Warriors vs Bulldogs

The 13

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

Bulldogs: Chase Stanley.

Bench

Warriors: All them boys.

Bulldogs: Sam Kasiano, Greg Eastwood, Francis Tualau, Raymond Faitala-Mariner.

Doc's Word

Brenko Lee moved to the Bulldogs from Canberra for this season and enjoyed a fairly easy passage to a starting centre spot. Now Chase Stanley has returned from injury and Stanley has pushed Lee out of the team which is a fantastic insight into how Des Hasler views Stanley, regardless of his injury history.

Y'all know Sam Kasiano is going to Melbourne Storm next season right? Where he'll probably play alongside Nelson Asofa-Solomona; just something to ponder.

Tigers vs Titans

The 13

Tigers: Esan Marsters, Tuimoala Lolohea, Ava Seumanufagai, Elijah Taylor.

Titans: Konrad Hurrell, Kevin Proctor.

Bench

Tigers: Michael Chee-Kam, Matt McIlwrick, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.

Titans: Paterika Vaivai, Nathaniel Peteru, Agnatius Paasi.

Doc's Word

We probably won't get treated to Esan Marsters vs Konrad Hurrell, although Hurrell will face off against Moses Suli who has been simmering away for the Tigers this season. That'll grace us with the opportunity to pay close attention to both Marsters and Hurrell as they'll play on opposite edges and both will be go-to weapons out on those edges.

Get to represent my high school TONGA HIGH SCHOOL last night and the first time wearing the tonga high school socks playing NRL 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Wasn't happy about my game but appreciate the @gctitans for giving us opportunity like this to represent where it all started at this level ✊🏼✊🏼#tongahighschool #whereitallstarted #enjoyinglife #stayonthegrind #oua #coachlatufolau #coachlauti

5,676 Likes, 61 Comments - koni_Naala (@koni_hurrell) on Instagram: "Get to represent my high school TONGA HIGH SCHOOL last night and the first time wearing the tonga..."

Also keep an eye on the Titans bench as they've named Paterika Vaivai, Nathaniel Peteru and Agnatius Paasi on their extended bench. All three should work their way into the 17 if they are healthy and with Leivaha Pulu out for a month with appendicitis, Gold Coast need some funk through the middle; Paasi offers exactly that.

Cowboys vs Panthers

The 13

Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo, Antonio Winterstein.

Panthers: Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Corey Harawira-Naera.

Bench

Cowboys: Kalyn Ponga, Braden Uele, Te Maire Martin.

Panthers: Sione Katoa, Sitaleki Akauola.

Doc's Word

Jonathan Thurston did what only Jonathan Thurston could do in game two of Origin as he completely ignored a bung shoulder to battle on in the Origin cauldron, so there's no reason to think that the great man won't run out for the Cowboys. That would be kinda silly though, especially when the Cowboys signed Te Maire Martin and we'll be given an insight into coach Paul Green's thinking as he could either go with Kyle Laybutt who impressed against Melbourne last week or he could give Martin a run against his former club.

Expect Gavin Cooper to back up from Origin, if he doesn't then Coen Hess or Shaun Fensom will take that edge spot, opening up a bench spot for #KiwiNRL big bopper Braden Uele. I'm eagerly anticipating Uele's emergence with the Cowboys and I'm hoping that he gets a run soon.

Enjoying Melbourne!

334 Likes, 8 Comments - ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Braden Uele (@bradenuele) on Instagram: "Enjoying Melbourne!"

Raiders vs Broncos

The 13

Raiders: Jordan Rapana, Iosia Soliola.

Broncos: Jordan Kahu, Benji Marshall, Kodi Nikorima, Adam Blair.

Bench

Raiders: Joseph Tapine.

Broncos: Alex Glenn, Herman Ese'ese.

Doc's Word

Bet you didn't think that Brisbane Broncos, the Brisbane Broncos, would roll out an all-#KiwiNRL halves combination? That's the reality with Kodi Nikorima maintaining his halfback spot and Benji Marshall keeping Ben Hunt on the bench. Obviously we need to factor in some possible Wayne Bennett shenanigans, although Hunt is better suited to that bench utility spot than Marshall and as Nikorima has taken his halfback chance with open arms, Hunt is the unlucky bugger.

Roosters vs Storm

The 13

Roosters: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Storm: Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris.

Bench

Roosters: Isaac Liu.

Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Jahrome Hughes.

Doc's Word

I may have to double up on exploring Melbourne Storm games as this #KiwiNRL battle is just as intriguing as last week's Storm vs Cowboys nail-biter. Don't expect Brandon Smith to get a run unless Cameron Smith can't back up, that bench utility spot has instead been given to versatile outside back Curtis Scott.

We've got Waerea-Hargreaves, Taukeiaho and Liu going up against the Bromwich bros and Asofa-Solomona through the middle. There's also a chance that Manu and Harris could line up on the same side of the field and if that's the case, Harris will spend much of this game angling his runs out wider to test Manu's defence. Harris is an edge forward but he loves to creep in-field and throw himself around which will make things fun as he'll add himself to that #KiwiNRL battle up the guts, then Harris is nimble enough to pose a threat one-on-one out wide as well

Dragons vs Knights

The 13

Dragons: Jason Nightingale Russell Packer.

Knights: Danny Levi.

Bench

Dragons: Leeson Ah Mau, Taane Milne.

Knights: Haters.

Doc's Word

Melbourne are carrying an outside back on their bench and the Dragons have been doing this for a few weeks via Taane Milne. It's a funky little niche for Milne and he's not going to start at centre any time soon - not with Euan Aitken returning from injury.

Sharks vs Sea Eagles

The 13

Sharks: Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale.

Sea Eagles: Mathew Wright, Martin Taupau.

Bench

Sharks: Sam Tagataese, Fa'amanu Brown.

Sea Eagles: Lewis Brown, Addin Fonua-Blake.

Doc's Word

Gerard Beale is giving Cronulla exceptional value this season, just as he did last season as he's doing whatever is asked of him. Beale played fullback last week, moves to wing this week and will slide into centre if Jack Bird can't play; Beale and Sosaia Feki are heavily slept on #KiwiNRL contributors.

One look at Manly's bench is enough to make you go 'ouch' as they are rolling out three hostile big boppers in Addin Fonua-Blake, Darcy Lussick and Lloyd Perrett. Shout outz to Lewis Brown who is also heavily slept on with what he offers Manly, the reason I bring up Manly's bench though is that if you take our Brenton Lawrence (starting) or Lussick who could both make an exit at the end of the season and chuck in Toafofoa Sipley on the bench, Manly would have a brutal group of middle forward.

Plus, you could get a Manly bench next season that has Brown, Perrett, Fonua-Blake and Sipley; all four have #KiwiNRL ties with Perrett opting to be eligible for Queensland unlike his older bro Sam.

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