NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in Round 17

Dragons back in Wollongong Friday to host impressive Warriors

The Dragons are back in Wollongong for the first time in nearly two months to take on the Warriors in a pivotal, Friday night clash.

The Dragons will welcome Jack de Belin (head knock) back at lock for his 200th NRL game whilst Jack Bird (rest) also returns.

Ben Murdoch-Masila and Michael Molo revert to the interchange with Jaiyden Hunt and Josh Kerr dropping out.

Dylan Walker (toe) and Rocco Berry (head knock) return for the Warriors with Mitchell Barnett (suspension) and debutant Ali Leiataua dropping out.

The Dragons have beaten the Warriors 10 out of 11 times at WIN Stadium and have won six of their past seven at the venue.

Dolphins face Eels on Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Stadium will play host to the Dolphins and Eels showdown on Saturday afternoon with both sides on the cusp of the top eight.

Having conceded 58 points in their last outing, Wayne Bennett has made a number of changes to the Dolphins 17 with Brenko Lee (leg), Tesi Niu, Poasa Fa’amausili and Kurt Donoghoe all out.

Felise Kaufusi (suspension) returns into the second row with Connelly Lemuelu reverting to the interchange whilst Josh Kerr has been named after making the move last week from the Dragons.

Brayden McGrady, a 26-year-old Goondiwindi Boars junior, has been named to debut on the wing.

McGrady has scored 55 tries in 57 careers QCup appearances and has notched nine tries and four try assists over his past seven games for Redcliffe.

Valynce Te Whare earns another shot in the centres with rookie Max Plath also named on the interchange.

Parramatta welcome Origin reps Mitchell Moses and Junior Paulo back into the fold with Luca Moretti and Matt Doorey dropping out.

Ryan Matterson and Ofahiki Ogden revert to the interchange.

Panthers looking to bounce back against Knights

Fresh off a golden-pointer heartbreaker, Penrith will take on Newcastle at the foot of the mountains on Saturday evening.

All of Penrith’s Origin reps have been named to back up whilst Moses Leota (personal issues) returns at prop.

Jaeman Salmon and Spencer Leniu revert to the bench with Tyrone Peachey, Tom Jenkins, Zac Hosking, Matt Eisenhuth, Luke Garner and Liam Henry dropping out.

Daniel Saifiti (sternum), Tyson Frizell (Origin), and Greg Marzhew (failing to meet team standards) have all been named for the Knights with Lachlan Fitzgibbon (head knock), Enari Tuala, and Brodie Jones out.

Penrith have lost just one of their past 13 to the Knights.

Manly-Melbourne rival ignites at AAMI Park

The Sea Eagles make the trip to Melbourne to take on Craig Bellamy’s Storm on Saturday night in a crucial affair for both sides.

Justin Olam (head knock) and Christian Welch (suspension) return for the Storm whilst Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, and Xavier Coates have all been named to back up from Origin.

Marion Seve, Tui Kamikamica, George Jennings, Jonah Pezet and Kane Bradley are the players dropping out of the 17.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been named to start on an edge with Tom Eisenhuth up front.

For Manly, Tom Trbojevic is expected to spend a significant stretch sidelined with a pectoral issue picked up in Origin II.

Kaeo Weekes retains his spot at fullback with Daly Cherry-Evans named to replace Jake Arthur at halfback.

Ben Condon comes onto the interchange for Samuela Fainu.

Manly have managed three wins from their past five at AAMI Park.

Southeast QLD Derby at Suncorp as Broncos take on Titans

A mouth-watering southeast Queensland derby beckons on Sunday when the Titans make the trip north to face the Broncos at Suncorp.

Kurt Capewell (quad) is out for the Broncos with Brendan Piakura shifting onto an edge and Corey Jensen coming into the front row.

Selwyn Cobbo (hip) has been named to play after sitting out Origin II whilst Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Thomas Flegler have all been named to back up.

For the Titans, Kruise Leeming and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui drop out with Kieran Foran named at six and David Fifita returning into the second row.

Jayden Campbell and Klese Haas revert to the interchange with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika both named to back up.

Brisbane have won their past four against the Titans and 13 of the past 16 at Suncorp.

Cowboys journey to Homebush for Bunnies showdown

North Queensland will make the trip to Sydney to face South Sydney at Accor Stadium a week on from a nail-biting, golden-point win over the defending premiers.

Latrell Mitchell remains sidelined for South Sydney but Cody Walker (quad), Cameron Murray (groin), Tom Burgess (back) and Davvy Moale will all return for South Sydney.

Dean Hawkins, Jacob Host, Shaquai Mitchell and Daniel Suluka-Fifita all drop out for Souths whilst Damien Cook has been named to back up from Origin.

Heilum Luki (face) is out for the Cowboys with rookie Kulikefu Finefeuiaki starting in the second row and Jack Gosiewski joining the pine.

Jason Taumalolo has been named to start in place of Jamayne Taunoa-Brown after making a successful return from injury last week.

Origin stars Murray Taulagi, Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson, Valentine Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai have all been named among the reserves.

Souths have won seven-straight against the Cowboys and seven of the past nine at Homebush.

Roosters, Raiders to meet in ’19 GF replay Sunday night

The round wraps up with a Sunday night clash between the Roosters and Raiders at Allianz Stadium.

James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins have both been named to back up for the Roosters whilst Victor Radley (suspension) is set to make his return.

Corey Allan, Drew Hutchison, and Terrell May drop out of the side with Joseph Manu shifting to the centres and Nat Butcher and Naufahu Whyte reverting to the interchange.

Luke Keary has been named alongside Sandon Smith in the halves after avoiding what was initially feared to be a broken jaw.

Ricky Stuart has not made any changes to his 17 coming off the bye with Hudson Young named to back up from Origin.

The Roosters have won six of their past nine against the Raiders including the memorable 2019 Grand Final.

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