Glimmer of hope for Broncos star, veteran’s NRL career over, surprise Olam judiciary twist

Brisbane five-eighth Ezra Mam has undergone ankle surgery and is unlikely to play again this season, while prop Payne Haas has avoided surgery on a foot injury.

Mam and Haas, who will miss Saturday night’s away clash with North Queensland, failed to finish last week’s 46-18 loss to Gold Coast.

Both visited a specialist earlier this week. The Lisfranc injury to Haas was not as severe as the one sustained by Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga earlier this season and his recovery will not require him to go under the knife.

Mam is out of hospital and recovering, with his place in the side taken by Josh Rogers. With the Broncos six points outside the top eight and needing a minor miracle to play finals, it is doubtful either player will lace a boot again this season.

Coach Kevin Walters, who oversaw the side’s captain’s run in Townsville on Friday, was asked about the duo’s 2024 prospects. “Payne isn’t having surgery so he’s more than likely (to play again) but Ezra is possibly done. Miracles happen,” Walters said.

Brisbane have given utility Tristan Sailor another chance on the bench while Josiah Karapani comes onto the wing for Corey Oates, who is carrying some niggles and has been left out.

Cowboys stalwart Jake Granville has played his last game for North Queensland but will pursue playing opportunities overseas in 2025.

Granville, the NRL’s third-oldest active player at 35, appeared a chance of retiring from rugby league after suffering a season-ending pectoral injury in last week’s defeat of Wests Tigers.

Instead, the off-contract hooker is keen to relocate his family overseas for a rugby league swansong. Reuben Cotter is back after this round a brief layoff to shake off a head knock.

Cronulla will be without halfback Braydon Trindall on Friday against the Gold Coast. The No.7 has been in stellar form for the Sharks even without star half Nicho Hynes. He hobbled off the field late after a hamstring injury.

Hooker Jayden Brailey will deputise for Trindall with Cameron McInnes slotting into the No.9 jersey.

The Tigers will be without Justin Olam, who has opted not to front the judiciary after originally entering an early guilty plea but seeking a downgrade for his high shot on Heilum Luki.

He has copped the four-game punishment, pleading no contest for the grade-three offence, because the club announced he needed season-ending surgery on both knees.

With Starford To’a also out injured due to another hamstring issue, Wests are low on backs and must scramble to finish off an underwhelming season.

The news is better for Manly as they push to wrap up a finals spot.

Winger Lehi Hopoate will return from a fractured eye socket against Canberra at Brookvale Oval on Saturday, just three weeks after suffering the ugly injury.

Lachlan Croker is also back at No.9 after spending three months following a concussion, while Jason Saab and Reuben Garrick have also recovered from head knocks.

Their fitness comes as Haumole Olakau’atu returns from suspension in the back row against a Raiders side that have lost Zac Hosking to a shoulder injury.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has recalled five-eighth Ethan Strange after opting to rest him from Sunday’s loss to Canterbury.

Round 22 Casualty Ward: Sharks – Braydon Trindall (hamstring); Cowboys – Jake Granville (pectoral); Broncos – Payne Haas (foot), Ezra Mam (ankle); Rabbitohs – Cody Walker (calf); Roosters – Lindsay Collins (head knock), Dom Young (hamstring), Nat Butcher (rib); Warriors – Dylan Walker (head knock); Dolphins – Tevita Pangai jnr (hamstring), Jamayne Isaako (ankle); Storm – Tui Kamikamica (groin); Tigers – Alex Twal (wrist), Latu Fainu (head knock); Knights – Jacob Saifiti (calf); Raiders – Morgan Smithies (head knock)

Round 23 teams

All times AEST

Rabbitohs vs Storm at Accor Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday August 8

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Fletcher Myers 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Cameron Murray 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Tom Burgess 17. Shaquai Mitchell 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Brock Gray 21. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 22. Leon Te Hau

Cody Walker will try to get back after missing the loss to Cronulla with a calf injury. Michael Chee Kam replaces Jacob Host in the second row.

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Trent Loiero 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Lazarus Vaalepu 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Kane Bradley 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Dean Ieremia 22. Tristan Powell

Tui Kamikamica is returning from a groin complaint while Nelson Asofa-Solomona is switching to the second row with Eli Katoa (knee) sidelined.

Titans vs Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium: 6pm, Friday August 9

Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Josiah Pahulu 17. Keenan Palasia 18. AJ Brimson 19. Tanah Boyd 20. Joe Stimson 21. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 22. Tony Francis

AJ Brimson is again listed among the reserves and could finally make his return from a groin injury after being named as the 18th player. Klese Haas has been promoted to the pack for Beau Fermor (bruised kidney)

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Blayke Brailey 8. Royce Hunt 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 15. Siosifa Talakai 13. Jack Williams 14. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Niwhai Puru 20. Billy Burns 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Liam Ison

With Braydon Trindall out with a hamstring strain on top of Nicho Hynes being out, Dan Atkinson will partner Blayke Brailey with Cameron McInnes filling in at hooker. Front-rower Tom Hazelton is back from a foot injury on the bench to replace Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee).

Teig Wilton is out with a hamstring strain.

Eels vs Panthers at CommBank Stadium: 8pm, Friday August 9

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Matt Doorey 17. Dan Keir 18. Ethan Sanders 19. Kelma Tuilagi 20. Isaac Lumelume 21. Morgan Harper 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Trent Barrett has the option of bringing Kelma Tuilagi (thumb) back into the team after their Friday night win over the Warriors in Auckland, otherwise it is the same 17.

Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Luron Patea 19. Jack Cole 20. Isaiah Iongi 21. Asu Kepaoa 22. Luke Sommerton

James Fisher-Harris is out again with his groin injury while Dylan Edwards (knee) is going to need another week out as well. Daine Laurie (concussion) is back to replace young gun Isaiah Iongi at fullback.

Raiders vs Sea Eagles at GIO Stadium: 3pm, Saturday August 10

Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Adam Cook 15. Trey Mooney 16. Ata Mariota 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Danny Levi 20. Corey Horsburgh 21. Zac Woolford 22. Emre Guler

Ricky Stuart brings Ethan Strange back into the starting line-up after he was relegated to 18th player duties on Sunday against the Dogs. English forward Morgan Smithies is a maybe after suffering a concussion in the loss to Canterbury.

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Corey Waddell 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jamie Humphreys 21. Jake Simpkin 22. Dean Matterson

Back after a week off with the bye, Haumole Olakau’atu will return from his Origin III ban for being involved in the sideline melee. Reuben Garrick and Jason Saab should be right after copping head knocks against the Roosters in their last-start loss. Lehi Hopoate returns from a facial fracture on the wing with Tommy Talau going to the centres and Ben Trbojevic back to the bench.

Cowboys vs Broncos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday August 10

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. Heilum Luki 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Jake Clifford 20. Tomas Chester 21. Semi Valemei 22. Marly Bitungane 24. Jeremiah Nanai

Club stalwart Jake Granville has played his last game before retirement after injuring his pectoral in the win over Wests on Thursday night. Reuben Cotter is back after a brief layoff to shake off a head knock.

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Tristan Sailor 17. Martin Taupau 18. Cory Paix 19. Benjamin Te Kura 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Corey Oates 22. Vaa Semu

Payne Haas (foot) and Ezra Mam (ankle) are likely out for the season while the playing status of Selwyn Cobbo is unknown after he was accused of domestic violence allegations and sat out last weekend’s loss to the Titans.

Josh Rogers is the new five-eighth for Mam while Xavier Willison fills in for Haas up front. Josiah Karapani has been elevated to the wing with veteran Corey Oates dropped.

Broncos indicated Payne Haas had his foot assessed during the warm up yesterday but was cleared to play. Had a few questions on when the damage occurred – warm up or in-game?

In isolation there was as textbook a Lisfranc injury mechanism as you will see on Haas’ last run. pic.twitter.com/RZopguLWJB

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 4, 2024

Dragons vs Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium: 7:35pm, Saturday August 10

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Hame Sele 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Ryan Couchman 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Michael Molo 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Jack Bird 22. Connor Muhleisen

Ben Murdoch-Masila (foot) is out for the season while Mat Feagai (concussion) has been named in the reserves after missing the win in Melbourne.

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Harry Hayes 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Jack Underhill 21. Blake Wilson 22. Poasa Faamausili 23. Drew Hutchison

Utility forward Jaeman Salmon (jaw) is still likely to be out another week or two. Canterbury are unchanged from the team which edged out Canberra on Sunday with prop Josh Curran (shoulder) good to go.

Dolphins vs Warriors at Suncorp Stadium: 2pm, Sunday August 11

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Oryn Keeley 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Sean O’Sullivan 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Tesi Niu 20. Anthony Milford 21. Mason Teague 22. Trai Fuller

Jamayne Isaako (ankle) and Tevita Pangai jnr (calf) will be monitored while Kodi Nikorima should be right to play after missing the loss to the Roosters due to illness while winger Jamayne Isaako (ankle) is also listed in the side.

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Te Maire Martin 20. Demitric Sifakula 21. Taine Tuaupiki 22. Moala Graham-Taufa 23. Bunty Afoa

Veteran utility Dylan Walker (head knock) is in doubt while winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifts from wing to centre with Ed Kosi returning on the wing.

Knights vs Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday August 11

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Will Pryce 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

The Knights lost Jacob Saifiti to a calf injury in the warm-up on Sunday and he is out again. 

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomon Alaimalo 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Twal 18. Heath Mason 19. Tim Johannssen 20. Josh Feledy 21. Declan Casey 22. Tony Sukkar

Justin Olam has backed out of his judiciary appearl for a four-game ban over his high shot which led to him being sent off against the Cowboys because he needs two season-ending knee operations. Adam Doueihi replaces him at centre. Alex Twal (wrist) is OK, Latu Fainu (head knock) is out while veteran half Aidan Sezer is back from a hip-drop ban.

Bye – Roosters

with AAP