NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 19

Dolphins back at Redcliffe for Bunnies face-off

Round 19 opens with the Dolphins returning to Kayo Stadium for a Thursday night showdown against a Rabbitohs side riding a five-game winning streak.

Origin stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi are out for the hosts along with Jeremy Marshall-King (foot) and Kurt Donoghoe (suspension).

Jack Bostock (head knock) returns onto the wing with Josh Kerr, Ray Stone, and Sean O’Sullivan coming onto the pine whilst Max Plath starts at No.9, Tevita Pangai Jr. starts up front, and Kenny Bromwich starts at lock.

Cameron Murray (Origin) and Latrell Mitchell (foot) are missing for Souths with Jye Gray the fullback, Michael Chee Kam starting on the edge, and Liam Le Blanc joining the interchange.

The Dolphins have won three of their five games played at Redcliffe.

Hynes-less Sharks host Wests Tigers in Shire

The Wests Tigers make the trip to PointsBet Stadium on Friday night in a bid to upset a Sharks squad sans Nicho Hynes.

Hynes’ (ankle) absence sees Daniel Atkinson partner Braydon Trindall in the halves with Sione Katoa (head knock) returning onto the wing.

With Siosifa Talakai (suspension) and Jack Williams (wrist) unavailable, Jesse Colquhoun and Braden Hamlin-Uele come onto the bench.

Justin Olam (knee) drops out for the visitors with Alex Lobb coming into the backline whilst Reuben Porter replaces Justin Matamua on the interchange.

The Sharks have won 10 of their past 12 against the Wests Tigers who have not defeated the Sharks twice in one season since 2014.

Eels on Gold Coast for key Saturday clash

The Titans and Eels – two sides battling to avoid the spoon – will meet at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night.

Moeaki Fotuaika is out on Origin duty, but Jayden Campbell (hand) returns at five-eighth with AJ Brimson (groin) listed among the reserves.

Klese Haas returns in the second row with Phillip Sami (calf) named on the interchange and Josiah Pahulu starting at prop.

The Eels will be without Mitchell Moses (Origin) and Junior Paulo (foot) with Daejarn Asi starting at halfback and Luca Moretti coming onto the bench.

Round 18 debutant Charlie Guymer starts at lock with debutant Lorenzo Mulitalo coming onto the wing with Blaize Talagi pushing into the centres and Sean Russell out.

The twin brother of Sharks winger Ronaldo, Mulitalo grew up in Auckland before bouncing around the lower grades in Queensland and NSW over the past few years.

The Eels have won eight of their past nine against the Titans and have not lost on the Gold Coast since 2017.

Dragons journey to Suncorp to meet struggling Broncos

The Dragons and Broncos face-off at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night with both sides looking to keep in touch of the Top 8.

Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan are out on Origin duty for the hosts along with Jock Madden (hamstring).

Tristan Sailor is the fullback, Kotoni Staggs (personal reasons) returns at centre, Jordan Riki (suspension) returns at second row, Josh Rogers wears the No.7 and Blake Mozer comes onto the bench with Xavier Willison and Tyson Smoothy starting in the middle.

The Dragons lose Origin stars Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax with Jesse Marschke coming in at halfback and Mikaele Ravalawa (suspension) onto the wing.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner (back spasms) and Hame Sele (shoulder) are back as well with Blake Lawrie (shoulder) and Fa’amanu Brown dropping out.

The Dragons have won six of their past eight against the Broncos but just one of their past 11 without Hunt.

4 Pines the scene as Sea Eagles face Knights in crucial affair

The Sunday afternoon slot will showcase a 4 Pines Park belter between Manly and Newcastle with both sides firmly in the Top 8 mix.

Toluta’u Koula’s (knee) absence sees Tom Trbojevic shift back into the No.1 jersey whilst Daly Cherry-Evans (Origin), Jake Trbojevic (Origin), and Ben Trbojevic (head knock) are also out.

Tommy Talau shifts into the centre with Lehi Hopoate on the wing whilst debutant Jamie Humphreys wears the halfback jumper.

The 22-year-old Manly junior has become a key member of their NSW Cup side this season and earns an awaited opportunity with Cherry-Evans on Origin duty.

Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Caleb Navale join debutant Clayton Faulalo on the interchange.

Faulalo has proven to be a try-scoring ace at NSW Cup level having snagged 41 tries from 40 games over the past two seasons.

Origin stars Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, and Dane Gagai are out for the Knights along with Enari Tuala (calf).

Krystian Mapapalangi partners Greg Marzhew on the wing with Dylan Lucas and Tom Cant forming a new centre duo and Fletcher Sharpe the fullback whilst Adam Elliott returns at lock and Phoenix Crossland at hooker.

The Sea Eagles have won nine of their past 11 against the Knights on the Northern Beaches.

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