Souths star Jack Wighton has been rubbed out of Saturday’s stoush with the Dragons after pleading guilty to a careless high tackle in Friday’s win over the Dolphins.
Wighton has accepted a one-game ban for the hit on Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the 50th minute and was also fined $1000 for dangerous contact for another tackle on Daniel Saifiti.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton was one of several players fined for dangerous contact after sliding in with his knees in a bid to stop Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu from scoring.
Crichton was pinged $1800 and was lucky to avoid a suspension while Canterbury forward Jacob Preston, Dragons duo Emre Guler and Mat Feagai, Cowboys utility Karl Lawton, Knights veteran Tyson Frizell and Storm prop Lazarus Vaalepu have been fined $1000 for various charges.
Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe was slugged $1800 for an incident on Jai Arrow and Roosters forward Angus Crichton ($3000) is also lighter in the hip pocket due to a third offence.
Raiders captain Joseph Tapine and winger Xavier Savage had already accepted bans over incidents from their win over the Warriors in Las Vegas.
Tapine will miss two matches for a shoulder charge but Savage will only miss this Saturday’s clash with the Broncos after pleading guilty to dangerous contact for a late challenge after a kick.
Wighton’s absence at centre compounds the loss of winger Tyrone Munro, who broke his collarbone in Round 1.
Jamie Humphreys trained at halfback in Monday’s opposed session after starring in his club debut while Lewis Dodd was out suspended.
Humphreys had been playing only his second NRL game and was expected to start the season behind the Englishman in the halfback pecking order.
But Dodd lined up with the reserves on Monday and wore a rehabilitation singlet as he manages a minor hand injury. But he is considered available for selection and barring a last-minute change of heart from coach Wayne Bennett, it appears Humphreys will be named as Cody Walker’s halves partner.
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Round 2 teams
All times AEDT
Knights vs Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium: 8pm, Thursday March 13
Knights: Tyson Frizell is free to play after avoiding a high tackle suspension by paying a $1000 fine.
Dolphins: Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls and Kenny Bromwich are available for selection after sitting out the Round 1 loss to Souths due to family concerns over Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Sean O’Sullivan partnered Isaiya Katoa in the halves so he could make way for Nikorima.
Warriors vs Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium: 6pm, Friday March 14
Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita failed to grasp the opportunity after beating out Te Maire Martin for the No.6 jersey in Vegas so Andrew Webster could make a switch following the heavy defeat to the Raiders.
Sea Eagles: Apart from hooker Lachlan Croker being out with a knee injury, coach Anthony Seibold has a full roster to choose from after they smashed the Cowboys. No changes expected.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Panthers vs Roosters at CommBank Stadium: 8pm, Friday March 14
Panthers: Star winger Brian To’o missed the Vegas win over the Sharks due to a hamstring injury but is set to return this Friday in more bad news for the Roosters.
Roosters: Victor Radley has been ruled out due to concussion while Nat Butcher will also be missing because of an undisclosed injury after he was a late withdrawal before the loss to Brisbane.
Spencer Leniu is sitting out one more game because of suspension and fellow prop De La Salle Va’a has been sidelined for six weeks after coughing up blood last week.
Dragons vs Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium: 3pm, Saturday March 15
Dragons: Ex-Raiders prop Emre Guler is free to play after only copping a fine for a hip-drop tackle in the loss to Canterbury.
Rabbitohs: Jack Wighton has been suspended and Tyrone Munro is out with a fractured collarbone so Fletcher Myers and Haizyn Mellars are in contention for a call-up out wide.
Jamie Humphreys will team with skipper Cody Walker in the halves even though Lewis Dodd is available again after serving a high tackle suspension.
Jason Taumalolo. (Photo by Andy Jackson/Getty Images)
Cowboys vs Sharks at QCB Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday March 15
Cowboys: Jake Clifford and Jason Taumalolo are a strong chance to make their return from hip and foot injuries respectively.
Sharks: No changes likely for Cronulla after their six-point loss to the premiers in Vegas.
Raiders vs Broncos at GIO Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday March 15
Raiders: Xavier Savage and Joseph Tapine are suspended so young gun Chevy Stewart could get a start out wide and Trey Mooney the likely addition to the pack.
Broncos: Michael Maguire is expected to stick with a winning combination after flogging the Roosters. Jock Madden is available again after overcoming a hamstring problem but won’t force his way into the line-up while Kotoni Staggs (thigh) is a couple of weeks away from returning.
Eels vs Tigers at CommBank Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday March 16
Eels: Ronald Volkman will again deputise at halfback with Mitch Moses hit for six weeks due to his foot injury.
Shaun Lane could return from a knee problem to bolster the pack while Josh Addo-Carr has one more game to serve from his drugs ban carried over from last year at Canterbury.
Wests Tigers: Api Koroisau is back from suspension with Tallyn Da Silva set to go back to the bench.
Young fullback Jahream Bula is no guarantee to return from shoulder surgery with Heath Mason set to start in the No.1 jersey again.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Bulldogs vs Titans at Belmore Sports Ground: 6.15pm, Sunday March 16
Bulldogs: Stephen Crichton is fortunate to be available after only being fined for using his knees while trying to prevent a try on Saturday.
Middle forward Josh Curran should come straight back into the starting side after returning from suspension.
Titans: AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell have been chosen to get first crack at the halves after Kieran Foran was ruled out for the first couple of months of what will likely be his final season after suffering a biceps muscle tear in their trial win over the Dolphins.
Former Wallabies five-eighth Carter Gordon is out for the first few rounds with a back problem.
Bye – Storm
with AAP
