NRL Teams Analysis - 2017 Round 19

Sam is back with a brand new track! Here's all the analysis of each squad for Round 19 of the NRL Premiership. Catch up on all the ins & outs.


1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 21. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Issac Luke 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Bunty Afoa 13. Simon Mannering 14. Mafoa'aeata Hingano 15. Sam Lisone 16. James Gavet 17. Ligi Sao 5. Manu Vatuvei*

In - Issac Luke, Sam Lisone, Solomone Kata

Out - Albert Vete, Nathaniel Roache, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Analysis - The Warriors host the Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium to kick off Round 19. The Warriors are fresh off the bye after going down narrowly to the Sea Eagles in Round 17. Isaac Luke returns at hooker for the home side in a big boost, with Nathaniel Roache out with a hamstring injury. Solomone Kata returns to the starting side at centre, with David Fusitua moving back to the wing and young gun Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad dropping out. Albert Vete is also out with an arm injury and has been replaced by Sam Lisone. 

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 19. Tyrone May 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Mitch Rein 16. Tim Browne 11. Corey Harawira 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 14. Sione Katoa 15. Leilani Latu 17. James Fisher-Harris

In - James Fisher-Harris

Out - Sitaleki Akauola

Analysis - Penrith sit on the edge of the eight and securing two points from Mt Smart Stadium looms as imperative for their finals chances after a morale boosting win over the Sea Eagles last week. Fiery backrower James Fisher-Harris returned through NSW Cup last week and has been named to return to first grade from the interchange bench this week. Fisher-Harris replaces Sitaleki Akauola in the side's sole change from last week's win.  

Weather Watch - Cloudy*


1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Iosia Soliola 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Luke Bateman 16. Dave Taylor 17. Joseph Tapine

In - Josh Hodgson

Out - Scott Sorensen

Analysis - Canberra's faint season hopes go on the line at GIO Stadium on Friday night football, where they will host St George. The Green Machine has lost four games on the trot, after being hyped as one of the competition favourites in the pre-season. Hooker Josh Hodgson has been named to return, with Kurt Baptiste moving back to the bench in the only change for Friday night's clash, which will be played in freezing conditions in the Nation's Capital. 

19. Josh Dugan 2. Nene Macdonald 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Kurt Mann 1. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Josh McCrone 8. Russell Packer 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Tariq Sims 12. Joel Thompson 21. Paul Vaughan 3. Taane Milne 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Host 16. Hame Sele

In - Taane Milne, Jacob Host, Matt Dufty

Out - Josh Dugan,Tyson Frizell, Euan Aitken

Analysis - The Dragons have been inconsistent of late and have slid towards the edge of the eight in recent weeks. They now face a very tough road trip to Canberra, where they have a horrible record and face a side who are under siege from fans and critics alike. Coach Paul McGregor has elected to rest NSW forward Tyson Frizell given the tight turnaround from Origin II on Wednesday night, with Tariq Sims to start. Fellow NSW rep Josh Dugan has been named in the extended squad, he is also joined by his former Raider team mate Paul Vaughan. Taane Milne comes in for Euan Aitken at centre, Kurt Mann shifts from halfback to the wing, with Josh McCrone starting at halfback against his former club. Jason Nightingale has been named at fullback, with Matt Dufty on the bench, however expect plenty of late changes, with no less than four former Raiders a chance of lining up for the Red V.

Weather Watch - Showers


1. Nathan Ross 2. Chanel Mata'utia 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata'utia 5. Brendan Elliott 6. Brock Lamb 7. Trent Hodkinson 17. Jacob Saifiti 14. Jamie Buhrer 10. Josh King 11. Sione Mata'utia 16. Joe Wardle 13. Mitchell Barnett 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 21. Mickey Paea

In - Dane Gagai

Out - Joe Wardle

Analysis - The Knights were again left heartbroken at fulltime for the second week in a row, when they seemingly had the game against Canterbury won with just minutes remaining. However the Dogs had other ideas, scoring two tries in the last five minutes to snatch a emotional win at Belmore. The Knights return to Newcastle this week to face the Broncos on Saturday afternoon. Centre Dane Gagai has been named to return, provided he gets through State of Origin III, replacing Joe Wardle in the only change. 

2. Jamayne Isaako 1. Jordan Kahu 3. James Roberts 4. Tautau Moga 5. Jonus Pearson 21. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Korbin Sims 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Sam Thaiday 14. Alex Glenn 19. Jai Arrow 6. Benji Marshall 15. Tevita Pangai 16. Joe Ofahengaue 20. Jaydn Su'a

In - Jamayne Isaako

Out - David Mead

Analysis - The Broncos return off the bye, with their Origin trio in Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire and Ben Hunt all named to back up off Queensland Origin duties on Wednesday night. David Mead has been ruled out, which sees Jamayne Isaako handed his NRL debut on the wing. Star five-eighth Anthony Milford has been named in the extended squad and looms as a likely starter, returning from a shoulder injury.    

Weather Watch - Fine


1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Anthony Don 3. Dale Copley 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. William Zillman 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Joe Greenwood 13. Max King 14. Pat Politoni 16. Agnatius Paasi 17. Nathaniel Peteru 21. Leivaha Pulu

In - Nil

Out - Nil

Analysis - The Titans host the Sharks at CBUS Stadium in an absolute blockbuster on Saturday night on the Gold Coast. Titans Origin stars Jarryd Hayne, Jarrod Wallace and Nathan Peats have been named for the home side, who are looking to make it three wins on the trot to compliment their 16-12 win over the defending premiers at Shark Park back in Round 8.  

1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 17. Kurt Capewell 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 3. Jack Bird 7. Chad Townsend 16. Sam Tagataese 9. Fa'amanu Brown 10. Matt Prior 14. Jayson Bukuya 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 8. Andrew Fifita 11. Luke Lewis 15. Chris Heighington 19. James Segeyaro

In - Kurt Capewell

Out - Joseph Paulo

Analysis - The Sharks have named their five Origin stars to back up, however coach Stuart Flanagan has hinted that he may look to rest a few of his stars given their recent heavy workload. Kurt Capewell replaces Joseph Paulo on the bench in the sole change to the Sharks squad who thrashed the Roosters in Round 17. Hooker James Segeyaro has been named in the extended squad to return from injury and looms as a late inclusion given regular hooker Jayden Brailey is expected to miss the next six weeks with a broken jaw.  

Weather Watch - Cloudy   



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 12. Shaun Lane 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Cameron Cullen 15. Lloyd Perrett 16. Darcy Lussick 17. Addin Fonua-blake

In - Jake Trbojevic

Out - Brad Parker

Analysis - The Sea Eagles undefeated winning streak away from home came to an end against the Panthers last week, with the Sea Eagles on the end of a 14-4 penalty count to go down 16-8. The Sea Eagles now return to Brookvale Oval on a Sunday afternoon, where they host the struggling Tigers. NSW forward Jake Trbojevic has been named at lock, with Darcy Lussick moving back to the bench and Brad Parker named in the extended squad. Lanky backrower Shaun Lane has retained his starting spot in the starting pack, after an eye catching performance in his starting debut for the club.  

1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 18. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Ava Seumanufagai 15. Joel Edwards 12. Sauaso Sue 13. Elijah Taylor 11. Chris Lawrence 14. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Matt McIlwrick 21. Alex Twal

In - James Tedesco, Chris Lawrence

Out - Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Alex Twal

Analysis - The Tigers got the better of the Knights last start against the Knights, thrashing the home side 33-12 in a strong performance from the Tigers, without strike weapon James Tedesco. Tedesco and NSW team mate Aaron Woods have both been named, along with second rower Chris Lawrence who returns from injury. The Tigers got their better of Manly the last time these sides met in Round 3, 2016, however it is fair to say the Sea Eagles are a much stronger outfit in 2017.  

Weather Watch - Fine


1. Cody Walker 2. Alex Johnston 3. Bryson Goodwin 4. Robert Jennings 23. 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 15. Jason Clark 16. Zane Musgrove 17. George Burgess 22. Cameron Murray

In - Robert Jennings

Out - Braidon Burns

Analysis - South Sydney put in yet another disappointing performance, just when they looked to be getting back into some form, losing to the Roosters who were without their Origin stars. Souths now take their home game against the Cowboys to Cairns in a huge clash for the club to end Round 19. Robert Jennings returns to first grade on the wing, replacing Braidon Burns in the only change. This clash has some huge match ups, with Sam Burgess up against Jason Taumalolo worth the admission price alone for the locals in Cairns. 

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Shaun Fensom 17. Corey Jensen

In - Nil

Out - Nil

Analysis - The Cowboys are looking to make three wins in a row, after fantastic victories over the Panthers and the Raiders prior to last week's bye. The Cowboys have made no changes to the side that defeated the Raiders in one of the coldest NRL matches of all time in Round 17, with Origin stars Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess all named to back up following Origin III.  

Weather Watch - Fine