Round 18 of the NRL season is upon us, with plenty of blockbuster match-ups scheduled.
Cronulla and St George Illawarra kicked off proceedings in the local derby, with the Sharks obliterating their cross town rivals.
Both the Panthers and Rabbitohs put together complete performances over some formidable finals sides.
Reece Walsh has been sidelined after being found guilty of contrary conduct at the judiciary, while it's mixed news on the injury front for the struggling Roosters.
The Sporting News has all the mail below.
NRL ROUND 18 RESULTS:
CRONULLA SHARKS 52 - 16 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Thursday 29th June, Shark Park (7.50pm)
Sharks confirmed team:
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.Braden Hamlin-Uele
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Dale Finucane
14. Cam McInnes
15. Thomas Hazelton
16. Jack Williams
17. Wade Graham
18. Connor Tracey
Sharks team news:
Fresh off the bye, the Sharks have named the same side which battered the Bulldogs in their last match.
Toby Rudolf was included in the reserves but was cut 24 hours before kickoff and will return via the NSW Cup with Newtown Jets this weekend.
Dragons confirmed team:
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mathew Feagai
3. Tautau Moga
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jayden Sullivan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Ben Murdoch-Masila
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin
15. Michael Molo
16. Toby Couchman
17. Jaiyden Hunt
19. Moses Mbye
18. Ryan Couchman
Dragons team news:
Moses Suli (head knock) has been ruled out, which has opened the door for Tautau Moga to start at centre.
Jack Bird drops out with Ben Murdoch-Masila switching into the starting side to cover for him, while Zane Musgrove has been left out with Toby Couchman joining the bench.
Ryan Carr has made one late change with Moses Mbye added to the bench in the place of Talatau Amone.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 6 - 28 SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Friday 30th June, Go Media Stadium (6pm)
Warriors confirmed team:
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. Bunty Afoa
11. Jackson Ford
15. Mitch Barnett
13. Tohu Harris
14. Dylan Walker
16. Bayley Sironen
17. Tom Ale
18. Freddy Lussick
20. Brayden Wiliame
Warriors team news:
Josh Curran was originally named to start in the second row after Marata Niukore was banned for three matches for a high tackle. However, he has dropped out with Mitch Barnett taking his spot in the starting side and Freddy Lussick added to the bench.
Rabbitohs confirmed team:
1. Blake Taaffe
2. Alex Johnston
18. Tyrone Munro
19. Taane Milne
5. Richard Kennar
6. Cody Walker
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Tevita Tatola
14. Siliva Havili
17. Thomas Burgess
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Michael Chee Kam
13. Cameron Murray
9. Damien Cook
10. Hame Sele
15. Shaq Mitchell
16. Davvy Moale
20. Dean Hawkins
Rabbitohs team news:
Isaiah Tass dropped out 24 hours before kickoff with Taane Milne named in the centres. Although Tyrone Munro could make his NRL debut this weekend, according to reports from The Daily Telegraph.
Jacob Host has been hit with a suspension for a shoulder charge against the Cowboys, which sees Michael Chee Kam start in the backrow.
Siliva Havili and Shaquai Mitchell join a powerful bench full of forwards.
MELBOURNE STORM 16 - 34 PENRITH PANTHERS
Friday 30th June, AAMI Park (8pm)
Storm confirmed team:
1. Nick Meaney
2. William Warbrick
3. Reimis Smith
4. Justin Olam
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Tariq Sims
9. Harry Grant
10. Christian Welch
11. Trent Loiero
12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
13. Josh King
14. Bronson Garlick
16. Tui Kamikamica
18. Tyran Wishart
19. Tom Eisenhuth
15. Alec Macdonald
Storm team news:
Cameron Munster (illness) and Tui Kamikamica (calf) have returned in a major boost for Melbourne.
Jonah Pezet has dropped out of the side despite a strong performance against Manly, while Aaron Pene (ankle) will join Eliesa Katoa (eye) on the sidelines.
Panthers confirmed team:
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
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Spencer Leniu
18. Zac Hosking
21. Tyrone Peachey
17. Jaeman Salmon
Panthers team news:
The defending premiers will welcome back their Origin contingent this weekend. Isaah Yeo, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton will all return to the starting lineup.
Tyrone Peachey, Thomas Jenkins, Zac Hosking and Matt Eisenhuth all drop out while Jaeman Salmon reverts to the bench.
CANBERRA RAIDERS 26 - 22 GOLD COAST TITANS
Saturday July 1st, GIO Stadium (3pm)
Raiders confirmed team:
1. Sebastian Kris
2. Albert Hopoate
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Matthew Timoko
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Jack Wighton
7. Jamal Fogarty
10. Joseph Tapine
9. Zac Woolford
17. Ata Mariota
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Corey Horsburgh
8. Pasami Saulo
15. Tom Starling
16.Emre Guler
17. Nick Cotric
18. Brad Schneider
Raiders team news:
Josh Papalii (hamstring) has been ruled out, so Ata Mariota partners Joe Tapine in the front row with Pasami Saulo moved to the bench in a late change.
Titans confirmed team:
1. AJ Brimson
2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
3. Brian Kelly
4. Aaron Schoupp
18. Jojo Fifita
6. Kieran Foran
7. Tanah Boyd
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Sam Verrills
10. Tino Fa’asumaleaui
11. David Fifita
12. Joe Stimson
13. Isaac Liu
14. Jayden Campbell
15. Erin Clark
16. Jaimin Jolliffe
17. Chris Randall
5. Phillip Sami
Titans team news:
Tino Fa’asumaleaui (rested) returns to the side at prop, pushing Jaimin Jolliffe to the bench.
In a late blow, Phillip Sami was withdrawn from the starting side after picking up an injury in the warm up. He was replaced by Jojo Fifita.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 74 - 0 WESTS TIGERS
Saturday 1st July, Queensland Country Bank Stadium (5.30pm)
Cowboys confirmed team:
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
17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
18. Jason Taumalolo
19. Kyle Feldt
Cowboys team news:
Jason Taumalolo (hamstring) has been included on the bench with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown dropping out.
Tigers confirmed team:
1. Jahream Bula
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Brent Naden
4. Starford To'a
5. Junior Tupou
6. Daine Laurie
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Jake Simpkin
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Shawn Blore
13. John Bateman
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Fonua Pole
16. Alex Twal
18. Alex Seyfarth
17. Asu Kepaoa
Tigers team news:
Two big changes for the Tigers with Stefano Utoikamanu returning to the fold after Origin duty and Daine Laurie starting at five-eighth.
Fonua Pole goes back to the bench to accomodate for the prop's return while Starford To'a moves to the centres and Asu Kepaoa also goes onto the pine.
In a late switch, Alex Seyfarth has been added to the bench with Asu Kepaoa moving to 18th man.
BRISBANE BRONCOS 24 - 16 DOLPHINS
Saturday 1st July, Suncorp Stadium (7.35pm)
Broncos confirmed team:
21. 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. Payne Haas
11. Brendan Piakura
16. Kobe Hetherington
13. Patrick Carrigan
12. Xavier Willison
14. Tyson Smoothy
15. Corey Jensen
17. Martin Taupau
18. Jesse Arthars
Broncos team news:
Reece Walsh has copped a three-match ban after being referred straight to the judiciary for an expletive-laden spray during the Round 17 loss to the Titans. Tristan Sailor will replace him at fullback.
In more bad news, Jordan Riki and Tom Flegler have both been ruled out of the derby after they picked up foot injuries during their loss to the Titans.
Young gun Xavier Willison has been moved to the bench with Kobe Hetherington starting in the backrow, while Keenan Palasia has been named up front.
Dolphins confirmed team:
17. Kodi Nikorima
2. Jamayne Isaako
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Valynce Te Whare
5. Tesi Niu
6. Isaiya Katoa
7. Sean O’Sullivan
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
16. Connelly Lemuelu
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenny Bromwich
13. Ray Stone
3. Euan Aitken
10. Herman Ese’ese
14. Josh Kerr
15. Mark Nicholls
18. Max Plath
Dolphins team news:
Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder) missed the side's Round 17 clash with the Eels but has been named to return at hooker with Harrison Graham making way.
Brayden McGrady scored on his NRL debut last week but has been dropped with Tesi Niu returning on the wing.
Sean O'Sullivan has moved to halfback with Kodi Nikorima going to fullback and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow switching into the centres.
Euan Aitken will start from off the bench along with Herman Ese'ese, who has been replaced at prop by Connelly Lemuelu.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 0 - 66 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Sunday 2nd July, Accor Stadium (2pm)
Bulldogs confirmed team:
1. Hayze Perham
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Jake Averillo
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Khaled Rajab
7. Matt Burton
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Tevita Pangai Junior
11. Jayden Okunbor
12. Jacob Preston
13. Kurtis Morrin
14. Harrison Edwards
15. Ryan Sutton
17. Jackson Topine
23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
19. Reece Hoffman
Bulldogs team news:
Khaled Rajab will start his first NRL game alongside Matt Burton in the halves with Karl Oloapu dropping out of the side.
Max King will start in the front row with Chris Patolo dropping out, while Harrison Edwards returns from concussion.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been listed in the reserves and may be a late inclusion.
Knights confirmed team:
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dominic Young
3. Enari Tuala
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Jackson Hastings
10. Leo Thompson
9. Phoenix Crossland
15. Jacob Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13. Adam Elliott
8. Daniel Saifiti
14. Kurt Mann
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Mathew Croker
18. Dylan Lucas
Knights team news:
Dane Gagai has been ruled out through injury with Enari Tuala taking his spot in the centres.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon returns from a head knock, pushing Dylan Lucas to the reserves.
MANLY SEA EAGLES 18 - 16 SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Sunday 2nd July, Brookvale Oval (4.05pm)
Sea Eagles confirmed team:
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. Ben Trbojevic
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Aaron Woods
18. Jake Arthur
19. Morgan Harper
Sea Eagles team news:
Massive boost for Manly with an influx of players returning from injury. Jake and Ben Trbojevic are back, along with outside backs Brad Parker (elbow) and Jason Saab (shoulder) and second rower Kelma Tuilagi.
Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, Morgan Harper, Sean Keppie, Karl Lawton and Ben Condon all make way.
Roosters confirmed team:
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
4. Joseph Manu
19. Corey Allan
18. Junior Pauga
6. Luke Keary
7. Sandon Smith
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Jake Turpin
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Victor Radley
21. Nat Butcher
13. Nathan Brown
12. Naufahu Whyte
14. Drew Hutchison
15. Terrell May
16. Siua Wong
23. Jaxson Paulo
Roosters team news:
Bad news for the Roosters, with second-rowers Egan Butcher (head knock), Angus Crichton (knee) and Sitili Tupouniua (quad + neck) all sidelined, before Joseph Suaalii and Billy Smith were also ruled out after initially being named.
Junior Pauga starts instead on the wing, while Corey Allan comes in at centre. Fletcher Baker is also back in the side after recovering from a head knock.
Victor Radley moves to an edge and Nathan Brown starts at lock with Siua Wong set for an NRL debut off the bench.
