The Storm speedster complained of being “sore” earlier this week and was not sighted on the training track on Wednesday.He missed Storm’s flight to Sydney with the club ruling him out of the Panthers blockbuster due to a “neck injury sustained in last week’s game.”Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >Register for SuperCoach NRLThe loss of the Storm fullback, who coach Craig Bellamy labelled Melbourne’s “best player by a mile” in the first two games, is a huge blow ahead of its meeting with the Panthers.Although, the Panthers have also confirmed they’ll be without star playmaker Nathan Cleary (concussion). Storm expects Papenhuyzen to miss only one game.Nicho Hynes looms likely to replace the Clive Churchill medallist at fullback.PANTHERS V STORMThurs 25 Mar, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith, 8:05pmPANTHERS1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Charlie Staines, 3 Paul Momirovski, 4 Stephen Crichton, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Jarome Luai, 19. Matt Burton, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 James Fisher-Harris, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Kurt Capewell, 13 Isaah YeoBench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Matt Eisenhuth, 17 Liam MartinReserves: 18. Scott Sorensen 21. Jaeman Salmon Players cut: 7 Nathan Cleary, 20. J’maine HopgoodLate mail: Panthers Coach Ivan Cleary confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that son Nathan Cleary won’t play due to concussion with Matt Burton set to come in and take up a right edge role. Viliame Kikau (HIA), Kurt Capewell (knock) and Brian To’o (knock) all took part in the captain’s run on Wednesday and are all good to go. Stephen Crichton is expected to take up the goal kicking duties in Cleary’s absence with Paul Momirovski as back up. Cleary and J’maine Hopgood were omitted from the 19-man squad 24 hours before kick-off with Scott Sorensen and Jaeman Salmon remaining in the squad. STORM17. Nicho Hynes, 2 George Jennings, 3 Reimis Smith, 4 Justin Olam, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Brandon Smith, 10 Christian Welch, 11 Tom Eisenhuth, 12 Ken Bromwich, 13 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaBench: 14. Aaron Pene 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 18 Cooper JohnsReserves: 19. Darryn Schonig 20. Tyson Smoothy Players cut: 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, 21. Dean IeremiaLate mail: The Storm also have a big name of their own out with Ryan Papenhuyzen cut from the team on Wednesday due to a minor neck issue suffered in the game last week. Nicho Hynes will play fullback and is expected to take up the goal kicking ahead of Cameron Munster. Cooper Johns is the player who has come into the 17 but it would not surprise to see with Tyson Smoothy replace Johns. Nelson Asofa-Solomona left the field late in the game last week due to a sternum injury but took part in the captain’s run on Wednesday and is a confirmed starter. Tom Eisenhuth starts on the right edge with Felise Kaufusi suspended with Storm looking to shore up their right side of defence. Aaron Pene, a prop, plays his second NRL game after debuting last year, he only returned last week from an Achilles injury in Queensland Cup for Brisbane Tigers. Papenhuyzen and Dean Ieremia dropped out of the squad on Wednesday night with Darryn Schonig and Tyson Smoothy remaining in the 19. DRAGONS V SEA EAGLESFri 26th Mar, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, 6pmDRAGONS1 Matt Dufty, 2 Cody Ramsey, 3 Jack Bird, 4 Zac Lomax, 5 Mikaele Ravalawa, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Ben Hunt, 8 Blake Lawrie, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Josh Kerr, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Tyrell FuimaonoBench: 14. Poasa Faamausili 15. Trent Merrin 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Brayden Wiliame Reserves: 18. Adam Clune 19. Kaide Ellis 20. Jackson Ford 21. Jordan PerPlayers cut: Late mail: The Dragons have Trent Merrin in some doubt after he left the field twice last week in Cowboys game due to HIA, if Merrin is ruled out either Kaide Ellis or Jackson Ford would come onto bench. Daniel Alvaro (ankle), Matt Dufty (ribs) and Mikaele Ravalawa (chest) all suffered minor injuries in the win over Cowboys but are expected to play. Expect to see Jack Bird spend time at 2RF in coming weeks with Wiliame being named in the opening rounds as cover for Bird as he returns to full fitness after ACL injuries in previous seasons.SEA EAGLES1 Dylan Walker, 2 Jason Saab, 3 Brad Parker, 4 Moses Suli, 5 Reuben Garrick, 6 Kieran Foran, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 Taniela Paseka, 9 Lachlan Croker, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Jack Gosiewski, 12 Josh Schuster, 13 Jake TrbojevicBench: 14. Cade Cust, 15. Morgan Boyle, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Josh AloiaiReserves: 18. Tevita Funa 19. Morgan Harper 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Christian TuipulotuPlayers cut: Late mail: The Sea Eagles have Cade Cust in doubt after he failed his HIA last weekend, he is currently in concussion protocols and will need to seek an exemption from an independent neurologist to play within 11 days of suffering a concussion. Dylan Walker (knock), Brad Parker (hand) and Jack Gosiewski (arm) are all in some doubt due to injuries suffered last week and will be checked at the captain’s run on Thursday. Dylan Walker’s time at fullback could be coming to end with Morgan Harper an option to replace him. Martin Taupau suffered nasty head cut last week which saw him spend time in hospital but is in no doubt. Morgan Boyle returns on bench after missing last week’s game due to foot injury. KFC SuperCoach expert Tom Sangster breaks down the winners and losers heading into Round 3 of the NRL season.RABBITOHS V ROOSTERSFri 26th Mar, Stadium Australia, Sydney, 8:05pmRABBITOHS1 Latrell Mitchell, 2 Alex Johnston, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Campbell Graham, 5 Josh Mansour, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Tevita Tatola, 11 Keaon Koloamatangi, 12 Jaydn S’ua, 13 Cameron MurrayBench: 14. Benji Marshall 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jai ArrowReserves: 18. Jacob Host 19. Tautau Moga 20. Troy Dargan 21. Steven MarstersPlayers cut: Late mail: Adam Reynolds was a full participant in Thursday’s captains run and is set to play, despite failing a HIA last weekend. Josh Mansour returns on the right wing in place of Jaxson Paulo after being dropped last week. Tevita Tatola is in some doubt due to a hamstring injury, he was only doing rehab running this week and will need to prove fitness at the captain’s run on Thursday. If Tatola is ruled out Jai Arrow would start with Jacob Host coming onto the bench. Latrell Mitchell was given an early mark at training this week as Rabbitohs manage groin injury but he is in no doubt. ROOSTERS1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Joey Manu, 5 Brett Morris, 6 Lachlan Lam, 7 Luke Keary, 8 Lindsay Collins, 9 Freddy Lussick, 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Angus Crichton, 12 Sitili Tupouniua, 13 Isaac LiuBench: 14. Victor Radley, 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 16. Nat Butcher 17. Daniel Suluka-FifitaReserves: 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Matt Ikuvalu 20. Sam Walker 21. Fletcher Baker Players cut: Late mail: The Roosters are expected to be 1-17 with Victor Radley training with the squad during the week after missing the opening two rounds due to suspension after recovering from an ACL injury last season. RAIDERS V WARRIORSSat 27th Mar, GIO Stadium, Canberra, 3pmRAIDERS1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Bailey Simonsson, 3 Jarrod Croker, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Jack Wighton, 7 George Williams, 8 Josh Papalii, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Dunamis Lui, 11 Hudson Young, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Joseph TapineBench: 14. Saliva Havili 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Ryan JamesReserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Tom Starling 20. Caleb Aekins 21. Sebastian KrisPlayers cut: Late mail: The Raiders have 2 players in doubt after picking up minor injuries last weekend with Hudson Young (knee) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (cork) needing to prove their fitness. In a promising sign Young didn’t have to go for scans after picking up a knock to his knee on the weekend. Caleb Aekins ison standby for Nicoll-Klokstad but both he and Young are expected to play. Jarrod Croker returns at left centre after missing the opening two games after shoulder surgery in the off season.WARRIORS1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wade Egan, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Tohu HarrisBench: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16. Leeson Ah Mau, 17. Jack MurchieReserves: 18. Tom Ale 19. Marcelo Montoya 20. Paul Turner 21. Kane EvansPlayers cut: Late mail: The Warriors have Bayley Sironen in doubt due to shoulder injury, he will need to pass a final fitness test on Friday but is expected to play. Addin Fonua-Blake (shin/calf) played limited minutes last week due to a knock but will play. Sean O’Sullivan replaces the injured Chanel Harris-Tavita on the left edge after Harris-Tavita suffered a foot injury last week which he has had surgery on ruling him out for 12 weeks. Jack Murchie returns on bench but may start if Sironen is ruled out after recovering from pec injury to play his first game of season. Also won’t surprise me if Leeson Ah Mau starts at prop with Bunty Afoa dropping back to the bench. BRONCOS V BULLDOGSSat 27th Mar, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 5:30pmBRONCOS1 Jamayne Isaako, 2 Xavier Coates 3 Herbie Farnworth, 4 Tesi Niu, 5 David Mead, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Brodie Croft, 8 Tevita Pangai Jnr, 9 Jake Turpin 10 Tom Flegler 11 Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13 Pat CarriganBench: 14. John Asiata 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Te’oReserves: 18. Tom Dearden 19. Richard Kennar 20. Cory Paix 21. Corey OatesPlayers cut: Late mail: The Broncos look set to be 1-17 with Jordan Riki, who is managing a wrist injury and copped a knock to it at training on Wednesday, expected to play. Halves Brodie Croft and Anthony Milford will be given one more chance to get the Broncos attack into gear, with Tom Dearden putting pressure on Croft, but Croft will partner Milford in halves this week. BULLDOGS1 Corey Allan, 2 Nick Meaney, 3 Will Hopoate, 4 Nick Cotric, 5 Tuipulotu Katoa, 6 Jake Averillo, 7 Kyle Flanagan, 8 Ofahiki Ogden, 9 Jeremy Marshall-King, 10 Jack Hetherington, 11 Adam Elliott, 12 Corey Waddell, 13 Josh JacksonBench: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Renouf Atoni 16. Joe Stimson 17. Dylan NapaReserves: 18. Dean Britt 19. Chris Smith 20. Lachlan Lewis 21. Ava SeumanufagaiPlayers cut: Late mail: The Bulldogs also expected to be 1-17 with Tui Katoa makes his starting NRL debut after debuting from bench in the final round of the season in 2020. He will come onto the right wing outside William Hopoate. Renouf Atoni passed his game day HIA last week and is expected to play after being monitored this week. EELS V SHARKSSat 27th Mar, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, 7:35pmEELS1 Clint Gutherson, 2 Maika Sivo, 3 Tom Opacic, 4 Marata Niukore, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Dylan Brown, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Shaun Lane, 12 Isaiah Papali’i, 13 Nathan BrownBench: 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Keegan Hipgrave’ 16. Will Smith 17. Ray StoneReserves: 18. Jordan Rankin, 19. Haze Dunster, 20. David Hollis, 21. Joey LussickPlayers cut: Late mail: TheEels expected to be 1-17 with Nathan Brown, who had an issue with his hip flexor during the game last week which required running repairs on the sideline during the game clear to play. Ray Stone comes onto bench after suffering a knee injury in pre-season, Stone was meant to return last weekend in NSW cup but the game was cancelled due to weather. Marata Niukore continues at right centre after being a late replacement for the injured Waqa Blake last weekend. Isaiah Papli’I starts on the left edge replacing Ryan Matterson who misses the game due to concussion.SHARKS1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Josh Dugan, 4 Connor Traceyi, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Aaron Woods, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Toby RudolfBench: 14. Teig Wilton, 15. Aiden Tolman, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Billy MagouliasReserves: 18. Mawene Hiroti, 19. Nene Macdonald, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Braydon TrindallPlayers cut: Late mail: The Sharks have no injury concerns leading into the game and look set to be 1-17 with Connor Tracey replacing Mawene Hiroti at right centre after Hiroti had a game to forget on the weekend which sees Teig Wilton come onto the bench for the first time this season. KNIGHTS V TIGERSSun 28th Mar, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 4:05pmKNIGHTS1 Tex Hoy, 2 Starford To’a, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Bradman Best, 5 Hymel Hunt, 6 Kurt Mann 7 Mitchell Pearce, 8 David Klemmer, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Mitch Barnett, 13 Connor WatsonBench: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Josh King 17. Brodie JonesReserves: 18. Gehamat Shibasaki, 19. Pasami Saulo, 20. Dominic Young, 21. Simi Sasagi Players cut: Late mail: Kurt Mann is expected to return after missing last week’s game after suffering a knee clash with Kyle Flanagan in Round one and I expected to see the same switch-a-roo as we have had in the opening two rounds with Sauaso Sue starting at lock and Connor Watson dropping back to the bench. Jacob Saifiti copped a knock late in the Warriors game but is expected to play. The Knights will be looking for a good performance to celebrate Mitchell Pearce’s 300th NRL game. TIGERS1 Daine Laurie, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Tommy Talau, 4. James Roberts, 5 Asu Kepaoa, 6 Adam Doueihi, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Zane Musgrove, 9 Jacob Liddle, 10 James Tamou, 11 Luke Garner, 12 Luciano Leilua, 13 Alex TwalBench: 14. Joe Ofahengaue, 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Stefano Utoikamanu 17. Moses MbyeReserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam, 19. Joseph Leilua, 20. Russell Packer, 21. Alex SeyfarthPlayers cut: Late mail: The Tigers will welcome back James Roberts after he missed the game last week due to a shoulder injury, he returns replacing Joey Leilua who had shocker last week. This will see Tommy Talau, who played right centre last week, move to left centre to allow Roberts to play his preferred right side. Zane Musgrove starts at prop after missing the opening two rounds after a suspension from the All-Stars game. COWBOYS V TITANSSun 28th Mar, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 6:15pmCOWBOYS1 Scott Drinkwater, 2 Murray Taulagi, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5 Valentine Holmes, 6 Michael Morgan, 7 Jake Clifford, 8 Francis Molo, 9 Reece Robson, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Mitchell Dunn, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Reuben CotterBench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Josh McGuire 16. Corey Jensen 17. Lachlan BurrReserves: 18. Justin O’Neill, 19. Shane Wright, 20. Peter Hola, 21. Ben Hampton Players cut: Late mail: TheCowboys have Coen Hess in doubt after he suffered a shoulder injury late in the Dragons game last weekend, Hess didn’t train with the squad earlier in the weekend and will need to prove his fitness at the captain’s run and if ruled out Shane Wright would come into the starting team. Reuben Cotter continues at lock after Jason Taumalolo (hand) was a withdrawal last week. Taumalolo could be back as early as next week but more than likely in round five against the Tigers. Murray Taulagi comes onto the right wing outside Esan Marsters replacing suspended Kyle Feldt. TITANS1 AJ Brimson, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Phillip Sami, 4 Patrick Herbert, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Tanah Boyd, 7 Jamal Fogarty, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Mitch Rein, 10 Moeiki Fotuaika, 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 David Fifita, 13 Tino Fa’asuamaleuiBench: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Erin ClarkReserves: 18. Beau Fermor, 19. Herman Ese’ese, 20. Sam McIntyre, 21. Sam Stone Players cut: Late mail: The Titans look set to be 1-17 with Tanah Boyd replacing Ash Taylor who is out with a wrist injury suffered in the game last week. Philip Sami continues his role at left centre for the injured Brian Kelly.
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