MORE: ASK THE LURKER - THURSDAY | GALLERY - 2015 NRL CASUALTY WARD
Fri: Dragons v Broncos
Breathing fire are the Dragons after a month of victories, but their build-up into Friday night footy has been complicated by injury and suspension. Jason Nightingale (foot) is unavailable while their toughest forward Tyson Frizell has been suspended for two weeks. A plus for Paul McGregor is the return of prop Mike Cooper. Cooper wasn't named, but will return from a hamstring injury squeezing big George Rose out of the side.
A huge 'in' for the Broncos with strike centre Justin Hodges returning from a hamstring injury with Corey Oates dropping back to the bench and Dale Copley shifting to the left wing, although watch for him to attack in the centres. Hodges, Ben Hunt and Lachlan Maranta all failed to finish training on Thursday but Wayne Bennett expects all to play. Interesting to see Sam Thaiday's reaction to controversial headlines over his contract turmoil at the hands of King Benny.
Fri: Bulldogs v Sea Eagles
OK Josh Reynolds, here's your chance. Dogs coach Des Hasler has returned the NSW State of Origin five-eighth to the starting line-up, pushing Moses Mbye back to the bench. Reynolds and his halves partner Trent Hodkinson have come under fire in recent weeks for their below par form. The selection of utility Mbye doesn't augur well for hooker Michael Lichaa, who will almost certainly be spelled during the match. Tim Browne (concussion) has also been named, but he remains in serious doubt.
The casualty ward reads like a scene from M*A*S*H for the Sea Eagles with Tom Trbojevic (ankle) and Jesse Sene-Lefao (shouldler) joining a host of first-graders currently sidelined. Off-contract forward James Hasson has earned a reprieve after being dropped last week while captain Jamie Lyon (groin) while named, must pass a fitness test on Thursday afternoon to be given the green light.
Sat: Titans v Panthers
Beau Falloon missed the Titans upset win over Parramatta last Saturday afternoon, with the lively hooker returning from suspension pushing Kierran Moseley back to the bench. Expect Titans flyer James Roberts to prove a point against Penrith, who cut him loose in 2013.
Hammered by injury the Panthers have chosen the younger brother of Test centre Michael Jennings, Robert Jennings to make his NRL debut. Still no Jamie Soward (back, round 9) or Peter Wallace (knee, round 12) while Elijah Taylor (knee) while named, is in extreme doubt.
Sat: Cowboys v Warriors
Having just knocked off the premiers, why would coach Paul Green change a winning formula? Back at home too, it's hard to see anything but a Cowboys victory.
New Zealand will also field the same 17 that got the better of the Wests Tigers last weekend. Off-contract five-eighth Chad Townsend is in a purple patch of form with Manly and Cronulla interested in securing his servives for 2016.
Sat: Storm v Roosters
The Storm stole the victory in Canberra last weekend, but they also left with plenty of bruises. Cooper Cronk has hardly trained this week and while he's expected to play, there is some concern which is why understudy Ben Hampton has been named on Craig Bellamy's bench. Still no Billy Slater (shoulder, round 10) for Melbourne.
Back-to-back losses for the Roosters and they head to Melbourne attempting to turn their form around. Dylan Napa has been pushed up into the front-row for suspended forward Sam Moa while hooker Jake Friend will start his first game of the year following a successful return from injury last week.
Sun: Tigers v Raiders
One of key factors in the young Tigers surprise start to the year and surge into the top eight has been Jason Taylor's ability to field almost the identical side week-in, week-out. Once again, Taylor has had no major injury concerns to deal with in the build-up to their first match at Leichhardt Oval for the season.
Clearly Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is determined to give Taylor not even the slightest edge. Why else would Stuart name hooker Josh Hodgson (foot) and Shaun Fensom (ankle) when they are next to no chance of playing. Don't be surprised to see 18th man Jordan Rapana figure in the run-on side. And in a blow to the Raiders depth for the remainder of the year, Joel Edwards (foot) is out for the season.
Sun: Knights v Eels
Already without Beau Scott (ankle) the Knights are also sweating on the fitness of Jarrod Mullen and Tariq Sims (both shoulder). Staring down the barrel of three straight losses, pressure is mounting heavily on the shoulder of halfback Tyrone Roberts, who has struggled to lead the Knights so far this season.
The potential for some big inclusions for the Eels with hit-man Richie Fa'aoso tipped to play his first NRL match since 2013 while the mail suggests Semi Radradra (knee) and Brad Takairangi (knee) could also be late inclusions.
Mon: Sharks v Rabbitohs
Big concerns surrounding the strength of the Sharks forward pack with the Fifita brothers, Andrew (suspended) and David (ankle, round 11) both unavailble. Paul Gallen (hip) has also struggled to train this week. However, it would take a brave man to rule Gallen out. Despite being named to start the match in the front-row, Sam Tagataese will commence the match from the bench.
South Sydney's confidence will be boosted massively if Dylan Walker (hand) and John Sutton (jaw) are late inclusions for the final match of the round. Coach Michael Maguire will make a final call on the pair at their final training session on Sunday. Jason Clark (concussion) will also be assessed on Sunday.
