The NRL Round 19 teams are in, and it’s the St George-Illawarra Dragons featuring heavily again with the return of captain Gareth Widdop.
The skipper hasn’t played since suffering a shoulder dislocation Round 3, and he’ll be joined in the halves by Ben Hunt after the halfback was controversially rested for last week’s heavy loss to Penrith. Zac Lomax also returns on the wing for St George as they looked to arrest their nosediving form.
The Melbourne Storm have stocked up for their Saturday night blockbuster against Manly, adding Cameron Munster, Josh Addo-Carr, Will Chambers, Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch after all five players missed last week.
Brisbane have regained Matt Gillett for their important derby against Gold Coast, while Nathan Brown has raised eyebrows after making no changes to his Newcastle side that got demolished by the Roosters last week.
CHECK OUT THE FULL TEAMS
Thursday, 7:50pm at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks
1. Josh Dugan, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Josh Morris, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Barden Hamlin-Uele, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Paul Gallen
Bench/Reserves: 14. Blayke Brailey, 15. Jack Williams, 16. Matt Prior, 17.. Billy Magoulias, 18. Jayson Bukuya, 19. Kyle Flanagan, 20. Scott Sorensen, 21. Sione Katoa
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Javid Bowen, 4. Tom Opcacic, 5. Murray Taualgi, 6. John Asiata, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Shane Wright, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Bench/Reserves: 14. Coen Hess, 15. Matthew Scott, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Francis Molo, 18. Peter Hola, 19. Reuben Cotter, 20. Corey Jensen, 21. Gideon Gela-Mosby
Friday, 6pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Hymel Hunt, 3. Tautau Moga, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Mitchell Barnett, 12. Sione Matu’utia, 13. Tim Glasby
Bench/Reserves: 14. Connor Watson, 15. James Gavet, 16. Herman Ese’ese, 17. Jamie Buhrer, 18. Jacob Saifiti, 19. Josh King, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Aidan Guerra
Tigers
1. Corey Thompson, 2. Paul Momirovski, 3. Moses Mbye, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. David Nofoaluma, 6. Benji Marshall, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Oliver Clark, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Michael Chee-Kam, 13. Ryan Matterson
Bench/Reserves: 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Alex Twal, 17. Chris Lawrence, 18. Matthew Eisenhuth, 19. Tommy Talau, 20. Chris McQueen, 21. Josh Reynolds
Friday, 7:55pm at ANZ Stadium
Rabbitohs
1. Adam Doueihi, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. James Roberts, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Campbell Graham, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tevita Tavola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Dean Britt, 11. John Sutton, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Cameron Murray
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tom Amone, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Jaydn Su’A, 17. Kyle Turner, 18. Connor Tracey, 19. Corey Allan, 20. Sam Burgess, 21. Tom Burgess
Dragons
1. Corey Norman, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Zac Lomax, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. James Graham
Bench/Reserves: 14. Josh Kerr, 15. Korbin Sims, 16. Matt Dufty, 17. Luciano Leilua, 18. Reece Robson, 19. Jacob Host, 20. Patrick Kaufusi, 21. Mikaele Ravalawa
Saturday, 3pm at Bankwest Stadium
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Brad Takairangi, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Josh Hoffman, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Kane Evans, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Marata Niukore, 12. Manu Ma’u, 13. Nathan Brown
Bench/Reserves: 14. Oregon Kaufusi, 15. Daniel Alvaro, 16. David Gower, 17. Tepai Moeroa, 18. Jaeman Salmon, 19. Andrew Davey, 20. Tim Mannah, 21. Ethan Parry
Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Gerard Beale, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Blake Ayshford, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Blake Green, 8. Agnatius Paasi, 9. Isaac Luke, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Adam Blair, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Jazz Tevaga
Bench/Reserves: 14. Lachlan Burr, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 18. Adam Pompey, 20. Adam Keighran, 21. Ligi Sao, 22. Chris Satae
Saturday, 5:30pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans
1. Michael Gordon, 2. Dale Copley, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Tyrone Roberts, 7. AJ Brimson, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Jack Stockwell, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Bryce Cartwright, 13. Jai Whitbread
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. Leilani Latu, 17. Sam Stone, 18. Ryley Jacks, 19. Mitch Rein, 20. Will Matthews, 21. Brenko Lee
Broncos
1. Anthony Milford, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Alex Glenn, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Darius Boyd, 7. Jake Turpin, 8. Matthew Lodge, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Payne Haas, 11. David Fifita, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Tevita Pangai Jr.
Bench/Reserves: 14. James Segeyaro, 15. Joe Ofahengaue, 16. Rhys Kennedy, 17. Patrick Carrigan, 18. Keenan Palasia, 19. Herbie Farnworth, 20. Xavier Coates, 21. Gehamat Shibasaki
Saturday, 7:35pm at AAMI Park
Storm
1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Sandor Earl, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane
Bench/Reserves: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Joe Stimson, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 18. Marion Seve, 19. Tui Kamikamica, 20. Tom Eisenhuth, 21. Tino Faasuamaleaui
Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brad Parker, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Dylan Walker, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Manase Fainu, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench/Reserves: 14. Lachlan Croker, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Morgan Boyle, 17. Taniela Paseka, 18. Cade Cust, 19. Brendan Elliot, 20. Jack Gosiewski, 21. Lloyd Perrett
Sunday, 2pm at ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs
1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Kerrod Holland, 4. Will Hopoate, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Lachlan Lewis, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Adam Elliott
Bench/Reserves: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King, 15. Renouf Toomaga, 16. Danny Fualalo, 17. Chris Smith, 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 20. Kieran Foran, 21. Jayden Okunbor, 23. Ofahiki Ogden
Roosters
1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Victor Radley, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 13. Isaac Liu
Bench/Reserves: 14. Sam Verrills, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Brett Morris, 18. Sitili Tupouniua, 19. Poasa Faamausili, 20. Lachlan Lam, 21. Billy Smith
Sunday, 4:05pm at Panthers Stadium
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Brian To’o, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Mitchell Kenny, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Villame Kikau, 12. Frank Winterstein, 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench/Reserves: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Jarome Luai, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 18. Jed Cartwright, 19. Spencer Leniu, 20. Stephen Crichton, 21. Liam Martin
Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hogdson, 10. Iosia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joseph Tapine
Bench/Reserves: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Dunmais Lui, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Sebastian Kris, 21. JJ Collins
All times AEST (Sydney/Brisbane/Melbourne).
steveng
Roar Rookie
I agree PS, for me, Widdop is a class player and irrespective of him being out for 16 weeks the bloke is an exceptional kicker and goal kicker, now, Hunt coming back after a week off should also be a big plus as are the Dragons forwards. This is a crucial game for the Bunnies, its going to be a very close game and the Bunnies better not be too confident that its going to be their usual 40min effort and that Reno, Murray, Lowe and Jimmy will get them out of trouble and that it will be an easy game! They better bring their 80min game and their “A” game if they don’t want a disaster to happen just like e.g. with Manly in round 4 and the Panthers, Tigers and last week’s Cows game, which was a lucky win and everything went the Bunnies way in the last 20min, plus, Gerrad Sutton is refing so ‘anything could happen’ lol Go You Bunnies!!! My tips are: Sharks, Knights, Bunnies, Warriors, Broncos, Sea Chooks, Chooks and Raiders.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
They'd be the only ones....
Farkurnell
Guest
The Board has every confidence in Coach McGregor (you hope)
Farkurnell
Guest
Desperate times call for desperate measures.One more lose over at the Shire and Bomber can meet Mary on top of C.Cook bridge to contemplate there future
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
At first I totally agreed, then I realised that Mary is more worried about collecting the spoon rather than anything else, hence he won't do anything for 2020 or bring anyone along. Such a sad state of affairs. Does anyone have word regarding the Tuesday night board meeting??
MORDAC
Roar Rookie
Field did ok or even well when he was given a chance but his last game, filling in for Norman a few weeks was absolutely atrocious. In attack and defence.
Larry1950
Guest
You'd have to doubt Widdop's chances of getting through the game given the innocuous way his shoulder dislocated again earlier this year, reminds me of Benji early in his career having reconstructions every six months. Appears to be a last throw of the dice for Mary before Gareth heads off to a comp where he won't have to tackle as much. Should also suit Maloney to a tee in the ESL, all diamonds & no more rocks with less defensive pressure. Can he get through 3 seasons at the one club, that appears to be his absolute limit? On the local SEQ derby, Boyd at 5/8 & Glenn at centre won't strike fear into the GC backline defenders with their lack of pace so that's going to be an interesting game.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
actually aggravated Dragon, stupid post won't let me edit....
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
He might get the lollies on the field but the after game fight is another story. I'm an aggro Dragon with an empty bottle of Chivas... bring it on...
Larry1950
Guest
Dragons finals chances have collapsed with their big name squad failing to aim up yet no spot in the 21 for half or 5/8 Jai Field? He's no world beater at this stage but says a lot about how they treat their local juniors. Surely there has to be a pathway for a local who was good enough to make under age origin teams for NSW. Aiken will be next to go elsewhere as they keep looking for the silver bullet & ignore their own juniors. Despite all the hype about Norman after the successful field goals to win earlier games, he hasn't got them further up the ladder than last year. Same as Korbin Sims, ordinary and error prone for the Broncos last year and now less than ordinary for the dragons.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Well here it is...cardinal and myrtle vs red and white; Bunnies vs Dragons, Papi Smurf vs DP Schaefer....it should be an interesting game. Good luck fellas and may the best team win! In the words of Homer Simpson : "The winner will be showered with praise; the loser will be taunted and booed until my throat is sore!" :)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
From a Rabbitohs perspective change is not good. I'd prefer things to be left as they were... at least until round 20. Hunt and Widdop together brings experience to the Dragons halves and FB is Corey Norman's best position IMO. Je drifts in and out of ganes too much in the halves. Also, Dufty's speed fresh of the bench around the ruck taking advantage of tired forwards could be dangerous for the Bunnies. On Souths side of the equation despite being on an extended bench Sam Burgess won't play and Tom Burgess is still only 50/50 while AJ is still lost somewhere in the Bermuda triangle!
Paul
Guest
I suspect Dessie is flying under the radar again and avoiding unnecessary headlines this week. If Custy passes concussion protocols, he will come straight in for Walker on game day. Parker will stay as he is good defensively and has gotten across the line more often than Walker too.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I don't enjoy watching Walker at 5/8 and most of the faithful thought only Barrett would do it but now Disco Des has done it two weeks in a row. Funny thing is we seem to have pretty good results with him at 5/8 . I always thought Brian Kelly would make a great 5/8 , unreal foot work and ability to put someone thru a gap but still needs to sharpen up in defence at the Titans.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I used to like him......now, there's no sympathy.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Effing ridiculous from Dragons... FFS, so it's the winger's fault for the past few weeks?? And Dufty's fault again.. ferk, there goes the tries. Why Widdop?? seriously, is he, from about 12 weeks off, in the front line of defence, with a twice stuffed shoulder, really going to lead the club into 7 straight wins?? Dragons need to sorting stuff out for 2020 and Widdop isn't a part of that. The season is seriously done so you're smarter and better off for the future by running guys for next year and letting Widdop go early. Hunt was working better with Norman anyway. Dragons needed a rev up in the pack and the two sub standard centres not replacement wingers. Turn it up. Mary is worse than imaginable. All this talent at his disposal and no understanding of how to utilise it.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I really can’t understand why Dylan Walker is at 6. He’s a centre. He was poor on the weekend against the Eels. Saved by a quality team performance. He panics. Tries to score off every play. He overthinks every situation. Shows no patience. If Cust is fit then he needs to come back in. And unfortunately Parker misses out. But we can’t play Walker in the halves.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
And here comes the cavalry, 3 weeks too late.
MORDAC
Roar Rookie
Poor Paul McGregor. The pressure has gotten to him and he has completely lost his mind. It's good Saab is getting a chance in front of Peason who simply isn't NRL standard but Ravalawa has been the only 1 of the back 5 to be half decent. Lomax on the other hand is the best centre at the club but a poor winger, as he has proven several times. Finally Widdop at 5/8, returning to what has worked so well in the 5 years before this year...... Poor Paul. I used to hate him but now I just feel sorry for him.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yeah good call re Manly. Newcastle went down to Melbourne a bit over a month ago as top four contenders got smashed and have only won once since. Robinson has shown his hand in the 3/4s with Hall in and Bmoz in 17. I doubt the Roosters will run on 1 to 17 though. Put up or shut up for the Sharks this week. Dugan has been in reasonable form this year but if reports are to be believed he needs a big grow up pill. Anyway he has his shot at fullback this week. Widdop back will help the Dragons but I think the gate has closed for them in 2019 and Widdop won't be there next year.