{"id":832977,"date":"2026-07-30T07:35:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T07:35:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/832977\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T07:35:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T07:35:16","slug":"dragons-coach-swings-axe-in-huge-halves-call-dolphins-huge-boost-confirmed-late-mail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/832977\/","title":{"rendered":"Dragons coach swings axe in huge halves call; Dolphins\u2019 huge boost confirmed \u2014 Late Mail"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dragons coach Dean Young has reportedly swung the axe in a massive call while Broncos star Adam Reynolds has explained the sight of Ben Hunt training with the reserves.<\/p>\n<p>Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? <a href=\"https:\/\/kayosports.com.au\/en-AU\/home?extcamp=fsaeditoriallinkleague-edt-fsp-lnk-awr-grc-nrl-kyo&amp;channel=fsa&amp;campaign=fsacontra\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, the Dolphins have been handed a big boost and a Cowboys veteran\u2019s return has been delayed.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Read on for Round 22 Late Mail!<\/p>\n<p>THURSDAY JULY 30<\/p>\n<p>North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters, 7:50pm @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium<\/p>\n<p>Cowboys Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Jaxon Purdue 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Ethan King 15. John Bateman 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kaiden Lahrs 20. Kai O\u2019Donnell 21. Liam Sutton 22. Ronald Philitoga<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: Second rower John Bateman is a late out after failing to recover from a hamstring injury in time for Thursday\u2019s clash with the Roosters. According to Code Sports, Bateman pulled up with tightness during Wednesday\u2019s captain\u2019s run. \u201cGiven the short turnaround it was always going to be a stretch, but we wanted to give him every opportunity to play,\u201d Payten said. Kai O\u2019Donnell will likely come into the side in Bateman\u2019s absence<\/p>\n<p>Roosters Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Tommy Talau 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Reece Foley 20. Tom Rodwell 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. De La Salle Va\u2019a<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: The Roosters will be without both Lindsay Collins and Daniel Tupou for at least this week\u2019s game. Collins is back training as he eyes a return from his latest head knock but has not started doing contact work according to Trent Robinson, who said the front rower will be back in the next couple of weeks. Tupou, meanwhile, will miss at least four weeks with his shoulder injury.<\/p>\n<p>Tupou out for 5 weeks with injury | 00:21<\/p>\n<p>FRIDAY JULY 31<\/p>\n<p>St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Dolphins, 6pm @ WIN Stadium<\/p>\n<p>Dragons Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Josh Kerr 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Moses Suli 19. Lyhkan King-Togia 20. Emre Guler 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Jacob Webster<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: Coach Dean Young has made a big call with his halves, dropping five eighth Daniel Atkinson for the game against the Dolphins in Wollongong on Friday night. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/sport\/nrl\/nrl-around-the-clubs-round-22-20260726-p60im8.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">The Sydney Morning Herald<\/a> is reporting Atkinson has been dropped from the starting side with Lyhkan King-Togia to partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves. Atkinson was brought over from the Sharks in the off season and his future at the club is under a cloud with Kodi Nikorima coming to the club next year. The Herald is also reporting that Moses Suli will start in the centres after being named in the No. 18 jersey on Tuesday. <\/p>\n<p>Dolphins Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Brad Schneider 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Max Plath 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Ray Stone 19. Jake Averillo 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Isaiya Katoa<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has been named on the extended bench and is set to return from his wrist injury in a big boost. \u201cOur plan was for next week but it\u2019s not early. It was originally touted as being this week, but we were being on the cautious side, but the specialists have cleared it and said there\u2019s no risk and he\u2019s convinced us that he\u2019s right to play. We\u2019ll back him and we\u2019ll back the specialists,\u201d coach Kristian Woolf told Triple M\u2019s The Rush Hour with Dobbo &amp; Elliott. <\/p>\n<p>Katoa almost fit for Dolphins return | 01:56<\/p>\n<p>Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 8pm @ AAMI Park<\/p>\n<p>Storm Team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Manaia Waitere 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Trent Toelau 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Hayden Watson 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Shawn Blore 18. Joe Chan 19. Angus Hinchey 20. Davvy Moale 21. Stanley Huen 22. Jai Bowden<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail:Jack Howarth is out after sustaining a shoulder injury at training, with no timeline on when he will be back. <\/p>\n<p>Bulldogs Team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Alekolasimi Jones 19. Jed Reardon 20. Sean O\u2019Sullivan 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Jake Turpin 23. Jonathan Sua<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: Hooker Jake Turpin has been named on the extended bench as he eyes a return from a biceps injury, but is unlikely to get a look-in anyway with the Bulldogs currently in strong form. Sitili Tupouniua is \u201ctracking really well\u201d according to Cameron Ciraldo and likely to return in Round 23.<\/p>\n<p>Bulldogs back Crichton-Galvin combo | 00:56<\/p>\n<p>SATURDAY AUGUST 1<\/p>\n<p>Gold Coast Titans vs Warriors, 3pm @ Cbus Super Stadium<\/p>\n<p>Titans Team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Sam Verrills 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Adam Christensen 22. Jett Liu<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: To come.<\/p>\n<p>Warriors Team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Luke Metcalf 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 21. Rocco Berry 22. Luke Laulilii 23. Jacob Auloa<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: Fullback Taine Tuaupiki will miss this week\u2019s game against the Titans with a foot sprain but could be back as soon as next round, with the dynamic outside back expected to only be sidelined a maximum of two games.<\/p>\n<p>Braith says DCE should quit Roosters | 01:07<\/p>\n<p>Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders, 5.30pm @ Glen Willow Oval<\/p>\n<p>Panthers Team: 1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To\u2019o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali\u2019i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole 20. Blaize Talagi 21. Luron Patea 22. Kalani Leuluai-going<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: The Panthers aren\u2019t expected to make any late changes, with Blaize Talagi to spend time in reserve grade after the Eels exposed him in defence last Thursday night. It is not a new issue for Talagi, with coach Ivan Cleary admitting post-game it is a problem he needed to look into with the entire Penrith left edge consistently targeted. \u201cIf they\u2019ve been targeted for two years, we still remain the best defensive team. There were definitely some worries tonight, but on the balance, they can do better than that,\u201d Cleary said.<\/p>\n<p>Raiders Team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Matt Nicholson 16. Josh Papali\u2019i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Joseph Roddy 20. Coby Black 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Vena Patuki-Case<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: To come.<\/p>\n<p>Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/newsletter-sign-up?utm_source=NRLArticle&amp;utm_medium=TextLink&amp;utm_campaign=signup\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Sign up now!!<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>Doueihi all smiles in return to training | 07:34<\/p>\n<p>Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights, 7.35pm @ Suncorp Stadium<\/p>\n<p>Broncos Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Va\u2019a Semu 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Ben Talty 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Ben Hunt 18. Luke Gale 19. Hayze Perham 20. Gehamat Shibasaki 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Joshua Coric<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: Ben Hunt was spotted training with the reserves, prompting one reporter to ask Adam Reynolds if that meant Billy Walters was locked in as the back-up hooker behind Cory Paix but the Broncos halfback said not to read into it too much. \u201cWe all mixed and matched out there, so we plan for sort of any scenario,\u201d Reynolds said. \u201cHe (Hunt) spent some time in the halves there. They rotated around at nine. I wouldn\u2019t make too much of that&#8230; you don\u2019t know exactly what\u2019s gonna happen come game day. We\u2019ve faced certain scenarios throughout the year where we\u2019ve had players play out of position&#8230; boys played at lock at certain parts last week, so this will be no different.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Knights Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Cody Hopwood 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Lachlan Crouch 20. Toby Winter 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Connor Votano<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: To come.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;They could have won this comp&#8217; | 02:47<\/p>\n<p>SUNDAY AUGUST 2<\/p>\n<p>Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2pm @ Ocean Protect Stadium<\/p>\n<p>Sharks Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jesse Colquhoun 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Jayden Berrell 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: To come.<\/p>\n<p>Rabbitohs Team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Siegwalt 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. John Radel 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jye Gray 15. Jamie Humphreys 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Sean Keppie 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Edward Kosi 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Tallis Duncan 22. Adam Elliott<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: There could be a number of late changes for the Rabbitohs, with Tallis Duncan (hamstring) and Adam Elliott (knee) both named on the extended interchange bench as they eye returns from injury. If Duncan and Elliott return, it would likely be at the expense of John Radel and Sean Keppie.<\/p>\n<p>Sharks finally Premiership contenders? | 03:35<\/p>\n<p>Wests Tigers vs Parramatta, 4.05pm @ CommBank Stadium<\/p>\n<p>Tigers Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Heath Mason 15. Charlie Murray 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Tristan Hope 19. Starford To\u2019a 20. Javon Andrews 21. Ethan Roberts 22. Bunty Afoa<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: Coach Benji Marshall told reporters on Wednesday the decision to recall Adam Doueihi to the halfback jumper was simply based on what he thought was best for the team\u2019s chances of winning. \u201cSometimes you\u2019ve got to put your ego to the side and think about what the team actually needs and what the club needs and what we\u2019re going through and what our fans need is a win,\u201d Marshall said. <\/p>\n<p>Eels Team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Sam Tuivaiti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Jack Williams 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Junior Paulo 16. Teancum Brown 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Joash Papali\u2019i 19. Toni Mataele 20. Araz Nanva 21. Ryley Smith 22. Jonah Pezet<\/p>\n<p>Late Mail: Front rower Luca Moretti will miss Sunday\u2019s game with a concussion but is expected to return for Round 23 along with Sean Russell (adductor) and Bailey Simonsson (ankle) according to Parramatta\u2019s latest injury update.<\/p>\n<p>Bye: Sea Eagles<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dragons coach Dean Young has reportedly swung the axe in a massive call while Broncos star Adam Reynolds&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":832978,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,85,41,39,42,40],"class_list":["post-832977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-sports","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/832977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=832977"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/832977\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/832978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=832977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=832977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=832977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}