Jarrod Croker’s NRL return has been put on ice, while a Raiders gun is firming to be a late inclusion.
Elsewhere, a Broncos star has been ruled out with coach Kevin Walters confirming a gun centre will make his club debut, while two more stars are racing the clock for the clash with the premiers.
THURSDAY
Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys 7.50pm at GIO Stadium
Raiders team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton 14. Xavier Savage 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Hudson Young
Players cut: 20. Matt Frawley 21. Albert Hopoate 22. Jarrod Croker 23. Trey Mooney 24. Peter Hola
Late Mail: Raiders veteran Jarrod Croker won’t be making his return to the NRL this week. There were murmurs that the 31-year-old could come in for Matthew Timoko, who failed to finish last week’s game due to a back injury. However, despte declaring after last week’s NSW Cup game that his “body feels good” and “ready to go whenever,” Croker was cut from the extended squad on Wednesday. Sebastian Kris will be the man to replace Timoko if he’s unable to play. Meanwhile, Hudson Young is a good chance of returning after missing last week due to a toe injury. Coach Ricky Stuart made a shock call by including young gun fullback Xavier Savage on the bench, but he told the media on Wednesday that he’s put “no pressure” on him.
Cowboys team: 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. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Emry Pere
Players cut: 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Riley Price 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Ben Condon 23. Ben Hampton 24. Tomas Chester
Late Mail: The Cowboys are expected to be 1-17 with Coen Hess to return from a shoulder injury, while Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Griffin Neame are out due to Covid-19 protocols.
FRIDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury-Bankstown Buldogs 4pm at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 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. Hame Sele 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Knight 18. Siliva Havili 19. Isaiah Tass 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Richard Kennar 22. Dean Hawkins 23. Terrell Kalo Kalo 24. Jaxson Paulo
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Bulldogs team: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Brent Naden 3. Braidon Burns 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. Brandon Wakeham 15. Chris Patolo 16. Max King 17. Joe Stimson 19. Bailey Biondi-Odo 20. Aaron Schoupp 21. Reece Hoffman 22. Jackson Topine 23. Ava Seumanufagai 24. Josh Cook 25. Corey Allan
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos 7.55pm at Bluebet Stadium
Panthers team: 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. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Lindsay Smith 22. Soni Luke 23. Christian Crichton 24. Sean O’Sullivan
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Broncos team: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Billy Walters 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Jake Turpin 10. Corey Jensen 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Ryan James 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. TC Robati 17. Cory Paix 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Jordan Pereira 21. Ezra Mam 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Ethan Quai-Ward 24. Logan Bayliss-Brow
Players cut:
Late Mail: The Brisbane Broncos are sweating on Corey Oatesand Adam Reynolds after the duo picked up leg injuries in last week’s game. They played on but both are being monitored and will likely have to pass a final fitness test on Thursday.Meanwhile, gun centre Herbie Farnworth has been ruled out due to a knee injury. Delouise Hoeter reportedly replaced him at training and will make his club debut, according to 9 News reporter Adam Jacksons.
SATURDAY
Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans 5.30pm at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles team: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 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. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Ben Trbojevic 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Jorge Taufua 22. Kurt De Luis 23. Kaeo Weekes 24. James Roumanos
Players cut:
Late Mail: Young flyer Tolu Koula has been named in the centres, replacing Morgan Harper who has been ruled out for Round 6 after contracting Covid-19. Expect the incumbent centre to be back next week, with Koula moving to the bench.
Titans team: 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. AJ Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Will Smith 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Paul Turner 19. Kevin Proctor 20. Herman Ese’ese 21. Sam McIntyre 22. Corey Thompson 23. Tanah Boyd 24. Sosefo Fifita
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
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Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks 7.35pm at AAMI Park
Storm team: 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. Alec MacDonald 20. Marion Seve 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jayden Nikorima 23. William Warbrick 24. Sualauvi Faalogo
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Sharks team: 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. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Jack Williams 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Lachlan Miller 21. Royce Hunt 22. Kade Dykes 23. Jonaiah Lualua 24. Franklin Pele
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
SUNDAY
Sydney Roosters vs Warriors 2pm at SCG
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Angus Crichton 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Adam Keighran 21. Renouf Atoni 22. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 23. Joseph Suaalii 24. Drew Hutchison
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Warriors team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Josh Curran 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Eliesa Katoa 18. Taniela Otukolo 20. Viliami Vailea 21. Pride Petterson-Robati 22. Rocco Berry 23. Otukinekina Kepu 24. Junior Ratuva 25. Valingi Kepu
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Dragons team: 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. Josh Kerr 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Josh Mcguire 17. George Burgess 18. Tautau Moga 19. Jackson Ford 20. Aaron Woods 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Jack Gosiewski 23. Tyrell Fuimaono 24. Jayden Sullivan
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 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. Simi Sasagi 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Tex Hoy 21. Jack Johns 22. Jaron Purcell 23. Dylan Lucas 24. Brayden Musgrove
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Source: foxsports.com