The NRL playoffs are all the way down to the ultimate 4 groups with two sudden-death matches to resolve who advances to the Grand Last – right here is how every crew is shaping up.
Preliminary Finals groups
All occasions AEST, fixtures but to be formally introduced
Preliminary Last: 1 Melbourne vs 3 Roosters at AAMI Park: 7.50pm, Friday September 27
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson 19. Kane Bradley 20. Lazarus Vaalepu 21. Joe Chan 22. Sua Faalogo
Sua Fa’alogo has an outdoor probability of being accessible to play after struggling a hamstring tear within the closing spherical. He’s listed within the prolonged reserves, however the rookie speedster is unlikely to have the ability to power his method into Craig Bellamy’s game-day squad.
The Storm beat the Roosters 18-12 in Spherical 7 at Allianz Stadium earlier than getting the higher of them 24-8 within the return bout in Melbourne in July.
They’ve been put in as heavy $1.30 favourites over the Roosters at $3.55.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Younger 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Spencer Leniu 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell Could 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Siua Wong 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Jake Elliott 22. Michael Jennings
Veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was not charged for the incident which led to Tolu Koula being concussed within the first play of the match in opposition to Manly on Saturday night time and he will probably be hoping to increase his Roosters profession by yet one more recreation into the GF earlier than heading to the Tremendous League subsequent 12 months.
Luke Keary, Sitili Tupouniua, Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii may be taking part in their final match for the Roosters as Trent Robinson’s squad undergoes an overhaul heading into 2025.
JWH in his return from suspension and fellow ahead Victor Radley making an early comeback from a fractured scapula earned Robinson’s reward after the 40-16 victory over Manly.
“Jared and Victor coming again in set a tone about the best way they play the sport,” he stated.
Preliminary Last: 2 Penrith vs 4 Cronulla at Accor Stadium: 7.50pm, Saturday September 28
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Casey McLean 19. Trent Toelau 20. Scott Sorensen 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton
Again-rower Scott Sorensen (hamstring) has been named among the many reserves as he seems to return in time to assist his facet qualify for the Grand Last. If he’s a late inclusion, Luke Garner would doubtless transfer to the bench with Brad Schneider dropping out.
Ivan Cleary on Thursday was uncertain the ahead would make a second look since tweaking his hamstring in opposition to Parramatta in spherical 23.
“I don’t count on (him to play) as but, however I’m hoping,” Cleary stated. “He’s nonetheless going by way of numerous phases however there’s a good bit tonight that he’ll have to do.
“At this stage we really feel like he can, however doing it’s one other factor. If he’s going to play then he’s bought to have the ability to play.”
Sunia Turuva was fined for tripping James Tedesco within the win over the Roosters whereas Nathan Cleary made a profitable comeback from his shoulder concern and after an additional week off to rehab the harm, he’ll take his place within the line-up in opposition to the Sharks.
Cleary is constant rehabilitation forward of Saturday’s conflict with Cronulla however his shoulder pulled up nicely from his first match in a month – additionally Penrith’s most medical in latest reminiscence.
Penrith pumped Cronulla 42-0 at Shark Park of their solely regular-season assembly in Spherical 12 when Cleary was sidelined by his hamstring drawback and they’re rated a $1.25 probability with the Sharks thought of $4 lengthy photographs.
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14.
Siosifa Talakai 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Samuel Stonestreet
The Sharks named the identical 17 that beat the Cowboys. Jesse Ramien (ankle) made it by way of his comeback match in opposition to the Cowboys however Samoan winger Sione Katoa continues to be hampered by a hip harm. Each have been named within the beginning facet.
Ramien downplayed sporting a moon boot at Cronulla on Monday, assured he’ll line up on the Sharks’ proper edge regardless of latest ankle troubles.
The centre missed their qualifying closing loss to Melbourne however returned to assist the facet snap a seven-game finals dropping streak with their win over North Queensland.
“I pulled up a bit sore after the sport however fairly fortunate we’ve bought an eight-day turnaround, so I’ll be doing all the pieces I can with the physios,” he stated.
“I believe the boot’s in all probability a bit extra precautionary, they bought me into it just about straight after the sport to form of offload the leg. “It’s a bit sore however alternatives like this don’t come round too typically so that you’ve simply bought to take them once they come.”
Siosifa Talakai is the likeliest man to switch him within the centres if he loses his race in opposition to the clock, having performed there in opposition to the Storm a fortnight in the past.
Dan Atkinson was the unfortunate Shark who was relegated to 18th participant duties final weekend and can put on that quantity once more this week.
