Is Radley Ready? Analyzing the Latest Updates
With only six rounds left before the finals, Round 22 will ramp up in intensity as several key players, including Jahream Bula, make their return from injury.
Victor Radley is also aiming to heal from a shoulder injury shortly and plans to take a fitness test on Friday before the Roosters face off against Manly.
NRL Late Mail Round 22: Titans versus Panthers, Saturday at 3:00pm at Cbus Super Stadium.
Titans: Sam Verrills returns from personal leave following the birth of his first child and takes over as hooker for Chris Randall (concussion protocol). Alofiana Khan-Pereira was listed as a reserve on Tuesday but was cut from the squad on Friday, leaving Arama Hau as the 18th member.
Panthers: Liam Martin, a top back-rower who returned from a wrist injury last week, has been named to the starting lineup. Isaiah Papali'i slides back onto the bench. The team remains unchanged from Friday's 24-hour update, with Daine Laurie and Luke Sommerton retained. The Panthers have given up only 70 points in their last seven games.
Dragons take on Raiders this Saturday at 5:30 PM at WIN Stadium.
For the Dragons: coach Shane Flanagan has made a single adjustment, as Michael Molo comes in for Jaydn Su'A, who is anticipated to be sidelined for a month with a medial ligament injury. Hame Sele has been shifted to the bench for his second game in the NRL this season.
On the Raiders: side, centre Seb Kris, who was out with a concussion, is back, leading to Simi Sasagi returning to the bench and Noah Martin moving to the reserves as the Green Machine aims for their tenth straight victory. The team is currently on an eleven-game winning streak
Wests Tigers will face the Bulldogs on Sunday at 2:00 pm in CommBank Stadium.
The Wests Tigers: see the return of star fullback Jahream Bula, who has been out for five matches due to a hamstring injury, resulting in Sunia Turuva moving back to the wing. Back-rower Samuela Fainu is back from a knee issue, which pushes Tony Sukkar to the bench. Royce Hunt has been included on the bench, while Jack Bird is unavailable.
For the Bulldogs:Connor Tracey is expected to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks with an abdominal injury, leading to Jacob Kiraz moving to fullback and Jethro Rinakama taking his place on the wing. There are no other alterations to the lineup that convincingly defeated Manly in Round 21. Josh Curran will celebrate the milestone of 100 NRL games.
Sharks vs Cowboys, Sunday at 4:05pm at Sharks Stadium.
For the Sharks: centre Siosifa Talakai (illness) and back-rower Briton Nikora (concussion) have returned after missing the match against Souths. Big man Tom Hazelton has been named among the reserves as he readies himself to come back from a collarbone injury. The Sharks have an impressive record, winning 13 of their last 15 encounters against the Cowboys.
On the Cowboy: side, Jake Clifford is back in the No. 7 position after recovering from a quadricep injury. He takes the spot of Tom Duffy, who re-aggravated his quad against the Dragons but bravely completed the match to secure a victory for the Cowboys. Emarly Bitungane, who was born in Tanzania and has played 44 games in the Queensland Cup over three years, will make his NRL debut from the bench.