Broncos vs Roosters

The 13

Broncos: Jordan Kahu, Adam Blair.

Roosters: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Isaac Liu.

Game day, yesterday! . . 🎵 @k_one_ ➖ Still On 🔥🔥🔥#jflay23 #goproanz @goproanz

2,883 Likes, 89 Comments - JFLAY (@jordan.kahu) on Instagram: "Game day, yesterday! . . 🎵 @k_one_ ➖ Still On 🔥🔥🔥#jflay23 #goproanz @goproanz"

Bench

Broncos: Alex Glenn, Herman Ese'ese, Kodi Nikorima.

Roosters: Joseph Manu.

Doc's Word

Keep an eye on the return of Kodi Nikorima for Brisbane. He's been named outside the top-17 but against a big Roosters forward pack, Brisbane will need Nikorima's speed and skill around the ruck. Otahuhu junior Isaac Liu also gets a sneaky little chance to start in place of Dylan Napa and as always; Adam Blair vs Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be niggly af.

Knights vs Bulldogs

The 13

Knights: Danny Levi.

Bulldogs: Brad Abbey, Greg Eastwood.

Bench

Knights: Haters.

Bulldogs: Sam Kasiano, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Francis Tualau, Reimis Smith.

Doc's Word

Danny Levi will have some hefty traffic coming his way through the middle which will be a nice challenge for him after he re-signed. Brad Abbey is also steadily settling into that fullback role and while there's a lot of noise around the Bulldogs halves, it takes time for Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye to suss out Abbey's style and vice-versa. Expect Abbey to show off his ability against a weaker Knights team.

Panthers vs Rabbitohs

The 13

Panthers: Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Te Maire Martin, Corey Harawira-Naera.

Rabbitohs: Siosifa Talakai.

Bench

Panthers: Moses Leota, Sitaleki Akauola, Sione Katoa.

Rabbitohs: Zane Musgrove.

Doc's Word

Peta Hiku has been cut along with Matt Moylan and Waqa Blake for some shenanigans, which only opens the door for more kiwis! Dallin Watene-Zelezniak makes a funky move to centre with his older brother Malakai to start on the wing; Malakai has dominated reserve grade and deserves his shot. Hiku's also giving up his bench spot, with Sione Katoa possibly coming into the frame for some utility action but that would come at the expense of either Moses Leota or Sitaleki Akauola.

Sea Eagles vs Dragons

The 13

Sea Eagles: Martin Taupau.

Dragons: Jason Nightingale, Russell Packer.

Bench

Sea Eagles: Lewis Brown, Addin Fonua-Blake.

Dragons: Leeson Ah Mau, Taane Milne, Kalifa Faifai Loa.

Doc's Word

Gypsy gets a chance to do his thing at fullback in place of Josh Dugan and the Wildcard's going to love that. Also of interest is Taane Milne being named as No.17, suggesting that Milne could get a bench spot and how he's used off the bench would be very interesting as he's big enough to do a job in the middle if needed.

Titans vs Raiders

The 13

Titans: Konrad Hurrell, Kevin Proctor, Leivaha Pulu.

Raiders: Jordan Rapana, Iosia Soliola.

Bench

Titans: Paterika Vaivai.

Raiders: Joseph Tapine.

Doc's Word

Kevin Proctor was one of Gold Coast's best last week and he's got plenty of competition for that Kiwis right edge spot. This week he'll line up against Josh Papalii and if Proctor can maintain parity with Papalii, he'll lock down a Kiwis spot.

Cowboys vs Tigers

The 13

Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo.

Tigers: Matt McIlwrick, Ava Seumanufagai, Josh Aloiai, Elijah Taylor.

Bench

Cowboys: Kalyn Ponga.

Tigers: Michael Chee-Kam.

Doc's Word

If Kalyn Ponga comes off the bench and plays through the middle as somewhat of a dummy half, the Tigers could come under serious pressure around the ruck. I'm eager to see how Paul Green uses Ponga and I'm also intrigued by Ivan Cleary reuniting with Elijah Taylor as Taylor could be given more responsibility in attack.

Warriors vs Eels

The 13

Warriors: All but Blake Ayshford, Jacob Lillyman, Ryan Hoffman.

Eels: Brad Takairangi, Josh Hoffman, Suaia Matagi, Manu Ma'u.

Bench

Warriors: Everyone.

Eels: Frank Pritchard, Peni Terepo, Kirisome Auva'a.

"Don't let someone else's opinion of you become your reality." - Les Brown Few years back I had a choice to listen to someone's else's opinion saying I would never make it into NRL and I guess if I had listened I wouldn't be where I'm at today . Sometimes you gotta use that as your motivation to drive you or just run it straight through the negative voices and let em know thanks for the push #120 #ificanyoucan #lesbrown #mondaymotivation #nevergiveup #grateful #bethehope #jeremiah2911

1,198 Likes, 29 Comments - Suaia Matagi (@suaiamatagi) on Instagram: ""Don't let someone else's opinion of you become your reality." - Les Brown Few years back I had a..."

Doc's Word

Suaia Matagi and Manu Ma'u once caused all sorts of havoc for the Auckland Vulcans and here they are, back on Mt Smart's turf in the same Eels team. There's a high chance that Matagi is the best forward on the pack given the sort of rampaging form he's in, while Ma'u will make sure that Shaun Johnson's got plenty of defensive work to do.

Storm vs Sharks

The 13

Storm: Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich.

Sharks: Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale.

Bench

Storm: Haters.

Sharks: Sam Tagataese.

Doc's Word

Who was absent for the Grand Final last year? Nelson Asofa-Solomona. And who has been named to start at prop - but could make way for Jordan McLean - against the Sharks? Nelson Asofa-Solomona and the big Wellingtonian will give Melbourne a serious dose of x-factor, as well as size as they try to combat the Sharks' forward pack that oozes grunt.

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