Potent Brisbane side to face Vodafone Warriors
The official team lists for round 18 of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership season.
Penrith Panthers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Friday 6pm at Panthers Stadium
Panthers: 1 Caleb Aekins, 2 Christian Crichton, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Tyrone Phillips, 6 Tyrone May, 7 Jarome Luai, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo (c), 13 James Fisher-Harris
Interchange: 14 Wayde Egan, 15 Corey Harawira-Naera, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Moses Leota
The Panthers will start 1-17 after Liam Martin, Kaide Ellis and Tyrone Peachey were omitted an hour before kick-off. Origin pair James Maloney and Nathan Cleary have been given the week off after a hectic Origin period. Caleb Aekins has been named to debut at fullback for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring) in the only listed change from last week.
Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sione Katoa, 11 Kurt Capewell, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 18 Scott Sorensen, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya
Jesse Ramien is a late withdrawal for the Sharks. Kurt Capewell moves from the second row into the centres and Scott Sorensen goes from the reserves bench into the back row. Ramien and Sosoaia Feki were the two players left out an hour before kick-off. Wade Graham (cheek) returns from injury in the second row pushing Scott Sorensen to the reserves in Cronulla's only change. Ava Seumanufagai and Kyle Flanagan were the two players omitted 24 hours out from kick-off.
Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels, Friday 7.55pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: 1 Nicholas Meaney, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata'utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Josh King, 9 Danny Levi, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Mitch Barnett, 12 Aidan Guerra, 13 Herman Ese'ese
Interchange: 14 Nathan Ross, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Jacob Lillyman
Newcastle will start the match 1-17 after Sam Stone and JJ Felise were left out an hour out from kick-off. The Knights have named halfback Mitchell Pearce to return from a pec injury. Nick Meaney debuts at fullback for Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Danny Levi starts at hooker for Slade Griffin (knee) with Nathan Ross coming onto the bench. Daniel Saifiti (foot) returns in the front row pushing Herman Ese'ese to lock, Aidan Guerra to second row and Sam Stone to the reserves. Luke Yates and Jack Cogger were dropped from the squad 24 hours out from game time.
Eels: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Brad Takairangi, 13 Nathan Brown
Interchange: 14 Tepai Moeroa, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Peni Terepo
The Eels will start 1-17 after Kane Evans and Kaysa Pritchard were left out an hour before game time. Tepai Moeroa (suspension) returns on the bench for Will Smith in Parramatta's only change. Kirisome Auva'a and Jaeman Salmon were left out 24 hours out from game time.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Saturday 3pm at ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Kerrod Holland, 5 Reimis Smith, 6 Lachlan Lewis, 7 Jeremy Marshall-King, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange: 14 Fa'amanu Brown, 15 Clay Priest, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Danny Fualalo
The Bulldogs are 1-17, with David Klemmer returning from Origin at prop, pushing Danny Fualalo to the bench. Matt Frawley and Asipeli Fine were cut from the reserves 24 hours out from kick-off, while John Olive and Francis Tualau were the last players omitted an hour before kick-off.
Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Hymel Hunt, 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess (c)
Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Mark Nicholls, 17 Tevita Tatola
The Rabbitohs are also 1-17, with Origin stars Damien Cook, Angus Crichton and Dane Gagai all good to go. Hymel Hunt replaces Greg Inglis (broken thumb) at centre and Mark Nicholls comes in for the suspended Jason Clark on the bench in the only changes from their round 16 win over North Queensland. Braidon Burns, Dean Britt and Billy Brittain were cut an hour prior to kick-off, while Matt McIlwrick and Kyle Turner were dropped from the squad on Friday afternoon.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm, Saturday 5.30pm at Lottoland
Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Matthew Wright, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Bradley Parker, 19 Thomas Wright, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Manase Fainu, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Shaun Lane, 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14 Trent Hodkinson, 15 Kelepi Tanginoa, 16 Frank Winterstein, 17 Taniela Paseka
In a late change an hour before kick-off, Dylan Walker is out, with Thomas Wright to start at five-eighth. The Trbojevic brothers and Daly Cherry-Evans have all been named to back up from Origin. As was as Walker being out, Jorge Taufua and Toafofoa Sipley were also ruled out an hour before kick-off. Tevita Funa and Lloyd Perrett were the two players left out 24 hours before kick-off.
Storm: 7 Jahrome Hughes, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 18 Cheyse Blair, 4 Curtis Scott, 20 Young Tonumaipea, 21 Ryley Jacks, 22 Brodie Croft, 16 Christian Welch, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17 Joe Stimson, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Kenny Bromwich
Interchange: 8 Jesse Bromwich, 14 Brandon Smith, 15 Tim Glasby, 19 Tui Kamikamica
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has made a mass of changes for the second time in 24 hours, so much so that just six of the starting 13 remain in the positions they were selected in on Tuesday. In the most recent moves, Felise Kaufusi joins the list of players rested after Origin. Jesse Bromwich has also moved from the starting side to the bench, with Christian Welch to start. Brodie Croft also moves into the starting side, with Jahrome Hughes and Young Tonumaipea moving to new positions. Origin players Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Josh Addo-Carr and Cameron Munster were all ruled out on Friday. Felise Kaufusi, Albert Vete and Justin Olam were the three players omitted an hour out from kick-off.
Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday 7.35pm at GIO Stadium
Raiders: 1 Nick Cotric, 2 Michael Oldfield, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Sam Williams, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Dunamis Lui, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Junior Paulo, 17 Iosia Soliola, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii
Interchange: 14 Blake Austin, 15 Luke Bateman, 16 Siliva Havili, 18 Liam Knight
Sia Soliola moves into the starting side, with Liam Knight back to the bench. These moves came after Joe Tapine was suspended during the week. Jack Murchie and Craig Garvey were the two players omitted an hour before kick-off. In changes from last week: Fullback Brad Abbey (concussion) and prop Shannon Boyd (calf) are out, Jordan Rapana (hamstring) returns on the wing with Nick Cotric switching to fullback. Josh Papalii returns at lock, Siliva Havili moves to the bench and Junior Paulo starts at prop for Boyd. Luke Bateman (knee) returns on the bench. Blake Austin retains the bench utility role. Royce Hunt was the player left out 24 hours out from kick-off.
Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 John Asiata, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 16 Shane Wright, 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 12 Coen Hess, 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 17 Corey Jensen
In the only change made an hour before kick-off, Shane Wright moves into the back-row with Origin player Coen Hess dropping back to the bench. Justin O'Neill, Ethan Lowe and Francis Molo were the players omitted an hour before kick-off. John Asiata (pec) returns at prop, pushing Corey Jensen to the bench and Francis Molo to the reserves. Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess have been named to back up from Origin III. Mitchell Dunn and Jake Clifford were the two players left out 24 hours before game time.
Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors, Sunday 2pm at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 12 Jayden S'uA, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 20 David Fifita, 13 Josh McGuire
Interchange: 14 Kotoni Staggs, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 19 Patrick Mago
The Broncos have made a few changes, with Jayden Su'A shifting to centre after James Roberts was ruled out. Andrew Fifita starts in the back-row and Patrick Mago moves from the reserves to the interchange bench, with Tevita Pangai jnr withdrawing due to a minor hamstring injury. Jonus Pearson, Sam Tagataese, Jake Turpin and Tom Opacic were cut an hour before kick-off.
Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu'a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Gerard Beale, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali'i, 12 Simon Mannering, 13 Adam Blair
Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Joseph Vuna, 17 Anthony Gelling
The Warriors are 1-17. Gerard Beale starts on the wing with Ken Maumalo (knee) out and Anthony Gelling joining the bench. Joseph Vuna replaces Ligi Sao on the bench. Mason Lino and Blake Ayshford were cut from the reserves on Saturday afternoon, while Ligi Sao and Karl Lawton were omitted an hour before kick-off.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers, Sunday 4.10pm at Jubilee Oval
Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Luciano Leilua
The Dragons are 1-17. Ben Hunt, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims and Jack De Belin return from Origin. Leeson Ah Mau and Luciano Leilua drop to the bench and Jacob Host (shoulder) is out. Jason Nightingale is back starting on the wing with Kurt Mann on the bench. Patrick Herbert, Hame Sele, and Jai Field drop off the extended bench after Blake Lawrie, Reece Robson and Darren Nicholls were cut from the reserves on Saturday.
Wests Tigers: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer (c), 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Josh Aloiai, 13 Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matt Eisenhuth, 19 Luke Garner
Alex Twal is a late withdrawal, with Luke Garner getting a spot on the bench. Benji Marshall returns at five-eighth in place of the injured Josh Reynolds (shoulder). David Nofoaluma (calf) returns on the wing in place of Malakai Watene-Zelezniak. Ben Matulino returns at prop with Josh Aloiai moving into the starting second row and Chris McQueen out. Watene-Zelezniak, Jacob Liddle and Tim Grant all dropped out of the initial 21-man squad named on Tuesday.
Gold Coast Titans v Sydney Roosters, Sunday 6.30pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Konrad Hurrell, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 15 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 16 Will Matthews, 8 Jarrod Wallace
Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 17 Jack Stockwell, 19 Leilani Latu, 22 Jai Whitbread
Maroons forward Jai Arrow is out, with Jarrod Wallace moving to lock and Moeaki Fotuaika starting at prop, while Will Matthews replaces Keegan Hipgrave in the second row. Leilani Latu and Jai Whitbread join the bench. Konrad Hurrell starts at centre for Dale Copley (hamstring, season) with Jack Stockwell joining the bench.
Roosters: 5 Blake Ferguson, 2 Daniel Tupou, 22 Paul Momirovski 4 Joseph Manu, 18 Matthew Ikuvalu,6 Luke Keary, 21 Sean O'Sullivan, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 20 Ryan Matterson, 12 Nat Butcher, 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14 Zane Tetevano, 15 Lindsay Collins, 17 Kurt Baptiste, 23 Poasa Faamausili
Origin trio James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Boyd Cordner will all have a rest this weekend, while Cooper Cronk is also out with his wife expecting a child and Mitchell Aubusson is also a late withdrawwal. Blake Ferguson starts at fullback, Matthew Ikuvalu is on the wing, Paul Momirovski starts at centre and Sean O'Sullivan is in at halfback. Ryan Matterson replaces the suspended Victor Radley in the second row.
