The Bulldogs have made a huge selection call as they prepare for the run home into the finals, picking Lachie Galvin as starting halfback for the clash against the Dragons.
It comes after he was dropped entirely from the clash against the Cowboys in Townsville after his team’s loss to the Broncos, where he started at five-eighth.
Galvin will start alongside Matt Burton for the first time, and his teammates say there is enough time between now and the end of the season for him to make the position his own.
“There is still a third of the season left,” Canterbury utility Jaeman Salmon said.
“That’s plenty of time to build a combination headed into the finals. So as long as we all get around him, he’ll be fine.
“It’s just all the boys giving him the confidence to do what he does best, and that is play footy. The game will come if he plays his normal game.
“We know he is a good player.”
Lachlan Galvin of the Bulldogs. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Sexton had been part of the Bulldogs’ rise to the top of the ladder, where they sat from March until late last month when displaced by Canberra.
Injured fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will not play in Melbourne’s NRL clash with Manly.
Papenhuyzen is battling a niggling calf strain that has seen him withdraw on the eve of the Storm’s two previous matches, against Newcastle and North Queensland.
Munster still hasn’t returned to Melbourne headquarters following the death of his father Steven and his heroic performance in the State of Origin decider. But has been named at five-eighth.
Meanwhile, Penrith will rest Origin stars Nathan Cleary, and Isaah Yeo from the game against the Rabbitohs, as Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o come back into the side.
Izack Tago has become the second Panthers player in a month to be banned for a hip-drop-style tackle that was missed by the on-field referee.
Tago will serve a one-game suspension for the tackle that injured Kitione Kautoga late in the first half of the Panthers’ 32-10 win over Parramatta on Sunday. The Eels second-rower was unable to finish the game, with coach Jason Ryles indicating he had suffered a syndesmosis injury in his left ankle.
“He’ll probably miss a couple of weeks now. He’s in a boot,” Ryles said.
Tago pleaded guilty to grade-two dangerous contact, and his ban comes after Panthers teammate Scott Sorensen accepted a two-game ban for the hip-drop-style tackle that injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s ankle in the round-16 win over the Warriors.
Panthers star Liam Martin missed Sunday’s win over Parramatta and is set to miss at least another fortnight due to the wrist injury he suffered in Origin III.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Sydney Roosters star Sam Walker has avoided spending even more time on the sidelines after dodging suspension for his cannonball-style tackle on David Klemmer.
Walker was sin-binned during his first game for 314 days and so faced a nervous wait after the 31-24 defeat of St George Illawarra at Kogarah Oval.
After full-time on Saturday, the 23-year-old told reporters it was “a bit ridiculous” to have been sent for 10 minutes for the shot, which Roosters coach Trent Robinson also downplayed.
“It didn’t feel bad at all. I’ve made that tackle a million times and it’s never been a penalty,” Walker said.
He was not charged and is now free to face Cronulla on Friday night and resume a season that has been significantly hindered by knee and thumb injuries. He will partner with Chad Townsend, who was recalled following the injury to Hugo Savala, with Sandon Smith named as a reserve.
Knights forward Dylan Lucas is also in the wars with a foot injury and he could be out for the rest of the season depending on the severity of the damage revealed by scans.
Round 20 teams
All times AEST
Dolphins vs Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday July 17
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jake Averillo 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Aublix Tawha 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Harrison Graham 15. Ray Stone 16. Josh Kerr 17. Peter Hola 18. Tevita Naufahu 19. Kenny Bromwich 20. LJ Nonu 21. Trai Fuller 22. Ryan Jackson
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow did not back up from Origin III in Friday’s loss to the Sharks but will return at fullback, pushing Jake Averillo to the wing.
Connelly Lemuelu is in the starting side after Kulikefu Finefeuiaki was ruled out with a broken thumb, while Mark Nicholls is in concussion protocols.
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Braidon Burns 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Harrison Edwards 14. Karl Lawton 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Ryan Rivett 19. Robert Derby 20. Temple Kalepo 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Dane Aukafolau
North Queensland have recalled winger Jaxson Paulo for his third game of the year, with Robert Derby shifting to the reserves.
Jason Taumalolo (calf) is yet to be cleared to return. Fellow veteran middle Jordan McLean is likely to need more time off for calf and ankle complaints, and with John Bateman (groin) and Sam McIntyre (calf) also battling injuries, Todd Payten needs the Tongan international back on deck.
Sharks vs Roosters at Shark Park: 6pm, Friday July 18
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Chris Veaila 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell
An unchanged starting line-up after the win over the Dolphins, but outside back Sam Stonestreet (ankle) has been named as a reserve after stints on the sidelines.
Daniel Atkinson comes on to the bench, with Billy Burns reverting to 18th man.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Chad Townsend 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Sandon Smith 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Tom Rodwell
Chad Townsend has been recalled to replace injured five-eighth Hugo Savala. He’ll partner with Sam Walker in the halves, who was not charged for his cannonball tackle in the win over the Dragons.
Nat Butcher and Siua Wong are a couple of weeks away from overcoming their knee injuries.
Liam Martin celebrates a try with teammates. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Panthers vs Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium: 8pm, Friday July 18
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Daine Laurie 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Jack Cole 19. Luke Sommerton 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Harrison Hassett 22. Preston Riki
Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo will sit out this match, with the coach giving them a rest after Origin duties, with Blaize Talagi to partner Brad Schneider in the halves. Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o return after missing the Eels clash.
Kiwi forward Scott Sorensen will also come back from a hip-drop ban, which will help offset the absence of Liam Martin (wrist).
Izack Tago picked up a one-game ban for a hip-drop tackle that injured Kitione Kautoga late in the first half of the Panthers’ 32-10 win over Parramatta on Sunday.
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Jai Arrow 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Lewis Dodd 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Thomas Fletcher 20. Ryan Gray 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Ammaron Gudgeon
English import Lewis Dodd has been named on the bench as Jack Wighton will link up with Jamie Humphreys in the halves.
Latrell Mitchell is back from Origin duties, which will see Alex Johnston shift back to the wing, while Isaiah Tass will line up in the centres, with Campbell Graham ruled out with a back injury.
Fresh off the bye, Wayne Bennett also has Euan Aitken (leg), Cody Walker (hamstring) and Jayden Sullivan (leg) as injury concerns, but Liam Le Blanc (back) is the 18th man.
Raiders vs Eels at GIO Stadium: 3pm, Saturday July 19
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Trey Mooney 20. Noah Martin 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders
Second-rower Hudson Young picked up a groin injury in Origin III but has been named to start for the Eels clash, along with Josh Papalii, who returns to the front row.
Corey Horsburgh has been named at lock, with Morgan Smithies and Simi Sasagi moving to the bench.
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Bailey Simonsson 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Dean Hawkins 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Jordan Samrani 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dylan Brown 19. Dan Keir 20. Toni Mataele 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Haze Dunster
Joash Papalii will start at five-eighth alongside Dean Hawkins in what appears to be a new era for the Parramatta halves, with Dylan Brown sensationally dropped to 18th man.
Rookie hooker Ryley Smith has served his suspension and starts at hooker with Tiger Tallyn Da Silva on the bench as star half Mitch Moses (calf) still missing from the side.
Kitione Kautoga will also be absent from the pack for a couple of weeks with an ankle injury.
Bulldogs vs Dragons at Accor Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday July 19
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Blake Wilson 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton
Cameron Ciraldo has not only reinstated Lachie Galvin to the line-up after dropping him for the win over the Cowboys, but looks set to make him the No.7 for the rest of the season. Toby Sexton is named as a reserve.
Jaeman Salmon (ankle) will boost the Canterbury side, along with Origin stars Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann. While Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) remains a chance after being named as a reserve.
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo 18. Corey Allan 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Nicholas Tsougranis
Mat Feagai (ankle) could make a return after being selected as a reserve, but fellow outside backs Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) and Nathan Lawson (shoulder) have been left out.
Hamish Stewart (knee) copped a knock in the loss to the Roosters, but has been named on the bench along with Luciano Leilua (laceration) who will start in the second-row.
Storm vs Sea Eagles at AAMI Park: 7.35pm, Saturday July 19
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Kane Bradley 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Joe Chan 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates are big ins for the Storm after sitting out Saturday’s trip to Newcastle, but Ryan Papenhuyzen is still missing.
Trent Loiero is in the starting side, with Tui Kamikamica on the bench.
Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Tom Trbojevic remains in the centres and Lehi Hopoate at fullback.
Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder) was tipped as a possible surprise inclusion after it was initially feared he could be out for the rest of the season, but was left out this week.
It was the same story with Lachlan Croker (concussion), with his return at least another week away.
Tigers vs Titans at Leichhardt Oval: 2pm, Sunday July 20
Tigers: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi 14. Tristan Hope 15. Sione Fainu 16. Fonua Pole 17. Jack Bird 18. Brent Naden 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Luke Laulilii 22. Krystian Mapapalangi
Young fullback Jahream Bula will likely need another week to get over his hamstring problem, while centre Taylan May has been named to make his Tigers debut.
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. David Fifita 17. Klese Haas 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Arama Hau 21. Sean Mullany 22. Tom Weaver
Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is back in the starting side, while Sam Verrills has been cleared of a concussion.
Keano Kini is nearing a return from his long-term neck injury, which has ruined his season, but has pulled up short this week.
Knights vs Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday July 20
Knights: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Brodie Jones 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jermaine McEwen 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Kyle McCarthy
Dylan Lucas (foot) adds to Newcastle’s already crowded injury ward that includes Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe.
Brodie Jones will start with Tyson Gamble being the new face on the bench. Phoenix Crossland has been named as lock, with Jayden Brailey moving to hooker as a result.
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Samuel Healey 20. Eddie Ieremia 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Kayliss Fatialofa
Rocco Berry is sidelined after injuring his shoulder in the victory over Wests on Sunday. It means Kurt Capewell makes his return from Origin duties in the centres.
Star fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) was pushing to play, but Round 21 looks the more likely return date.
Bye – Broncos
with AAP
