NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 12

Bulldogs, Dragons open Indigenous Round at Homebush

Indigenous Round opens at Accor Stadium on Thursday night with the Dragons and Bulldogs doing battle.

Jaeman Salmon (staph infection) returns into the second row for the Bulldogs with Josh Curran reverting to the pine and Poasa Fa’amausili dropping out.

Luciano Leilua (calf) returns onto the bench for the Red V with Ben Murdoch-Masila making way.

The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine clashes against the Dragons at Homebush.

Wests Tigers journey north for Cowboys clash

The Wests Tigers will look to put an end to their seven-game losing run when they meet the Cowboys in Townsville on Friday evening.

Todd Payten has named the same 17 that downed the Rabbitohs at Magic Round although Kyle Feldt (ankle) has been named among the reserves having sat the clash out.

Suspensions to Brent Naden and Justin Olam have forced Benji Marshall to lean on a new-look centre-pairing of Declan Casey and Josh Feledy.

Isaiah Papali’i (suspension) returns at second row however with Asu Kepaoa dropping out whilst Justin Matamua starts at lock pushing Alex Twal to the interchange.

Wests Tigers have won only two of their past dozen north of the border.

4 Pines the scene for Manly-Melbourne showdown

The Storm travel to Sydney’s northern beaches for a Friday night showdown against the Sea Eagles.

Jason Saab (shoulder) and Nathan Brown (quad) are back for Manly with Jaxson Paulo and Matt Lodge (biceps) dropping out.

Jahrome Hughes (calf) has been named to replace Cameron Munster (groin) in the halves with Tyran Wishart the five-eighth.

The Sea Eagles have beaten the Storm in their last two clashes at 4 Pines although the Storm have won three on the trot away from home.

Raiders host Roosters in Top 8 battle

The Roosters make the trip to the nation’s capital on Saturday afternoon for a matchup against Ricky Stuart’s Raiders.

Josh Papali’i (suspension) is out for the hosts with Peter Hola earning a nod on the interchange.

Joseph Manu (head knock), Naufahu Whyte, and Sandon Smith (suspension) all return for the Tricolours with Junior Pauga, Connor Watson (throat), and Nat Butcher out.

Victor Radley starts in the second row with Whyte at No.13.

The Raiders have won six of their past eight games the Roosters in Canberra.

Ladder-topping Sharks host defending champs at PointsBet

The No.1 Sharks take on the No.3 Panthers in the Shire on Saturday evening in arguably the match of the round.

Craig Fitzgibbon has the luxury of naming the same 17 that downed the Roosters at Magic Round.

Scott Sorensen starts on an edge pushing Luke Garner and Liam Henry (head knock) onto the interchange.

The Sharks have won six of their past seven at PointsBet whilst the Panthers have not won at the venue since 2012.

Rabbits, Eels looking to steady ship at Accor

The Rabbitohs and Eels – both headed by interim coaches – face off against each other at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.

Jack Wighton and Cody Walker make up a new halves pairing for the Bunnies whilst Michael Chee Kam and Jacob Host (suspension) both return.

Taane Milne replaces Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson in the centres with Keaon Koloamatangi starting at lock, Siliva Havili reverting to the interchange, and Dion Teaupa making way.

Ryan Matterson (illness) returns for the Eels with Bryce Cartwright reverting to the pine and Luca Moretti dropping out.

The Rabbitohs have won six of their past seven against the Eels who have not defeated the Rabbitohs at Homebush since 2017.

Walsh back as Broncos face Titans in all-Queensland affair

The Titans make the short trip north in a bid to upset the Broncos on Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium.

Reece Walsh (knee) and Billy Walters (wrist) both return for the Broncos but Kotoni Staggs (ribs) is out.

Selwyn Cobbo shifts back to the centres whilst Tyson Smoothy reverts to the interchange and Blake Mozer drops out.

For the Titans, Jaimin Jolliffe (pec) and Aaron Schoupp (signed with Manly) are out with Josiah Pahulu starting up front, Tony Francis listed on the wing, and Joe Stimson coming onto the bench.

The Broncos have won four of their past five against the Titans and seven of their past eight at Suncorp.

Warriors back in NZ for Dolphins meeting

The Warriors will look to use last week’s win over the Panthers as a launchpad when they host the Dolphins in Auckland on Sunday.

Rocco Berry (hand), Marata Niukore (foot), and Freddy Lussick (head knock) all return for the Wahs although Wayde Egan (head knock) and Ali Leiataua (ankle) are unavailable with Paul Roache also dropping out.

Max Plath (head knock) is back for the Dolphins with Kenny Bromwich reverting to the interchange and Kurt Donoghoe making way.

Only two of the Dolphins’ 16 wins since their inception have come from outside Queensland.

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