NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 22

Leichhardt the scene for Thursday night showdown

Women in League Round opens with the Wests Tigers hosting the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night.

Luke Laulili’i (head knock), Starford To’a (hamstring), and Fonua Pole (ribs) drop out for the hosts with Justin Olam (knee), David Klemmer (ankle), and Solomon Alaimalo coming in.

Latu Fainu has been named to start at halfback with Apisai Koroisau at hooker and Tallyn Da Silva on the bench although the trio shuffled around prior to kick-off a week ago.

Jason Taumalolo (cheek) and Reuben Cotter (head knock) are missing for the Cows with Heilum Luki (hamstring) and Thomas Mikaele coming in.

The Cowboys have won only one of their past 10 at Leichhardt whilst the Wests Tigers have won three of their past four at the venue.

Eels NZ-bound for Friday evening clash

A desperate Warriors outfit come up against a struggling Eels unit in Auckland on Friday.

Shaun Johnson (Achilles) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) are back in a big boost for the hosts with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifting out to the wing and Ed Kosi and Te Maire Martin dropping out whilst Tom Ale comes onto the bench for Jackson Ford (knee).

Eels interim coach Trent Barrett has named the same 17 that went down to the Storm in Round 21.

The Eels have won four of their past five against the Warriors but have not played in New Zealand since 2017.

Dolphins, Roosters do battle in Top 8 clash in Perth

The Dolphins and Roosters meet in a key clash at Perth’s HBF Park on Friday night.

There are no changes to the Dolphins squad that were defeated by the Titans in Round 21.

Joseph Manu (hand) comes into the centres for Michael Jennings (suspension) in the only change to the Roosters outfit that survived Manly a week ago.

The Roosters play in the Western Australian capital for the first time since 1995 whilst the Dolphins lost in the city last year.

Titans host Broncos in all-QLD derby

The Titans will be looking to continue their hot run of form when they host the listing Broncos on Saturday afternoon on the Gold Coast.

Des Hasler has not made any changes to the 17 that upset the Dolphins last week although AJ Brimson (groin) and Jaimin Jolliffe (pec) have been named among the reserves.

Selwyn Cobbo is out for Brisbane, but Brendan Piakura (quad) returns with Corey Oates named to start on the wing and Kobe Hetherington reverting to the pine.

The Broncos have won seven of their past nine at Cbus Super Stadium.

Dragons head to AAMI to take on ladder-leading Storm

The No.1 Storm are back at home to face the Dragons on Saturday evening as they look to move one step closer to the minor premiership.

Cameron Munster shifts into the starting side after a successful injury return a week ago with Tyran Wishart dropping back to the bench, Sualauvi Fa’alogo moving to the reserves, and Alec MacDonald coming onto the interchange.

Tyrell Sloan returns at fullback for the visitors with Mathew Feagai (head knock) out whilst Ryan Couchman and Blake Lawrie come onto the bench for Toby Couchman (suspension) and Ben Murdoch-Masila (foot).

The Dragons have not won in Melbourne since 1999 whilst the Storm have lost just one of their past 18 at AAMI Park.

Sharks looking to bounce back vs. Bunnies in Shire

The Sharks will be looking to continue their run towards a Top 4 berth when they host the Rabbits on Saturday night.

William Kennedy (suspension) returns in place of Liam Ison, but Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) is out with Sam Stonestreet earning a run on the wing.

Tom Hazelton (foot) is out but Jack William (wrist) and Royce Hunt (illness) return.

Cameron Murray (suspension) returns for Souths pushing Tallis Duncan back to the bench whilst Richie Kennar (head knock) returns in the centres with Michael Chee Kam dropping back to the bench.

Alex Johnston’s (Achilles) injury sees Fletcher Myers debut on the wing with Peter Mamouzelos and Liam Le Blanc out of the side.

A Waratah Mayfield Cheetahs product, Myers started his football journey in the Knights system before moving to Manly and eventually back to the Knights.

He joined the Rabbitohs mid-year and has scored four tries from four NSW Cup appearances with the side.

The Rabbitohs have won only two of their past nine at PointsBet Stadium.

Knights journey to BlueBet for Sunday afternoon affair

The Panthers are at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon for a showdown against Newcastle.

Daine Laurie (head knock) and James Fisher-Harris (groin) are out for Penrith with Isaiah Iongi debuting at fullback and Lindsay Smith starting up front with Matt Eisenhuth the new man on the bench.

Iongi was named to the NSW Cup Team of the Year in 2023 and has shown similar form in 2024.

The Queensland product linked up with the Panthers in 2022 and has grown into an integral member of their NSW Cup side

Fresh off a bye, Phoenix Crossland has been named at halfback for the Knights with Jackson Hastings dropping out whilst Fletcher Sharpe replaces Krystian Mapapalangi on the wing.

Bradman Best (hamstring) is out with Dylan Lucas shifting into the centres whilst Adam Elliott returns at lock with Jayden Brailey the No.9 and Jack Cogger the No.14.

The Panthers have won 13 of their past 15 against the Knights who have not won at BlueBet since 2018.

Dogs back at Belmore for key clash against Raiders

The Dogs and Raiders face off at Belmore on Sunday in what beckons as perhaps the game of the round.

Stephen Crichton (neck) and Josh Addo-Carr (hamstring) are back for the Dogs with Jacob Kiraz pushing out to the wing and Blake Wilson and Jeral Skelton making way.

Ricky Stuart has named the same side that downed the Bunnies a week ago with Josh Papali’i becoming just the third Raider ever to reach the 300-game mark.

The Bulldogs have won all eight home games this season although the Raiders have won their past nine against the Bulldogs

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