Manly are crossing their fingers that star fullback Tom Trbojevic will return in Round 8 after injuries and suspension threaten to rip apart their team.
Front-rower Toff Sipley has been referred directly to the judiciary for a hip-drop tackle on St George Illawarra winger Mat Feagai and faces a hefty ban if found guilty.
The incident, which drew a dangerous contact charge, took place in the 53rd minute of the Sea Eagles’ disappointing 20-18 loss at 4 Pines Park on Thursday night.
Manly had their misery compounded during the match with injuries to Nathan Brown (shoulder), Jake Trbojevic (concussion) and Tommy Talau (leg). The trio are expected to miss the round-eight clash with Penrith.
Coach Anthony Seibold also confirmed the side would be without hooker Lachlan Croker for a month after knee surgery.
He added that said star fullback Tom Trbojevic was on track to return against the Panthers at CommBank Stadium.
Brisbane are sweating on scans of fullback Reece Walsh’s right knee as coach Michael Maguire considers further changes to the side’s spine.
Walsh was injured in the opening minutes of Saturday’s loss to the Warriors and had his right knee strapped by the trainer.
Five-eighth Ben Hunt made four errors in his worst display of the year and was shifted to hooker in the second half, with Billy Walters switching to No.6 and Maguire is considering a permanent switch ahead of their Bulldogs clash on Thursday night.
The Roosters’ chances of defeating the Dragons on Anzac Day have taken a hit with Nat Butcher ruled out for a month due to a knee injury from the loss to Penrith although second-rower Angus Crichton (groin) could make a return and centre Billy Smith is back from a one-week ban for a high shot.
Angus Crichton is tackled by Kotoni Staggs. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Round 8 teams
All times AEST
Broncos vs Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday April 24
Broncos: Reece Walsh will undergo scans on a knee injury suffered in Saturday’s loss to the Warriors in Auckland while coach Michael Maguire is toying with the idea of switching Ben Hunt to hooker and starting Billy Walters at five-eighth.
Bulldogs: Front-rower Sam Hughes is back from an ankle injury, offsetting the loss of young forward Jack Todd, who is out for two months with a broken arm.
Roosters vs Dragons at Allianz Stadium: 4pm, Friday April 25
Roosters: Experienced forward Nat Butcher will be missing for a few weeks due to a knee injury from the loss to Penrith.
Second-rower Angus Crichton (groin) could make a return after sitting out on Saturday while centre Billy Smith will return from a one-week ban for a high shot.
Dragons: Mathew Feagai (ankle) is under an injury cloud after he copped a hip-drop tackle in the win over Manly with fellow winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) hopeful of being back on deck.
Front-rower Emre Guler is back from his three-game hip-drop suspension.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is tackled. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Warriors vs Knights at Go Media Stadium: 6.05pm, Thursday April 25
Warriors: Rocco Berry (suspension) will return and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion) should also be available but James Fisher-Harris (pectoral), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (arm) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) are still out.
Knights: Front-rower Jacob Saifiti (calf) and second-rower Dylan Lucas (hamstring) are outside chances to return.
Storm vs Rabbitohs at AAMI Park: 8.10pm, Friday April 25
Storm: Jack Howarth’s season could be over after he dislocated his shoulder in the loss to the Dolphins while Harry Grant is out for a month with a torn hamstring.
Fijian prop Tui Kamikamica (ankle) is doubtful while winger Will Warbrick and Kiwi forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona could be back after recent concussion layoffs.
Rabbitohs: Jayden Sullivan is available after sitting out a week for dangerous contact, which could mean Latrell Mitchell returns to the centres.
Cowboys vs Titans at QCB Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday April 26
Titans: Jayden Campbell (ankle) is a maybe after he was ruled out of the Round 7 clash with the Raiders while young forward Brock Gray is available after serving a ban for a careless high tackle.
Cowboys: Fresh off the bye, coach Todd Payten should have John Bateman (infection) and Braidon Burns (hamstring) available for selection.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Panthers vs Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday April 26
Panthers: Isaiah Papali’i could be facing a ban for a high tackle in the win over the Roosters while winger Brian To’o (hamstring) is pushing to make his return.
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic (knee) is a strong chance to make his return after a month out while Corey Waddell has served his two-game ban for a high shot.
Tommy Talau (leg), Nathan Brown (shoulder) and Ethan Bullemor (knee) were casualties from Thursday’s loss to the Dragons along with Jake Trbojevic (concussion) who has already been ruled out of Round 8.
Tof Sipley is set to cop a lengthy ban if found guilty after he was referred directly to the judiciary for a hip-drop tackle on St George Illawarra speedster Mat Feagai.
Raiders vs Dolphins at GIO Stadium: 2pm, Sunday April 27
Raiders: Ricky Stuart has almost a full roster at his disposal as long as his team emerges from Sunday’s clash with the Titans unscathed.
Dolphins: Felise Kaufusi (knee) and Max Plath (foot) failed to finish the win over the Storm but hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (leg) should be right to return.
Tigers vs Sharks at Leichhardt Oval: 4.05pm, Sunday April 27
Tigers: All interest will centre on whether Lachie Galvin gets recalled after he was dropped by Benji Marshall to NSW Cup after telling the club he would be leaving at the end of next year.
Winger Jeral Skelton (hamstring) is a maybe.
Sharks: Centre Kayal Iro is closing in on a return from his hamstring tear.
Bye – Eels
with AAP
