Billy Slater has marvelled at the “crazy” prospect of gun Roosters halfback Sam Walker returning for his side’s sudden-death clash with the Sharks on Saturday.
When quizzed in his post-game press conference following Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, Roosters coach Trent Robinson teased the possibility of Walker suiting up against the Sharks only three weeks after undergoing syndesmosis surgery.
Sam Walker is off-contract at the end of 2027. NRL Imagery
Read on as nine.com.au predicts how the Roosters, Sharks, Warriors and Knights will line up in the second week of NRL finals.
Saturday
Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks, Allianz Stadium (7.50pm AEST)
Predicted Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Hayden Barton 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau
Analysis: The Roosters will be forced to make at least one change after second-rower Egan Butcher failed a head injury assessment in the qualifying final loss to the Panthers. Robinson didn’t seem confident when asked about the potential return of star back-rower Angus Crichton from a foot injury in his post-game press conference. “I don’t know about Gussy,” Robinson said. The Tricolours may call up Hayden Barton or Ashton Warwick. Both made their NRL debut when the Roosters rested players en masse for round 27. Walker is unlikely to be fit to return from his syndesmosis injury this week, though Robinson said with a smirk after the Panthers game: “Never say never.” The Queensland Maroons No.7 returned to running only 12 days after going under the knife. “It’s crazy, isn’t it?” Slater said on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast. “We’re hearing Sam Walker might be playing three weeks after syndesmosis surgery. It used to be a 12-week injury.”
Predicted Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Riley Jones 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Tom Hazelton 18. Toby Rudolf 19. Niwhai Puru
Analysis: Cronulla is expected to remain unchanged after knocking out North Queensland. However, Mawene Hiroti could return from his rib injury and replace two-game NRL rookie Riley Jones. Hiroti was named on the extended bench last week. The man who pulls the strings for the Sharks, star playmaker Braydon Trindall, had an impressive return from his dislocated shoulder in the win over the Cowboys.
Sunday
Warriors vs Newcastle Knights, Eden Park (4.05pm AEST)
Predicted Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Sam Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Riley Price 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 19. Jett Cleary
Star Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Andy Jackson/Getty Images
Analysis: The Warriors are unlikely to have star forward Jackson Ford (ankle) and boom back-rower Leka Halasima (hamstring) as they fight to keep their season alive against the Knights. Halasima was a late out before Saturday’s clash with the Dolphins after suffering a hamstring injury in the warm-up. And Ford – playing his first game back from an almost three-month period on the sideline with a pectoral injury – hobbled off with an ankle injury in the 51st minute. Coach Andrew Webster could call upon versatile forward Riley Price – son of Warriors and Bulldogs legend Steve. Also waiting in the wings are Morgan Gannon, Kayliss Fatialofa and Jason Salalilo. Second-rower Jacob Laban is also under an injury cloud after struggling through the loss to the Dolphins with a knee issue. In positive news for Warriors fans, star winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is expected to return from a broken collarbone. He will slot in on the right wing, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moving to the centres and either Ali Leiataua or Adam Pompey dropping out. Halfback Luke Metcalf is not expected to be available this week as he continues to recover from his hamstring injury. The potential for Jett Cleary to nab a starting spot in the halves has been tossed up, but Slater suspects the Warriors will stick with Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin.
Predicted Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Francis Manuleleua 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Toby Winter
Analysis: NSW Blues back-rower Dylan Lucas is reportedly gunning for a shock return only eight weeks after suffering what was initially considered a season-ending ankle dislocation and fracture. If he does return – and the temptation for Newcastle to rush him back for the sudden-death game must be immense – he will likely push Francis Manuleleua to the bench, with Thomas Cant falling out.