The axe is set to fall on Canterbury playmaker Kyle Flanagan after the club’s poor start to the season with a teenage debutant likely to replace the off-contract half.
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 coach Cameron Ciraldo is tipped to bring in Karl Oloapu.
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 heading into Sunday’s stoush with fellow strugglers St George Illawarra in Wollongong.
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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 had suffered a minor adductor injury and would 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 suffered a serious groin injury following a hip-drop tackle from Brisbane’s Payne Haas.
Payne Haas. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The Eels are yet to announce an official timeframe for RCG but there are fears he could spend as long as three months on the sidelines.
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 is likely to be promoted to Brisbane’s pack while Jock Madden is set to 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.
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.
The Warriors are counting 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.
There are several players set to make a return in Round 9 with Canberra winger Jordan Rapana (head cut), Dolphins duo Tesi Niu (knee) and Anthony Milford (hamstring), Manly forward Kelma Tuilagi (concussion), Souths prop Tevita Tatola (knee), Warriors hooker Wayde Egan (concussion) and Tigers centre Brent Naden (shoulder) pushing to play.
Teams are being announced at 4pm (AEST) on Wednesday due to the late end to the Anzac Round.
Round 9 teams
Sharks vs Cowboys, at PointsBet Stadium – 7.50pm, Thursday, April 27
Sharks: Suspended skipper Dale Finucane and injured prop Toby Rudolf (foot) are Cronulla’s only top-liners unavailable.
Cowboys: 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: Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s groin injury means Wiremu Greig is likely to be elevated to the run-on side with Jack Murchie or Makahesi Makatoa brought onto the interchange.
Winger Bailey Simonsson (concussion) is under a cloud.
Knights: Kalyn Ponga could be elevated to the starting side after making his comeback from a concussion break via the bench.
Versatile forward Brodie Jones (thigh injury) is a chance to return after sitting out the loss to the Cowboys.
Broncos vs Rabbitohs, at Suncorp Stadium – 8pm, Friday, April 28
Broncos: 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 likely new winger while Keenan Palasia and Jock Madden are in contention to play for the banned duo.
Rabbitohs: Front-rower Tevita Tatola (knee) is a chance to make his comeback while Izaac Thompson (ankle) is also hoping to play.
Raiders vs Dolphins, at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga – 3pm, Saturday, April 29
Raiders: Hudson Young copped a nasty facial cut in the win over the Dragons before the bye but will be right to play.
Dolphins: Veteran forward Kenny Bromwich will return from his suspension while winger Tesi Niu (knee) and five-eighth Anthony Milford (hamstring) are possible inclusions.
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: Tom Trbojevic’s groin injury has sent a major scare through the camp but he will be named to play and a decision will be made closer to game day.
Second-rower Kelma Tuilagi (concussion) should be right to play while centre Brad Parker (knee) and utility forward Karl Lawton (shoulder) will also be monitored.
Titans: Coach Justin Holbrook could swing the axe after their second-half meltdown to the Dolphins.
There are no injured players returning with Toby Sexton (wrist) still a couple of weeks away and Aaron Booth (knee), Jaimin Jolliffe (pectoral), Sam Verrills (collarbone) and Beau Fermor (knee) all out long term.
Panthers vs Tigers, at Carrington Park, Bathurst – 7.35pm, Saturday, April 29
Panthers: 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.
Tigers: Brent Naden (collarbone) is a chance to return but Tim Sheens doesn’t have many other alternative selections apart from the 17 who lost narrowly to Manly on Sunday.
Brent Naden. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Warriors vs Roosters, at Mt Smart Stadium – 2pm, Sunday, April 30
Warriors: 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.
Roosters: Nat Butcher will be available after serving his suspension on Anzac Day.
Fellow forward Fletcher Baker should also be back from a head knock, if needed.
Dragons vs Bulldogs, at WIN Stadium – 4.05pm, Sunday, April 30
Dragons: No changes expected with Francis Molo (suspended), Mikaele Ravalawa (hamstring) and Jaydn Su’A (shoulder) all at least another week away.
Bulldogs: Cameron Ciraldo doesn’t have too many troops left with Jacob Kiraz (knee), Fa’amanu Brown (elbow), 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.
Kyle Flanagan is set to pay the price for the team’s poor form with young gun Karl Oloapu to make his debut.
Bye – Storm
Tui Kamikamica will miss the next game after the bye due to his dangerous contact ban from the loss to Manly.
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/GswkmHW 9 team lists: Dogs star set to be dumped, Panther hit for six, Turbo OK, Broncos trio out, Warriors wounded
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