The Panthers are sweating on a health take a look at for Jarome Luai on Monday as he bids to return early from a shoulder damage.
Meanwhile, Kevin Walters is weighing up the potential return of two veterans in Marty Taupau and Corey Oates.
And the Storm are hopeful of stars Jahrome Hughes and Xavier Coates being again on deck.
Read on for the entire workforce news forward of the preliminary finals.
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Storm steal victory to ship Roosters out | 02:47
FRIDAY
Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Qualifying last Panthers workforce: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 21. Luke Garner 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Zac Hosking
Team Tips: Jarome Luai is ready for a crunch health Test on Monday to find out his probabilities of recovering from a shoulder damage in time to play the Storm. “He’s doing really well with everything we have set out for him so far, but we’ve purposely held him back from that really uncontrolled physical stuff,” Panthers physio Pete Green advised The Sydney Morning Herald. “Until he gets through that, we won’t know. It’s looking pretty good he will play, but it’s unfair to say either way. “Romy is a senior player, so I’d say the final decision will come down to how he feels. It will be a conversation for him and Ivan.” If Luai is match he would are available in at five-eighth for Jack Cogger. However, Cogger may vie with Tyrone Peachey for the bench utility function. Centre Izack Tago is racing the clock to return from a pectoral damage suffered at coaching, with Luke Garner his shock substitute in opposition to the Warriors and anticipated to carry the function if Tago fails to recuperate in time. Luke Soomerton is due again from a shoulder damage, however is unlikely to foce his means into the squad.
Last week’s Storm workforce: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Reimis Smith 6. Cameron Munster 21. Tyran Wishart 8. Tui Kamikamica 19. Bronson Garlick 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 15. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tariq Sims
Team Tips: Craig Bellamy mentioned Jahrome Hughes (calf) and Xavier Coates (ankle) are an opportunity to return in opposition to the Panthers. Hughes might be extra probably at this stage and shall be named and given each probability to show his health. “I think they’re both a chance but Jahrome is a better chance than Xavier at the moment,” Bellamy mentioned. “I think Xavier is still in a boot but having said that I’ve seen guys in boots for seven days and then they’re playing two days later. If Hughes is fit he will come in for Tyran Wishart despite his excellent display against the Roosters. Given Reimis Smith’s successful return on the wing, Coates won’t be risked unless he is 100 per cent. If Coates plays, Smith could be an option at centre with either Marion Seve or Justin Olam to make way. Bellamy will be reluctant to make too many changes but knows he needs his best side defensively and in attack to beat Penrith. Young Tonumaipea is also due back from a head cut, so there is a logjam of options in the outside backs for Bellamy if everyone is fit. Tui Kamikamica suffered a head knock in the final five minutes against the Roosters and will need to pass concussion protocols to play. Harry Grant is set to be named at No.9, but could start off the bench again with Bronson Garlick a chance to start at hooker as he did against the Roosters.
“He came super close to not playing!” | 13:06
SATURDAY
Brisbane Broncos vs Warriors at Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Qualifying final Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia
Team Tips: The Broncos nearly have a full squad to choose from with Xavier Willison the only player in the casualty ward with an ankle injury. Kevin Walters’ biggest dilemmas seem to be whether to again leave out veterans Marty Taupau and Corey Oates. Jesse Arthars was preferred on the wing in the qualifying final with Oates a shock omission. Walters went with bench forwards Brendan Piakura, Kobe Hetherington and Keenan Palasia with no room for Taupau, but given a grand final berth is at stake experience will count for plenty against the Warriors.
Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran
Team Tips: Andrew Webster revealed Shaun Johnson was close to not playing against the Knights, but he got through unscathed and is expected to line up against Brisbane. He was only given an early mark as a precaution when the game was out of the Knights’ reach. Bench forward Josh Curran copped a nasty finger dislocation against the Knights. Curran might need a needle and some strapping, but is expected to play in the preliminary final. Back-rower Marata Niukore has left the field clutching at a knee injury after an incident of “friendly fire” in opposition to the Knights however later returned to the sphere and is predicted to play in opposition to the Broncos. Ali Leiataua is due again from a hamstring damage, however is unlikely to power his means into the 17.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
