Round 26 predicted team lists, injuries, suspensions; Storm forced into reshuffle after Harry Grant suspension; Sandon Smith recalled for Roosters

Penrith is set to rest a host of big-name players for round 26 despite the top four still being in reach.

On Nine’s 100% Footy, Nathan Cleary confirmed he won’t be playing against the Bulldogs with others expected to miss out, too. Back-up half Brad Schneider did not play NSW Cup last week.

“I won’t be playing this week, I just had a chat to the performance staff and thought it’d be the best thing for me,” he said.

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Canterbury is currently third on the ladder and can guarantee a top-four spot with a win. The Panthers are seventh and three points below the fourth-placed Warriors.

Nathan Cleary. Getty

Melbourne will be without captain Harry Grant for a Friday night blockbuster against the Roosters, who will also be missing one of their best players.

It’s mixed news on the injury front for Canberra, who could lose one speedster for this weekend but welcome another back from an extended absence.

Elsewhere, the struggling Dragons could receive a timely boost in the forwards, as the Bulldogs weigh up what to do with a departing star.

Here’s all the early mail for round 26.

THURSDAY

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers, Accor Stadium (7.50pm)

Reed Mahoney. Getty

Bulldogs predicted team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Reed Mahoney

Bulldogs team news: Reed Mahoney barely got any game time against the Storm and he could be shuffled out of the team soon. Sitili Tupouniua returned from a hamstring injury last week and will retain his spot on the bench.

Panthers predicted team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Matt Eisenhuth 15. Liam Henry 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Scott Sorensen

Panthers team news: Isaah Yeo made his return off the bench last week, but expect to see him slot into the starting role this time around. Cleary is set to be rested while Matt Eisenhuth and Paul Alamoti could come into the team after being rested from NSW Cup.

FRIDAY

Warriors vs Parramatta Eels, Go Media Stadium (6pm)

J’maine Hopgood. Getty

Warriors predicted team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Demitric Vaimauga 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Leka Halasima

Warriors team news: No changes flagged at this stage after the round 25 victory.

Eels predicted team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Matt Doorey 17. Jordan Samrani

Eels team news: Jason Ryles will likely stick solid after a shock win over the Roosters.

Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters, AAMI Park (8pm)

Sam Walker NRL Imagery

Storm predicted team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Marion Seve 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jonah Pezet 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Tyran Wishart 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ativalu Lisati

Storm team news: Harry Grant (suspension) will miss the next two matches after being cited for a shoulder charge. Tyran Wishart will move to hooker and Jonah Pezet will start alongside Cameron Munster in the halves. Tui Kamikamica (concussion) will miss at least a week, opening the door for Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Jack Howarth (groin) is closing in on a return from injury and could be included.

Roosters predicted team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sandon Smith 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu

Roosters team news: Sam Walker (concussion) will be unavailable, which should see Sandon Smith slot into the halfback role. Daniel Tupou (concussion) is expected to return on the wing in place of his namesake, Junior Tupou.

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SATURDAY

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers, GIO Stadium (3pm)

Savelio Tamale. Getty

Raiders predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Seb Kris 5. Savelio Tamale 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Raiders team news: Savelio Tamale (knee) could be set to return at an opportune time, with Xavier Savage (shoulder) facing a stint on the sidelines. No other changes flagged at this stage after the side’s golden-point win over the Panthers.

Tigers predicted team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Brent Naden 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Heath Mason 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Krystian Mapapalangi 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray 17. Tony Sukkar

Tigers team news: Adam Doueihi (concussion/facial fracture) will be sidelined, as will young playmaker Latu Fainu (concussion), leaving a void in the halves. Heath Mason could slot into the side at five-eighth. Brent Naden was a late inclusion for Starford To’a (shoulder) on Sunday afternoon and will likely be named in the centres.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles, Kogarah Oval (5.30pm)

Jack De Belin. Getty

Dragons predicted team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mat Feagai 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Jacob Halangahu

Dragons team news: Hame Sele and Jack de Belin will both return from concussion, while back-rower Jaydn Su’A (ankle) is also expected to be back on deck.

Sea Eagles predicted team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Aaron Schoupp 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Sea Eagles team news: No major changes flagged at this stage, however front-rower Taniela Paseka (Achilles) could be available.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos, QCB Stadium (7.35pm)

Reece Walsh. Getty

Cowboys predicted team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Zac Laybutt 17. Thomas Mikaele

Cowboys team news: No changes flagged to the side that defeated the Wests Tigers.

Broncos predicted team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jesse Arthars

Broncos team news: Expect to see Michael Maguire name the same 17 that got the job done against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, although there is a whisper that Adam Reynolds is an outside chance of a miraculous early return after injuring his hamstring against the Storm just over a fortnight ago.

SUNDAY

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights, Shark Park (2pm)

Sharks predicted team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Hohepa Puru

Sharks team news: Cameron McInnes (knee) will miss the rest of the season due to an ACL injury. Jesse Colquhuon will likely join the starting side with Hohepa Puru on the bench. KL Iro (pectoral) is closing in on a return from injury.

Knights predicted team: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. James Schiller 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Leaumoana

Knights team news: No major changes flagged at this stage despite a heavy loss against the Broncos. Adam Elliott (biceps) could be in line for a return.

Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans, Redcliffe Stadium (4.05pm)

AJ Brimson. Getty

Dolphins predicted team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Max Feagai 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Trai Fuller 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr

Dolphins team news: No changes flagged at this stage despite the loss to Manly.

Titans predicted team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Keano Kini 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston

Titans team news: No changes flagged at this stage despite the loss to the Warriors.