Chairman Un is here to give you the brightest and best news of the week, the Late Mail!
With only limited games this week due to the MULTI-BYE, the mail is somewhat diluted, but we’ll ignore that and get on with it.
CHAIRMAN UN’S ROUND 11 LATE MAIL
Tigers v Warriors
Despite some whispers, Chris Heighington won’t be making his comeback this week, he’s likely to be back against the Cowboys next Sunday, which means the Tigers should be 1-17 as per program (surely not I hear you say). Pat Politoni will make his debut off the bench, which also includes Matt Utai. Shaun Spence is the 18th man, but is only in the squad as cover for any last minute injuries. For the Warriors, Pita Godinet will drop off the bench, and they should run 1-17 as well. Don’t be surprised if Brian McClennan pulls the old Ivan Cleary special and starts Sam Rapira and/or Lewis Brown in place of Feleti Mateo and Russell Packer.
Cowboys v Panthers – UPDATED
Luke Walsh has travelled with the Panthers squad to Townsville, and is now highly likely to line-up for a return from his knee injury. Cameron Ciraldo is in doubt with a hamstring injury, and Mitch Achurch is in Townsville, so he will come into the side should Ciraldo be unfit. Ricky Thorby has passed his fitness test, so Cory Paterson should be dropping off the bench.
Sea Eagles v Roosters
David Williams (hamstring) is in serious doubt, with Michael Oldfield on standby, while Kieran Foran has got through the full week of training and will play. Daly Cherry-Evans returns from the QLD camp for the team’s final run, and will also line-up at halfback. With no Jamie ‘Ferris’ Buhrer around for the Sea Eagles this week, they should take to the field with the back-row named on Tuesday, while Liam Foran and Nick Skinner fight it out for the final spot on the bench. For the Roosters, they’ll be 1-17 with Jack Bosden dropping off the extended bench.
Dragons v Rabbitohs
Jamie Soward (corked thigh) has got through training this week and will play after missing out last week against the Panthers. Beau Scott has been doing light training, but is still a few weeks away from a return from his dislocated elbow. With the size of the Dragons bench, Un knows (or in this case even Un doesn’t know) who will start and who will drop out – good luck DreamTeamers! The Rabbitohs aren’t expected to make any changes with Chris McQueen and Nathan Peats to drop off the bench.
Bulldogs v Sharks
David Stagg (knee) and Ben Barba (ankle) are both expected to play despite minor injuries. Trent Hodkinson hasn’t been spotted at training yet, but could make a surprise return from a broken leg. If that was the case, ‘The Answer’ Kris Keating would drop back to NSW Cup. For the Sharks, they’re expecting to be 1-17 with Tyson Frizell certain to get a spot on the bench after some big performances in the NSW Cup. Bryce Gibbs has been hampered somewhat by a thigh injury, but is expected to play meaning Jon Green will be the likely one to drop off the bench.
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