Newcastle will lose gun centre Dane Gagai for a month in a blow that only compounds the club’s dire form slump, while Manly has axed under-fire centre Morgan Harper.
The Knights on Tuesday revealed Gagai – who has been arguably their best player this season – fractured his cheekbone during Sunday’s embarrassing loss to Parramatta.
“It was just a little knock, he didn’t feel too much about it,” Knights head of medical Craig Catterick said.
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“In regards to concussion and all that, he was fine. Just a bit of soreness on his cheek, and when he came in he had a bit of swelling so we sent him off for a scan.”
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Meanwhile, Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler has inserted young star Tolutau Koula into the backline in place of Harper.
Harper was put under the spotlight on Thursday after a horror first-half defensive performance saw his opposite number, Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai, run riot at Shark Park.
THURSDAY
Brisbane Broncos vs Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm
Broncos: 1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Brenko Lee 19. Jordan Pereira 20. TC Robati 21. Ezra Mam 22. Ethan Quai-Ward 23. Logan Bayliss-Brow 24. Ryan James
Analysis: The Broncos will take to the field with the same 17 that defeated the Bulldogs last week. Te Maire Martin, who returned last week following a brief retirement due to a brain bleed, has again been named at fullback.
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aiden Tolman 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Jack Williams 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Royce Hunt 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Wade Graham 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Lachlan Miller 23. Luke Metcalf 24. Franklin Pele
Analysis: Sharks captain Dale Finucane makes his return to the squad following a head knock. As a result of Finucane’s inclusion, Cameron McInnes shifts to the bench while Braydon Trindall is dropped to the reserves.
FRIDAY
Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium, 6pm
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Smith 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Kevin Proctor 18. Jamayne Isaako 19. Jarrod Wallace 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Esan Marsters 22. Paul Turner 23. Corey Thompson 24. Jayden Campbell
Analysis: The Titans’ backline has taken a major shake-up, with AJ Brimson replacing Jamayne Isaako at fullback, while Will Smith shifts to five-eighth.
Phillip Sami returns following a knee injury and has been named the wing. Patrick Herbert will shift back to centre, which means David Fifita’s short stint as an outside back comes to an end. He is back with the forwards.
Kevin Proctor will shift back to the bench as a result of Fifita’s move, while Jarrod Wallace goes to the reserves.
Jaimin Jolliffe will miss Friday’s game with a calf injury, resulting in Moeaki Fotuaika starting at prop.
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Lindsay Smith 22. Mitch Kenny 23. Christian Crichton 24. Sean O’Sullivan
Analysis: Penrith’s 17 remains unchanged from last week.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles at Central Coast Stadium, 7.55pm
Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Knight 18. Trent Peoples 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Richard Kennar 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Peter Mamouzelos 23. Josiah Karapani 24. Shaq Mitchell
Analysis: Isaiah Tass has been named in the centres to replace the suspended Taane Milne.
While Siliva Havili will join the interchange as Jacob Host comes out of the squad due to a shoulder injury.
Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Karl Lawton 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Kurt De Luis 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Morgan Harper 19. Jorge Taufua 20. James Roumanos 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Josh Schuster 23. Kaeo Weekes 24. Jacob Sykes
Analysis: Forwards Martin Taupua and Sean Keppie are back for Manly, and they are the starting props. Those two inclusions see Andrew Davey (shoulder) come out, while Toafofoa Sipley shifts to the interchange.
Haumole Olakau’atu comes out due to suspension and Taniela Paseka will also miss with a knee injury. Ben Trbojevic and Kurt de Luis have been named in the squad as a result.
In other changes, Morgan Harper comes out of the backline and is replaced by Tolutau Koula. It follows Harper having a nightmare trying to mark Cronulla wrecking ball Siosifa Talakai last week.
SATURDAY
Warriors vs Canberra Raiders at Moreton Daily Stadium, 3pm
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Rocco Berry 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Viliami Vailea 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Taniela Otukolo 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Jack Murchie 18. Edward Kosi 20. Ben Murdoch-Masila 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Pride Petterson-Robati 23. Junior Ratuva 24. Valingi Kepu 25. Jackson Frei
Analysis: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Josh Curran, Aaron Pene and Edward Kosi are all out of the side that went down the Storm by 60 points. Watene-Zelezniak was knocked out in a sickening collision, while Josh Curran injured his lower leg. Aaron Pene has been banned for a high shot while Kosi had a nightmare against Melbourne with a number of costly errors, and has been dropped.
Rocco Berry and Viliami Vailea are the two new wingers, while Jack Murchie and Eliesa Katoa have been named on the interchange.
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Xavier Savage 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton 14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 15. Corey Harawira-Naera 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Harry Rushton 19. Matt Frawley 20. Jarrod Croker 21. Emre Guler 22. Trey Mooney 23. James Schiller 24. Peter Hola
Analysis: Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead returns from a facial injury, which results in Harry Rushton coming out of the side.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium, 5.30pm
Bulldogs: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Brent Naden 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Jake Averillo 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Corey Waddell 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Joe Stimson 16. Max King 17. Ava Seumanufagai 19. Josh Cook 20. Jackson Topine 21. Jayden Okunbor 22. Reece Hoffman 23. Billy Tsikrikas 24. Paul Alamoti 25. Tuipulotu Katoa
Analysis: Brent Naden and Jake Averillo are back after missing last week’s match due to COVID-19 protocols. Jayden Okunbor and Jacob Kiraz make way as a result.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Ben Marschke 21. Naufahu Whyte 22. Adam Keighran 23. Renouf Atoni 24. Tom Carr
Analysis: Kevin Naiqama returns to the wing to replace Daniel Tupou, who is out due to suspension.
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys at TIO Stadium, 7.05pm
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Hayze Perham 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Nathan Brown 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Wiremu Greig 19. Mitch Rein 20. Tom Opacic 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Solomone Naiduki 23. Elie El Zakhem 24. Luca Moretti
Analysis: Parramatta’s 17 remains unchanged from last week.
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. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 20. Connelly Lemuelu 21. Ben Condon 22. Emry Pere 23. Brendan Elliot 24. Ben Hampton
Analysis: North Queensland’s 17 remains unchanged from last week.
SUNDAY
Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium, 2pm
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Leo Thompson 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Tex Hoy 19. Jack Johns 20. Brayden Musgrove 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Dylan Lucas 23. Jaron Purcell 24. Krystian Mapapalangi
Analysis: Dane Gagai is out after suffering a cheekbone injury, which results in Simi Sasagi shifting into the centres.
Sauaso Sue joins the squad on the interchange.
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tyran Wishart 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Chris Lewis 19. Marion Seve 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jack Howarth 23. Bronson Garlick 24. Cooper Johns
Analysis: Melbourne’s top 13 remains unchanged.
On the interchange, Tyran Wishart returns which pushes Chris Lewis to the reserves.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium, 4.05pm
Dragons: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. George Burgess 11. Tariq Sims 12. Josh Mcguire 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Tyrell Fuimaono 18. Tautau Moga 19. Jackson Ford 20. Josh Kerr 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Cody Ramsey 23. Jack Gosiewski 24. Jayden Sullivan
Analysis: Tyrell Fuimaono has been named on the interchange following a lengthy layoff due to suspension.
Josh McGuire will join the back-row in place of Jaydn Su’A, who is out with an ankle injury.
Tigers: 1. Starford To’a 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Luke Garner 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Jock Madden 15. Alex Twal 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Tyrone Peachey 20. Junior Tupou 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Austin Dias 23. Fonua Pole 24. Junior Pauga
Analysis: Starford To’a will shift over to fullback to replace the injured Daine Laurie. That move will see Oliver Gildart and Luke Garner start in the centres.
In other changes, Kelma Tuilagi returns from illness and is named in the backrow to replace Alex Seyfarth, who shifts to the interchange.
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