NRL Round 25 teams: Sharks keep Jack Bird on ice, Cowboys, Warriors, Storm big guns return

A HOST of returning big names will boost a number of clubs in their run home to the finals, but Cronulla’s Jack Bird will be kept on ice for another week.

Bird hasn’t been sighted since going down with a shoulder injury against the Raiders and had been pencilled in for a tentative return for this week’s showdown with the Roosters.

But while he’s returned to training with the main group, Bird is targeting a round 26 clash with Newcastle for a pre-finals tune up.

Join Fox Sports Fantasy analyst Phil Prior for our live teams chat below from 2pm.

Otherwise, the Sharks will have a first-choice 17 to call on in their top-four stoush with the Chooks.

Grand final foes Melbourne are in a similarly rude health, with Tohu Harris (shoulder) returning from a longer than expected lay-off last week, while Cooper Cronk and Tim Glasby (named on an extended bench) will both be welcomed back after they were rested following a gruelling Origin period.

Live stream the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week FOXTEL NOW trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW!

“(Glasby) would’ve been fine to play (last week),” Melbourne football manager Frank Ponissi told the club website.

“It was a chance to rest his shoulder. It’s only a minor injury so a week’s rest, a bit more treatment, we expect him to play against South Sydney.”

Ben Ikin and Nathan Ryan are joined by Penrith coach Anthony Griffin to discuss Penrith’s exciting young players and their plans for the future.

You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app

While Newcastle have lost gun young half Brock Lamb, they will replace the rising half with another playmaking prodigy in 20-year-old Jack Cogger.

After playing six games as a rookie last year the highly rated five-eighth hasn’t been seen in first grade in 2017, until now.

The stricken Cowboys are boosted by the return of Antonio Winterstein (hamstring), who replaces the injured Kalyn Ponga, and John Asiata (arm) but Lachlan Coote (ankle) and Gavin Cooper (calf) have only made an extended bench.

With their crippling injury toll claiming skippers Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, as well as Ponga out of the gutsy loss to Cronulla, North Queensland need all hands on deck to keep them in finals contention.

Across the ditch, the Warriors have named Shaun Johnson (PCL) before making a call on whether he plays against Manly later in the week.

Wests Tigers bound prop Ben Matulino returns from suspension for a home ground send-off and will come straight into the side for off-contract veteran Jacob Lillyman, whose suspected torn bicep is likely to end his time at the club.

Kieran Foran has also been named to line up for the Warriors against his former side Manly, despite failing to finish against the Rabbitohs due to a back complaint.

For the battling Titans, Jarryd Hayne is back from the ankle injury that kept him out of Neil Henry’s last game as coach.

Opponents Canterbury are likely to have big man Sam Kasiano back from a sternum complaint (named on an extended bench), though Josh Reynolds (calf) and Greg Eastwood (knee) are less likely, despite also being named in the 21-man squad.

Join Fox Sports Fantasy analyst Phil Prior for our live teams chat below from 2pm.

BRONCOS V EELS

Thursday 24 August, 7.50pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos mail: Tevita Pangai Jnr (hamstring) is out, with Jaydn Su’a his replacement on the bench.

Jai Arrow (elbow) has been named, but is still in some doubt.

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Tautau Moga 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Korbin Sims 9. Ben Hunt 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh Mcguire 14. Sam Thaiday 15. Jaydn Su’a 16. Jai Arrow 17. Herman Essese 18. Benji Marshall 19. David Mead 20. Salesi Funaki 21. Tom Opaci

Eels mail: Bevan French will be kept on ice and won’t line up this, opening the door for Will Smith to start at fullback.

“I’ll be guided by what our medical department say but we don’t want to put Bevan at risk,” Brad Arthur said. “The thing is we have to show a bit of belief and confidence in Will that he can get the job done.

“He did a good job (on Thursday) and we’ll give him more time during the week to work on a few areas in his game. But if Bevan’s not right we won’t play him.”

Manu Ma’u will miss a week after being cited for a shoulder charge on Ash Taylor. The suspension opens the door for Frank Pritchard to return to the team.

Eels: 1. Will Smith 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Kirisome Auva’a 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Cameron King 10. Tim Mannah 11. Kenny Edwards 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown 14. David Gower 15. Suaia Matagi 16. Frank Pritchard 17. Peni Terepo 18. Siosaia Vave 19. Josh Hoffman 20. Beau Scott 21. Kaysa Pritchard

RAIDERS V KNIGHTS

Friday 25 August, 6pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders mail: No changes in the team named, despite the short turnaround from Sunday’s heartbreaking loss.

Raiders: 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. Joseph Tapine 13. Elliot Whitehead 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Clay Priest 16. Dave Taylor 17. Luke Bateman 18. Jeff Lima 19. Erin Clark 20. Royce Hunt 21. Michael Oldfield

Knights mail: Brock Lamb (MCL) and Luke Yates (syndesmosis) are both gone for the season.

Jack Cogger replaces Lamb in the halves, pipping Jaelen Feeney for a spot, while veteran Mickey Paea gets a first grade recall.

Knights: 1. Nathan Ross 2. Ken Sio 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata’utia 5. Shaun Kenny-dowall 6. Jack Cogger 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Josh King 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Mitchell Barnett 14. Joe Wardle 15. Mickey Paea 16. Sam Stone 17. Jacob Saifiti 18. Brendan Elliott 19. Peter Mata’utia 20. Jaelen Feeney 21. Jack Stockwell

WESTS TIGERS V COWBOYS

Friday 25 August, 7.50pm at Campbelltown Stadium

Wests Tigers mail: Elijah Taylor (shoulder) is out after picking up an injury against the Roosters.

Luke Brooks (hamstring) has been cleared to play.

Wests Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Tim Grant 11. Michael Chee-Kam 12. Josh Aloiai 13. Matthew Eisenhuth 14. Alex Twal 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Jack Littlejohn 18. Joel Edwards 19. Ava Seumanufagai 20. Jj Felise 21. Watson Heleta

Cowboys mail: Lachlan Coote has been named on an extended bench and is a chance to come back in for Ben Hampton at fullback, while Antonio Winterstein returns to take Kalyn Ponga’s place.

Gavin Cooper has been named on an extended bench and will take on the captaincy if he’s passed fit.

Cowboys: 1. Ben Hampton 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. Corey Jensen 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Coen Hess 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. John Asiata 15. Shane Wright 16. Patrick Mago 17. Shaun Fensom 18. Gavin Cooper 19. Lachlan Coote 20. Kyle Laybutt 21. Enari Tuala

TITANS V BULLDOGS

Saturday 26 August, 3pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans mail: Jarryd Hayne (ankle) and Jarrod Wallace (knee) return. Phillip Sami retains his place in the team with John Olive (elbow) sidelined.

Titans: 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Anthony Don 3. Dale Copley 4. Phillip Sami 5. William Zillman 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Joe Greenwood 13. Max King 14. Kane Elgey 15. Nathaniel Peteru 16. Leivaha Pulu 17. Paterika Vaivai 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Ben Nakubuwai 20. Keegan Hipgrave 21. Jamal Fogarty

Bulldogs mail: Josh Reynolds (calf) is racing the clock to be back by Saturday and has been named on an extended bench, alongside big man Sam Kasiano who is still nursing a sternum injury.

Greg Eastwood (knee) is a week-to-week prospect and has been named in jersey 22.

Bulldogs: 1. William Hopoate 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Brenko Lee 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Frawley 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Adam Elliot 13. David Klemmer 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Chase Stanley 19. Francis Tualau 14. Sam Kasiano 20. Josh Reynolds 22. Greg Eastwood 23. Kerrod Holland

STORM V RABBITOHS

Saturday 26 August, 5.30pm at AAMI Park

Storm mail: Cooper Cronk returns after being rested last week, while Tim Glasby is expected to take his place in the game day 17, despite being named on an extended bench.

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. William Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Joe Stimson 13. Dale Finucane 14. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tohu Harris 17. Slade Griffin 18. Tim Glasby 19. Robbie Rochow 20. Jahrome Hughes 21. Nate Myles

Rabbitohs mail: Sam Burgess will be monitored throughout the week, but expects to return from the rib cartilage injury that ruled him out of round 24.

Alex Johnston’s season-ending hamstring concern will force a reshuffle in the Bunnies backline, but Cody Walker’s good form in the halves keeps him in the No.6 jersey, with Bryson Goodwin shuffled to the back. Robert Jennings returns to the side on the wing.

Rabbitohs: 1. Bryson Goodwin 2. Campbell Graham 3. Aaron Gray 4. Tyrell Fuimaono 5. Robert Jennings 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Sam Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Cameron Murray 14. Robbie Farah 15. George Burgess 16. Kyle Turner 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Jack Gosiewski 19. David Tyrrell 20. Siosifa Talakai

SHARKS V ROOSTERS

Saturday 26 August, 7.30pm at Southern Cross Group Stadium

Sharks mail: Jack Bird (shoulder) will be given another week to recover with no other changes made.

Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Sam Tagataese 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. James Segeyaro 18. Chris Heighington 19. Joseph Paulo 20. Fa’amanu Brown 21. Jesse Ramien

Roosters mail: No changes, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves free to play after copping a fine for elbowing Tui Lolohea.

Roosters: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Latrell Mitchell 3. Ryan Matterson 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu 14. Zane Tetevano 15. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 16. Kane Evans 17. Connor Watson 18. Joseph Manu 19. Victor Radley 20. Chris Smith 22. Mitchell Cornish

WARRIORS V SEA EAGLES

Sunday 27 August, 2pm at Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors mail: Shaun Johnson (PCL) has been named to return at halfback, returning from a lengthy lay-off, while Kieran Foran has been named to play his old side despite a back issue. Ben Matulino returns from suspension and comes straight into the starting side.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Ben Matulino 9. Issac Luke 10. Sam Lisone 11. Bunty Afoa 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering 14. Mafoa’aeata Hingano 15. Charlie Gubb 16. Isaiah Papalii 17. Jazz Tevaga 18. Charnze Nicoll-klokstad 20. Chris Satae 21. James Bell 22. Mason Lino

Sea Eagles mail: Daly Cherry-Evans (flu) will be on light training duties but will lead the side across the ditch.

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matthew Wright 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Darcy Lussick 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Frank Winterstein 12. Shaun Lane 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lewis Brown 15. Lloyd Perrett 16. Brenton Lawrence 17. Addin Fonua-blake 18. Jarrad Kennedy 19. Cameron Cullen 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Taniela Paseka

PANTHERS V DRAGONS

Sunday 27 August, 4pm at Pepper Stadium

Panthers mail: Penrith hooker Peter Wallace is back after having minor surgery on his hand, with Sione Katoa dropping to the bench.

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Tyrone May 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris 14. Sione Katoa 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Tim Browne 17. Trent Merrin 18. Moses Leota 19. Dean Whare 20. Viliame Kikau 21. Kaide Ellis

Dragons mail: Russell Packer (knee) sits out for another week, while Nene MacDonald (knee) has been named on a wing in a backline reshuffle after Euan Aitken’s injury.

The playing group has had three days off from training since being rocked by a flu outbreak in the lead-up to last Friday’s loss to Brisbane.

With the long turnaround the Dragons are confident they will have a full contingent to choose from by the weekend, though the likes of Tyson Frizell (ankle) and MacDonald (knee) did not train on Tuesday, while Joel Thompson and Will Matthews were among those on light duties.

Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Josh Dugan 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Kurt Mann 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Hame Sele 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Josh McCrone 18. Taane Milne 19. Kalifa Faifai Loa 20. Luciano Leilua 21. Will Matthews