Warriors utility Dylan Walker will plead his case at the NRL judiciary on Thursday night after being charged for a head slam on Melbourne recruit Eliesa Katoa.
Walker, who was replacing the injured Te Maire Martin at five-eighth, found himself sent to the sin bin for the shot just before halftime of the Storm’s 30-22 Anzac Day win.
The match review committee charged Walker with grade-two dangerous contact and slapped him with a two-match ban, which will increase to three games if the utility is unsuccessful in his bid to fight the charge. The Warriors have entered a not-guilty plea and if they are unsuccessful at the two-man panel, their halves depth is in for another test.
His likely absence compounds the cost of their bruising loss to the Storm on Tuesday night with Tohu Harris (knee) and Jazz Tevaga (calf/Achilles) facing several weeks out while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion) will not play on Sunday against the Roosters. Hooker Wayde Egan (concussion) should be back on deck.
Roosters lock Victor Radley was slapped with a grade-one careless high tackle and, due to his poor judiciary record, he could have been rubbed out for a fortnight if he contested the charge. The England international and coach Trent Robinson were fuming with his sin-binning when asked after the game about the tackle on Dragons forward Michael Molo. Radley has escaped a ban after electing to pay a $3000 fine.
Teams were announced on Wednesday due to the late end to the Anzac Round with Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan the biggest name to lose his spot, demoted to the reserves for Sunday’s trip to Wollongong against St George Illawarra.
Flanagan was switched to five-eighth with Matt Burton taking over at halfback last Saturday against Cronulla but the Bulldogs again failed to fire, losing 33-20 and even though coach Cameron Ciraldo has named veteran Josh Reynolds at five-eighth, he is tipped to bring in Karl Oloapu with Reynolds reverting to the interchange on game day.
The 18-year-old former Broncos prodigy came to the club in the off-season after the Dogs paid Brisbane a hefty transfer fee and has been cutting his teeth in the NSW Cup for the first two months of the season. Canterbury are in 15th spot with a 3-5 record.
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Penrith have suffered a blow with centre Izack Tago likely to miss 6-8 weeks after suffering a pectoral injury in the dying stages of last Friday’s narrow loss to South Sydney.
Manly’s Tom Trbojevic has been cleared of major injury after undergoing scans following the groin injury that ended his involvement in Sunday’s win over the Wests Tigers late in the second half.
The fullback suffered a minor adductor injury and could be fit to play in this Saturday’s home meeting with the Gold Coast Titans, pending a fitness test later in the week.
Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been cleared of a hip fracture but suffered a serious groin injury following a hip-drop tackle from Brisbane’s Payne Haas.
Payne Haas. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The 29-year-old spent the night in hospital and despite initial fears he had suffered a hip fracture, the Eels revealed on Wednesday a groin injury would keep the hard-hitting forward out for 8-10 weeks.
Campbell-Gillard is now out of contention for at least the first two Origin matches, to be played on May 31 and June 21, and will have limited time to prove his credentials for the third game on July 12.
Haas and teammate Ezra Mam were charged with grade-two dangerous conduct for hip-drop tackles and have accepted a ban of one match instead of risking two at the judiciary while Eels forward J’maine Hopgood copped a $1800 fine for a grade-one offence.
Keenan Palasia has been promoted to Brisbane’s pack while Jock Madden will replace Mam in the halves for Friday’s blockbuster against the Bunnies at Suncorp Stadium. Corey Oates is out with a knee injury with Jesse Arthars to replace him on the wing.
Wests Tigers have revealed recruit Charlie Staines battled through his side’s tight round-eight loss to Manly with a perforated bowel, and will now miss up to three months as he recovers after surgery.
Staines, who finished the match, is believed to have picked up his injury in a tackle during the second half of Sunday’s 22-16 loss to the Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Stadium. When his pain increased post-game, Staines notified club doctors and was admitted to hospital.
Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has been fined $750 for a late hit on Dane Gagai in Saturday night’s win in Townsville.
Manly prop Aaron Woods was the only player charged from Sunday’s matches and has also been slugged $750 for a Grade One Dangerous Contact offence on Wests Tigers forward Alex Twal.
Round 9 teams
Sharks vs Cowboys, at PointsBet Stadium – 7.50pm, Thursday, April 27
Sharks: 1. Will 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. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell
Suspended skipper Dale Finucane and injured prop Toby Rudolf (foot) are Cronulla’s only top-liners unavailable with the same 17 that beat Canterbury named to face the Cowboys.
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. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Tomas Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Mitchell Dunn 18. Riley Price 19. Ben Hampton 20. Brendan Elliot 21. Taniela Sadrugu 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Second-rower Heilum Luki is another week or two away from a return from his hamstring injury while winger Murray Taulagi is free to play after avoiding a ban and copping a fine for his late hit on Dane Gagai in the win over Newcastle.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Eels vs Knights, at CommBank Stadium – 6pm, Friday, April 28
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Brendan Hands 16. Matt Doorey 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Jack Murchie 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Isaac Lumelume
Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s groin injury means Wiremu Greig is elevated to the run-on side with Makahesi Makatoa brought onto the interchange.
Winger Bailey Simonsson (concussion) is out with Haze Dunster getting a recall.
Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Mathew Croker 17. Jack Hetherington 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Hymel Hunt 20. Jack Johns 21. Dylan Lucas 22. Adam Clune
Kalyn Ponga has been named to play in the starting side after making his comeback from a concussion break via the bench. Tyson Gamble is listed on the interchange.
Versatile forward Brodie Jones (thigh injury) needs another week on the sidelines.
Broncos vs Rabbitohs, at Suncorp Stadium – 8pm, Friday, April 28
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Jock Madden 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Keenan Palasia 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Jordan Pereira
Corey Oates is out with a knee injury while Ezra Mam and Payne Haas have been banned this week for hip-drop tackles. Jesse Arthars is the new winger while Keenan Palasia and Jock Madden are in for the banned duo.
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Jai Arrow 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Davvy Moale 16. Hame Sele 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Ben Lovett 22. Dean Hawkins
Front-rower Tevita Tatola (knee) will make his comeback while Izaac Thompson (ankle) is out again so Taane Milne retains his spot on the wing.
Raiders vs Dolphins, at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga – 3pm, Saturday, April 29
Raiders: 1. Seb Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. James Schiller 19. Brad Schneider 20. Xavier Savage 21. Trey Mooney 22. Peter Hola
Hudson Young copped a nasty facial cut in the win over the Dragons before the bye but will be right to play. Jordan Rapana is back from his own head wound to replace Nick Cotric (hamstring) on the wing while fullback Xavier Savage was named on the reserves and could make his comeback from a broken jaw.
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Robert Jennings 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Herman Ese’ese 18. Kurt Donoghoe 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Edrick Lee 21. Mason Teague 22. Anthony Milford
Veteran forward Kenny Bromwich will return from his suspension while five-eighth Anthony Milford (hamstring) is a possible inclusion after being named in the reserves.
Kenny Bromwich is binned. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Sea Eagles vs Titans, at 4 Pines Park – 5.30pm, Saturday, April 29
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Reuben Garrick 4. Morgan Harper 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Sean Keppie 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Woods 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Samuela Fainu 21. Morgan Boyle 22. Ben Condon
Tom Trbojevic’s groin injury has sent a major scare through the camp but he has been named to play and a decision will be made closer to game day.
Five-eighth Josh Schuster is again out with his thigh problem so Cooper Johns will partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
Second-rower Kelma Tuilagi (concussion) should be right to play while centre Brad Parker (knee) is out with Reuben Garrick switching in off the wing and Christian Tuipulotu replacing him. Utility forward Karl Lawton (shoulder) will be monitored.
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Jo Vuna 18. Kruise Leeming 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Thomas Weaver 21. Thomas Mikaele 22. Sam McIntyre
Coach Justin Holbrook has resisted the urge to swing the axe after their second-half meltdown to the Dolphins.
Jojo Fifita switches to centre with Phil Sami going to the wing while Klese Haas and Joe Vuna have replaced Kruise Leeming and Thomas Mikaele on the bench.
Panthers vs Tigers, at Carrington Park, Bathurst – 7.35pm, Saturday, April 29
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Luke Garner 19. Thomas Jenkins 20. Chris Smith 21. Jack Cogger 22. Liam Henry
Liam Martin (hamstring) is likely to need a couple more weeks out but Luke Garner (ribs) is finally set to return after being close to playing last week in the loss to Souths.
Tyrone Peachey is in for centre Izack Tago (pectoral).
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Brent Naden 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Tommy Talau 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. Shawn Blore 21. Daine Laurie 22. Triston Reilly
Brent Naden (collarbone) will return at centre ahead of Asu Kepaoa, out with an illness, while David Nofoaluma has been recalled to the wing for Charlie Staines, who is out for three months after suffering a perforated bowel.
Brent Naden. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Warriors vs Roosters, at Mt Smart Stadium – 2pm, Sunday, April 30
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Dylan Walker 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Josh Curran 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Tom Ale 17. Viliami Vailea 18. Demitric Sifakula 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Kalani Going 23. Zyon Maiu’u
Hooker Wayde Egan (head knock) should be right to return this weekend, which will be a timely boost with Tohu Harris (knee), Jazz Tevaga (calf) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion) out.
Dylan Walker is facing a ban of three games for a head slam on Eliesa Katoa if he can’t prove his innocence at Thursday night’s judiciary hearing.
Young five-eighth Ronald Volkman is set to replace Walker while Taine Tuaupiki and Viliami Vailea have been brought into the game-day 17.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Joseph Manu 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Angus Crichton 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Fletcher Baker 19. Sam Walker 20. Naufahu Whyte 21. Jake Turpin 22. Nathan Brown
Second-rower Nat Butcher will be available after serving his suspension on Anzac Day, with Angus Crichton reverting to the interchange.
Fellow forward Fletcher Baker could also be back from a head knock, if needed, after being named in the reserves while Victor Radley has paid a $3000 fine rather than risk a two-game high tackle ban.
Corey Allan replaces Daniel Tupou on the wing after the veteran twinged his hamstring in the win over the Dragons.
Dragons vs Bulldogs, at WIN Stadium – 4.05pm, Sunday, April 30
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Max Feagai 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Michael Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jack Bird 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 18. Zane Musgrove 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Billy Burns 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Sione Finau
Max Feagai will replace Tautau Moga (shoulder) on the wing, with his twin brother Mat on the other flank. Francis Molo (suspended), Mikaele Ravalawa (hamstring) and Jaydn Su’A (shoulder) all at least another week away.
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Declan Casey 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Braidon Burns 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Ryan Sutton 19. Fa’amanu Brown 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Reece Hoffman 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Kyle Flanagan
Cameron Ciraldo doesn’t have too many troops left with Jacob Kiraz (knee), Chris Patolo (knee), Franklin Pele (arm), Josh Addo-Carr (ankle), Luke Thompson (foot), Bailey Biondi-Odo (knee) and Viliame Kikau (pectoral) out for the next couple of weeks or much longer.
Fa’amanu Brown could return a few weeks ahead of schedule from a dislocated elbow while Kyle Flanagan has paid the price for the team’s poor form with Josh Reynolds named at five-eighth but young gun Karl Oloapu tipped to make his debut in the halves alongside Matt Burton.
Bye – Storm
Tui Kamikamica will miss the next game after the bye due to his dangerous contact ban from the loss to Manly.
