NRL Teams Analysis - 2017 Round 18

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Sam's weekly look at the ins and outs, analysis of each lineup and a brief forecast - all ahead of NRL Round 18.

1. Michael Gordon 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Joseph Manu 17. Mitchell Cornish 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Zane Tetevano 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu 6. Connor Watson 14. Kane Evans 16. Lindsay Collins 18. Nat Butcher

In - Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Mitchell Cornish, Lindsay Collins

Out - Mitchell Pearce, Blake Ferguson, Dylan Napa

Analysis - The Roosters host their traditional and most fierce rivals the Rabbitohs in a huge game to open Round 18. The Tricolours will be looking to bounce back after their worst performance of 2017 last weekend, going down 44-12 to the Sharks in their biggest loss this season. Mitchell Pearce, Blake Ferguson, Dylan Napa and Boyd Cordner are all unavailable due to Origin which sees a host of changes to their starting 17. Mitchell Aubusson switches from the backrow to centre, pushing Joseph Manu out to the wing. Connor Watson will start at halfback, with Zane Tetevano and Isaac Liu coming into the starting pack. In a big boost Sio Siua Taukeiaho makes his return from injury and will start from the bench along with Lindsay Collins and Mitchell Cornish.    

1. Cody Walker 2. Alex Johnston 3. Aaron Gray 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Braidon Burns 6. John Sutton 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Robbie Farah 10. David Tyrrell 11. Tyrell Fuimaono 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess 14. Damien Cook 15. Jason Clark 16. Zane Musgrove 17. George Burgess

In - Nil

Out - Nil

Analysis - South Sydney were terrific last week, thrashing the Panthers 42-14, in easily their best performance of 2017. Winger Alex Johnson equaled the club record for most tries in a match with 5 four pointers. Lock Sam Burgess was also outstanding in great signs for the 2014 premiers heading into Friday night's match. The Rabbitohs are unaffected by Origin and won't get a better chance against their bitter rivals this year, with 5 of their best players missing through Origin.

Weather Watch - Fine

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Mitch Rein 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin 14. Sione Katoa 15. Leilani Latu 16. Tim Browne 17. Sitaleki Akauola

In - Mitch Rein

Out - Dean Whare

Analysis - Penrith host the Sea Eagles after being blown off the park by a rampant Rabbitohs outfit in Round 17. The Panthers currently sit in ninth position on the ladder and a win at home will be imperative for their finals charge, which looked on track until last weekend. Centre Dean Whare will miss the back half of the season with a broken jaw, which sees Tyrone Peachey move to centre where he was sensational in the Panthers charge in 2016. Hooker Mitch Rein returns to the starting side after being a late withdrawal last week, with Sione Katoa moving back to the interchange. 

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matthew Wright 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Frank Winterstein 16. Shaun Lane 13. Darcy Lussick 14. Cameron Cullen 15. Lloyd Perrett 20. Brad Parker 17. Addin Fonua-blake

In - Jarrad Kennedy, Shaun Lane, Cameron Cullen

Out - Jake Trbojevic, Lewis Brown, Brad Parker

Analysis - The Sea Eagles have moved up to third on the ladder off the back of a five match winning streak, after they managed to fight back to secure victory over the Warriors last weekend in Perth. Manly will be missing NSW forward Jake Trbojevic, which sees Darcy Lussick start at lock. Lewis Brown is also out with a hamstring injury, which sees former Raider Jarrad Kennedy start in the backrow. Shaun Lane and Cameron Cullen come onto the interchange bench.    

Weather Watch - Fine

1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 19. Young Tonumaipea 4. Cheyse Blair 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Slade Griffin 15. Nate Myles 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane 14. Kenneath Bromwich 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Joe Stimson

In - Nate Myles, Brodie Croft, Mark Nicholls, Jahrome Hughes, Cheyse Blair, Slade Griffin

Out - Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster, Tim Glasby

Analysis - Melbourne host the Eels and given it is Origin week, it means that the Storm are heavily depleted for their clash against the Eels. Skipper Cameron Smith has been replaced by Slade Griffin. Jahrome Hughes will start at fullback for Billy Slater, with Cheyse Blair returning from injury at centre. Ryley Jacks and Brodie Croft starting in the halves for Cameron Munster and Cooper Cronk. Nelson Asofa-Solomona will start at prop, with Nate Myles included on the bench for his club debut after a mid season switch from the Sea Eagles. Forwards Jesse Bromwich and Tohu Harris have been named despite leaving the field with injuries in their victory over the Broncos in Round 17.

1. Clint Gutherson 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Bevan French 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitchell Moses 18. Siosaia Vave 9. Cameron King 10. Tim Mannah 15. Kenny Edwards 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown 14. David Gower 8. Daniel Alvaro 16. Suaia Matagi 17. Will Smith

In - Nil

Out - Nil 

Analysis - The Eels were extremely lucky to get out of jail in Golden Point against their bitter rivals the Bulldogs last start, with a controversial penalty against Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa giving Mitchell Moses the chance to secure a field goal to win at ANZ Stadium. Tepai Moeroa will start with Kenny Edwards moving back to the bench in the only change. Parramatta currently sit four points clear in eighth position and have been handed a golden ticket here against the premiership favourites, with the Storm missing six of their best players.

Weather Watch - Showers   

1. William Hopoate 2. Kerrod Holland 3. Josh Morris 4. Chase Stanley 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 17. Matt Frawley 10. Danny Fualalo 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Adam Elliot 13. Sam Kasiano 9. Michael Lichaa 14. Francis Tualau 15. Asipeli Fine 16. Andy Saunders

In - Kerrod Holland, Asipeli Fine, Andy Saunders

Out - Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, Brett Morris

Analysis - Canterbury were back to their bad old ways against the Eels and yet again struggled to score points despite having the majority of possession last week. This week they return to their spiritual home Belmore Sports Ground, where they host the Newcastle Knights in what will be local junior Josh Reynolds' last match at the venue. The Dogs will be without their Origin stars in Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Brett Morris. This sees Kerrod Holland come back into the side on the wing, Sam Kasiano start at lock, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner starting in the second row. Asipeli Fine will come onto the interchange bench along with prop Andy Saunders who will make his NRL debut. 

1. Nathan Ross 2. Chanel Mata'utia 3. Joe Wardle 4. Peter Mata'utia 5. Brendan Elliott 6. Trent Hodkinson 18. Brock Lamb 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Josh King 11. Sione Mata'utia 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mitchell Barnett 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Luke Yates 17. Jacob Saifiti 21. Mickey Paea

In - Luke Yates, Brendan Elliot, Chanel Mata'utia

Out - Dane Gagai, Ken Sio, Josh Starling

Analysis - The Knights went into last week's match at home and favourites for the first time in three years, yet they were blown off the park early by the Tigers and now face the real possibility of taking home their third consecutive wooden spoon. The Knights will be missing their best attacking Dane Gagai, who will be missing due to Origin, Joe Wardle moves to centre and with Ken Sio out with injury. Newcastle will have both Brendan Elliot and the better smelling Mata'utia, Chanel, come into the side as the new look wing combination. Luke Yates replaces Josh Starling on the bench. Trent Hodkinson has again been named in the halves in his return to Belmore to face his former club.

Weather Watch - Fine