Tuesday 17 September 2013

#NRLFinals 2013: Week 2 Teams and Analysis

NRL Finals Teams: Week 2

2013 NRL Premiership Finals Series

By W D Nicolson - September 17, 2013

#NRLFinals Week 2 Team Analysis
NRL FINALS WEEK 2 MATCHUPS |

Here are the Week 2 Teams as named on Tuesday afternoon - with www.wdnicolson.com's selection and injury analysis.

Our new feature shows the  + Injured List for each team from the list of players potentially available for the Finals (so players with season ending injuries are not listed) - with a  Likely  or  Unlikely  designation for every player carrying an ailment.

 TEAMS NAMED:  Knights at 3:10pm ... Storm at 4:05pm ... Sea Eagles at 4:08pm ... Sharks at 4:20pm

Get up to speed with Daily Updates from around the NRL
#NRLFinals Notebook: Monday/Tuesday September 17
#NRLFinals Notebook: Wednesday September 18
#NRLFinals Notebook: Thursday September 19
#NRLFinals Notebook: Friday September 20

Take on The Postman in NRL Dream Team Finals - League Code: 692749

FRIDAY September 20 at Allianz Stadium | Kick-off 8:00pm

FINALS WEEK 2 TEAM: CONFIRMED
MAN: B Stewart, J Taufua, J Lyon (c), S Matai, D Williams, K Foran, D Cherry-Evans, B Lawrence, M Ballin, B Kite, A Watmough, J Horo, G Stewart.
Bench: R Fa'aoso, J Buhrer, T Symonds, G Rose, P Hiku, J Hasson, D Gower.
 # Team Changes: Manly name Brett Stewart but he remains touch and go with a bad hamstring strain suffered a few weeks ago. Hiku will deputise if Stewart can't play. Buhrer returned last weekend from a rib injury, while James Hasson and David Gower join the bench as cover for any of his forwards including Watmough who will play despite a knee injury and Fa'aoso who had a trip to Disneyland against the Chooks.
 + Injured List: A Watmough (Knee - Likely), D Williams (Back - Likely), B Kite (Arm - Likely), S Matai (Hand - Likely), T Symonds (Thumb - Likely), B Lawrence (Back - Likely), J Buhrer (Ribs - Likely), R Fa'aoso (Head - Likely), B Stewart (Hamstring - Unlikely).

FINALS WEEK 2 TEAM: CONFIRMED
CRO: M Gordon, S Feki, B Pomeroy, J Wright, B Ryan, L Lewis, J Robson, A Fifita, J Morris, S Tagataese, J Bukuya, W Graham, P Gallen (c).
Bench: I De Gois, C Heighington, B Gibbs, A Tupou, B Ross.
 # Team Changes: The Sharks lose Carney to his hamstring strain - he was a passenger late in the win over the Cowboys so even if they beat Manly - he may not be fit for the Bunnies in two weeks time. Lewis goes to five-eighth though he may split time with Graham in the halves. Bukuya starts in the second row and Gibbs joins the bench with Ross 18th man. Fifita has a knee problem and is no certainty at this stage.
 + Injured List: T Carney (Hamstring - Unlikely), L Lewis (Shoulder - Likely), A Fifita (Calf - Likely), W Graham (Shoulder - Likely), A Tupou (Leg - Likely).

SATURDAY September 21 at AAMI Park | Kick-off 7:45pm

FINALS WEEK 2 TEAM: CONFIRMED
MEL: B Slater, S Waqa, W Chambers, M Blair, J O'Neill, G Widdop, C Cronk, J Bromwich, C Smith (c), B Norrie, K Proctor, R Hoffman, R Hinchcliffe.
Bench: J Ryles, T Harris, J McLean, K Bromwich, B Finch.
 # Team ChangesThe Storm stick with Widdop at five-eighth with Finch named as 18th man but unlikely to play - even if he overcomes his sternum injury. It looks like Waqa will be given until later in the week to get the all clear but the signs are good he's not seriously hurt after his nasty fall against Souths.
 + Injured List: S Waqa (Neck - Likely), G Widdop (Hip - Likely), B Finch (Sternum - Unlikely), M Blair (Neck - Likely)  J Ryles (Knee - Likely), K Proctor (Knee - Likely), L Setu (Calf - Unlikely), J Sa'u (Foot - Unlikely), J Moors (Knee - Likely in NSW Cup).

FINALS WEEK 2 TEAM NOTES: CONFIRMED
NEW: D Boyd, J McManus, D Gagai, J Leilua, A Uate, J Mullen (c), T Roberts, D Fa'alogo, D Buderus, W Mason, R Rochow, B Scott, J Smith.
Bench: M Hilder, C Houston, N Costigan, A McKinnon.
 # Team Changes: No changes for the Knights. They may add Adam Cuthbertson and Craig Gower to the travelling team for the trip to Melbourne but they may not force their way into the team. McManus should be okay after a head knock early against the Bulldogs. Mullen's ankle is still an issue but he'll play.
 + Injured List: J McManus (Head - Likely), J Smith (Sternum - Likely), B Scott (Foot - Likely), D Buderus (Back - Likely), J Mullen (Ankle/Knee - Likely), D Fa'alogo (Knee - Likely), A Cuthbertson (Neck - Unlikely), C Gower (Neck - Unlikely).

Get up to speed with Daily Updates from around the NRL
#NRLFinals Notebook: Monday/Tuesday September 17
#NRLFinals Notebook: Wednesday September 18
#NRLFinals Notebook: Thursday September 19
#NRLFinals Notebook: Friday September 20

We want your feedback or suggestions for the #NRLFinals Notebook - drop us a line here, @NRLTweet or Comment below.
You can track the Votes from 3 people per game LIVE via #NRLTweetPlayerofFinals