Panthers star Nathan Cleary has been named in the Panthers’ extended squad to face the Dolphins as he closes in on a return from a hamstring injury.
Cleary tore his hamstring just days after Origin I but is reported to have told those at the Panthers that he is ready to face the Dolphins on Sunday.
However, it remains up in the air whether the Panthers talisman will actually take the field.
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Elsewhere in the NRL, Wests Tigers skipper Api Koroisau is in line to make a shock early return from a broken jaw after being named in the side to face the Knights.
Koroisau completed training on Tuesday and is expected to play his first match just over a month after suffering the injury following a hit from Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
FRIDAY
8pm | Knights vs Wests Tigers | McDonald Jones Stadium
KNIGHTS
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Brodie Jones 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Adam Clune
Analysis: Veteran Dane Gagai makes his return from a foot injury and is the only change to the side that beat the Bulldogs in round 18, with Enari Tuala dropping out of the side. Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti will face a short turnaround backing up after Origin duties.
WESTS TIGERS
1. Jahream Bula 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Will Smith 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Aistasi James 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brent Naden
Analysis: Skipper Api Koroisau is set to play his first match since round 15 after being sidelined with a broken jaw, with his return seeing Jake Simpkin moved to the bench. Beloved veteran Alex Twal is back from suspension.
Referee: Peter Gough
SATURDAY
3pm | Bulldogs vs Broncos | Belmore Sports Ground
BULLDOGS
1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Braidon Burns 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 11. Jackson Topine 12. Jacob Preston 13. Corey Waddell 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Jayden Okunbor 19. Fa’amanu Brown 20. Jeral Skelton 21. Reece Hoffman 22. Paul Alamoti 23. Chris Patolo
Analysis: Josh Addo-Carr is another Origin representative that will be expected to back up shortly after game three. Young winger Blake Wilson retains his spot on the other wing after his hat-trick heroics last week.
BRONCOS
1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Billy Walters 10. Corey Jensen 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Jesse Arthars 17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 19. Patrick Carrigan 20. Jock Madden 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Jordan Pereira
Analysis: Pat Carrigan is an outside chance to back up after Origin duties after being named among the reserves. Kurt Capewell will make his return after missing two matches with a quad injury.
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
5.30pm | Sea Eagles vs Cowboys | 4 Pines Park
SEA EAGLES
1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dean Matterson 15. Aaron Woods 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai 18. Sean Keppie 19. Morgan Harper 20. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 21. Jakob Arthur 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Analysis: Star duo Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic have both been named despite having Origin duties this week. Jakob Arthur could replace Cherry-Evans should the Sea Eagles opt to rest their skipper.
COWBOYS
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 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. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jason Taumalolo 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Kyle Feldt 19. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 20. Zac Laybutt 21. Sam McIntyre 22. Riley Price 23. Ben Hampton 24. Brendan Elliot
Analysis: The Cowboys will roll with the same 17 that pounded the Tigers by 74 points a fortnight ago. That means Maroons trio Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai are all expected to back up after Origin III.
Referee: Adam Gee
7.35pm | Roosters vs Storm | Sydney Cricket Ground
ROOSTERS
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Turpin 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Victor Radley 12. Nat Butcher 13. Nathan Brown 14. Brandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Siua Wong 17. Naufahu Whyte 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Terrell May 20. Corey Allan 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Dylan Napa
Analysis: The Roosters will be bolstered by the returns of Brandon Smith, Billy Smith and Joseph Suaalii. Origin duo James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins are expected to back up after a three-day turnaround following game three.
STORM
1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tariq Sims 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Grant Anderson 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Jayden Nikorima 21. Marion Seve 22. Chris Lewis 23. George Jennings
Analysis: Will Warbrick is back in the line-up after serving his mandatory stand down. Maroons trio Harry Grant, Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster have all been named to play just days after Origin III.
Referee: Grant Atkins
SUNDAY
2pm | Warriors vs Sharks | Go Media Stadium
WARRIORS
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Josh Curran 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Tom Ale 17. Dylan Walker 18. Kalani Going 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Taine Tuaupiki 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Viliami Vailea
Analysis: Veteran halfback Shaun Johnson has been named as a starter but could still pull out as he awaits the arrival of his second child. Josh Curran makes his return to the side after serving a two-game ban.
SHARKS
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Wade Graham 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Jack Williams 17. Jesse Colquhoun 18. Connor Tracey 19. Kayal Iro 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Braydon Trindall 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Analysis: Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has gone with an unchanged 17 after a win over the Wests Tigers last week. Braden Hamlin-Uele could potentially make his return from a rib injury after being named among the reserves.
Referee: Gerard Sutton
4.05pm | Dolphins vs Panthers | Dolphin Oval
DOLPHINS
1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone 14. Herman Ese’ese 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Josh Kerr 19. Valynce Te Whare 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Brenko Lee 22. Kurt Donoghoe
Analysis: A massive in for the Dolphins as veteran Felise Kaufusi is expected to make his return after a concussion. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has also been named to start despite Origin duties for Queensland this week.
PANTHERS
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Zac Hosking 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Luke Garner 21. Tyrone Peachey 22. Thomas Jenkins 23. Jesse Maclean 24. Nathan Cleary
Analysis: Nathan Cleary closes in on a return from a hamstring injury after being named in the extended squad. Blues representatives Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o are all expected to back up after Origin III.
Referee: Todd Smith
6.15pm | Eels vs Titans | CommBank Stadium
EELS
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Andrew Davey 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Waqa Blake 21. Matt Doorey 22. Haze Dunster 23. Isaac Lumelume
Analysis: Brad Arthur has named all three of his Origin representatives to play. Skipper Clint Gutherson is back in the No.1 jersey, which means his replacement from last week Sean Russell is shifted to the wing.
TITANS
1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Chris Randall 16. Erin Clark 17. Jojo Fifita 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jacob Alick 20. Keano Kini 21. Kruise Leeming 22. Ken Maumalo 23. Tony Francis 24. Thomas Mikaele
Analysis: Maroons trio Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita have been named to back up after Origin III. Fullback AJ Brimson also returns to the line-up meaning Jayden Campbell is pushed onto the bench.
Referee: Chris Butler
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