Moves, Rumours,Judiciary, Injuries ...

[Irish Saint]

6 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

Shaping up as a great last 10 minutes.

thoughts on Barba’s confirmed release?

opens the door for Holmes to head to Cows and Barba return to the shire...

Holmes shouldn't be allowed to go anywhere.... Dugan on the other hand.

[Sports Prophet]

7 hours ago, Irish Saint said:

Holmes shouldn't be allowed to go anywhere.... Dugan on the other hand.

He’s only got a year left, he is the Cowboys fullback solution after releasing Ponga

[Farmduck]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2018-warriors-classy-farewell-to-departing-nrl-referee-matt-cecchin/news-story/61b6dbb6eccdc3961a09233db873317d

Edited August 11, 2018 by Farmduck

[Graham]

Amongst that quote was this:

Quote

Cecchin has been offered a role with the English Super League, however has made no official announcement over his future.

 

[Farmduck]

This week's Storm v Eels game will also be a Kaufusi v Kaufusi affair. Felise Kaufusi will play against Eels debutant Oregon Kaufusi. It might get kaufusing for the commentators.

[Graham]

Oregon or will he stay FD?

[Graham]

Cronulla Sharks co-captain Paul Gallen will play on in what will be his 19th season for the club in 2019.

[Graham]

There's a media report that Michael Maguire  is to take over the head coach role at Broncos and that Brisbane are to offer Wayne Bennett a job upstairs.

[Graham]

R23

Jahrome Hughes is out of the Storm team, with Brodie Croft to start at halfback in jersey No.21. Cheyse Blair replaces the injured Ryan Hoffman (hamstring) on the bench. Hughes and Albert Vete were the two players left out 24 hours out from kick-off.

[Graham]

Sharks apparently going to sign Seggy on for a couple more years.

If they also manage to re-sign Val Holmes will they be still bringing Barba back?

Maybe they don't actually want Ben Barba back.

Edited August 16, 2018 by Graham

[Graham]

... on which note ...

One of the rumours doing the rounds is that Ben Barba is in the Storm’s sights to replace the retiring Billy Slater at fullback.

However, Storm say  NO WAY.

They believe Barba has too much baggage in his past and won’t be taking him off St Helens’ hands.

[Graham]

Injury List After Round 23 2018.

All NRL Clubs:

All the latest injury news for all 16 clubs in the NRL Telstra Premiership.

Brisbane Broncos

Andre Savelio (knee, season)
Matt Gillett (neck/calf, season)
Payne Haas (shoulder, season)
Jack Bird (sternum, indefinite)
Jaydn Su'A (ankle, season)

Canberra Raiders

Canberra fullback Brad Abbey suffered a head knock in the upset win over the Roosters and will be monitored during the week.

Jack Wighton (stood down on disciplinary grounds, finals)
Brad Abbey (HIA, TBC)
Ata Hingano (ankle, season)
Jarrod Croker (knee, season)
Michael Oldfield (knee, season)
Aidan Sezer (hamstring, indefinite)

Canterbury Bulldogs

Raymond Faitala-Mariner (knee) and Marcelo Montoya (hamstring) have started light running as part of their rehabilitation for long-term injuries.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner (knee, season)
Marcelo Montoya (hamstring, season)
Kieran Foran (toe, season)
Chris Smith (broken thumb, season)

Cronulla Sharks

Jesse Ramien suffered an ankle injury in Saturday's clash with the Cowboys. Hooker Jayden Brailey was a late withdrawal on Saturday night after having surgery on an ear injury. Cronulla back-rower Wade Graham strained medial ligaments in the win over Melbourne but is expected to return in round 24.

Jack Williams (pectoral, season)
Edrick Lee (shoulder, round 24)
Wade Graham (knee, round 24)
Jayden Brailey (ear, round 24)
Jesse Ramien (ankle, TBC)

Gold Coast Titans

Michael Gordon needed a dislocated wrist treated to in hospital after a freak accident at training but the club is hopeful the veteran fullback will return for the final game of the season against the Cowboys.

Max King (shoulder, season)
Dale Copley (hamstring, season)
Tyronne Roberts-Davis (neck, season)
Morgan Boyle (shoulder, season)
Michael Gordon (wrist, round 25)

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Lachlan Croker (ACL, season)
Curtis Sironen (knee, season)
Apisai Koroisau (foot, round 24)
Akuila Uate (ankle, season)

Melbourne Storm

Injury news aplenty for the Melbourne Storm - headed by the back problem that limited Cameron Smith to just 34 minutes in his side's win over Parramatta on Friday night. His injury was followed by a hamstring complaint which forced winger Suliasi Vunivalu from the field at half-time; an ankle injury that ended the night of prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona; and a knee injury suffered by Brandon Smith.

All four are facing scans to determine the severity of their injuries.

Cameron Smith (back, round 24-25)
Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring, finals week one)
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (ankle, finals week one)
Brandon Smith (knee, finals week one)
Sam Kasiano (knee, round 24)
Ryan Hoffman (hamstring, grand final)
Jahrome Hughes (knee, round 24)

Newcastle Knights

Jacob Saifiti (shoulder, indefinite)
Tautau Moga (knee, season)
Slade Griffin (knee, season)
Nathan Ross (groin, indefinite)
Jacob Lillyman (abdominal, round 24)
Connor Watson (groin, round 24)

North Queensland Cowboys.

Michael Morgan (biceps, season)
Josh Chudleigh (knee, season)
Sam Hoare (knee, season)
Antonio Winterstein (knee, retired)
Shaun Fensom (concussion, round 24)
Matt Scott (neck, indefinite)

Parramatta Eels

Tony Williams (knee, season)
Beau Scott (knee, retired)
Manu Ma'u (cheekbone/eye socket, season)
Cameron King (knee, round 24)
Daniel Alvaro (knee, round 24)
Kaysa Pritchard (shoulder, season)
Kirisome Auva'a (foot, round 24)
Kane Evans (calf, round 24)
Will Smith (hamstring, round 25)

Penrith Panthers

Penrith will be without their Origin series-winning five-eighth James Maloney until the first week of the finals after a set of scans revealed serious knee ligament damage.

The 32-year-old has a grade two medial ligament tear from the win over the Gold Coast, and will now miss the three remaining club rounds against the Knights, Warriors and Storm.

Jarome Luai (ankle, season)
Peter Wallace (shoulder, retired)
Dylan Edwards (shoulder, season)
Tim Browne (bowel, retired)
Sam McKendry (knee, season)
James Maloney (knee, finals)
Jack Hetherington (suspension, round 25)

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Scan results revealed Rabbitohs fullback Alex Johnston is likely to only miss a week with a hamstring injury. Greg Inglis is on track for a return next week with just a doctor's clearance standing in his way.

Greg Inglis (thumb, round 24)
Adam Doueihi (knee, season)
Robert Jennings (hamstring, finals week 1)
Alex Johnston (hamstring, round 24)
Mark Nicholls (fractured fibula, indefinite)
Zane Musgrove (foot, round 24)
Campbell Graham (wrist, round 24)

St George Illawarra Dragons

Jacob Host (shoulder, round 24)
Paul Vaughan (ankle, round 25-finals week 1)
Gareth Widdop (shoulder, round 25-finals)

Sydney Roosters

Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to miss up to a month after suffering broken ribs in the Roosters' round 22 win over South Sydney.

Luke Keary (knee, round 25)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs, finals)

Warriors

Blake Green will have scans after suffering a corked calf in his side's loss to the Bulldogs.
Second-rower Tohu Harris is on target to return from a knee injury against Penrith next week. Harris has resumed training after missing seven matches through two separate setbacks.

Blake Green (calf, scans)
Gerard Beale (hamstring, TBC)
Nathaniel Roache (neck, season)
Tohu Harris (knee, round 24)
Sam Lisone (suspension, round 24)

Wests Tigers

Corey Thompson (ankle, season)
Josh Reynolds (shoulder, season)
Chris Lawrence (hamstring, broken hand, round 23)
Josh Aloiai (broken hand, round 24)
Tim Grant (knee, round 24) 

 

[Saint Toppy]

On 8/16/2018 at 7:08 PM, Graham said:

... on which note ...

One of the rumours doing the rounds is that Ben Barba is in the Storm’s sights to replace the retiring Billy Slater at fullback.

However, Storm say  NO WAY.

They believe Barba has too much baggage in his past and won’t be taking him off St Helens’ hands.

Saints are willing to release Barba but want either cash or a player exchange of their choice.

[Graham]

Tyrone Peachey is due to move to Gold Coast Titans next season.

There's the possibility of a slight hitch in the move though. His wife is worried about the move and there's doubts now that she would feel happy moving away from her family.

Edited August 24, 2018 by Graham

[Graham]

Teams Listed for NRL Round 25 

The Broncos have decided to rest hooker Andrew McCullough, after he was felled by Dylan Napa’s sickening hit, handing the No.9 jersey to Jake Turpin.

The Dragons have opted to include Matt Dufty in the starting No.1 jersey, despite the fact he was benched in last week’s loss to the Bulldogs.

Meanwhile the Storm have decided to hand the halfback jersey to Brodie Croft for their clash with the Panthers at AAMI Park.

Here is every NRL club’s Round 25 squad

THURSDAY

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, 7.50pm

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Campbell Graham 3. Greg Inglis 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

Interchange: 14. Hymel Hunt 15. Cameron Murray 16. Jason Clark 17. Dean Britt

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burnsr 19. Tyrell Fuimaono 20. Tevita Tatola 21. Matt McIlwrick

Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Mahe Fonua 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Benji Marshall (c) 7. Luke Brooks 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Robbie Farah 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Elijah Taylor

Interchange 14. Alex Twal 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Robbie Rochow 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Jacob Liddle 19. Luke Garner 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

FRIDAY

Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm (AEST)

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Mason Lino 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Adam Blair 12. Tohu Harris 13. Simon Mannering

Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Isaiah Papalii 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Gerard Beale

Reserves: 18. Leivaha Pulu 20. Anthony Gelling 21. Chris Satae 22. Karl Lawton

Raiders: 1. Brad Abbey 2. Nick Cotric 3. Michael Oldfield 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Sam Williams 8. Dunamis Lui 9. Josh Hodgson (C) 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Sia Soliola 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Josh Papalii

Interchange: 14. Emre Guler 15. Junior Paulo 16. Siliva Havili 17. Luke Bateman

Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie 19. Liam Knight 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Aidan Sezer

Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park, 7.55pm

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Justin Olam 3. Cheyse Blair 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Joe Stimson 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Sam Kasiano

Reserves: 18. Ryan Hoffman 19. Jahrome Hughes 20. Albert Vete 21. Ryley Jacks

Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Christian Crichton 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Trent Merrin 9. Wayde Egan 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14. Tyrone May 15. Moses Leota 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. James Tamou

Reserves: 18. Sione Katoa 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Kaide Ellis 21. Tyrone Phillips

SATURDAY

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium, 3pm

Knights: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Ken Sio 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Cory Denniss 5. Shaun Kenny-dowall 6. Jack Cogger 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Herman Ese’ese 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Aidan Guerra

Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jacob Lillyman 17. Josh King

Reserves: 18. JJ Felise 19. Pasami Saulo 20.Brock Lamb 21. Luke Yates

Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Zac Lomax 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Kurt Mann 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Jai Field 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18.Reece Robinson 19. Patrick Herbert 20. Hame Sele 21. Jacob Host

Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Konrad Hurrell 4. Brenko Lee 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Mitch Rein 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Jack Stockwell 17. Will Matthews

Reserves: 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Jai Whitbread 20. Leilani Latu 21. Brendan Elliott

Cowboys: 1. Ben Hampton 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Gideon Gela-mosby 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Ethan Lowe 15. John Asiata 16. Shaun Fensom17. Scott Bolton

Reserves: 18. Francis Molo 19. Jake Clifford 20. Javid Bowen 21. Shane Wright

Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.45pm

Eels: 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Bevan French 3. Michael Jennings 4. Clint Gutherson (c) 5. George Jennings 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitch Moses 8. Siosaia Vave 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tim Mannah 11. Marata Niukore 12. Brad Takairangi 13. Tepai Moeroa

Interchange: 14. Jaeman Salmon 15. Kave Evans 16. David Gower 17. Oregan Kaufusi

Reserves: 18. Ray Stone 19. Cameron King 20. Josh Hoffman 21.Greg Leleisiuao

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Isaac Liu 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Mitchell Aubusson 17. Ryan Matterson Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Paul Momirovski 21. Kurt Baptiste

SUNDAY

Canterbury Bulldogs v Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium, 2pm

Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Reimis Smith 6. Lachlan Lewis 7. Matt Frawley 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. David Klemmer 11. Josh Jackson 12. Rhyse Martin 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Ofahiki Ogden 17. Greg Eastwood

Reserves: 18. Francis Tualau 19. Fa’amanu Brown 20. Renouf To’omaga 21. John Olive

Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Edrick Lee 3. Josh Dugan 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Sosaia Feki 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen

Interchange: 14.Scott Sorensen 15. James Segeyaro 16. Aaron Woods 17. Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18. Joseph Paulo 19. Ava Seumanufagai 20. Jesse Ramien 21. Kyle Flanagan

Brisbane Broncos v Manly Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium, 4.10pm

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Jordan Kahu 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Sam Thaiday 11. Alex Glenn 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Mcguire

Interchange: 14. Patrick Mago 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Korbin Sims 17. David Fifita

Reserves: 18. Sam Tagataese 19. Todd Murphy 20. Kotoni Staggs 21. Jack Bird

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matthew Wright 3. Moses Suli 4. Brian Kelly 5. Brad Parker 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 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. Jack Gosiewski 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Frank Winterstein 19. Tevita Funa 21. Tom Wright 22. Toafa Sipley

[Graham]

Dragons news:

Dragons won't be tempted to rush their star five-eighth Gareth Widdop back from injury anytime soon, despite playing for a home final this weekend.

Widdop, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in Round 22, will be kept on ice in order to be ready for their all-or-nothing final in a fortnight’s time.

[Graham]

Media seem to have latched on to the Turbos, Tom and Jake, not being at all happy at Manly over the treatment of trent Barrett.

Reports say they are unsettled.

[Futtocks]

2 hours ago, Graham said:

Media seem to have latched on to the Turbos, Tom and Jake, not being at all happy at Manly over the treatment of trent Barrett.

Reports say they are unsettled.

That's quite a disturbing rumour for Manly, as there's virtually no team that wouldn't want to sign either or both the brothers if they shopped themselves around.

[DavidM]

And there’s virtually no team at manly without them . They are both top notch and busting a gut there 

[Graham]

Reports emerging that Ben Barba will be playing out of Townsville next season, North Queensland signing the Saints fullback as he attempts to revive his NRL career.

[Farmduck]

Apparently Sane Tellins want Lachlan Coote as part of the deal. The Cows can't throw Coote in because he's off contract this year. He may still choose to go - who wouldn't want to move from tropical North Queensland to St Helens Megalopolis? The Tomorrowland of the Mersey.

[Graham]

Corey Oates is getting closer to re-signing with the Brisbane Broncos after switching managers mid-season.

Oates parted with management company Gillis Schifcofske Sports Management and has signed on with SFX Australia.

It is said that Canterbury had made an $800,000 offer to him, but that deal is believed to have broken down.

Oates has previously expressed his desire to play in the back-row and it is believed the deal with the Bulldogs would have allowed him to play in his preferred position.

Wayne Bennett had said he would like Oates to remain on the wing if he is to stay at Red Hill.

[Graham]

Billy Slater has flown to Cairns and will miss Storm's R25 game due to a serious family illness.

I suppose Hughes will take his place at full back.

[Graham]

Trent Barrett and Scott Penn (Manly's owner and Chairman) are not getting on so well during this wind down of Barretts stay at the club .

Penn is apparently not happy with the way Barrett has gone public with his leaving how he has revealed issues with the club.

Barrett who seeking money from the club is reported to have a thick file of emails etc between Penn and him which may not show things in a good light!

[Graham]

South Sydney Rabbitohs Head of high Performance Paul Devlin has cleared both Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds for this weekend’s Semi Final against St. George Illawarra.