NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 18

Debutants in as Eels host Rabbits in key Round 18 opener

The round opens with the Eels taking on the Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night with a win going a long way towards helping avoid a last-place finish.

Debutants Jake Tago and Charlie Guymer come in for the hosts with Maika Sivo (hamstring) and Makahesi Makatoa making way.

The older brother of Panthers star Izack, Tago came through the Panthers system before bouncing around several different NSW Cup sides over the past few seasons.

A 2023 NSW Under 19s rep, Guymer came through the grades at Parramatta and has this season become a key cog in the Eels’ NSW Cup lineup.

Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray return for the Bunnies with Jye Gray and Liam Le Blanc making way.

The Rabbitohs have won seven of their past eight against the Eels.

Sharks looking to steady ship at Coffs Harbour vs. Titans

Coffs Harbour’s C.ex Coffs International Stadium will be the scene for the Sharks and Titans Friday evening clash.

Sione Katoa (head knock) is missing for the Sharks with Daniel Atkinson the man to replace him whilst Tom Hazelton comes into the run-on side with Toby Rudolf dropping back to the pine.

AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika, and Jojo Fifita return for the Gold Coast with Jayden Campbell (hand) dropping out alongside Jacob Alick and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui.

The Sharks have won their past nine against the Titans who have won only two from seven away from home this year.

GF rematch at Suncorp as Broncos eye bounce-back

A blockbusting Grand Final rematch takes centre stage on Friday night with the Broncos hosting the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.

Reece Walsh, Corey Oates, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan all return for Brisbane with Tristan Sailor, Kotoni Staggs (personal reasons), Jack Gosiewski (arm) and Fletcher Baker (knee) out.

Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Jarome Luai are back for the Panthers with Casey McLean, Brad Schneider, and Trent Toelau making way.

The Panthers have won seven of their past eight against the Broncos who have lost three of their past four games at Suncorp.

Dogs, Warriors meet at Accor in Saturday afternoon showdown

The Bulldogs will look to stay undefeated at home on Saturday afternoon when they face the Warriors.

Connor Tracey (head knock) and Kurt Mann (suspension) are back on deck for Canterbury with Jacob Kiraz shifting back out to the wing and Jeral Skelton and Blake Taaffe dropping out.

There are no changes for the Warriors side that took down the Broncos in Auckland a week ago.

The Bulldogs have won their past six at Accor Stadium, but the Warriors have won their past six against the Bulldogs.

1st vs. 17th as Wests Tigers host storm at Leichhardt

Two sides at opposite ends of the rollercoaster the Wests Tigers and the Storm do battle at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday evening.

Charlie Staines is back on the wing for the hosts with Solomona Faataape shifting into the centres and Brent Naden dropping out.

Heath Mason comes onto the bench with John Bateman starting in the second row and Reuben Porter omitted.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is back for the Storm with Sua Fa’alogo dropping back to the bench whilst Xavier Coates’ (hamstring) unavailability brings Kane Bradley onto the wing and Harry Grant remains out for Melbourne.

The Storm have won their past six games against Wests Tigers but just five of 13 over the years at Leichhardt.

Manly travel to Townsville for vital clash

QCB Stadium hosts a key clash between the No.7 Cowboys and No.9 Sea Eagles on Saturday night.

Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson are all back for the Cowboys with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Sam McIntyre, and Harrison Edwards reverting to the interchange.

Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) is back in a major boost for Manly but will be playing in the centres with Toluta’u Koula the fullback.

Reuben Garrick, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic, Josh Aloiai and Haumole Olakau’atu all return as well with Jaxson Paulo, Ben Condon, and Corey Waddell out.

The Cowboys have won only three of their past eight games at home and face a Manly outfit who have not been defeated in Townsville since 2016.

Dragons seeking revenge against Roosters at Allianz

The Dragons will be looking to avenge their Anzac Day loss when they meet the Roosters on Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium.

Joseph Manu (hand) is out for the Tricolours with Michael Jennings coming into the run-on side whilst Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to make his 307th appearance for the Roosters – a club record.

Zac Lomax returns for the Dragons to replace Mathew Feagai (shoulder) on the wing.

The Roosters have won 10 of their past 12 clashes against the Dragons.

Ponga back as Knights journey to nation’s capital for Sunday face-off

Kalyn Ponga returns for the Knights who make the trip south to Canberra on Sunday afternoon to meet the Raiders.

Kaeo Weekes is the fullback for the hosts with Jordan Rapana on the wing, Albert Hopoate in the centres, and Adam Cook at halfback whilst Simi Sasagi replaces Jordan Martin (head knock) on the bench.

Ponga (foot) returns at fullback for the Knights along with Leo Thompson (achilles) and Dylan Lucas (hamstring)

Phoenix Crossland (head knock) is missing with Jayden Brailey starting at No.9 and Fletcher Sharpe on the interchange.

The two sides have split their past six clashes against each other with Rapana having scored six tries.

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