NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 24

Panthers, Storm face-off in top of table epic

Round 24 opens with one of the year’s most anticipated clashes between the No.1 Storm and No.2 Panthers at BlueBet Stadium with the winner taking a massive step towards securing the minor premiership.

Liam Martin (suspension) and Scott Sorensen (hamstring) are out with Liam Henry and Mavrik Geyer starting on either edge and Jack Cole joining the interchange.

Injured stars Dylan Edwards (knee) and James Fisher-Harris (groin) have been listed among the reserves as they eye returns.

Eli Katoa (knee) is back after missing last week for Melbourne with Chris Lewis the man to drop out.

The Panthers have won five of their past seven against the Storm although the Storm have won seven of their past eight matches away from home.

Manly back home for Warriors meeting

The Sea Eagles will look to continue their charge towards the finals when they face the Warriors at 4 Pines Park on Friday evening.

Josh Aloiai (knee) returns for Manly with Nathan Brown reverting to the interchange and Toafofoa Sipley dropping out whilst Toluta’u Koula (knee) has been listed among the reserves.

Shaun Johnson (quad), Adam Pompey (knee), and Marcelo Montoya (groin) are back for the Warriors with Te Maire Martin (neck), Ali Leiataua (head knock), and Ed Kosi out.

Luke Metcalf (leg) has been named in the squad for the first time since Round 4.

The Sea Eagles have won eight of their past nine at 4 Pines Park.

Roosters looking to inch closer to Top 4 berth vs. Eels

The Roosters and Eels meet on Friday night at Allianz Stadium with the Tricolours looking to continue their march towards the Top 4.

Fresh off a bye, Trent Robinson has named the same 17 that downed the Dolphins in Round 22.

Kelma Tuilagi (thumb) comes onto the bench for Parramatta with Matt Doorey dropping out in their only change.

The Roosters have won five of their past six against the Eels who are 1-8 on the road this season.

Bundaberg the scene as Dogs, Dolphins meet in Top 8 showdown

The Bulldogs take on the Dolphins in a vital clash at Bundaberg’s Salter Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Jaeman Salmon (jaw) returns for the Dogs on the pine in place of Lipoi Hopoi.

For the Dolphins, Mark Nicholls (head knock) is replaced on the bench by rookie Lachlan Hubner.

The Bulldogs have won only two of their past nine clashes in Queensland.

Cowboys host Raiders in important affair

Both North Queensland and Canberra will be looking to bounce back from disappointing losses when they meet in Townsville on Saturday evening.

Todd Payten has opted to drop Chad Townsend with Jake Clifford named at No.7 whilst Jeremiah Nanai (head knock) is unavailable bringing Kulikefu Finefeuiaki into the run-on side and Thomas Mikaele onto the bench.

Jordan Rapana’s (head knock) absence sees Sebastian Kris named on the wing, Ethan Strange shifting to the centres, and Adam Cook the five-eighth.

Danny Levi and Emre Guler join the bench with Trey Mooney dropping out.

The Cowboys have won their last five against the Raiders who have won just two of their past eight away from home.

Wests Tigers at Campbelltown to take on Bunnies

South Sydney make the trip to Campbelltown on Saturday night to face a Wests Tigers looking to make a late climb off the bottom of the ladder.

Luke Laulili’i (head knock) replaces Solomon Alaimalo on the wing whilst Reuben Porter drops out with Alex Seyfarth starting in the second row and Sione Fainu joining the interchange.

Michael Chee Kam (calf) is out with Tallis Duncan starting on the edge and Jacob Host coming onto the interchange whilst Keaon Koloamatangi is back on an edge with Cameron Murray in the middle.

Wests Tigers have won only one of their past 11 at Campbelltown whilst Souths have beaten them eight times from their past nine meetings.

Dragons in need of win vs. Titans in Wollongong

The Dragons host the Titans at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon in clash which could have a big impact on their finals charge.

Hame Sele (illness), Kyle Flanagan (suspension), and Moses Suli (knee) are unavailable for the Red V with Mathew Feagai starting in the centres and Toby Couchman (suspension) and Jack Bird coming onto the interchange.

Brian Kelly (illness) and Keenan Palasia come in for the Titans with Moeaki Fotuaika (suspension) and Tony Francis out and AJ Brimson reverting to the pine.

The Titans have never won at WIN Stadium having dropped all five of their clashes there.

Knights travel to Shire for decisive Sunday clash

Newcastle will look to keep their postseason hopes alive when they do battle with the Sharks at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Sharks have named the same 17 that beat the Titans a week ago but Braydon Trindall (hamstring), Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) have been listed among the reserves.

Dylan Lucas (hamstring) returns for the Knights in place of Krystian Mapapalangi.

The Knights have not won in the Shire since 2014.

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