Eels get good news on Moses, Leniu cops big ban, Foxx sidelined, Dolphin out long term, Dragons’ boost

Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses is hopeful of suiting up against Penrith on Friday night after scans cleared him of serious injury.

Moses was hampered by a groin strain during Saturday’s comprehensive win over Canterbury and if he is out, young gun Ethan Sanders could be called into the No.7 jersey. 

The Panthers will be boosted by the return of hooker Mitch Kenny from his suspension for a drug-related social media post in the pre-season. 

Dolphins forward Connelly Lemuelu will spend a lengthy stint on the sidelines after suffering a dislocated kneecap in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys.

Utility forward Ray Stone failed his HIA so he will also be out of action in Round 2 on Sunday when the Redcliffe club hosts the Dragons.

St George Illawarra prop Blake Lawrie (rib) is expected to return.

Roosters prop Spencer Leniu learned his fate at the judiciary on Monday night after he entered an early guilty plea to the charge of racially abusing Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam.

He has copped a ban of eight weeks despite claiming he was unaware of the racial connotations of calling someone a monkey. Kiwi veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returns from a seven-match ban when the Roosters travel to Manly on Saturday.

Rabbitohs recruit Jack Wighton will make his debut for his new club when they head north to face Brisbane on Thursday.

Broncos duo Adam Reynolds (knee) and Brendan Piakura (concussion) should be good to go for the home team.

Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr has been cleared of a fracture in his shoulder but he has suffered an AC joint injury.

Scans have cleared Josh Addo-Carr of a fracture – diagnosed with a “significant soft tissue injury”. Likely grade 2-3 AC joint sprain with that news, could return as soon as Rd 3 (most back in 2-4 weeks). Often need padding & possibly pain-killing injections on return pic.twitter.com/b2KyH3Qwaf

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 10, 2024

He will be out of Friday’s Round 2 clash at Cronulla and is looking at a month on the sidelines.

Cronulla centre Siosifa Talakai and winger Ronaldo Mulitalo hurt their ankles in their win over the Warriors and will be monitored in the lead-up to the Dogs duel. 

Titans veteran Kieran Foran is hopeful of returning from a calf injury when the Gold Coast are back after the bye. He sat out Saturday’s loss to the Dragons and coach Des Hasler said “he was close to playing but it was too risky”.

Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was charged with a Grade 1 Shoulder Charge but can avoid suspension with an early guilty plea, facing a $3000 fine

Warriors hooker Wayde Egan is under a cloud after injuring his elbow injury in Friday night’s loss to the Sharks, while back-rower Kurt Capewell suffered rib cartilage damage.  

Storm star Cameron Munster (groin) is probably going to be out another week in a blow to coach Craig Bellamy leading into Saturday’s home game against the Warriors with Jonah Pezet to deputise at five-eighth again.

Front-rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) is likely to return.

Round 2 teams

Brisbane vs South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium: 8pm, Thursday March 14

Odds: Broncos $1.44, Rabbitohs $2.80 – odds via PlayUp

Broncos: Adam Reynolds (knee) and Brendan Piakura (concussion) should be good to go after the week off following the Las Vegas trip.

Rabbitohs: Jack Wighton is set to make club debut at centre, with Richard Kennar likely to make way. 

Cronulla vs Canterbury at Shark Park: 6pm, Friday March 15

Odds: Sharks $1.35, Bulldogs $3.20 – odds via PlayUp

Sharks: Braden Hamlin-Uele is a chance to return from a knee injury.  Centre Siosifa Talakai and winger Ronaldo Mulitalo hurt their ankles in their win over the Warriors and will be monitored in the lead-up to the Dogs duel. 

Bulldogs: Josh Addo-Carr is out with shoulder injury. Bronson Xerri could return to the NRL from his four-year drugs ban against old club with Jacob Kiraz shifted to wing. Another ex-Shark Connor Tracey is also a chance to be elevated to the starting side out wide. 

Penrith vs Parramatta at BlueBet Stadium: 8pm, Friday March 15

Odds: Panthers $1.38, Eels $3.05 – odds via PlayUp

Panthers: Mitch Kenny is back at hooker from his one-game suspension with youngster Luke Sommerton likely to drop out. 

Eels: Mitchell Moses is in doubt with his groin strain while prop Wiremu Greig (hamstring) is doubtful. 

Canberra vs Wests at GIO Stadium: 3pm, Saturday March 16

Odds: Raiders $1.44, Tigers $2.80 – odds via PlayUp

Raiders: Seb Kris will return from a suspension but Corey Horsburgh (suspension) and Elliott Whitehead (groin) won’t be back until Round 4.

Tigers: Aiden Sezer and Jayden Sullivan are set to link up in the halves for Benji Marshall’s first match as full-time Wests Tigers coach. 

Nth Qld vs Newcastle at QCB Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday March 16

Odds: Cowboys $1.45, Knights $2.75 – odds via PlayUp

Cowboys: There were no injury concerns after Sunday’s win over the Dolphins with prop Jason Taumalolo getting an early mark due to his ongoing knee issue but in no doubt for this weekend’s game.

Knights: Jayden Brailey is an outside chance to make a comeback from a hamstring strain. 

Melbourne vs New Zealand at AAMI Park: 7.35pm, Saturday March 16

Odds: Storm $1.44, Warriors $2.80 – odds via PlayUp

Storm: Cameron Munster is unlikely to play but Nelson Asofa-Solomona should be right to make his first appearance for 2024 after missing Round 1 with a hamstring complaint.

Warriors: Wayde Egan (elbow), Marate Niukora (foot) and Kurt Capewell (ribs) are in doubt, fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is no certainty to return from a hamstring problem.

Manly vs Sydney at 4 Pines Park: 4.05pm, Sunday March 17

Odds: Sea Eagles $1.95, Roosters $1.95 – odds via PlayUp

Sea Eagles: Josh Schuster a chance to play after missing the trip to Vegas due to calf concerns but Jason Saab (hamstring) is likely to be out for a month, opening the door for Tommy Talau to make his club debut or Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega to be recalled on the wing. 

Roosters: Spencer Leniu has been banned for an eight-game stretch after admitting he racially abused Spencer Leniu but the Roosters will be boosted by the return of fellow prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Dominic Young (neck) and Billy Smith (hamstring) are pushing to play.

Dolphins suspect a dislocated patella for Connelly Lemuelu. Video limited – tackler lands on outside of lower leg but would hope MCL/ACL spared.

If true kneecap dislocation – best case: rehab & 3-6 weeks. If soft tissue damage significant & kneecap unstable: surgery & 3+ months. pic.twitter.com/yme07W8xFm

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 10, 2024

Dolphins vs St George Illawarra at Kayo Stadium: 8pm, Sunday March 17

Odds: Dolphins $1.85, Dragons $1.95 – odds via PlayUp

Dolphins: Connelly Lemuelu is out with a kneecap dislocation. Euan Aitken is set to come into the line-up. 

Dragons: Front-rower Blake Lawrie is confident of playing after sitting out the win over the Titans due to a rib problem from the trials. 

Bye – Titans

Titans veteran Kieran Foran is hopeful of returning from a calf injury when the Gold Coast are back after the bye. He sat out Saturday’s loss to the Dragons and coach Des Hasler said “he was close to playing but it was too risky”.

Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was charged with a Grade 1 Shoulder Charge but can avoid suspension with an early guilty plea, facing a $3000 fine

Jayden Campbell and David Fifita are on the comeback trail from injury and likely to be available in Round 3.