Round 23 Discussion

[Big Pete]

Gold Coast Titans vs. Melbourne Storm
Cbus Super Stadium, Thursday 19 August 2021
Kick Off: 7:50pm

GOLD COAST TITANS

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Erin Clark 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Sam McIntyre

14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Beau Fermor

18. Phillip Sami 19. Mitch Rein 20. Esan Marsters 21. Herman Ese'ese

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Marion Seve 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Nicholas Hynes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Chris Lewis

15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Cooper Johns 20. Aaron Pene

14. Jordan Grant 18. Aaron Booth 19. Trent Loiero 21. Isaac Lumelume

Canberra Raiders vs. Manly Sea Eagles
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 20 August 2021
Kick Off: 6:00pm

CANBERRA RAIDERS

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Harley Smith-Shields 6. Jack Wighton 7. Sam Williams 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton

14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 15. Emre Guler 17. Matt Frawley 18. Dunamis Lui

16. Iosia Soliola 19. Trey Mooney 20. Elijah Anderson 21. Caleb Aekins

MANLY SEA EAGLES

5. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Morgan Harper 4. Moses Suli 19. Tevita Funa 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 17. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic

8. Josh Aloiai 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Curtis Sironen

1. Tom Trbojevic 18. Jack Gosiewski 20. Kurt De Luis 21. Cade Cust

Penrith Panthers vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 20 August 2021
Kick Off: 7:55pm

PENRITH PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brent Naden 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Kurt Capewell 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

11. Viliame Kikau 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 19. Tevita Pangai Junior

16. J'maine Hopgood 18. Izack Tago 20. Taylan May 21. James Fisher-Harris

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 16. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray

10. Thomas Burgess 14. Benji Marshall 15. Jacob Host 17. Hame Sele

18. Taane Milne 19. Patrick Mago 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jaydn Su'A

Wests Tigers vs. Cronulla Sharks
Browne Park, Saturday 21 August 2021
Kick Off: 3:00pm

WESTS TIGERS

1. Moses Mbye 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tommy Talau 4. Michael Chee-Kam 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jake Simpkin 14. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Shawn Blore 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Alex Twal

15. Kelma Tuilagi 16. Tukimihia Simpkins 18. Billy Walters 19. Tom Amone

10. James Tamou 17. James Roberts 20. Jock Madden 21. Zac Cini

CRONULLA SHARKS

1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 6. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 14. Luke Metcalf 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Jack Williams

15. Braden Hamlin-Uele 16. Teig Wilton 17. Billy Magoulias 18. Matt Moylan

3. Mawene Hiroti 19. Will Chambers 20. Kai O'Donnell 21. Joniah Lualua

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Newcastle Knights
Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday 21 August 2021
Kick Off: 5:30pm

CANTEBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

1. Nick Meaney 2. Corey Allan 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jayden Okunbor 21. Lachlan Lewis 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jackson Topine 10. Ryan James 11. Adam Elliott 12. Corey Waddell 13. Josh Jackson

14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Joe Stimson

6. Jake Averillo 19. Falakiko Manu 20. Chris Patolo 22. Matt Doorey

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Kurt Mann 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Brodie Jones 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson

14. Sauaso Sue 15. Josh King 16. Jirah Momoisea 17. Chris Randall

18. Jack Johns 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Phoenix Crossland 21. Simi Sasagi

Parramatta Eels vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday 21 August 2021
Kick Off: 7:30pm

PARRAMATTA EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Isaiah Papali'i 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Nathan Brown

14. Will Smith 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Makahesi Makatoa

18. Ray Stone 19. Keegan Hipgrave 20. Sean Russell 21. Jakob Arthur

NORTH QLD COWBOYS

19. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 1. Valentine Holmes 3. Daejarn Asi 5. Ben Hampton 21. Laitia Moceidreke 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Tom Dearden 8. Francis Molo 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Ben Condon 12. Heilum Luki 16. Mitchell Dunn

4. Jake Granville 13. Coen Hess 14. Reuben Cotter 15. Jeremiah Nanai

2. Kyle Feldt 17. Tom Gilbert 18. Jason Taumalolo 20. Peter Hola

St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Sydney Roosters
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Sunday 22 August 2021
Kick Off: 2:00pm

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

1. Matthew Dufty 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Corey Norman 8. Kaide Ellis 9. Josh Mcguire 10. Jack de Belin 11. Billy Burns 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Tariq Sims

14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Josh Kerr 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Jackson Ford

18. Adam Clune 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Jordan Pereira

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Adam Keighran 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dale Copley 6. Drew Hutchison 14. Lachlan Lam 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Isaac Liu

7. Sam Walker 15. Egan Butcher 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Ben Thomas

18. Ben Marschke 19. Tukupa Hau Tapuha 20. Brad Abbey 21. Naufahu Whyte

Brisbane Broncos vs. Warriors
Suncorp Stadium, Sunday 22 August 2021
Kick Off: 4:05pm

BRISBANE BRONCOS

1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Albert Kelly 8. Thomas Flegler 21. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

9. Danny Levi 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. TC Robati

14. David Mead 18. Cory Paix 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Brodie Croft

NZ WARRIORS

1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Peta Hiku 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 22. Chad Townsend 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 17. Jazz Tevaga 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 11. Josh Curran 12. Euan Aitken 13. Bayley Sironen

9. Wayde Egan 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 21. Jack Murchie

7. Sean O’Sullivan 14. Kodi Nikorima 18. Edward Kosi 20. Jackson Frei

 

[mrslong]

Of course they're resting Brandon Smith.
Smith, Hughes, Radley, Frizzell, Lodge, Tolman, all ruled out this weekend. BECAUSE OF COURSE THEY ARE.

 

[Foordy]

Jake Granville in the centers is yet another strange selection from Payten

 

[Big Pete]

Jake Granville in the centers is yet another strange selection from Payten

I wouldn't be shocked if it's a smokescreen and Tabuai-Fidow makes an early recovery. The selection came about due to Taulagi suffering a bad concussion against the Gold Coast Titans. That caused Granville to be reshuffled into the centres and it was difficult to get a read on his performance since the Titans had all the ball and territory. The fact Lemuelu was dropped before him tells you how well Connelly was travelling.

I still find it odd that O'Neill is persona non grata. Sure he may not be in your plans long term but with Bowen, Tabuai-Fidow, Taulagi, Bradley injured you may as well get him to fill a spot. At least that way the Cows can play to their strength which is their dummy half running around the ruck.

 

[mrslong]

I wouldn't be shocked if it's a smokescreen and Tabuai-Fidow makes an early recovery. The selection came about due to Taulagi suffering a bad concussion against the Gold Coast Titans. That caused Granville to be reshuffled into the centres and it was difficult to get a read on his performance since the Titans had all the ball and territory. The fact Lemuelu was dropped before him tells you how well Connelly was travelling.

I still find it odd that O'Neill is persona non grata. Sure he may not be in your plans long term but with Bowen, Tabuai-Fidow, Taulagi, Bradley injured you may as well get him to fill a spot. At least that way the Cows can play to their strength which is their dummy half running around the ruck.

He played in the centre’s on the weekend just gone. Never mind, I see you covered that lol

 

[Big Pete]

Just the start the Gold Coast needed.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Melbourne with quality ball in Titans half, crunch time early on.

Another fumble by the Storm, though I'm not convinced that was a knock on.

 

[Big Pete]

Melbourne with another uncharacteristic mistake.

Hynes with a simple spilled ball.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Dodged a bullet there Titans

 

[Big Pete]

Melbourne give away a ruck infringement then Harry Grant comes in with two efforts that were even worse and they get away with it.

Now Fa'asuamaleaui spills it. Hints of being lifted past the horizontal as Addo-Carr streaks away the touchline to force a goal line drop out.

 

[Big Pete]

Welch spills it in the tackle and the Titans survive again.

Still early days but this has been a slow start from Melbourne.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Hey Big Pete lots of errors early on, is there some dew on the ground/ball?

 

[GCBRONCO]

Outstanding try and shows how great positioning is critical.

 

[Big Pete]

Great kick from Fogarty that just hung in the air for ages and gave Herbert all the momentum in the chase.

Surprised that Melbourne didn't have more bodies around the play. That was too easy for Campbell.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Great kick from Fogarty that just hung in the air for ages and gave Herbert all the momentum in the chase.

Surprised that Melbourne didn't have more bodies around the play. That was too easy for Campbell.

Storm looking unusually rattled here early on. Poor mistake from the Titans just there to let the Storm off.

 

[Big Pete]

Wallace with another trick play off the kick off - thankfully Thompson is awake to it and makes good ground.

Titans surging up field but Taylor loses it while playing it.

 

[Big Pete]

Gold Coast looking very vulnerable down the edges, they do well to hold Grant up over the line but if Melbourne can get on the board they'll pile on the points.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

If you are a Rugby League fan and you aren't cheering on the Titans tonight, you're a certified mug.