NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 13

Moses, Gutherson return as Eels look to steady ship vs. ladder-leaders

A bolstered Parramatta side host a Sharks side looking to bounce back at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night.

Clint Gutherson (knee), Mitchell Moses (foot), and Will Penisini (infection) are all back for the Eels with Blaize Talagi reverting to the pine and Morgan Harper and Daejarn Asi dropping out.

J’maine Hopgood’s (Origin) unavailability sees Joe Ofahengaue start at lock and Wiremu Greig come onto the interchange whilst Brendan Hands has taken over from Joey Lussick at No.9.

For the Sharks, Nicho Hynes (Origin) and Cameron McInnes (Origin) are both out with Braydon Trindall (stood down) returning into the halves, Jack Williams starting at lock, and Toby Rudolf and Braden Hamlin-Uele coming onto the pine.

The Sharks have won three in a row at CommBank.

Bulldogs journey north for Knights showdown

The Bulldogs will look to build on their form when they face a Knights side fresh off a bye at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

Bradman Best (hamstring) is out paving the way for Krystian Mapapalangi to line up in the centres whilst Daniel Saifiti (suspension) replaces Jack Hetherington on the bench.

Stephen Crichton (Origin) and Matt Burton (Origin) are both out for the Dogs with Drew Hutchison returning into the halves, Jacob Kiraz shifting into the centres, and Blake Wilson the new face on the wing.

Viliame Kikau (finger) is also missing with Jacob Preston starting on the edge, Kurt Mann returning at lock, and Poasa Fa’amausili coming onto the bench.

The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine in Newcastle.

Rookies on show as Panthers host Dragons

Both the Panthers and Dragons have been forced into mass changes for their Saturday evening clash at BlueBet Stadium.

Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin are all out due to Origin commitments for the hosts.

Daine Laurie starts at fullback with Jesse McLean on the wing, Brad Schneider at halfback and Preston Riki, Mavrik Geyer, and Tyrone Peachey joining debutant Trent Toelau on the bench.

Lindsay Smith and Liam Henry both earn starting nods with Matt Eisenhuth (head knock) also unavailable.

For the Dragons Zac Lomax, Ben Hunt, and Jaydn Su’A are on Origin duty whilst Jack Bird (ankle) and Hame Sele (shoulder) are out injured.

With Mikaele Ravalawa omitted, Mathew and Max Feagai come into the backline along with rookie Sione Finau whilst Jesse Marschke starts in the halves.

Stand-in co-captains Jack de Belin and Tom Eisenhuth start in the middle with Luciano Leilua and Raymond Faitala-Mariner the second rowers.

Ben Murdoch-Masila comes onto the interchange along with Toby and Ryan Couchman.

The Panthers have won their past six clashes against the Dragons who have lost their past 10 without Hunt.

Raiders in Redcliffe for Top 8 face-off

Canberra make the trip up to Kayo Stadium for a Saturday night showdown against the Dolphins.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi are both in Origin camp, so Trai Fuller starts at fullback, Mark Nicholls at prop, and Anthony Milford comes on the bench.

Hudson Young (Origin) is missing for the visitors, but Josh Papali’i (suspension) returns at front row with Ata Mariota starting at second row and Emre Guler and Simi Sasagi earning bench nods.

The Dolphins have won three of their four games at Kayo Stadium and six of their past eight north of the border.

Chooks host Cowboys in Sunday battle

The undermanned Roosters face the undermanned Cowboys at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Origin stars Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu are all out for the Chooks along with Egan Butcher (ACL).

Junior Pauga and Nat Butcher come into the run-on side with Siua Wong, Sitili Tupouniua, and Michael Jennings joining the bench.

North Queensland are down Origin stars Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter.

Thomas Mikaele and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki earn starting gigs along with Tom Chester, Braidon Burns, Jake Clifford, Jake Granville whilst Harrison Edwards and debutant Jamal Shibasaki come onto the pine.

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