NRL ROUND 02 SIDES 2009 - With Team SKINNY attached.
UPDATED: 5:25pm Tuesday 17 March 2009.
ALL TEAMS NAMED: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Cowboys, Titans, Storm, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Raiders, Tigers, Warriors, Knights, Eels, Roosters, Bulldogs, Sharks, Dragons.
As they are named they'll go up here. We'll go a little more in depth with our assesments of the sides than the Super 14 - so it'll be worth checking in for our quick takes on the selections each week. So check out the SKINNY under each lineup for the latest take on your side.
The Fixtures Round 02 2009:
RABBITOHS v EELS @ ANZ
BRONCOS v STORM @ Suncorp
DRAGONS v TITANS @ WIN
PANTHERS v BULLDOGS @ CUA
COWBOYS v TIGERS @ Dairy Farmers
RAIDERS v ROOSTERS @ Canberra
SEA EAGLES v WARRIORS @ Brookvale
SHARKS v KNIGHTS @ Toyota
THE TEAMS:
SEA EAGLES (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Michael ROBERTSON, Michael BANI, Jamie LYON, Steven MATAI, Andrew SUNIULA, Chris BAILEY, Matt ORFORD (c).
Forwards: Brent KITE, Matt BALLIN, Josh PERRY, Anthony WATMOUGH, Glenn HALL, Glenn STEWART.
Bench: Heath L'ESTRANGE, Jason KING, Adam CUTHBERTSON, Shane RODNEY, George ROSE (One to be omitted).
Coach: Des HASLER.
IN: Josh PERRY.
OUT: None.
Round 02 Vs WARRIORS on Sunday.
SKINNY: Who would've thought a fortnight ago that the defending premiers could start the season 0-2 but with an ordinary performance against the Dogs leaving them defeated in Round 1, the Sea Eagles come up against one of the more impressive teams from the opening week in the Warriors. It looks like Josh Perry will lineup for the Sea Eagles who need to do a heck of a lot of improving this week to give the Warriors a decent contest at Brookie.
PANTHERS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Lachlan COOTE, Michael GORDON, Michael JENNINGS, Brad TIGHE, Shane ELFORD, Luke LEWIS, Jarrod SAMMUT.
Forwards: Tim GRANT, Paul AITON, Petero CIVONICEVA (c), Trent WATERHOUSE, Gavin COOPER, Nathan SMITH.
Bench: Frank PRITCHARD, Adam WOOLNOUGH, Frank PULETUA, Masada IOSEFA, Matthew BELL, Wade GRAHAM (Two to be omitted).
Coach: Matthew ELLIOTT
IN: Frank PRITCHARD, Wade GRAHAM.
OUT: None.
Round 02 Vs BULLDOGS on Saturday.
SKINNY: We woke to a newspaper report that 18 year old Wade Graham wanted to leave the club for the Storm and then a few hours later he was named once again on the first grade bench. Quality reporting as always by the Daily Telegraph. If Frank Pritchard plays then despite the Dogs impressive opening round win, the Panthers may start slight favourites being at home. But they are still carrying up to half a dozen players that would struggle to make almost every other top 17 each week and that makes the jobs of their top players even tougher to keep the Panthers competitive.
COWBOYS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Matt BOWEN, Ty WILLIAMS, Ashley GRAHAM, Willie TONGA, Ben FARRAR, Travis BURNS, Johnathan THURSTON (c).
Forwards: Shane TRONC, Aaron PAYNE, Antonio KAUFUSI, Scott BOLTON, Ben HARRIS, Luke O'DONNELL.
Bench: Clint AMOS, Carl WEBB, Matthew SCOTT, James TAMOU+, Grant ROVELLI, John WILLIAMS (Two to be omitted).
Coach: Neil HENRY.
IN: Ashley GRAHAM, Grant ROVELLI, John WILLIAMS.
OUT: Shannon HEGARTY, Manase MANUOKAFOA (Suspension).
Round 02 Vs TIGERS on Saturday.
SKINNY: I was tempted all week to pick the Cowboys in their clash with the Broncos but fortunately for my tipping - I went the safe home team option and Brisbane managed to hold on for the win. The Cowboys were impressive in patches but they were impressive in patches (albeit far less often) in 2008 so don't read too much into their start. Thurston and Bowen playing together is once again a treat and it looks like Graham will play this week subbing in for Hegarty, with Tronc to start for Webb.
TITANS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Preston CAMPBELL, Esi TONGA, Josh GRAHAM, Brett DELANEY, Jordan ATKINS, Mat ROGERS, Scott PRINCE (c).
Forwards: Luke BAILEY, Nathan FRIEND, Matt WHITE, Anthony LAFFRANCHI, Mark MINICHIELLO, Ashley HARRISON.
Bench: Aaron CANNINGS, Brad MEYERS, Luke O'DWYER, William ZILLMAN, Michael HENDERSON (One to be omitted).
Coach: John CARTWRIGHT.
IN: No Changes.
OUT: No Changes.
Round 02 Vs DRAGONS on Saturday.
SKINNY: John Cartwright has kept the same 17 for the trip to Wollongong on Saturday night, believing that the comeback the Titans put together is more reflective of the team he had than the one that was 14-0 in the first half to the Knights. William Zillman made an immediate impression when he finally got on the field late in the second half with a long range try and will keep incumbent #1 Preston Campbell under pressure all year until Zillman goes to fullback and Campbell to the wing.
STORM (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Billy SLATER, Steve TURNER, Will CHAMBERS, Willie ISA, Anthony QUINN, Greg INGLIS, Cooper CRONK.
Forwards: Jeff LIMA, Cameron SMITH (c), Adam BLAIR, Kevin PROCTOR, Ryan HOFFMAN, Dallas JOHNSON.
Bench: Ryan HINCHCLIFFE, Aiden TOLMAN, Scott ANDERSON, Wairangi KOOPU, Matt CROSS, James MALONEY+ (Two to be omitted).
Coach: Craig BELLAMY.
IN: Matt CROSS, James MALONEY+.
OUT: No Changes.
Round 02 Vs BRONCOS on Friday.
SKINNY: Greg Inglis has been named despite knee and shoulder concerns and is expected to play against the Broncos on Friday. Sika Manu hasn't been listed so will miss another week with a hamstring strain, while Brett White is also still out with turf toe. Matt Cross and James Maloney have joined a 6 man bench, while Kevin Proctor has held onto his starting spot ahead of Aiden Tolman and Wairangi Koopu.
RABBITOHS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Rhys WESSER, Nathan MERRITT, Colin BEST, Shaune CORRIGAN, Fetuli TALANOA, John SUTTON, Chris SANDOW.
Forwards: Luke STUART, Issac LUKE, Roy ASOTASI (c), David KIDWELL, Shannan McPHERSON, David FA'ALOGO.
Bench: Ben LOWE, Eddy PETTYBOURNE, Jaiman LOWE, Jamie SIMPSON, Craig WING (One to be omitted).
Coach: Jason TAYLOR.
Round 02 Vs EELS on Friday.
SKINNY: No official changes for the Rabbitohs who slayed the Chooks in a 52-12 drubbing on Sunday. Although Craig Wing appears to be available, Coach Jason Taylor has stuck with his 17 winners but it would not be a shock to see Wing included on the bench at the expense of Jamie Simpson. Rookie centre Shaune Corrigan holds his spot as does explosive bench player Eddy Pettybourne.
BRONCOS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Karmichael HUNT, Antonio WINTERSTEIN, Steven MICHAELS, Israel FOLAU, Jharal YOW YEH, Darren LOCKYER (c), Peter WALLACE.
Forwards: Nick KENNY, Aaron GORRELL, Joel CLINTON, Sam THAIDAY, Ben TE'O, Corey PARKER.
Bench: Andrew McCULLOUGH, Lagi SETU, David TAYLOR, Alex GLENN, Ashton SIMS, Josh McGUIRE+ (Two to be omitted).
Coach: Ivan HENJAK.
Round 02 Vs STORM on Friday.
SKINNY: Nick Kenny seems to have a hamstring strain and that's why he played just 23 minutes on Friday but he has refused to rule himself out (as a physio he may have the qualifications to) so the Broncos will field much the same lineup with Ashton Sims and rookie Josh McGuire rounding out a 6 man bench. Rookie wingers Yow Yeh and Winterstein and rookie reserve Alex Glenn also retain their places after excellent debuts in the one point win over the Cowboys.
RAIDERS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: David MILNE, Phillip GRAHAM, Adrian PURTELL, Joel MONAGHAN, Justin CARNEY, Terry CAMPESE, Marc HERBERT.
Forwards: David SHILLINGTON, Glen BUTTRISS, Josh MILLER, Glen TURNER, Bronson HARRISON, Alan TONGUE (c).
Bench: Stuart FLANAGAN, Trevor THURLING, Joe PICKER, Nigel PLUM, Brett KELLY, Troy THOMPSON (Two to be omitted).
Coach: David FURNER.
IN: Nigel PLUM, Brett KELLY.
OUT: None.
Round 02 Vs ROOSTERS on Sunday.
SKINNY: Raiders fans will still be livid that the second try by Taniela Tuiaki wasn't referred to the video referee when it was pretty clear he had hit the ground and had the arm of Carney around his calf... normally that deems him tackled but the two referees (yes both of them missed it then somehow awarded the try without review) said play on and Tuiaki showed some great strength to break another tackle or five and score the go-ahead try. It was the defining point of the game and the Raiders have decided it wasn't the players fault for the loss entirely and they've kept the same 17 with a few additions to the bench.
TIGERS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Tim MOLTZEN, Taniela TUIAKI, Dean COLLIS, Chris LAWRENCE, Beau RYAN, John MORRIS, Benji MARSHALL.
Forwards: Bryce GIBBS, Robbie FARAH (c), Keith GALLOWAY, Gareth ELLIS, Chris HEIGHINGTON, Todd PAYTEN.
Bench: Daine LAURIE, Dene HALATAU, Danny GALEA, Corey PAYNE, Ricky TRIMARCHI, Rhys HANBURY (Two to be Omitted).
Coach: Tim SHEENS.
IN: Danny GALEA, Corey PAYNE.
OUT: None.
Round 02 Vs COWBOYS on Saturday.
SKINNY: Sheens has shuffled his bench cards a little following their win over the Raiders, bringing Danny Galea and Corey Payne into the 17 ahead of Trimarchi and Hanbury. Todd Payten keeps his starting spot - now officially named at lock with Farah also starting again, with Halatau shifting to the bench. Face a tough road trip to the tropical heat of North Queensland on Saturday night, but how good was Englishman Gareth Ellis in his NRL debut!
WARRIORS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Wade McKINNON, Denan KEMP, Brent TATE, Jerome ROPATI, Joel MOON, Nathan FIEN.
Forwards: Sam RAPIRA, Ian HENDERSON, Steven PRICE (c), Simon MANNERING, Ben MATULINO, Micheal LUCK.
Bench: Lance HOHAIA, Russell PACKER, Jesse ROYAL, Ukuma TA'AI+.
Coach: Ivan CLEARY.
IN: Stacey JONES, Jesse ROYAL, Ukuma Ta'ai+.
OUT: Lance HOHAIA (Injured), Ben MATULINO (Injured), Leeson AH MAU.
Round 02 Vs SEA EAGLES on Sunday.
SKINNY: Losing bench dynamo Lance Hohaia will be a blow given he scored two tries either side of halftime against the Eels before being hurt. Also second rower Ben Matulino will miss time with a twisted ankle and Leeson Ah Mau has been dropped, allowing Stacey Jones, Jesse Royal and another rookie Ukuma Ta'ai to lineup from the bench. Jacob Lillyman will start for Matulino. The Warriors toyed with the Eels in the first half last week and will be a massive challenge for the Sea Eagles at Brookvale on Sunday.
KNIGHTS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Kurt GIDLEY (c), James McMANUS, Junior SAU, Adam MacDOUGALL, Akuila UATE, Ben ROGERS, Jarrod MULLEN.
Forwards: Daniel TOLAR, Isaac DE GOIS, Ben CROSS, Steven SIMPSON, Corey PATERSON, Zeb TAIA.
Bench: Matt HILDER, Chris HOUSTON, Richard FA'AOSO, Cameron CIRALDO.
Coach: Brian SMITH.
IN: Mark Taufua.
OUT: Daniel Tolar (Injured).
Round 02 Vs SHARKS on Monday.
SKINNY: Despite blowing a 14-0 lead in the first half to the Titans, Coach Brian Smith has kept the faith and all players from that game bar the injured Daniel Tolar will visit the Sharks on Monday Night Football. Mark Taufua comes into the starting lineup for Tolar in the only change. The Knights showed some good signs in Round 1 but came up short against an opposition with just that little bit of extra class in their lineup.
EELS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Luke BURT, Joel REDDY, Ben SMITH, Krisnan INU, Eric GROTHE, Jarryd HAYNE, Brett FINCH.
Forwards: Nathan CAYLESS (c), Matt KEATING, FuiFui MOIMOI, Nathan HINDMARSH, Weller HAURAKI, Feleti MATEO.
Bench: Kris KEATING, Joe GALUVAO, Tim MANNAH, Broderick WRIGHT, Josh CORDOBA (One to be omitted).
Coach: Daniel ANDERSON.
IN: Broderick WRIGHT.
OUT: None.
Round 02 Vs RABBITOHS on Friday.
SKINNY: No surprise changes after the Warriors handled the Eels on Saturday outside of Josh Cordoba losing his starting spot and joins an extended bench with youngster Broderick Wright making just his 2nd NRL appearance. MoiMoi will start as well. Anderson is keeping the Hayne-Finch-Mateo unit together for another tilt this Friday against the Rabbitohs.
ROOSTERS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: Anthony MINICHIELLO, Sam PERRETT, Mitchell AUBUSSON, Iosia SOLIOLA, Shaun KENNY-DOWALL, Braith ANASTA, Mitchell PEARCE.
Forwards: Mark O'MELEY, James AUBUSSON, Nate MYLES, Lopini PAEA, Craig FITZGIBBON (c), Setaimata SA.
Bench: Frank-Paul NUUASUALA, Shane SHACKLETON, Martin KENNEDY, Jake FRIEND, Willie MASON (One to be omitted).
Coach: Brad FITTLER.
IN: Willie MASON.
OUT: None.
Round 02 Vs RAIDERS on Sunday.
SKINNY: Fittler has stuck with the same 17 from the shellacking they got from the Rabbitohs for the trip to Canberra on Sunday. Oh and Willie Mason is in the squad on an extended bench. Even if Mason plays the Roosters have to wake up in a big way to match it with a Raiders team that will be smarting from their second half fade at Campbelltown. Pressure mounts on Brad Fittler already as the Roosters didn't look up to it Sunday.
BULLDOGS (NAMED 9/3)
Backs: Luke PATTEN, Hazem EL MASRI, Josh MORRIS, Jamal IDRIS, Bryson GOODWIN, Ben ROBERTS, Brett KIMMORLEY.
Forwards: Ben HANNANT, Michael ENNIS, Michael HODGSON, Gary WARBURTON, Andrew RYAN (c), David STAGG.
Bench: Lee TE MAARI, Chris ARMIT, John KITE, Ben BARBA.
Coach: Kevin MOORE.
IN: No changes.
OUT: No changes.
Round 02 Vs PANTHERS on Saturday.
SKINNY: Well well well wasn't that awesome from the Doggies on Saturday night, knocking off the defending premiers to the tune of 34-12 and not looking anything like the wooden spooners of 2008. Mind you the team is vastly different but still the performance was superb. Brett Kimmorley, Michael Ennis and Luke Patten promise to be a very formidable combination in attack and adding valuable defenders like David Stagg and Ben Hannant to the mix should not be underestimated. This was good, if Ben Barba, Bryce Goodwin, Jamal Idris and John Kite continue to excel - they could get better and the Panthers might be touched up as well.
SHARKS (NAMED 17/3)
Backs: David SIMMONS, Misi TAULAPAPA, Ben POMEROY, Blake FERGUSON, Luke COVELL, Trent BARRETT, Brett SEYMOUR.
Forwards: Kade SNOWDEN, Corey HUGHES, Luke DOUGLAS, Reece WILLIAMS, Anthony TUPOU, Paul GALLEN (c).
Bench: Bryan NORRIE, Jack AFAMASAGA, Blake GREEN, Mitch BROWN, Jacob SELMES, Grant MILLINGTON (Two to be omitted).
Coach: Ricky STUART.
IN: David SIMMONS, Jacob SELMES, Jack AFAMASAGA.
OUT: Brett KEARNEY (Injured), Ben ROSS (Injured).
Round 02 Vs KNIGHTS on Monday.
SKINNY: With Brett Kearney and Ben Ross out long term (Ross possibly has played his last ever game of football with a neck injury) Coach Ricky Stuart recalls David Simmons at fullback and will put Jack Afamasaga on the bench to cover Ross. Mitch Brown also makes the 17, with Jacob Selmes listed on an extended bench.
DRAGONS (Named 17/3)
Backs: Darius BOYD, Jason NIGHTINGALE, Beau SCOTT, Matt COOPER, Wendell SAILOR, Jamie SOWARD, Ben HORNBY (c).
Forwards: Jarrod SAFFY, Dean YOUNG, Michael WEYMAN, Matt PRIOR, Ben CREAGH, Jeremy SMITH.
Bench: Dan HUNT, Neville COSTIGAN, Luke PRIDDIS, Brett MORRIS.
Coach: Wayne BENNETT.
IN: Brett MORRIS, Neville COSTIGAN.
OUT: Chase STANLEY, Justin POORE (Injured).
Round 02 Vs TITANS on Saturday.
SKINNY: The changes have started as Wayne Bennett finds what he is looking for in the team's best 17. Chase Stanley has been dropped after just one match in the centres with Beau Scott moving wider from the second row and Brett Morris makes an appearance on the bench. Neville Costigan is also on the bench as Bennett hands Matt Prior a start in the #11. The Titans visit WIN Stadium in Wollongong this Saturday night.
Still to be Named:
None - all named.
Backs: Darius BOYD, Jason NIGHTINGALE, Beau SCOTT, Matt COOPER, Wendell SAILOR, Jamie SOWARD, Ben HORNBY (c).
Forwards: Jarrod SAFFY, Dean YOUNG, Michael WEYMAN, Matt PRIOR, Ben CREAGH, Jeremy SMITH.
Bench: Dan HUNT, Neville COSTIGAN, Luke PRIDDIS, Brett MORRIS.
Coach: Wayne BENNETT.
IN: Brett MORRIS, Neville COSTIGAN.
OUT: Chase STANLEY, Justin POORE (Injured).
Round 02 Vs TITANS on Saturday.
SKINNY: The changes have started as Wayne Bennett finds what he is looking for in the team's best 17. Chase Stanley has been dropped after just one match in the centres with Beau Scott moving wider from the second row and Brett Morris makes an appearance on the bench. Neville Costigan is also on the bench as Bennett hands Matt Prior a start in the #11. The Titans visit WIN Stadium in Wollongong this Saturday night.
Still to be Named:
None - all named. 
