NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 23

Storm eyeing bounce back win vs. Bunnies

Round 23 opens at Accor Stadium on Thursday night with the Rabbitohs taking on a Storm side that had their seven-game winning streak snapped last week.

Cody Walker (calf) returns at No.6 for the Bunnies in place of Dion Teaupa whilst Jacob Host (abdomen) and Siliva Havili (hamstring) are replaced by Shaq Mitchell and Peter Mamouzelos.

Eli Katoa (knee) is out for Melbourne with Tui Kamikamica (groin) returning and pushing Trent Loiero out to the edge whilst Tepai Moeroa is replaced by Chris Lewis on the interchange.

The Storm have won nine of their past 11 against the Rabbitohs.

Titans looking to maintain stunning revival in Sharks showdown

The Sharks make the trip up to the Gold Coast for a Friday evening showdown against a Titans unit that has won five of their past six to rocket into shock finals contention.

The Titans got the chocolates the last time these sides met a little over a month ago at Coffs Harbour.

Beau Fermor (kidney) is out for the Gold Coast with Klese Haas starting in the second row and Keenan Palasia coming onto the interchange whilst AJ Brimson (groin) has been named in jersey No.18.

Braydon Trindall (hamstring) and Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) are out for the visitors with Blayke Brailey shifting to halfback, Cameron McInnes moving to hooker, and Jack Williams coming into the run-on side.

Tom Hazelton (foot) and rookie Jayden Berrell join the bench.

The Sharks have won nine of their past 10 against the Titans.

CommBank the scene for Battle of the West

The Panthers make the quick trip to CommBank for a Friday night face-off against the Eels as they set their sights on a fourth minor premiership in five seasons.

Matt Doorey replaces Luca Moretti in the only change to the Parramatta side that won in Auckland in a week ago.

Daine Laurie (head knock) replaces last week’s debutant Isaiah Iongi at fullback for the visitors.

The Panthers have not defeated the Eels at CommBank since 2019.

Canberra, Manly face in key clash in nation’s capital

The Raiders host Manly on Saturday afternoon at GIO Stadium in a clash that could have postseason implications.

Ethan Strange earns a recall for the Green Machine after sitting last week out pushing Adam Cook to the bench and Danny Levi to the reserves whilst Simi Sasagi replaces Zac Hosking (shoulder) on the pine.

Three big ins for Manly with Haumole Olakau’atu (suspension), Lehi Hopoate (face), and Lachlan Croker (head knock) all returning.

Tommy Talau pushes into the centres, Ben Trbojevic and Corey Waddell shift back to the bench, and Jake Simpkin drops out of the 17.

Josh Aloiai (knee) is out with Nathan Brown moving into the front row whilst Reuben Garrick and Jason Saab have both recovered from head knocks suffered prior to the side’s bye.

Tom Trbojevic has notched six tries from his past four games against Canberra.

Cows host Broncos in XXXX Derby

The Cowboys will look to continue their finals charge when they meet struggling rivals Brisbane at QCB Stadium on Saturday evening.

Reuben Cotter (head knock) returns for North Queensland with Harrison Edwards dropping back to the bench and Jake Granville (pec) out.

Jeremiah Nanai will wear No.24 for the Cowboys with No.12 retired in honour of the late Carl Webb.

Payne Haas (foot) and Ezra Mam (ankle) are out in big blows for the Broncos with Josh Rogers starting at five-eighth and Xavier Willison at prop.

Josiah Karapani starts on the wing in place of Corey Oates with Tristan Sailor earning a bench nod.

Kyle Feldt has managed nine tries from his last nine games against Brisbane.

Saturday Night Lights: Kogarah to host Dragons-Dogs blockbuster

A sold-out crowd will pack into Kogarah for perhaps the match of the round between the Dragons and Bulldogs on Saturday night.

Shane Flanagan has named the same 17 that upset competition frontrunners Melbourne a week ago.

Cameron Ciraldo has opted to keep the same side that took down Canberra at Belmore last week although Josh Curran (shoulder) will be monitored through the week.

The Dragons have won five of their past seven home games but have lost three of their past four to the Dogs.

No.9 Dolphins host Warriors at Suncorp

The Dolphins will be hoping to claw their way back into the Top 8 when they host the Warriors at Suncorp on Sunday.

Kodi Nikorima (illness) and Tevita Pangai Jr. (calf) are back for Wayne Bennett’s men with Josh Kerr and Tesi Niu making way.

Ed Kosi comes onto the wing for the Warriors with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifting into the centres and Moala Graham-Taufa dropping out.

The Warriors have lost five of their past six at Suncorp.

Wests Tigers make Sunday Hunter trip

The Knights host the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium in a desperate bid to keep their finals hopes alive.

Brodie Jones replaces Tom Cant on the bench for Newcastle in the only change to the side that went down to the Panthers last week.

Fonua Pole (ribs), Aidan Sezer (suspension), and Adam Doueihi return for the visitors with Tim Johanssen, Latu Fainu (head knock), and Justin Olam (knee) dropping out.

The Knights have won their past five matches against the Wests Tigers.

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