Michael Maguire has handed a debut to a young enforcer after pulling a bench switch for the Battle of Brisbane clash with the Dolphins, while Cameron Ciraldo has given an update on Bronson Xerri.
Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Read on for all of the Round 4 Late Mail!
FRIDAY MARCH 27
Brisbane Broncos v Dolphins, 8pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Ben Talty 16. Aublix Tawha 17. Gehamat Shibasaki 18. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Va’a Semu
Players cut: 19. Blake Mozer 20. Jesse Arthars 21. Thomas Duffy
Late Mail: Jesse Arthars and Thomas Duffy were omitted 24 hours before kick-off with Va’a Semu added to the six-man interchange in jersey No.22. Va’a was given a development contract for this season by the Broncos, off the back of two impressive seasons with Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup. Such deals are typically worth about $85,000, with the player building towards inclusion in a club’s Top 30. Gehamat Shibasaki famously went from a development contract to a premiership, plus Origin and Test representation last season. Va’a has played his first three games this year for Burleigh Bears in Q-Cup, but may now get his first NRL appearance. There will be no Payne Haas on Friday and Michael Maguire told reporters the star prop is no guarantee to play next week. “At the moment, we are sort of a wait and see on that one, but he is actually getting better,” Maguire said. “We will judge that (whether he plays next week) over the next couple of days.”
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Oryn Keeley 17. Ray Stone 18. Trai Fuller 19. Francis Molo
Players cut: 20. Lewis Symonds 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Brian Pouniu
Late Mail: The Dolphins are unchanged for Friday night’s game.
Willie Peters set to coach PNG Chiefs | 00:38
SATURDAY MARCH 28
Canterbury Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights, 3pm AEDT at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Sitili Tupouniua 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Jonathan Sua 20. Fletcher Baker 22. Jack Underhill
Players cut: 21. Logan Spinks 23. Bronson Xerri
Late Mail: Star Bulldogs recruit Leo Thompson is set to return to the field earlier than anticipated according to general manager Phil Gould. Gould posted on X that Thompson is aiming for a Round 7 return from a calf tear. He was initially ruled out for 10 weeks. Coach Cameron Ciraldo, however, later told reporters “there is no direct or definite date for him to come back yet, but he’s tracking nicely”. Meanwhile, Ciraldo was also asked about exiled centre Bronson Xerri and when he could be back in the fold. “We spoke about his reaction last week, and his reaction since that point has been exactly what we wanted to see,” Ciraldo said. “So he’s going well, he’s training hard, and trying to work his way back into the team, but obviously our boys went well last week and deserve to keep their positions there.” Gould, meanwhile, also provided updates on several other players under injury clouds, including promising half Mitch Woods (Round 8), prop Sam Hughes (Round 5) and Harry Hayes (Round 5).
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Thomas Cant 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Francis Manuleleua 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Harrison Graham 22. Wilson De Courcey
Players cut: 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. James Schiller
Late Mail: To come.
Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels, 5:30pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 19. Freddy Lussick 21. Jack Cole
Players cut: 20. Kalani Going 22. Jaxen Edgar
Late Mail: The Panthers are expected to line up as named.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Luca Moretti 18. Charlie Guymer 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Jack de Belin
Players cut: 21. Teancum Brown 22. Araz Nanva
Late Mail: No changes are tipped for the Eels.
DCE triumphant in Manly return | 03:34
NQ Cowboys v Melbourne Storm, 7:35pm AEDT at QLD Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Liam Sutton 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Matthew Lodge 22. Robert Derby
Players cut:
Late Mail: Front rower Thomas Mikaele has been named to return from a knee injury suffered in the season opener against Newcastle and coach Todd Payten expects him to line up. “I do expect him to play,” Payten said. “He moved well at the back-end of last week. He needs a full week of training with the team but every indication he’ll be right.” Elsewhere, Soni Luke revealed he has been training in the halves and at lock forward to be a versatile option off the bench that can fill in anywhere he is needed. “I think in the modern game we can kind of go for a little man at lock, so I’ve been told to just be ready to have to get in the middle there and do some hard work, just to be ready for that as well,” he said.
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Moses Leo 5. Nick Meaney 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Alec MacDonald 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Cooper Clarke 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Davvy Moale 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 20. Lazarus Vaalepu 21. Manaia Waitere 22. Trent Toelau
Players cut:
Late Mail: NewsWire reports that Storm’s goal-kicking winger Nick Meaney will miss this weekend’s game against the Cowboys due to back soreness, with Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown expected to start on the left wing in his absence. Manaia Waitere will come onto the bench, according to the report.
SUNDAY MARCH 29
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks, 4:05pm AEDT at GIO Stadium
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Morgan Smithies 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Joseph Roddy 18. Daine Laurie 19. Jed Stuart 20. Owen Pattie 21. Matthew Timoko 22. Chevy Stewart
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Chris Veaila 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Mawene Hiroti
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Seibold on his future coaching for Manly | 07:02
GC Titans v St. George-Illawarra Dragons, 6:15pm AEDT at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Max Feagai 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Tukimihia Simpkins 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Lachlan Ilias 19. Josh Patston 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Oliver Pascoe 22. Jett Liu
Players cut:
Late Mail: According to Code Sports, the Titans could move AJ Brimson into the centres and recall Lachlan Ilias to the starting side. The Titans need to do something to kickstart their season. Brimson has been vocal about centre not being his preferred position but given the Gold Coast have yet to record a win, its a change Josh Hannay is considering. “He is really dangerous,” Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui said on Brimson. “We’ve just got to get to the good ball (territory). Every time we get close to the good ball area, we drop the ball or something happens. “Once we get better at that, we’ll see the likes of AJ, Keano Kini and ‘JC’ (Campbell), like we saw on the weekend, really fire up and get us going.”
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 07: Moses Suli is expected to miss due to the birth of his first child.Source: Getty Images
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Josh Kerr 19. Hayden Buchanan 20. Tyrell Sloan 21. Ryan Hutchinson 22. Lyhkan King-Togia
Players cut:
Late Mail: Code Sports is reporting Moses Suli will miss the clash with Titans. According to the report his partner is due to give birth to their first child. Hayden Buchanan is a chance to come in from the extended bench while coach Shane Flanagan could recall exiled flyer Tyrell Sloan in a reshuffled backline. Bulldogs chief Phil Gould this week suggested Flanagan could recall Sloan to try and spark the Dragons. “He’s an exciting and explosive player and he’s certainly a points scorer and I think could be a victim of a lack of confidence or lack of direction in the team,” Gould said on Six Tackles With Gus. “I think if he’s playing with a different side with different playmakers and mentality [it would help]. He’s a dangerous player and he’s a player I don’t like playing against. Gould, however, said Sloan was not a winger and suggest Flanagan’s son Kyle could make way to accommodate him. “I don’t think Tyrell Sloan is a winger and I think he lost confidence by playing on the wing, even though he scored a fistful of tries there. “I think if you move Gutherson to five-eighth, Sloan is the logical one to bring in and back your ability to score more points, which is what they need.”
