Tristan Sailor will replace Reece Walsh at fullback while Xavier Willison has been named in the second-row with Brendan Piakura for the Broncos’ Saturday night deby with the Dolphins at the Gabba

But coach Kevin Walters could switch lock Patrick Carrigan to start on an edge. “You need to make good decisions on the edge and we feel Patty is the best guy to do that at the start of the game,” Walters said.

Brisbane’s coach provided an update on the other injured members of his squad – Tom Flegler (foot), Kurt Capewell (quad) and Jordan Riki (foot). “We are thinking Tom Flegler will be out for four-to-six weeks and Jordan Riki about 6-8 weeks,” Walters said.

On the suspension front, Walsh has claimed he was swearing at an opponent and not referee Chris Butler but he was referred straight to the judiciary by the match review committee and found guilty with a three-match ban his punishment. 

He will miss Origin III as the charge of contrary conduct is Walsh’s fourth this year, after he incurred two in Queensland’s victory in Origin II, following a citing in round 11 for a shoulder charge.

Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will switch to centre as he targets getting back to top form against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has moved the “Hammer” from fullback to left centre with utility Kodi Nikorima, who was named on the bench, will start at the back against his old club.

Cameron Munster has completed Melbourne’s final training run, overcoming illness to take his place in the blockbuster NRL clash with Penrith.

Munster hadn’t trained with the team this week as he battled illness coming off State of Origin, but ran freely at Marvel Stadium ahead of the Friday night clash.

“He seems to be running OK,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. “He looks like he’s lost a bit of weight so he might be a bit quicker.”

While Munster is good to go against the ladder leaders, second-rower Eliesa Katoa isn’t expected back for up to another month after his eye injury required surgery.

Rabbitohs star Cameron Murray ($1800 for a careless high tackle on Tom Dearden) and fellow forward Jacob Host (two matches for a shoulder charge on Dearden) were also charged and both entered early guilty pleas.

The NRL’s move against ball-carrier penalties has stepped up a notch with Maika Sivo and Aaron Pene copping fines for raising their arms in tackles.

Sivo got $2000 for his third such incident of the year after putting up the bumper bars on Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako, while Pene got $1000 for an incident that saw Manly’s Lachlan Croker depart for a HIA.

Warriors star Marata Niukore copped a three-week ban for his high shot on Dragons centre Moses Suli. Niukore was binned for the incident and Suli’s night ended early as a result of the shot, with a category 1 concussion ruling him out for Thursday’s trip to Cronulla as well.

St George Illawarra veteran Jack de Belin was pinged twice in his 200th game for a high tackle on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and a second charge for dangerous contact on Rocco Berry. He opted not to take a two-game ban for each offence, instead of shelling out $6000.

Dragons skipper Ben Hunt will be suiting up against the Sharks after his request for an immediate release was denied by club management on Monday.

Roosters forward Angus Crichton looks set to spend several weeks on the sidelines after suffering an MCL injury in Sunday night’s loss to the Raiders while Sitili Tupouniua also faces an uncertain short-term future due to neck and shoulder problems. Back-rower Egan Butcher (concussion) and hooker Jake Turpin (rib) are also under an injury cloud.

Canberra prop Josh Papali’i will miss the Gold Coast clash with a hamstring injury while centre Jarrod Croker has been selected subject to a concussion clearance from the NRL. The Titans welcome back captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui after an Origin rest.

Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo, who was a late withdrawal against Souths with a hamstring injury, has been named as 18th man for the Saturday afternoon home clash with the Tigers.

Round 18 teams

Sharks vs Dragons, at PointsBet Stadium – 7.50pm, Thursday, June 29

Sharks: 1. Will 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. Cameron McInnes 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Jack Williams 17. Wade Graham 18. Connor Tracey 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Toby Rudolf 21. Braydon Trindall 22. Jesse Colquhoun

Front-rower Toby Rudolf is due to return after three months out with a foot injury to boost a Cronulla team fresh off a bye following their last-start win over Canterbury.

Dragons: 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 14. Talatau Amone 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Toby Couchman 19. Moses Mbye 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Max Feagai 22. Billy Burns

Ben Hunt will be suiting up after meeting with club officials on Monday and being denied an immediate release from his contract. 

Moses Suli is out after suffering a grade-one concussion in Friday’s loss to the Warriors in Wollongong so Tautau Moga has been recalled. Jack Bird (knee) is out of the pack with Toby Couchman recalled to the game-day squad.

Warriors vs Rabbitohs, at Go Media Stadium – 6pm, Friday, June 30

Warriors: 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 12. Josh Curran 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Brayden Wiliame 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Kalani Going 23. Zyon Maiu’u

Veteran forward Mitch Barnett (high tackle) will return from his one-game ban for a hit on Jordan Rapana while his return offsets the three-match ban handed out to second-rower Marata Niukore for a high tackle.

Rabbitohs: 1.Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Richard Kennar 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Shaq Mitchell 16. Davvy Moale 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Taane Milne 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Peter Mamouzelos 22. Jacob Gagai

Blake Taaffe will remain at fullback for a few more weeks with Latrell Mitchell now not due to not return from his ongoing calf injury until Round 21. 

Second-rower Jacob Host has been banned for two matches for a shoulder charge on Tom Dearden with Michael Chee Kam replacing him in the run-on team.

Storm vs Panthers, at Marvel Stadium – 8pm, Friday, June 30

Storm: 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 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Kane Bradley 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Tom Eisenhuth 20. Chris Lewis 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Jonah Pezet

Cameron Munster sat out Saturday’s win over Manly with an illness and although captain Christian Welch joked he had developed “Caxtonitis” from the Maroons’ Origin celebrations at the famous Brisbane pub, the five-eighth was still in quarantine midweek. He was declared a certain starter on Thursday.

Front-rower Aaron Pene (ankle) is under a cloud and has been named in the reserves whike Tui Kamikamica (calf) should be right to return.

Panthers: 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 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Zac Hosking 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Luke Garner 21. Tyrone Peachey 22. Thomas Jenkins

Ivan Cleary made the bold call to rest all his Origin stars against Newcastle and the premiers still won. Brian To’o, Liam Martin, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Stephen Crichton will return this Friday with Tyrone Peachey, Tom Jenkins, Zac Hosking and Matt Eisenhuth squeezed out.

Raiders vs Titans, at GIO Stadium – 3pm, Saturday, July 1

Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Nick Cotric 17. Ata Mariota 18. Brad Schneider 19. Danny Levi 20. Matt Frawley 21. Xavier Savage 22. Peter Hola

Josh Papali’i (hamstring) is likely to miss a couple of weeks so Ata Moriata gets a recall to the game-day line-up with Pasami Saulo promoted to the starting side at prop.

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Chris Randall 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jojo Fifita 20. Kruise Leeming 21. Klese Haas 22. Jacob Alick

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was rested by interim coach Jim Lenihan in the win over Brisbane so he will be a welcome boost for the trip to Canberra. His return sends Jaimin Jolliffe back to the interchange and Izack Fa’asuamaleaui to the reserves.

Cowboys vs Tigers, at QCB Stadium – 5.30pm, Saturday, July 1

Cowboys: 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 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Jason Taumalolo 19. Kyle Feldt 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Jack Gosiewski 22. Zac Laybutt

Jason Taumalolo and Reece Robson are Todd Payten’s main concerns with their hamstring issues. Taumalolo has been listed in the reserves but will start if fit.

Tigers: 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 17. Asu Kepaoa 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Will Smith 20. Tommy Talau 21. Justin Matamua 22. Aistasi James

Daine Laurie comes in at five-eighth for the team which lost to the Gold Coast before last week’s bye. Starford To’a returns to the centres with Asu Kepaoa dropped.

Blues prop Stefano Utoikamanu is available again so Fonua Pole reverts to the interchange.

Broncos vs Dolphins, at the Gabba – 7.35pm, Saturday, July 1

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 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 12. Xavier Willison 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Deine Mariner 20. Jock Madden 22. Logan Bayliss-Brow

With Reece Walsh suspended on Tuesday night after being referred directly to the hearing following his foul-mouthed referee spray in the loss to the Titans, Tristan Sailor comes in at fullback.

Tom Flegler and Jordan Riki are out at a month at least each with foot injuries with Keenan Palasia and Xavier Willison coming into the pack for them.

Dolphins: 17. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Ray Stone 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 4. Valynce Te Whare 18. Max Plath 19. Harrison Graham 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Brayden Mcgrady 22. Kurt Donoghoe

Wayne Bennett is hoping to have Jeremy Marshall-King back from a shoulder injury but Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace each have one more match to serve on their respective suspensions. JMK’s return pushes Kodi Nikorima to fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to line up at centre. Tesi Niu has reclaimed his wing spot from Brayden McGrady.

Bulldogs vs Knights, at Accor Stadium – 2pm, Sunday, July 2

Bulldogs: 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 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jackson Topine 19. Reece Hoffman 20. Kyle Flanagan 21. Corey Waddell 22. Braidon Burns 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Harrison Edwards (concussion) should be right to play after the Dogs had the bye last round and has been named on the interchange. Khaled Rajab will start at five-eighth ahead of Karl Oloapu while Jackson Topine has taken Corey Waddell’s bench forward spot.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Brodie Jones 20. Lachlan Miller 21. Jack Johns 22. Adam Clune

Second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon (concussion) will return as Newcastle try to ensure they remain in the finals hunt but centre Dane Gagai (foot) is out. Enari Tuala is in for Gagai while Dylan Lucas makes way for Fitzgibbon.

Sea Eagles vs Roosters, at 4 Pines Park – 4.05pm, Sunday, July 2

Sea Eagles: 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. Jakob Arthur 19. Morgan Harper 20. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 21. Karl Lawton 22. Sean Keppie

Manly have a bunch of inclusions this weekend with Kelma Tuilagi (facial fracture), Jason Saab (shoulder), Brad Parker (elbow), Jake Trbojevic (calf) and Ben Trbojevic (hamstring) named in the side to face the Roosters. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, Morgan Harper, Sean Keppie, Karl Lawton and Ben Condon have been dumped after the loss to the Storm.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Turpin 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Victor Radley 12. Naufahu Whyte 13. Nathan Brown 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Terrell May 16. Siua Wong 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Junior Pauga 19. Corey Allan 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Nat Butcher 22. Dylan Napa

Angus Crichton’s knee injury adds to the club’s lengthening injury list while Jake Turpin (rib) has been named but Egan Butcher (concussion) is out. 

Nat Butcher has an ankle problem and has been listed in the reserves, while a call on Fletcher Baker (head knock) will be made later in the week.

Second-rower Sitili Tupouniua (neck) has shoulder and neck issues so he has also been sidelined while Brandon Smith (thumb) needs at least another week.

Joseph Suaali’i is back after serving his suspension for raising his knees in possession but has been shifted from centre to the wing.

Bye – Eels 

Eels: Hooker Josh Hodgson (neck) should be right to return when Parra host the Warriors next Saturday.

with AAP