The Manly Sea Eagles and North Queensland Cowboys are set to welcome back their captains for Round 15 after they have both spent a long stint on the sidelines. Meanwhile, each team will be sweating on the availability of their State of Origin representatives, who may be rested due to the short turnaround.
Round 14 Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Cody Hopwood 19. Francis Manuleleua
Team tips: It’s hard to imagine that Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas will play due to the two-day turnaround from State of Origin. Taking on the Dragons - the NRL’s wooden spooners - it is more likely that they will be rested for the contest. Meanwhile, centre Bradman Best (calf) and playmaker Sandon Smith (calf) are slated to make their returns. This will allow either Fletcher Hunt or Fletcher Shape shift to the fullback role in place of their skipper. Unfortunately, they will be without back-rower Jermaine McEween, who has been handed a one-match ban and $5000 fine by the club due to an off-field incident.
Round 14 Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Josh Kerr 17. Blake Lawrie 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Jaydn Su’A 21. Nathan Lawson
Team tips: The Dragons will be forced into at least one change for Round 16, with Jaydn Su’A (pec) set to undergo surgery. According to CODE Sports, the former QLD Maroons back-rower is set to be sidelined for a minimum of 12 weeks and has likely played his final match for the club as he prepares to join the Parramatta Eels next season. The absence of Su’A may not be the only change made by interim coach Dean Young, as Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) and David Fale (hamstring) are both available for selection after a stint on the sidelines. While he could also call up Nick Tsougranis, Luciano Leilua, Hame Sele and Jacob Halangahu from NSW Cup.
Dolphins team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Ray Stone 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brian Pouniu
Team tips: The Dolphins have a long list of Origin representatives with Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Flegler, Max Plath, Jack Bostock and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki all taking part. Of that group, Bostock, Plath and Finefeuiaki are the best chances of backing up, given they are coming off the bench. Regardless, Plath could play big minutes and need a breather, while there’s no rush for Tabuai-Fidow and Cobbo to return to the side, given the performances of both Tevita Naufahu and Trai Fuller in Round 15. Meanwhile, Jake Averillo is slated to return from a hand injury and could force a backline reshuffle. But it remains to be seen if he will be given the green light to return.
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Makaia Tafua 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Kayliss Fatialofa 18. Jason Seu Salalilo 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Team tips: The Warriors may be forced into making a change to their back-line with winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira leaving the field last week with a “bad cork” and not returning in the second-half. While most corks settle relatively well, if unavailable, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will slot directly into the starting line-up. Leka Halasima (hamstring) and Samuel Healey (thumb) remain unavailable, while James Fisher-Harris (calf) is likely to be sidelined for another couple of weeks. “It’s just a strain for ‘Fish’,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster said on Friday. “Not too serious, he may miss next week, may miss the one before the bye but I think we’ll definitely have him after the [Round 18] bye. He could get better really quickly or it could linger and he could be back after the bye so we’ll see how it goes.“
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Daine Laurie 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Ata Mariota 12. Zac Hosking 13. Jayden Brailey 14. Owen Pattie 15. Vena Patuki-Case 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Chevy Stewart 18. Coby Black 19. Joseph Roddy
Team tips: Ethan Strange (Origin) and Hudson Young (Origin) will return to the starting side after representing the NSW Blues. But it will be interesting to see if coach Ricky Stuart decides to make a ton of changes to his side as they look to turn their fortunes around and return to the winning column. Don’t be surprised if he does with Josh Papalii (calf) and Savelio Tamale (concussion) both available for selection.
