NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in Round 15

Wests Tigers Gold Coast-bound for Thursday night showdown

The round kicks off with a meeting between the Titans and Wests Tigers on Thursday night on Gold Coast.

The Titans will be without David Fifita (head knock) and Chris Randall (suspension) but have been boosted by the return of AJ Brimson (hamstring) after a six-week absence.

Brimson replaces rookie Keano Kini at fullback whilst Sam Verrills will start at hooker with Kruise Leeming coming onto the interchange.

Brian Kelly returns into the centres with Philip Sami shifting onto the wing and Jojo Fifita missing out whilst skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui starts with brother Iszac reverting to the interchange.

Jaimin Jolliffe comes onto the bench for his first NRL game since Round 1 after recovering from a torn pec.

For the Wests Tigers, Apisai Koroisau has been named to start at hooker with Jake Simpkin coming off the bench.

The Titans have won nine of their past 11 against the Wests Tigers including four on the trot.

Croker’s 300: Canberra faithful descend to on GIO Stadium for Raiders vs. Warriors

The Raiders will host the Warriors for club legend Jarrod Croker’s highly anticipated 300th game in the nation’s capital on Friday evening.

Croker returns into the centres after sitting out the side’s last-start win over the Wests Tigers alongside Sebastian Kris (knee) and Elliott Whitehead (suspension).

Kris is back in the one jersey with Harley Smith-Shields dropping out, Albert Hopoate shifting into the centres, and Nick Čotrić reverting to the interchange.

Corey Horsburgh is back in the middle after a fortnight on the edge with Joseph Tapine shifting from lock to front-row and Pasami Saulo back on the pine.

Matt Frawley and Ata Mariota are the players to miss out.

For the Warriors, Papatoetoe product Ali Leiataua has been named to make his NRL debut at centre with Rocco Berry (head knock) out.

The nephew of Warriors legend Ali Lauiti’iti, the 20-year-old is fresh off a two-try, nine-tackle break effort at KOE NSW Cup level.

Following a nine-game losing streak in Canberra stretching from 1999 to 2013, the Warriors have won five of their past nine in the Australian capital.

Tom Trbojevic in as Sea Eagles host Dolphins

The Dolphins will make the trip to 4 Pines Park to take on the Sea Eagles on Friday night with Manly set to be boosted by the big inclusion of Tom Trbojevic.

Trbojevic was cleared to play this weekend after he failed to finish Origin I with a head knock – he will replace Kaeo Weekes at the back.

Daly Cherry-Evans also returns from Origin duty to replace Cooper Johns at halfback whilst Christian Tu’ipulotu comes into the side with Reuben Garrick shifting into the centres and Brad Parker dropping out.

Josh Aloiai also makes his way back from a shoulder injury onto the bench taking the place of midseason transfer Jakob Arthur.

For the Dolphins, Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace are both out to due suspension whilst rookies Mason Teague and Max Plath have been omitted.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns from Origin duty to line-up at fullback whilst Jeremy Marshall-King has overcome a shoulder issue to take his place at nine.

Kodi Nikorima shifts from fullback to five-eighth with Ray Stone now at lock.

Poasa Fa’amausili and Kurt Donoghoe join the interchange alongside Herman Ese’ese who started last week at lock.

Tom Gilbert’s season is over after the firebrand back-rower picked up a shoulder injury in Queensland’s Origin I win.

Dragons, Rabbitohs to do battle at Kogarah

The Dragons will be aiming for back-to-back wins against Souths for the first time in 12 years when they face-off at Kogarah on Saturday afternoon.

Jack de Belin (head knock) is missing for the Dragons with Ben Murdoch-Masila starting at lock and Zane Musgrove coming onto the bench.

Jack Bird (rest) and Blake Lawrie (hand) have both been named among the reserves as they eye returns from injury.

Jayden Sullivan lines up at six with Junior Amone the 18th man.

For South Sydney, Origin star Cameron Murray (groin) and Jai Arrow (ankle) are both missing with Shaquai Mitchell starting at 13 and Siliva Havili and Jed Cartwright coming onto the bench.

It will be Havili’s first game of the season after picking up an offseason ankle injury.

Latrell Mitchell also remains out with a calf issue he picked up in the lead-up to Origin I.

Last year in Wollongong, the Dragons snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Rabbitohs thanks to an insane, six-try opening half-hour.

Knights and Broncos to face-off at Suncorp

Brisbane and Newcastle will do battle at Suncorp on Saturday evening with the Broncos eyeing their third win on the trot.

The Broncos will welcome back Origin star Selwyn Cobbo (hip) with Jesse Arthars the man to miss out.

Tyson Frizell returns from an Origin absence for the Knights with Jack Johns out whilst Kurt Mann returns onto the interchange in place of Lachlan Miller.

The Broncos have won five of their past six against the Knights at Suncorp Stadium.

Cleary-less Panthers meet Roosters at Allianz

With just three wins from their past eight, the Roosters will be in desperate search of an upset when they host a Panthers minus Nathan Cleary at Allianz on Saturday night.

Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i (suspension) is out for the Tricolours with Daniel Tupou (hamstring) returning onto the wing and Corey Allan shifting into the centres.

For Penrith, Nathan Cleary (hamstring) is unavailable with Jack Cogger starting at seven and Jaeman Salmon joining the interchange.

Penrith have won their past seven against the Roosters having not lost to them since the 2019 finals.

Top eight belter as Sharks travel south for Melbourne clash

Melbourne will host Cronulla on Sunday afternoon with the Sharks looking to earn their first win this season against a fellow top eight side.

The Storm will be without centre Justin Olam (head knock) with Grant Anderson starting and Tariq Sims joining the interchange.

As for the Sharks, Cameron McInnes (hand) makes his return onto the interchange with Thomas Hazelton dropping out.

Melbourne have won five of their past six against the Sharks and have lost just twice on 13 occasions at AAMI Park.

Monday Blockbuster: Bulldogs, Eels ignite rivalry at Accor

The round ends with a Long Weekend epic between the Bulldogs and Eels at Accor Stadium on Monday.

The Dogs welcome Jacob Kiraz (elbow) back onto the wing in place of rookie Blake Wilson whilst Chris Patolo has been named on the interchange for his first NRL outing of 2023.

Tevita Pangai Jr. starts at prop with Harrison Edwards at lock to cover the loss of Ryan Sutton whilst Reed Mahoney has been named despite picking up a head knock in the side’s last-start defeat at the hands of the Roosters.

The Eels will be without Dylan Brown (stood down) with Daejarn Asi an option to replace him at five-eighth.

Wiremu Greig (Lisfranc) and Joe Ofahengaue (calf) are both out, however, Reagan Campbell-Gillard (groin) and Andrew Davey (head knock) have been named to return.

Junior Paulo also makes his way back from Origin duty with Matt Doorey reverting to the bench and rookie Luca Moretti dropping out.

Parramatta have won 12 of their past 15 against rivals Canterbury and eight of the last 10 at Homebush.