Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya admits he has “no idea” who will play in the halves this week for the traditional Good Friday clash against South Sydney.
Cameron Ciraldo shook things up mid-game in the round four loss to Newcastle, with Matt Burton shifting to centre and Stephen Crichton at five-eighth in attack, while Sean O’Sullivan was injected into the contest for the final 20 minutes.
The bizarre switch-up didn’t pay off for Canterbury, but has again raised question marks over Burton’s long-term role for the side and the make-up of the spine.
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Matt Burton. Getty
Speaking on Nine’s Today on Monday morning to preview the round five match, Montoya was asked how the Bulldogs would line up and gave a honest response.
“No idea to be honest,” he said.
“I didn’t even know that happened on the weekend, I was on the right side and didn’t realise Critta had gone into five-eighth.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen – we’ll see how we go.”
Away from the Bulldogs and there’s big changes on the horizon at other clubs, with St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Penrith all without key spine players.
Wide World of Sports has all the early mail ahead of round five.
THURSDAY
Dolphins vs Manly Sea Eagles, Redcliffe Stadium (8pm)
Dolphins predicted team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Oryn Keeley 17. Ray Stone 18. Trai Fuller 19. Francis Molo
Dolphins team news: Only one likely change this week, with Kurt Donoghoe (hamstring) expected to return on the bench in place of Brad Schneider.
Sea Eagles predicted team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tolu Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Corey Waddell 16. Simione Laiafi 17. Nathan Brown 18. Paul Bryan 19. Josh Feledy
Sea Eagles team news: Ethan Bullemor (Achilles) and Jason Saab (suspension) will both drop out of the side this week, while experienced prop Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf) is due back and Clayton Faulalo likely taking the vacant wing spot. It remains to be seen if new coach Kieran Foran makes any unforced changes.
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FRIDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Accor Stadium (4.05pm)
Brandon Smith. Getty
Rabbitohs predicted team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 19. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Thomas Fletcher 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa
Rabbitohs team news: Campbell Graham (back) is expected to return from injury after the round four bye, pushing Moala Graham-Taufa out. Brandon Smith (calf) is closing in on a return and could be included in the wider squad. If he is cleared to play, expect to see Peter Mamouzelos start at hooker with Smith and Bronson Garlick on the bench.
Bulldogs predicted team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Sitili Tupouniua 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Jonathan Sua 20. Fletcher Baker
Bulldogs team news: Josh Curran (ribs) could be sidelined after suffering an injury against the Knights, but other than that all eyes will be on what Cameron Ciraldo does with his spine this week. Matt Burton could move to centre and Sean O’Sullivan could come into the halves, while Stephen Crichton also spent time at five-eighth last week. Young halfback Mitchell Woods (hamstring) remains sidelined due to injury.
Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm, CommBank Stadium (8pm)
Jack Howarth. NRL Imagery
Panthers predicted team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole
Panthers team news: Mitch Kenny (suspension) will be sidelined after a hip-drop tackle last weekend, which will likely see Freddy Lussick start at hooker.
Storm predicted team: 1. Sua Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Nick Meaney 4. Moses Leo 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Cam Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Alec MacDonald 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Cooper Clarke 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Davvy Moale 18. Shawn Blore 19. Manaia Waitere
Storm team news: Jack Howarth (hip) left the field against the Cowboys and is unlikely to play, with Nick Meaney potentially returning at centre to replace him. Craig Bellamy could weigh up other changes with Shawn Blore in the mix.
SATURDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys, Kogarah Oval (5.30pm)
Kyle Flanagan is taken from the field. Getty
Dragons predicted team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Val Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga 18. Josh Kerr 19. Mat Feagai
Dragons team news: Kyle Flanagan (concussion) will be unavailable for at least a week, with young playmaker Lyhkan King-Togia expected to take his place. Toby Couchman (concussion) will return at prop in a timely boost, while Moses Suli (personal reasons) is also expected to be back on deck in the centres.
Cowboys predicted team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Liam Sutton 21. Matt Lodge
Cowboys team news: No changes flagged after an impressive win over the Storm. Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) is closing in on a return but is likely due back in round six.
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos, Cbus Super Stadium (7.35pm)
Payne Haas. Getty
Titans predicted team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Foutaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Klese Haas 16. Cooper Bai 17. Oliver Pascoe 18. Jett Liu 19. Max Feagai
Titans team news: No changes expected after a breakthrough win against the Dragons.
Broncos predicted team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Ben Talty 16. Aublix Tawha 17. Xavier Willison 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Josiah Karapani
Broncos team news: Josiah Karapani is expected to be dropped after an off-field incident, while Grant Anderson (knee) will miss the next three months. Payne Haas (shoulder) is likely to be named after missing round four with an AC joint injury.
SUNDAY
Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors, Shark Park (2pm)
Briton Nikora. Getty
Sharks predicted team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Sam Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Briton Nikora 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Teig Wilton 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Chris Veaila
Sharks team news: Briton Nikora (nose) is expected to return in the back-row, pushing Teig Wilton to the bench. No other changes flagged after a win against Canberra.
Warriors predicted team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Morgan Gannon 18. Marata Niukore 20. Chanel Harris-Tavita
Warriors team news: Morgan Gannon (concussion) is due back and could come into the side on the bench, with no other major changes flagged at this stage.
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders, McDonald Jones Stadium (4.05pm)
Trey Mooney. Getty
Knights predicted team: 1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Thomas Cant 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Harrison Graham
Knights team news: Trey Mooney (suspension) will return in the front-row and push Pasami Saulo to the bench, while five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe (knee) is expected to be named despite copping a knock during the side’s win against Canterbury.
Raiders predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Seb Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Daine Laurie 19. Jed Stuart
Raiders team news: Josh Papalii (suspension) will return at prop, pushing Morgan Smithies to the bench. No other changes flagged at this stage.
MONDAY
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers, CommBank Stadium (4.05pm)
Isaiah Iongi reacts after a hip-drop tackle. NRL Imagery
Eels predicted team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Jack de Belin 17. Luca Moretti 18. Charlie Guymer 19. Araz Nanva
Eels team news: Isaiah Iongi (ankle) and Matt Doorey (knee) will both be ruled out, with Joash Papali’i the likely fullback replacement and Jack de Belin joining the bench.
Tigers predicted team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Tino Tavana 3. Sunia Turuva 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jock Madden 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Tristan Hope 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Latu Fainu 19. Jeral Skelton
Tigers team news: No changes flagged after a strong win against the Warriors.