Meanwhile, the Penrith Panthers are set to receive a welcoming boost as they look to make their sixth grand final in seven years but Nathan Cleary is set for a limited role.<\/p>\n
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n And elsewhere, Newcastle Knights coach Justin Holbrook is set to be forced into a selection headache.<\/p>\n Read for the latest team news ahead of Finals Week 3!<\/p>\n FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25<\/p>\n Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters @ Suncorp Stadium, 7:50pm AEST<\/p>\n Finals Week 1 Dolphins Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Francis Molo 17. Connelly Lemuelu 19. Brad Schneider 22. Tevita Naufahu<\/p>\n Team Tips: The Dolphins will once again be at full-strength this week so it\u2019s hard to imagine coach Kristian Woolf will look to make any changes to the side that defeated the Warriors in the opening week of the finals. However, if Woolf wants to unleash a bit more X-factor from the interchange bench he does have options in Jake Averillo and Trai Fuller who haven\u2019t been able to make the 19-squad in recent weeks. <\/p>\n Felise Kaufusi – playing QLD Cup in recent weeks – also remains available and could provide some much-needed experience off the bench if needed having already tasted premiership success. The former Origin forward was one of a dozen players from the club\u2019s Top 30 roster in their foundation season who remain at the club – eleven of those individuals are set to play on Friday evening. \u201cThose guys got to come through and make their debut together and play together, and you\u2019ve seen the nucleus of the team we\u2019ve got now \u2026 and what we\u2019ve been able to build is actually something we\u2019re very proud of, and I know they are as well,\u201d Dolphins CEO Terry Reader told AAP<\/a>. \u201cThe coach (Kristian Woolf) talks about the way they turn up for each other, the way they scramble and the way they do it as a team. It\u2019s really heartening to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n Last Week\u2019s 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. Angus Crichton 18. Cody Ramsey 22. Toby Rodwell<\/p>\n Team Tips: The Roosters have been handed a slight scare with both James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans absent from training on Monday. According to (News\u2019 Danny Weidler, both players were told to stay away as the Tricolours prepare for their preliminary finals clash.<\/p>\n Over the next 48 hours, all eyes will also be on Queensland Maroons superstar Sam Walker (ankle) as he looks to make his emphatic return to the field from injury. Returning to running a fortnight ago, Walker was sighted kicking a soccer ball before the Roosters match against the Sharks last week in the most positive update to date. Following the match, coach Trent Robinson confirmed he was \u201cconfident\u201d the Origin star will be able to make an unlikely comeback to the field against the Dolphins. <\/p>\n Sam Walker has returned to training.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n However, he did reveal Walker will still need to pass multiple fitness tests in the lead-up to teams being named on Tuesday afternoon. \u201cI\u2019m pretty confident from what we\u2019ve seen,\u201d Robinson said. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t trained with us yet, but he\u2019s had really good progressions so on Monday (or) Tuesday we\u2019ll get a good gauge on where he\u2019s at when it comes to sort of more uncontrolled footy stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n The projected return of Walker will see him straight\ufeff into the starting halves, leaving Robinson with a tough selection decision. Hugo Savala has been excellent across the season, while Billy Smith has been in a purple patch to close out his 2026 campaign. Speaking on Finals Footy with Matty Johns, Roosters legend Jared Waerea-Hargreaves hinted Savala may have the upper hand. \u201cI think (Walker) comes straight back in, I think this is his moment… he\u2019s your halfback and you back him,\u201d Waerea-Hargreaves said. \u201cA guy like Hugo, I believe you have to find somewhere for him. Whether he comes off the bench, I believe Hugo, deserves to be there. \u201cHe has been so consistent, a hell of a player this year.\u201d Meanwhile, Cherry-Evans has been cleared to play despite being placed on report for tripping Sharks back-rower Teig Wilton. The veteran was penalised in the 60th minute after throwing his right leg out but escaped suspension and will only need to pay a fine<\/a>. <\/p>\n Egan Butcher (concussion) is available for selection and will come into consideration considering Robinson started him in the back-row for the club\u2019s opening finals clash against the Panthers. However, he is considered unlikely to play due to the breakout campaign of rookie Salesi Foketi who has cemented a spot in the starting side and the return of former Brad Fittler Medal winner Angus Crichton. Speaking of Crichton, he was back after three months on the sideline with a foot injury and is embracing a \u201ckamikaze role\u201d off the bench. \u201c(I had to) bring the energy. I only got on for 30 minutes, but for 30 minutes I was going as hard as I can and trying to bring some energy to the boys and that bit of a lift,\u201d Crichton told Newswire.<\/p>\n “Sammy has carved us up at training!” | 06:05<\/p>\n Elsewhere, prop forward Lindsay Collins was seen limping from Allianz Stadium following the win over the Sharks, but he said \u201ceverything is fine\u201d and that he is in no doubt at all for the grand final qualifier. Naufahu Whyte also assured Roosters supporters that he is good to go for the Dolphins game despite not coming back on for the second half on Saturday night.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m all good. I appreciate the love and support from our fans,\u201d Whyte said after the international star was put on ice. I had a hamstring injury and have been carrying it for the past couple of weeks. I probably wasn\u2019t needed against the Sharks after the boys dominated, so it was good to rest it up so I can try to push it to 100 per cent before Friday. There are no concerns. I\u2019m all good and ready to go. I was meant to go back on. I spoke to Robbo and asked him if there were any concerns, but he was just doing the best for me to make sure I was 100 per cent coming in to these next two games. <\/p>\n SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27<\/p>\n Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors \/ Newcastle Knights @ Accor Stadium, 4pm AEST<\/p>\n Finals Week 1 Panthers Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 18. Blaize Talagi 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To\u2019o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 16. Liam Henry 11. Isaiah Papali\u2019i 12. Liam Martin 10. Lindsay Smith 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Scott Sorensen 17. Billy Phillips 19. Billy Scott 19. Jesse McLean<\/p>\n Team Tips:Nathan Cleary (foot) may have picked up an injury and underwent scans after the club\u2019s week one finals victory over the Roosters but the superstar halfback remains certain to take the field. While he will play and attempt to lead the Panthers to their fifth grand final in six years, it will be in a limited role. According to CODE Sports, he is unlikely to kick conversions in an attempt to try and take the load off his stress-related foot injury.<\/p>\n In other team news, outside back Paul Alamoti (hamstring) is racing the clock to be back in time to face the Warriors. Having not played since Round 24, NRL 360 panellist Brent Read revealed on Triple M that there is \u201ca cloud over\u201d the former Bulldogs prospect\u2019s availability. Although he has been seen training with the club\u2019s NSW Cup squad in recent week, he will still have to prove his fitness in the lead-up to Sunday\u2019s match.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Panthers will receive a welcoming boost with both Luke Garner (groin) and Jack Cogger (suspension) making their return to the line-up. A late omission for their finals match against the Roosters, Read confirmed Garner will play and he is likely to either be used in the centres or off the bench, depending on the status of Alamoti. \u201cI can confirm Luke Garner will be back for the preliminary final,\u201d the reporter said on Triple M on Sunday. Cogger will replace Jack Cole in the halves to play alongside Cleary.<\/p>\n Nathan Cleary will continue to be monitored this week but remains certain to play.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n Last Week\u2019s 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. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 22. Dylan Lucas<\/p>\n Team Tips: There were fears that Kalyn Ponga (head knock) would have to miss this week\u2019s match after he exited the field to undergo a HIA in the final minutes of their victory against the Warriors. However, he confirmed on Fox League after the match that he passed his HIA in the sheds and was cleared of any concussion. \u201cYeah, I did pass it – I feel good,\u201d Ponga said.<\/a> \u201cI feel proud. I feel like crying. \u201cEveryone, probably you two as well, counted us out five or six weeks ago. We\u2019re just representing our town with so much pride. It\u2019s an awesome feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n Although there were fears, New South Wales Blues star Dylan Lucas (fractured ankle) wouldn\u2019t play again this season, he was able to get through unscathed in his first match since Round 21. However, his availability is set to force coach Justin Holbrook into a selection headache. Does he start the Origin star or does he keep two of the NRL\u2019s most in-form back-rowers – Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua – in the starting side. Unfortunately, the Knights won\u2019t receive Dylan Brown (ACL), Jacob Saifiti (suspension) or Trey Mooney (shoulder) back on deck for the preliminary final with the star trio ruled out for the remainder of the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Over the next 48 hours, all eyes will be on Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker as he attempts…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":900282,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,85,41,39,42,40],"class_list":["post-900281","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\/900281","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=900281"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/900281\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/900282"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=900281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=900281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=900281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790008940_415_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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