NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 17

Dogs, Sharks open round at Accor

The Bulldogs and Sharks will face-off at Accor Stadium in the opening clash of Round 17 just 48 hours on from Origin II.

Blake Taaffe is back at fullback in place of Connor Tracey (head knock) whilst Bronson Xerri (hamstring) returns at centre with Drew Hutchison dropping out.

Stephen Crichton (Origin) and Jacob Preston (foot) have been named among the reserves.

Tuku Hau Tapuha replaces Braden Hamlin-Uele on the bench in the only change for the Sharks.

The Bulldogs have won their past five games at Accor Stadium.

Warriors back in Auckland for Broncos showdown

The Warriors will look to put their disappointing loss to the Titans behind them when they host the Broncos in Auckland on Saturday.

Shaun Johnson (achilles) is unavailable for the Warriors with Chanel Harris-Tavita pushing into the halves and Freddy Lussick coming onto the bench.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (suspension) is back onto the wing at the expense of Ed Kosi whilst Origin stars Mitchell Barnett and Kurt Capewell have been named to return.

Jordan Riki (suspension) is out for Brisbane but Jesse Arthars (jaw) returns on the wing whilst their Origin stars have been named on the reserves list and may come into the side pending evaluation.

The Warriors have won only two of their six games at Go Media Stadium this season whilst the Broncos have won three of their past four against the Warriors including last year’s preliminary final.

Eels journey to Hunter eyeing climb up ladder

The Eels will be desperate to drag themselves off the bottom of the ladder when they face the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday evening.

Kai Pearce-Paul (toe) comes back onto the bench in place of Jack Hetherington whilst Will Pryce has been named to make his NRL debut at five-eighth in place of Jack Cogger.

The son of English great Leon, Pryce made the move to Australia over the offseason after three years with Huddersfield in the English Super League and has made 13 NSW Cup appearances at five-eighth and fullback for the Knights.

Kelma Tuilagi (suspension) is out for Parra but Maika Sivo (hamstring) and debutant Matthew Arthur have been named.

A Rouse Hill Rhinos junior and son of former Eels coach Brad, Arthur makes his debut having impressed in his first full year of NSW Cup and starred in NSW’s Under 19s Origin win a week ago.

Sean Russell shifts into the centres with Daejarn Asi dropping out whilst Bryce Cartwright comes into the run-on side with Matt Doorey added to the interchange.

The Knights have lost their past six against the Eels who have lost all six games away from home this season.

Ricky’s Raiders travel south for Storm clash

The Raiders will look to return to the winners circle when they face the Storm at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

Origin stars Harry Grant and Xavier Coates have been named to start for the Storm however Nick Meaney (calf) is out.

Jack Howarth moves into the centres, Bronson Garlick and Nelson Asofa-Solomona revert to the pine, and Sua Fa’alogo drops to the reserves.

Nick Čotrić (ankle) is out for Canberra with Albert Hopoate coming onto the wing whilst Tom Starling (head knock) returns pushing Zac Woolford out of the side.

Debutant Jordan Martin also comes onto the bench in place of Emre Guler.

The 24-year-old Narooma Devils junior has been a key component of the Raiders’ NSW Cup side over the past three years and earns an awaited shot at the top grade.

The Raiders have won five of their past six encounters at AAMI Park.

Dolphins make maiden Kogarah trip to face Dragons

The Dolphins make the trip to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday to meet the Dragons in a key clash.

Moses Suli (hamstring) returns for the Red V with Christian Tuipulotu dropping out whilst Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been named to start with Luciano Leilua coming off the bench.

Zac Lomax, Ben Hunt, and Jaydn Su’A have all been named to back up from Origin.

Jack Bostock (head knock) is out for the Dolphins with Tesi Niu coming onto the wing whilst Origin stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi have been named to return.

The Dolphins have won five of their seven clashes away from home this season.

Panthers take on Cowboys in Top 8 battle

Two of the sides most effected by Origin the Panthers and Cowboys face each other at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Mitch Kenny (calf) and Jack Cole (half) return into the spine for Penrith with Luke Sommerton and Brad Schneider dropping out whilst Matt Eisenhuth replaces Trent Toelau on the pine.

All of the Panthers’ Origin contingent have been named to back up.

Jeremiah Nanai is the only of the Cowboys’ Origin stars not in the extended squad whilst Jordan McLean (calf) returns at prop.

The Panthers have won 14 of their past 16 at BlueBet and face a Cowboys side that has not won at the venue since 2016.

Wests Tigers looking to keep good times rolling vs. Chooks

The Wests Tigers will look to make it three in a row when they face the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Sunday evening.

Sitili Tupouniua replaces the suspended Junior Pauga in the centres whilst all four of the Roosters’ Origin players have been named to play.

David Klemmer (suspension) replaces Kit Laulili’i on the interchange for the Wests Tigers whilst injured stars John Bateman and Justin Olam have been named among the reserves.

The Roosters have won their last seven against Wests Tigers and an extraordinary 17 of their past 18.

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