Manly’s desperate finals bid has all but been killed off with season-ending injuries to two representative stars.
Jake Trbojevic broke his hand in round 22 and won’t play again before the World Cup in October, while winger Jason Saab has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and is almost certain to miss the start of next season as well as the remainder of this one.
The Sea Eagles need to win all three of their remaining games to have even the slightest chance of making they playoffs.
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It was already an uphill battle, but now close to impossible with the number of key players out.
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THURSDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium, 7.50pm
Referee: Adam Gee
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Taane Milne 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Siliva Havili 17. Hame Sele 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Dean Hawkins 20. Davvy Moale 21. Shaq Mitchell 22. Izaac Thompson
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Charlie Staines 18. Robert Jennings 19. J’maine Hopgood 20. Taylan May 21. Chris Smith 22. Kurt Falls
Analysis: Latrell Mitchell is named at fullback for South Sydney despite failing to finish training on Monday and having his groin iced. Lachlan Ilias is back in the halves, while Danile Suluka-Fifita starts in the front row and Hame Sele is benched. The Panthers welcome Dylan Edwards back from injury, pushing Charlie Staines to the bench.
FRIDAY
North Queensland Cowboys vs Warriors at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 6pm
Referee: Chris Butler
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Ben Hampton 20. Jake Granville 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Connelly Lemuelu
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Edward Kosi 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jack Murchie 13. Bunty Afoa 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Josh Curran 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Dunamis Lui 21. Jackson Frei 22. Adam Pompey 23. Rocco Berry
Analysis: The Cowboys welcome Kyle Feldt back to the wing, pushing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to the bench. Jordan McLean starts in the front row and Coen Hess moves to the bench. The Warriors are unchanged from last week.
Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium, 7.55pm
Referee: Todd Smith
Broncos: 1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Jake Turpin 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Corey Jensen 17. Ryan James 18. Jordan Pereira 19. Cory Paix 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Xavier Willison 22. Zac Hosking
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Young Tonumaipea 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 17. Tyran Wishart 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Jayden Nikorima 20. Grant Anderson 21. Jordan Grant 22. Trent Loiero
Analysis: The Broncos are unchanged from last week. Melbourne gets a big boost with halfback Jahrome Hughes returning from injury.
SATURDAY
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium, 3pm
Referee: Ashley Klein
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Sean Russell 22. Elie El Zakhem
Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Harrison Edwards 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Josh Jackson 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Joe Stimson 16. Jackson Topine 17. Chris Patolo 19. Declan Casey 20. Bailey Biondi-Odo 21. Brandon Wakeham 22. Luke Thompson 23. Tevita Pangai Junior
Analysis: Mitchell Moses is named to make an early return from injury, pushing Brad Arthur out of the side. The Bulldogs are unchanged from last week.
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park, 5.30pm
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Tolutau Koula 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Dylan Walker 14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Josh Schuster 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Kurt De Luis 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Zac Fulton 21. James Roumanos 22. Jacob Sykes
Sharks: 1. Kade Dykes 2. Lachlan Miller 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Kayal Iro 22. Luke Metcalf
Analysis: The Sea Eagles lose Jake Trbojevic (hand) and Jason Saab (knee) for the rest of the season. Tolu Koula moves to the wing to replace Saab, with Morgan Harper back at centre. Dylan Walker plays lock in place of Trbojevic. The Sharks have lost Toby Rudolf to injury, bringing Braden Hamlin-Uele into the starting side and Andrew Fifita to the bench. Connor Tracey and Matt Moylan return from injury.
Gus explains Ciraldo signing
Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers at SCG, 7.35pm
Referee: Ben Cummins
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Terrell May 18. Kevin Naiqama 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Oliver Gildart 21. Ben Thomas 22. Siua Wong
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jock Madden 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Luke Garner 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Fonua Pole 15. Austin Dias 16. Thomas Freebairn 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Kitione Kautoga 20. Brandon Tumeth 21. Junior Pauga 22. Tyrone Peachey
Analysis: The Roosters are unchanged from last week. The Tigers welcome back Ken Maumalo, pushing Starford To’a to centre and James Roberts out of the team. Alex Seyfarth comes onto the bench to replace Tyrone Peachey.
SUNDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans at WIN Stadium, 4.05pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Dragons: 1. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Mbye 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh Mcguire 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Tyrell Fuimaono 15. Aaron Woods 16. Michael Molo 17. Billy Burns 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Francis Molo 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Jackson Ford
Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Erin Clark 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu 14. Greg Marzhew 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Corey Thompson 19. Jarrod Wallace 20. Toby Sexton 21. Paul Turner 22. Klese Haas
Analysis: The Dragons are unchanged. The Titans welcome back their captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, with Jarrod Wallace making way from the side.
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Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.05pm
Referee: Grant Atkins
Knights: 1. Tex Hoy 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Jacob Saifiti 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Simi Sasagi 17. Mathew Croker 18. Sauaso Sue 19. Chris Randall 20. Jack Johns 21. Oryn Keeley 22. Hymel Hunt
Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Ata Mariota 20. Matt Frawley 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Analysis: The Knights have stood down Bradman Best and Enari Tuala for being late to a team bus, and replaced them this week with Edrick Lee on the wing and 19-year-old Krystian Mapapalangi to make his NRL debut. The Raiders welcome back Joe Tapine from injury, benching Emre Guler and pushing Ryan Sutton out of the side.
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