolds returns.
Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 12. Jaydn Su’A 17. Luciano Leilua 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 19. Fa’amanu Brown 18. Michael Molo
Team Tips:Raymond Faitala-Mariner was a late scratching in Round 18 after succumbing to back spasms. It remains to be seen if he will be fit to take the field, and if he returns Luciano Leilua will shift to the bench. With Zac Lomax and Ben Hunt both playing Origin, Fa’amanu Brown and Jack Bird could slot into the starting side. Bird played fullback in NSW Cup in Round 18 on return from a significant ankle sprain.
Billy explains Fifita snub for decider | 15:38
SUNDAY
Manly Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights, 4:05pm AEST at 4 Pines Park
Last week’s Manly team: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lehi Hopoate 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo
Team Tips: Tolu Koula is set to be sidelined with an MCL injury suffered in Manly’s win over the Cowboys. Scans will determine the severity of the injury and it remains to be seen how long he will be sidelined for. Lehi Hopoate will slot in at fullback in his place, while Karl Lawton or Jamie Humphreys are the two contenders to fill a spot in the halves left vacant by Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans. Meanwhile, Josh Aloiai will likely take Jake Trbojevic’s lock spot whilst he’s on Origin duties, with Nathan Brown starting in the front row. Ben Trbojevic will also be sidelined due to a head knock, with Ethan Bullemor likely to take his spot of Corey Waddell if he’s fit to return from a knee injury.
Last week’s Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 18. Mathew Croker 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas 19. Jack Hetherington
Team Tips: With Kalyn Ponga being picked in the Maroons team, Fletcher Sharpe will return to fullback and Phoenix Crossland will take back over at hooker after sitting out due to a concussion, with Jayden Brailey shifting to the utility role. Enari Tuala has also suffered a calf injury, adding to a big headache for Adam O’Brien with Dane Gagai and Bradman Best also earning Origin selections. Dylan Lucas will likely shift into the centres, with Krystian Mapapalangi and Tom Jenkins on the wing. Jack Hetherington will then likely return to the bench after being 18th man in Round 18.
BYE: Bulldogs, Cowboys, Panthers, Raiders, Roosters, Storm and Warriors
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