Cowboys duo cop heavy blows, Johnston’s year over, Rooster facing ban, Dragons quartet in strife

North Queensland’s hopes of surging into the top four have taken a hit with star forward Jason Taumalolo suffering a fractured cheekbone in their win over Cronulla.

Taumalolo is likely to miss at least a month after he was replaced in the first half of the 30-22 triumph at QCB Stadium.

To make matters worse for the Cowboys, fellow forward Reuben Cotter copped a heavy concussion a short time later after a sickening head clash with Jesse Ramien.

He is unlikely to suit up for Thursday’s trip to Leichhardt to face Wests.

Reuben Cotter won’t return tonight after suffering a concussion in this collision – showed clear Category 1 signs after brutal contact.

Will miss at least the next 11 days as he enters the NRL’s concussion protocols with mandatory stand down period. pic.twitter.com/AANPXdnJiN

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 27, 2024

Michael Jennings is facing a ban of at least two matches for the high shot that floored Manly winger Jason Saab.

The Sydney Roosters veteran was on Sunday handed a grade-two careless high-tackle charge for his shot on Saab in the 34-30 win.

Jennings can take an early guilty plea and miss two weeks or risk a third match on the sideline if he fights the charge and loses.

The charge comes after Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold made his frustrations clear Jennings had not been sin-binned, given Saab was ruled out of the match.

“Jason is crook in the changing room, he couldn’t pass the HIA protocols and so we lose him for the game,” Seibold said. “The Roosters player gets put on report and it doesn’t help us. We don’t get any benefit from it just being a penalty.

“I thought that would be a sin-bin but it wasn’t tonight for whatever reason.”

The impact of Jennings’ ban is lessened somewhat by the fact winger Junior Pauga is due to return from his own high-tackle ban against the Dolphins.

Centre Joey Manu is also set to soon return from a broken hand.

Roosters teammate Sitili Tupouniua and Manly second-rower Corey Waddell also copped charges out of the match, but can escape with fines.

Wests Tigers forward Alex Seyfarth was the only player charged from the opening night of the round.

He will be free to take his place in the home team’s line-up after he avoided a suspension despite being charged by the NRL Match Review Committee over a tackle on Warriors veteran Te Maire Martin in Friday night’s 28-16 loss in Auckland.

Seyfarth was charged with Grade 1 Dangerous Contact but will only be fined $1800-$2500.

Souths skipper Cameron Murray will make his return for Souths in Round 22 after his two-game ban for his involvement in the Origin III sideline melee but NSW teammate Haumole Olakau’atu has to wait another week despite copping the same punishment with Manly having the bye.

Latrell Mitchell is unlikely to be back for the Bunnies after spending a month out with a foot injury when they face Cronulla, who will be boosted by the return of fullback Will Kennedy from his controversial ref bump ban.

Veteran winger Alex Johnston won’t play again this year after snapping his Achilles in Sunday’s stoush with the Raiders in Canberra while Cody Walker has picked up a hip complaint.

Round 22 teams

All times AEST

Wests vs North Qld at Leichhardt Oval: 7.50pm, Thursday August 1

Tigers: Rookie winger Luke Laulilii (concussion) and Starford To’a (hamstring) are out after they failed to finish the loss to the Warriors while Lachie Galvin and Isaiah Papali’i are in doubt after they were also replaced but coach Benji Marshall did not elaborate on their injuries.

Cowboys: Heilum Luki (hamstring) is a maybe after missing Saturday’s stoush with the Sharks. Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) is out while Reuben Cotter (concussion) is all but certain to join him on the sidelines.

Warriors vs Parramatta at Go Media Stadium: 6pm, Friday August 2

Warriors: Jackson Ford suffered a knee injury in the win over Wests while Shaun Johnson (Achilles) and Marcelo Montoya (groin) are pushing for a return to play Parra.

Eels: Second-rower Kelma Tuilagi (thumb) could be back after a couple of months out.

Dolphins vs Sydney at HBF Park, Perth: 8pm, Friday August 2

Dolphins: Utility forward Kurt Donoghoe is available for selection after serving his three-game high tackle ban.

Roosters: Joey Manu is due to return from a broken hand while Junior Pauga is another boost out wide after completing his month-long ban for a high shot.

Gold Coast vs Brisbane at Cbus Super Stadium: 3pm, Saturday August 3

Titans: AJ Brimson’s lingering groin injury means he is still no guarantee to return despite missing several weeks.

Broncos: Brendan Piakura, who missed last round with a groin injury, and Fletcher Baker, who is nearing a return from a knee complaint, will be in the selection mix. Deine Mariner picked up a knee injury in the loss to the Bulldogs.

Melbourne vs St George Illawarra at AAMI Park: 5.30pm, Saturday August 3

Storm: Marion Seve (hamstring), Young Tonumaipea (calf), Christian Welch (back) and Alec MacDonald (shoulder) are on the comeback trail but Welch may be the only returnee to make the game-day 17.

Dragons: Tyrell Sloan was dropped to NSW Cup last weekend and could be recalled if Mat Feagai is banned for a high shot on Daine Laurie. Raymond Faitala-Mariner could also be in judiciary strife for his hip-drop on Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris. 

Toby Couchman (crusher) and Jaydn Su’A (high tackle) could also be charged after they were also put on report.

Cronulla vs South Sydney at PointsBet Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday August 3

Sharks: Will Kennedy will reclaim the No.1 jersey from debutant Liam Ison at fullback after serving a one-game suspension for a ref bump. Front-rower Royce Hunt (illness) is also likely to be back on deck.

Rabbitohs: Journeyman centre Richie Kennar (head knock) and skipper Cameron Murray (suspension) will return while star fullback Latrell Mitchell (foot) is an outside chance of making his comeback.  

Interim coach Ben Hornby will need to find a new left winger after Alex Johnston’s Achilles rupture in Canberra while Cody Walker (hip) will need to prove his fitness.

Penrith vs Newcastle at BlueBet Stadium: 2pm, Sunday August 4

Panthers: NSW rep Dylan Edwards is hoping to make an early return from his knee injury but Penrith are likely to be cautious with their fullback. 

James Fisher-Harris (adductor) and Daine Laurie (concussion) are also under a cloud.

Knights: Adam O’Brien needs a new centre with Bradman Best hamstrung from their last-start loss to Brisbane before the bye with Enari Tuala and Fletcher Sharpe the main candidates for a recall. 

Canterbury vs Canberra at Belmore Sports Ground: 4.05pm, Sunday August 4

Bulldogs: Josh Addo-Carr is close to a comeback from the hamstring injury which struck him down at the end of May. Front-rower Josh Curran injured his knee in the victory over Brisbane while Stephen Crichton (neck) is likely to return.

Raiders: Ricky Stuart is likely to stick with the same side which sunk Souths on Sunday.

Bye – Sea Eagles

with AAP