CROSS FORUM NRL Round 18 Discussion

[Big Pete]

Parramatta Eels vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
CommBank Stadium, Thursday 4 July 2024
Kick Off: 7:50pm

PARRAMATTA EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Blaize Talagi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Shaun Lane

14. Matthew Arthur 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Matt Doorey 17. Charlie Guymer

18. Daejarn Asi 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Morgan Harper 22. Luca Moretti

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Cameron Murray 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi

14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Michael Chee Kam

18. Jye Gray 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Fletcher Myers 21. Adam Christensen 22. Thomas Fletcher

Cronulla Sharks vs. Gold Coast Titans
C.ex Coffs International Stadium (Coffs Harbour), Friday 5 July 2024
Kick Off: 6:00pm

CRONULLA SHARKS

1. William Kennedy 2. Daniel Atkinson 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes

14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Teig Wilton

18. Jesse Colquhoun 19. Tom Rodwell 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha 22. Jayden Berrell

GOLD COAST TITANS

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall

14. Isaac Liu 15. Josiah Pahulu 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Joe Stimson

18. Tanah Boyd 19. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Ken Maumalo 22. Jaylan De Groot

Brisbane Broncos vs. Penrith Panthers
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 5 July 2024
Kick Off: 8:00pm

BRISBANE BRONCOS

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Deine Mariner 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Kobe Hetherington 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau

18. Tristan Sailor 19. Joshua Rogers 20. Cory Paix 21. Blake Mozer 22. Kotoni Staggs

PENRITH PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth

18. Brad Schneider 19. Luron Patea 20. Trent Toelau 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton

Canterbury-Banktown Bulldogs vs. Warriors
Accor Stadium, Saturday 6 July 2024
Kick Off: 3:00pm

CANTEBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward

14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi

19. Jeral Skelton 20. Jake Turpin 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Harry Hayes 23. Jack Todd

NZ WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris

14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jackson Ford

18. Jacob Laban 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Leka Halasima

Wests Tigers vs. Melbourne Storm
Leichardt Oval, Saturday 6 July 2024
Kick Off: 5:30pm

WESTS TIGERS

1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua

14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer

18. Reuben Porter 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomon Alaimalo 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Justin Olam

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan

18. Reimis Smith 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Lazarus Vaalepu

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Manly Sea Eagles
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Saturday 6 July 2024
Kick Off: 7:35pm

NORTH QLD COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame

18. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jake Clifford 22. Jaxon Purdue

MANLY SEA EAGLES

1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Lehi Hopoate 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Caleb Navale 22. Aitasi James

Sydney Roosters vs. St George Illawarra Dragons
Allianz Stadium, Sunday 7 July 2024
Kick Off: 2:00pm

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson

14. Naufahu Whyte 15. Terrell May 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu

18. Ethan King 19. Siua Wong 20. Sandon Smith 21. Blake Steep 22. Salesi Foketi

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Luciano Leilua

18. Michael Molo 19. Fa'amanu Brown 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Jack Bird

Canberra Raiders vs. Newcastle Knights
GIO Stadium, Sunday 7 July 2024
Kick Off: 4:05pm

CANBERRA RAIDERS

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Adam Cook 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies

14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Simi Sasagi

18. Sebastian Kris 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas

18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Thomas Cant

 

[Big Pete]

Eels-Rabbitohs - Partially feels like a preview for 2025 for both teams, but also a developing story if Souths can continue their win streak.

Sharks-Titans - Cronulla have just found themselves in a hole at the moment, whereas the Gold Coast are coming off one of their best wins in club history. Big game for a couple of Gold Coast players with Slater looking for replacements, we'll see how it pans out.

Broncos-Panthers - Such a shame that this won't live up to the pre-season hype. Brisbane virtually playing for their season here, whereas Penrith are just looking to bounce back after the baby Panthers struggled against the baby Cowboys. If the Broncos were ever going to show up, this would be the game, but we haven't seen them since half-time of the Sharks game.

Bulldogs-Warriors - Only one win separates both teams, but Bulldogs have been undefeated at home and the Warriors weren't overly convincing in a game they should have dominated from beginning to end.

Tigers-Storm - Wests have pulled some big upsets off against the Storm, but this feels like a chance for the Storm to cement their finals aspirations and push for Top 4 honours. Not sure what to make of the BRadley selection, he seems more like that backrow/centre coaches love off the bench.

Cowboys-Sea Eagles - Cowboys with a big win over the Panthers and they have a golden opportunity to go 10-7 against a desperate Manly outfit. It's a season defining game for both clubs, if the Cowboys win it would all but assure them a spot in the 2024 finals. Meanwhile with their stars back on deck, this is a golden opportunity for Manly to make a run.

Sydney-St George - Can St George exact same revenge after ANZAC day or will be they as inconsistent as ever? Either way, Flanagan has got them playing some exciting footy but they just go too custard too easily. Sydney appear to have found their groove at the moment and should be in prime position to make a premiership tilt, so it's just a matter of whether they can maintain momentum or if it begins to fall apart for them.

Canberra-Newcastle - The return of Kalyn Ponga could have big ramifications not only on Newcastle but on Queensland as well. If Ponga hits the ground running, you'd have to presume he'll challenge for that #1 jersey and will at least feature in the Queensland set-up. However he does come up against a Canberra side that easily disposed of them at Newcastle earlier in the season and will have a point to prove after a hard fought loss to Melbourne. Both teams still have an outside chance in 2024, but realistically, it feels like they should be setting themselves up for 2025.

 

[Sproj]

I suspect Ponga will take Coates position, maybe by pushing Holmes to wing and him coming in to centre OR Cobbo goes to that spot and Ponga fills the Cobbo role from the bench

 

[Dion Johnson]

Fitzgibbon has both Hamlin-Uele and Rudolph playing NSW Cup, both were the starting front rowers at the start of the season.

Still have 4 big men on the pine, no change to their game plan.

 

[Sproj]

Fitzgibbon has both Hamlin-Uele and Rudolph playing NSW Cup, both were the starting front rowers at the start of the season.

Still have 4 big men on the pine, no change to their game plan.

Funny because I don't even think we can find 4 big men who aren't injured on our list.

 

[ALinda]

Fitzgibbon has both Hamlin-Uele and Rudolph playing NSW Cup, both were the starting front rowers at the start of the season.

Amazing. As injury-prone as they are, we could use either of them.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I suspect Ponga will take Coates position, maybe by pushing Holmes to wing and him coming in to centre OR Cobbo goes to that spot and Ponga fills the Cobbo role from the bench

Ponga defending Latrell??

 

[Disco]

Standard Keppie

 

[BroncsFan]

Terrible challenge... in a bobble like that Cartwright has definitely touched it somewhere and it's come forward.

The first loss is an offload and goes backwards anyway... but it's the 5 other times it touches him that at least one of them has gone forward

 

[BroncsFan]

That is terrible defence... no numbering up at all

 

[Harry Sack]

Terrible challenge... in a bobble like that Cartwright has definitely touched it somewhere and it's come forward.

The first loss is an offload and goes backwards anyway... but it's the 5 other times it touches him that at least one of them has gone forward

Even if he thought he was trying to offload, there was so much in the aftermath that it was never worth the risk. Peanut

 

[danny-boy]

That was Garrick like defence from the Parramatta centre.

 

[BroncsFan]

Allowing a 4v3 off a scrum... that is horrendous

 

[Nike]

If you think we're bad turn on this game, peak Thursday night footy. Gotta love a Spoonbowl!

 

[BroncsFan]

Souths surviving based solely on scrambling everywhere and waiting for parra to drop it or **** it up somehow

 

[Dion Johnson]

Gutters on looks to slow to play at the back.

 

[Big Pete]

After feigning a concussion, Moses picks the wrong option and the Rabbits are off the hook.

 

[Galah]

Watching the eels is like watching the broncos…