Raiders cop hammer blow, Ponga may miss months, Sezer faces ban, Souths’ mixed news, Broncos boosted by StuffsEarth

Canberra have suffered a hammer blow with Jamal Fogarty set to miss three months after rupturing his bicep in Saturday’s loss to Brisbane. 

With rookie Ethan Strange lining up at five-eighth this season, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart could call up another inexperienced playmaker in Manly recruit Kaeo Weekes for Sunday’s GIO Stadium stoush with the Sharks.

Bulldogs front-rower Chris Patolo is also looking at a lengthy absence after tearing his MCL during the early stages of Sunday’s Accor Stadium clash with Newcastle.

Knights veteran Dane Gagai was a late withdrawal from the game due to a calf issue but is in doubt for next Sunday’s Suncorp Stadium showdown with the Dolphins. Star fullback Kalyn Ponga looked troubled by his hip injury against the Dogs and was replaced midway through the second half with a foot problem.

Scans on Monday will determine the extent of the injury but O’Brien said ie was similar to a Lisfranc injury which could mean months on the sideline for the Dally M Medal winner.

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien said Ponga had a ligament problem and Gagai or uncapped youngster David Armstrong were in line to take his place in the No.1 jersey.

Wests Tigers winger Junior Tupou suffered a suspected broken foot in Saturday’s loss to the Panthers. 

Veteran halfback Aidan Sezer is facing a ban for a late challenge on Panthers opposite number Brad Schneider.

Sezer has been charged by the match review committee for dangerous contact after clipping Schneider’s leg after he put in a downfield kick. He will be out for two matches if he chooses to contest the charge at the judiciary and is unsuccessful. He can pay a $3000 fine with an early guilty plea, as it his third offence.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is confident Dylan Edwards’ leg injury is minor after the star fullback failed to finish the match. 

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said prop Payne Haas (knee), winger Deine Mariner (back), captain Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and second-rower Brendan Piakura (ankle) were all tracking to be fit for the round-eight clash with Wests Tigers.

Cowboys back-rower Heilum Luki is a chance to return this Saturday in the home fixture against Penrith after ankle surgery but is more likely to make his comeback in Round 9. 

New Zealand Warriors

v

Gold Coast Titans

NRL : Head To Head

Thu, 25 Apr 2024, 14:00

St. George Illawarra Dragons

v

Sydney Roosters

• Save

NRL : Head To Head

Thu, 25 Apr 2024, 16:00

Melbourne Storm

v

South Sydney Rabbitohs

• Save

NRL : Head To Head

Thu, 25 Apr 2024, 19:50

Manly Sea Eagles

v

Parramatta Eels

• Save

NRL : Head To Head

Fri, 26 Apr 2024, 20:00

Wests Tigers

v

Brisbane Broncos

• Save

NRL : Head To Head

Sat, 27 Apr 2024, 17:30

North Queensland Cowboys

v

Penrith Panthers

• Save

NRL : Head To Head

Sat, 27 Apr 2024, 19:35

Dolphins

v

Newcastle Knights

• Save

NRL : Head To Head

Sun, 28 Apr 2024, 14:00

Canberra Raiders

v

Cronulla Sharks

• Save

NRL : Head To Head

Sun, 28 Apr 2024, 16:05

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check PlayUp Website For Latest Odds

What are you really gambling with?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

Rabbitohs prop Tevita Tatola is facing 12 weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a fractured foot while winger Tyrone Munro is also out long term due to surgery to repair his fractured collarbone.

But they are set to be boosted by Jai Arrow making his first appearance since suffering shoulder damage in Las Vegas at the start of last month.

Gold Coast winger Phil Sami is close to making a return from an ankle injury but fullback Jayden Campbell’s knee injury will sideline him for at least a month.

Titans prop Jaimin Jolliffe has been cited for the second time in two weeks and faces a $1800 fine with an early guilty plea or $2500 if he unsuccessfully challenges the dangerous contact charge at the judiciary for a low tackle at the back of the legs of Manly forward Taniela Paseka when he was already being held up by two defenders. 

Parramatta lost five-eighth Daejarn Asi to a head knock during their loss to the Dolphins in Darwin while Clint Gutherson’s knee injury is causing the fullback grief.

James Tedesco will be free for the next game of the Sydney Roosters’ inconsistent NRL campaign after escaping suspension for tripping Ryan Papenhuyzen.

The Roosters captain went on report for the uncharacteristic shot on his rival fullback in the 70th minute of Melbourne’s 18-12 win on Thursday night 

Tedesco’s teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has also escaped suspension for his late hit on rival prop Christian Welch and can accept a $1800 fine.

Round 8 teams

All times AEST

Warriors vs Gold Coast at Go Media Stadium: 2pm, Thursday April 25

Warriors: Veteran utility Dylan Walker is set to return from an ankle injury while Chanel Harris-Tavita is under a cloud due to a leg problem.

Titans: Young prop Keenan Palasia (thigh) should be right to return and winger Phil Sami is close to being back on deck as well from an ankle injury but fullback Jayden Campbell’s knee injury will sideline him for at least a month.

Gold Coast prop Jaimin Jolliffe (danerous contact) has been cited for the second time in two weeks and faces a $1800 fine. 

• Save

Jack Bird. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

St George Illawarra vs Sydney at Allianz Stadium: 4.05pm, Thursday April 25

Dragons: Second-rower Luciano Leilua is a maybe due to a calf strain but Jack Bird should be right to play after sitting out the win over the Warriors due to a head knock, which could send Zac Lomax back to the wing and Christian Tuipulotu back to NSW Cup duty.

Roosters: Dominic Young has served his high tackle ban while Sam Walker is set to return after sitting out a fortnight with a concussion. 

Melbourne vs South Sydney at AAMI Park: 7.50pm, Thursday April 25

Storm: Tepai Moeroa (back) and young speedster Sua Fa’alogo (ankle) should be available for selection but Tui Kamikamica (calf) is another couple of weeks away.

Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell has two more matches to serve on his ban but Cameron Murray, who suffered a concussion in the loss to Cronulla, will be good to go. Front-rower Tevita Tatola (foot) and winger Tyrone Munro (collarbone) are now on the long-term injured list.

Manly vs Parramatta at 4 Pines Park: 8pm, Friday April 26

Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai is available after serving a one-game ban for Dangerous Contact while Nathan Brown (knee) is a maybe.

Eels: For the second straight week, Eels forward Bryce Cartwright has been charged and will cop a heftier fine this time around. Cartwright was pinged for dangerous contact on Dolphins forward Mark Nicholls early in Friday night’s loss in Darwin and is facing a punishment of $1800-$2500.

Clint Gutherson (knee) is set to battle on while five-eighth Daejarn Asi needs to pass the concussion protocols.

• Save

Payne Haas. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Wests vs Brisbane at Campbelltown Sports Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday April 27

Tigers: Young winger Junior Tupou suffered a suspected broken foot in Saturday’s loss to the Panthers. Veteran halfback Aidan Sezer is facing a ban for a late challenge on opposite number Brad Schneider.

He was charged after clipping Schneider’s leg after he put in a downfield kick. He will be out for two matches if he chooses to contest the charge at the judiciary and is unsuccessful. He can pay a $3000 fine with an early guilty plea.

Broncos: Kevin Walters said prop Payne Haas (knee), winger Deine Mariner (back), captain Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and second-rower Brendan Piakura (ankle) were all tracking to be fit.

North Qld vs Penrith at QCB Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday April 27

Cowboys: Todd Payten said he could swing the axe at the selection table after their Shark Park smash-up. 

Panthers: Co-captain Nathan Cleary is still not a certainty to make a return from his hamstring strain while fullback Dylan Edwards (leg) should be OK and centre Taylan May should be back on deck after personal leave.

Dolphins vs Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium: 2pm, Sunday April 28

Dolphins: Connelly Lemuelu (knee) and Kurt Donoghoe (suspension) are back but Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler are likely to need another week off to repair their shoulder injuries.

Knights: Kalyn Ponga’s foot injury could keep him out for months with veteran centre Dane Gagai, in his return from a calf problem, or debutant David Armstrong the contenders to replace him at fullback.