South Sydney’s horror season has gone from bad to worse, with star prop Keaon Koloamatangi to miss the rest of the year with an ankle injury.
Easily the Rabbitohs’ best player in a disastrous 2025 campaign, Koloamatangi will require surgery on his syndesmosis after being hurt in Friday’s loss to Penrith.
His injury will leave him in an overflowing South Sydney casualty ward, that includes Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Cameron Murray and Brandon Smith.
Making matters worse for the Rabbitohs is news that hooker Peter Mamouzelos will also miss Saturday’s clash with Cronulla due to a concussion.
Walker has only played eight games, Campbell Graham 11, Tyrone Munro seven and mid-season recruit Smith re-injured his knee on return from an ACL rupture.
Mikaele Ravalawa, Jayden Sullivan and Davvy Moale are among other Rabbitohs players sidelined.
It comes as Wayne Bennett is fighting to avoid his worst finish in 38 years of coaching in the premiership, having never ended a season lower than 13th on the ladder.
On the judiciary front, Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has copped yet another suspension after being reported for throwing a stray elbow in the Storm’s upset loss against Manly.
Asofa-Solomona, who missed last year’s grand final defeat to Penrith through suspension, was immediately put on report late in the first half.
He will miss the next two rounds unless he can prove his innocence at the judiciary.
Bulldogs duo Jacob Kiraz and Max King were also pinged by the match review committee. Kiraz can avoid a two-game ban by paying a $2500 fine for a dangerous throw on Corey Allan while King’s crusher tackle on Clint Gutherson will cost him $1500-$2000.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Sharks pair Blayke Brailey and Addin Fonua-Blake were fined following the Sharks’ win over the Roosters on Friday night. Brailey was handed a Grade 1 Dangerous Throw for a dangerous tackle and is facing a fine of $1000-$1500 while Fonua-Blake ($1500-$2000) was slapped with a Grade 1 Shoulder Tackle for an incident immediately afterwards.
Souths half Jamie Humphreys and Dolphins forward Oryn Keeley ($1000-$1500 for Grade 1 Dangerous Contact), are facing the same sanctions while Cowboys prop Coen Hess (Grade 1 Crusher Tackle) has been fined $1500-$2000.
Round 21 teams
All times AEST
Roosters vs Storm at Allianz Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday July 24
Roosters: Five-eighth Hugo Savala is likely to be back from a wrist injury, replacing veteran Chad Townsend to partner Sam Walker in the halves.
Nat Butcher and Siua Wong are close to a return from their knee injuries while centre Billy Smith copped a concussion in the loss to Cronulla.
Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been banned for two games for elbowing Jake Simpkin in their upset defeat to Manly.
Ryan Papenhuyzen should be right to return from a calf complaint while Alec MacDonald (rib) is a maybe.
Cowboys vs Dragons at QCB Stadium: 6pm, Friday July 25
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
Former Queensland winger Murray Taulagi is set to spend another stint out with a hamstring problem.
John Bateman (groin) and Jake Clifford (thigh) are keen to make a return if they get the green light from the medicos.
Dragons: Valentine Holmes is out for the season due to shoulder surgery and young winger Sione Finau has suffered the same fate after getting injured in Saturday’s last-gasp loss to Canterbury.
Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) could be back to replace him.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Broncos vs Eels at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Friday July 25
Broncos: After having a bye, Michael Maguire is confident Jesse Arthars (ribs) will be right to take his place on the wing.
Eels: Star half Mitch Moses (calf) is set to make his long-awaited return while centre Will Penisini is also a big in for Parra after serving a suspension.
Warriors vs Titans at Go Media Stadium: 3pm, Saturday July 26
Warriors: Kiwi fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) should be able to play after a month out.
Titans: Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is set to spend at least a month out with a knee problem that he picked up in the first half of Sunday’s one-point loss to the Tigers.
Panthers vs Tigers at CommBank Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday July 26
Panthers: Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo will return after missing the win over Souths.
Fellow rep star Liam Martin (wrist) is probably another week away from getting the all clear.
Izack Tago is back at centre after he served a one-game ban for a hip-drop tackle.
Tigers: Young fullback Jahream Bula is a chance to return after a month out with a hamstring tear with Sunia Turuva set to head back to the wing.
Jesse Ramien is tackled. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Rabbitohs vs Sharks at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford: 7.35pm, Saturday July 26
Rabbitohs: Keaon Koloamatangi has joined Latrell Mitchel, Cody Walker and Cameron Murray on the all-star long-term injury list.
Sharks: Jesse Ramien was a late withdrawal from the team which rolled the Roosters with a hamstring complaint so rookie Chris Vea’ila could get a second start.
Second-rower Briton Nikora will be stood down due to the concussion protocols after a head knock early in last Friday’s 13-point triumph.
Raiders vs Knights at GIO Stadium: 2pm, Sunday July 26
Raiders: An unchanged line-up is likely with English forward Matty Nicholson another week away from a return from his ankle injury.
Knights: Dane Gagai played on despite a thigh injury in the loss to the Warriors while Brodie Jones (illness) should be back.
Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday July 26
Bulldogs: Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) and Bronson Xerri (groin) need to prove their fitness.
Sea Eagles: Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder) is set to boost Manly’s pack after it was initially feared last month that he would be out for the rest of the year.
Bye – Dolphins
with AAP
