Ivan Cleary has given Nathan Cleary the green light to take the field in week one of the finals in a huge boost for the reigning premiers.
The Roosters are facing a nervous wait with a star centre under an injury cloud following his side’s clash with the Rabbitohs.
Meanwhile, the Knights could be set for a late inclusion in the back row.
Read below for all the latest team news ahead of week one of the finals!
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Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters, 7:50pm AEST at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Brad Schneider 20. Casey McLean 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton
Players cut:
Early Mail: Ivan Cleary has revealed Nathan Cleary will take the field against the Roosters, overcoming his shoulder injury. That is according to 7News’ Jelisa Apps, with the gun halfback cleared to play without pain management.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Nat Butcher 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Siua Wong 17. Terrell May 18. Michael Jennings 19. Blake Steep 20. Mark Nawaqanitawase 21. Jake Elliott 22. Salesi Foketi
Players cut:
Early Mail: The Roosters are reportedly worried regarding the fitness of star centre Joseph Suaalii. The young gun suffered a neck injury in the dying stages of the Tricolours’ clash with the Rabbitohs according to WWOS. Should he be ruled out, Michael Jennings or Sitili Tupouniua could be called into the centres.
SATURDAY
Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks, 4:05pm at AAMI Park
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Joe Chan 22. Ativalu Lisati
Players cut:
Early Mail: To come.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Siosifa Talakai 18. Braden Hamlin-Uele 19. Chris Veaila 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Thomas Hazelton
Players cut:
Early Mail: To come.
Top tier GF referee snubbed for week 1 | 02:05
MORE NRL NEWS
FINALS BATTLES: The red-hot halfback clash and back row duel for the ages
‘FRONT AND CENTRE’: Gus’ ‘outstanding’ leadership praised amid JAC ‘nightmare’
TOTS: Who makes cut in stats-based team of the season as veterans wind back clock
ROOSTERS: Surprise duo floated as Tricolours utilise ‘war chest’ to replace injured star
North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights, 7:50pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Tomas Chester
Players cut:
Early Mail: To come.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Kai Pearce-Paul
Players cut:
Early Mail: Back rower Kai Pearce-Paul could be a late inclusion after sitting out in recent weeks due to a leg laceration.
SUNDAY
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles, 4:05pm at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Jonathan Sua 22. Drew Hutchison 23. Chris Patolo
Players cut:
Early Mail: To come.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Jamie Humphreys 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Corey Waddell
Players cut:
Early Mail: To come.
Source Agencies
