Here’s how each team is looking as the NRL playoffs get underway, including two sudden-death games to determine who moves on to play Melbourne and Penrith in the preliminary finals.
Justice has not imposed any bans on any of the players from the clubs that made it past week one of the finals; however, Knights prop Leo Thompson’s Pacific Championships campaign with New Zealand is in jeopardy following his one-game suspension for taking a high shot on Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt.
Teams in the second week of the finals
Semi-final: Friday, September 20, at 7:50 p.m. at Allianz Stadium, 4 Sharks vs. 5 Cowboys
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 3. Siosifa Talakai 2. Sione Katoa 3. 4. Iro Kayal 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Toby Rudolf; 7. Blayke Brailey; 8. Nicho Hynes 9. Brady Trindall 10. Kaufusi Oregon 11. Nikora, a Briton; 12. Teig Wilton 13. Daniel Atkinson 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Royce Hunt 17. Jack Williams 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Samuel Stonestreet; 21. Jayden Berrell; 22. Jesse Ramien
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has placed Jesse Ramien (ankle), who missed the match in Melbourne, on the extended reserves list, giving him a chance to make a comeback.
Siosifa Talakai is expected to return to the interchange if Ramien is deemed fit, although he will have until closer to kickoff to demonstrate his fitness.
Despite having a hip ailment, Fitzgibbon started Samoan winger Sione Katoa on the wing against the Cowboys.
In addition, Katoa faces a fine of $1800–2500 for the high tackle, while Braydon Trindall faces a fine of $1000–1500 for harmful contact.
