Time flies, does it not? Round 11 already and some teams seasons hang in the balance if they do not get wins soon.
Some surprise omissions and big returns in today’s Teamlist Tuesday, so let’s get down to business.
Here are the teams for round 11 of the NRL Telstra Premiership:
Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers (#NRLpennew); Penrith Stadium; Thursday, May 17. Kick-off: 7:50 pm.
Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Christian Crichton 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Dean Whare 5. Tyrone Phillips 6. James Maloney (C) 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Trent Merrin 9. Sione Katoa 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris.
Interchange: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Viliame Kikau 17. James Tamou.
Reserves: 18. Jarome Luai 19. Kaide Ellis 20. Tyrone May 21. Nick Lui-Toso.
Coach: Anthony Griffin
Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer (C) 9. Elijah Taylor 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Matthew Eisenhuth.
Interchange: 14. Alex Twal 15. Jacob Liddle 16. Michael Chee-Kam 17. Sauaso Sue.
Reserves: 18. Tim Grant 19. Chris McQueen 20. Josh Aloiai 21. Tyson Gamble.
Coach: Ivan Cleary.
Ricky’s View: Penrith are the high-flyers at the moment, led by James Maloney. A returning Nathan Cleary only boosts them moving forward but the question remains; have they peaked too early? The Tigers on the other hand, have been on a small downward spiral. Unable to string together consistency like the earlier rounds, they will want a win to get themselves back on track. Penrith by 8
Parramatta Eels v New Zealand Warriors (#NRLparwar); ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park; Friday, May 18. Kick-off: 6 pm.
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson (C) 2. Bevan French 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. George Jennings 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitch Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Cameron King 10. Peni Terepo 11. Beau Scott 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Manu Ma’u.
Interchange: 14. Will Smith 15. Suaia Matagi 16. David Gower 17. Marata Niukore.
Reserves: 18. Josh Hoffman 19. Siosaia Vave 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Raymond Stone.
Coach: Brad Arthur
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (C) 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Blake Green 7. Mason Lino 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 16. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Tohu Harris 13. Adam Blair.
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Chris Satae 16. James Gavet 17. Simon Mannering.
Reserves: 18. Gerard Beale 19. Karl Lawton 20. Albert Vete 21. Anthony Gelling.
Coach: Stephen Kearney
Ricky’s View: It has been a tough season for the Eels so far. Billed as premiership favourites, they have been anything but. Life does not get easier as they face a rampant Warriors side packed with talent. Not that a win is not possible but they have to perform a lot better than they have been in the past. Despite Shaun Johnson being out, the Warriors have proven that they can step up in his absence on most occasions. Warriors by 10.
Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters (#NRLbrisyd); Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane; Friday, May 18. Kick-off: 7:55 pm.
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd (C) 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Tom Opacic 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Sam Thaiday 11. Tevita Pangai Jr. 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Joe Ofahengaue.
Interchange: 14. Sam Tagataese 15. Gehamat Shibasaki 16. Korbin Sims 17. Patrick Mago.
Reserves: 18. Kotoni Staggs 19. Todd Murphy 20. George Fai 21. David Fifita.
Coach: Wayne Bennett
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Joseph Manu 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Mitch Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 9. Jake Friend (C) 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner (C) 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Isaac Liu.
Interchange: 14. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Kurt Baptiste 17. Victor Radley.
Reserves: 18. Nat Butcher 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Lindsay Collins 21. Mitch Cornish.
Coach: Trent Robinson.
Ricky’s View: Some injuries are going to hurt the Broncos this week but their late fightback will give them confidence. As they look for a way to reignite their season, Milford will loom as the key man.
The Roosters are slowly finding their momentum even if the team itself is yet to gel overall. Both teams will want to start getting some consistency as the Origin period rolls over. Roosters by 6.
Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights (#NRLgldnew); Cbus Super Stadium, Robina; Saturday, May 19. Kick-off 3 pm.
Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Anthony Don 3. Dale Copley 4. Brenko Lee 5. Philip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Ash Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James (C) 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow.
Interchange: 14. Mitch Rein 15. Max King 16. Jack Stockwell 17. Moeaki Fotuaika.
Reserves: 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Konrad Hurrell 20. Kane Elgey 21. Morgan Boyle.
Coach: Garth Brennan.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Ken Sio 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Nathan Ross 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Brock Lamb 8. Herman Ese’ese 9. Slade Griffin 10. Josh King 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitch Barnett 13. Aidan Guerra.
Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jacob Saifiti 17. Daniel Saifiti.
Reserves: 18. Jamie Buhrer (C) 19. Jacob Lillyman 20. Jack Cogger 21. Cory Denniss.
Coach: Nathan Brown
Ricky’s View: This one seems rather straightforward on the surface but nothing is as such in rugby league. The Knights go in as overwhelming favourites against a stagnant Titans side. Injuries have hit forward pack hard but general creative play is also lacking. It is costing them games and momentum. The Knights have had their own inconsistencies but look well placed to cement a spot in the top eight come season’s end. Knights by 16.
North Queensland Cowboys v South Sydney Rabbitohs (#NRLnqlsou); 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville; Saturday, May 19. Kick-off: 5:30 pm.
Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Ben Hampton 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston (C) 8. Matt Scott (C) 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo.
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Shaun Fensom 16. Corey Jensen 17. Ethan Lowe.
Reserves: 18. Francis Molo 19. Jake Clifford 20. Javid Bowen 21. Enari Tuala.
Coach: Paul Green.
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Campbell Graham 3. Greg Inglis (C) 4. Dane Gagai 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. George Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess.
Interchange: 14. Cameron Murray 15. Adam Doueihi 16. Jason Clark 17. Tevita Tatola.
Reserves: 18. Robbie Farah 19. Mark Nicholls 20. Braidon Burns 21. Kyle Turner.
Coach: Anthony Seibold.
Ricky’s View: The Rabbitohs form looks ominous as many are touting them as darkhorses for the premiership race. Early days yet but their form is good enough to challenge any side at the moment.
You would back them to beat the Cowboys, who are inconsistent this season. Anything is possible, though; the Cowboys will want to atone for last week’s loss to the Tigers but the Rabbitohs will want their momentum to continue. Rabbitohs by 10.
Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles (#NRLmelman); AAMI Park, Melbourne; Saturday, May 19. Kick-off: 7:30 pm.
Storm: 1. Billy Slater (C) 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Christian Welch 9. Brandon Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Dale Finucane.
Interchange: 14. Tim Glasby 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jahrome Hughes.
Reserves: 18. Patrick Kaufusi 19. Brodie Croft 20. Harry Grant 21. Justin Olam.
Coach: Craig Bellamy.
Manly: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matt Wright 3. Moses Suli 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Shaun Lane 13. Jake Trbojevic.
Interchange: 14. Trent Hodkinson 15. Frank Winterstein 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Toafofoa Sipley
Reserves: 18. Tom Wright 19. Lewis Brown 20. Jorge Taufua 21. Tevita Funa.
Coach: Trent Barrett.
Ricky’s View: Despite the off-field dramas and injuries at Manly, they dug deep and found a way to win last week. Was it just one win and more tough slogging or can it be consistent? The Storm are gaining momentum but they will have to front this one without Cam Smith. Storm by 12
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders (#NRLsgican); Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee; Sunday, May 20. Kick-off: 2 pm.
Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop (C) 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin.
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Kurt Mann 16. Leeson Ah Mau 17. Blake Lawrie.
Reserves: 18. Reece Robson 19. Zac Lomax 20. Mitchell Allgood 21. Hame Sele.
Coach: Paul McGregor.
Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker (C) 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Iosia Soliola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Josh Papalii.
Interchange: 14. Ata Hingano 15. Luke Bateman 16. Charlie Gubb 17. Dunamis Lui.
Reserves: 18. Liam Knight 19. Michael Oldfield 20. Sam Williams 21. Craig Garvey.
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Ricky’s View: The Dragons certainly know how to fly high but they came crashing back to Earth after a surprise loss to the Bunnies. Simply outgunned and outmatched, the Dragons have a chance to bounce back against a resurgent Raiders outfit.
Desperate to shed the inconsistency tag that has plagued them for so long, this is a great opportunity.
Snag a win and you put the competition on notice. Fail to do so and the tag will remain etched in Raiders recent folklore. Dragons by 8
Cronulla Sharks v Canterbury Bulldogs (#NRLcrocby); Southern Cross Group Stadium, Cronulla; Sunday, May 20. Kick-off: 4 pm.
Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Edrick Lee 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jayson Bukuya 13. Paul Gallen (C).
Interchange: 14. Joseph Paulo 15. James Segeyaro 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Jack Williams.
Reserves: 18. Kurt Dillon 19. Braden Uele 20. Luke Lewis 21. Josh Dugan.
Coach: Shane Flanagan.
Dogs: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Will Hopoate 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Frawley 7. Kieran Foran 8. Aaron Woods 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. David Klemmer 11. Josh Jackson (C) 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Rhyse Martin.
Interchange: 14. Adam Elliott 15. Clay Priest 16. Renouf To’omaga 17. Kerrod Holland.
Reserves: 19. Greg Eastwood 20. John Olive 21. Asipeli Fine 23. Michael Lichaa.
Coach: Dean Pay.
Ricky’s View: Neither side were at their convincing best last week but both managed to snag crucial wins. The Dogs over the lowly Eels and the Sharks a resurgent Raiders. Both sides will want to use that as fuel and motivation but only one can win in the end. With several key players returning for the Sharks, that is a much needed boost.
The two boast big forward packs that will set the tone of the match early.