Second-rower Hame Sele remains in hospital but he has been cleared of any cardiac issues following his abrupt exit from the match against Canterbury.
He was rushed to hospital but was cleared of any irregular heart rhythm despite initial reports suggesting that was the reason for his dramatic departure from the Kogarah stadium.
The club issued a statement on Sunday afternoon to say Sele was “being monitored after experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath during last night’s match against the Bulldogs.
“Sele was admitted following a flu illness in the past three weeks. He did not experience an irregular heartbeat as was suggested.
Hame Sele. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“The club will continue to provide Sele with the best possible care and will provide a further update on his recovery in due course.”
He is highly unlikely to be able to play this Sunday in Wollongong against the Titans.
“I appreciate everyone reaching out to check on me. I’m feeling better. Still in hospital waiting for the doctor, but it’s only precautionary. Much love,” he posted on Saturday night on social media.
St George Illawarra teammate Kyle Flanagan may not play again this season after being referred straight to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night over the Stephen Crichton biting allegation.
Crichton lodged an official complaint that Flanagan bit him on the nose in the 62nd minute of the Bulldogs’ 26-10 win at Kogarah on Saturday night.
The Dragons pivot will fight to prove his innocence with replays showing Crichton pressed his face against his opponent after Flanagan had been tackled.
Crichton had visible bleeding on his nose after the match and while Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo did not say much about the incident, Dragons mentor Shane Flanagan said his son did not intentionally bite the Bulldogs skipper.
Gold Coast’s slim finals chances have taken another hit with Moeaki Fotuaika set to miss the clash against St George Illawarra through suspension.
The prop went to the sin bin for laying a high tackle on Cronulla captain Cam McInnes in the 44-0 loss that all but ended the Titans’ top-eight hopes on Friday night.
Gold Coast forward David Fifita (shoulder charge $1500-$2000) and Sharks forward Billy Burns (careless high tackle – $750-$1000) were also pinged by the match review committee.
Broncos star Reece Walsh (shoulder charge $1500-$2000), Cowboys hooker Reece Robson (contrary conduct $1000-$1500) and Rabbitohs centre Taane Milne ($3000 for tripping) are also facing fines.
Penrith look set to feature an all-new second row for the pivotal clash against Melbourne after Liam Martin received a one-game ban from the NRL match review committee.
Martin was charged with grade-two dangerous contact for taking out Daejarn Asi‘s legs as the Parramatta halfback kicked during the second half of the Panthers’ 36-34 comeback win on Friday night.
He went to the sin bin for his shot and is now set to miss Thursday’s clash against Melbourne, which will likely determine who will finish with the minor premiership. Martin risks also missing the Round 25 clash against Canberra if he elects to take his charge to the judiciary.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The suspension means Penrith look set to name an all-new second row against the Storm after Scott Sorensen suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Eels.
Mavrik Geyer is likely to be promoted to the starting side while mid-season recruit Asu Kepaoa and mature-aged rookie Preston Riki are two other options to come in.
Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson was a late withdrawal from Sunday’s match against the Dolphins with a thigh concern so he may be out of Friday’s fixture against Manly.
Dolphins prop Mark Nicholls, Raiders winger Jordan Rapan and Cowboys forward Jeremiah Nanai will be monitored after concussions in Round 23.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is set to get a triple boost for Sunday’s home game against Newcastle with Braydon Trindall (hamstring), Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) and Teig Wilton (hamstring) set to return and they could also have star half Nicho Hynes back in the line-up as he is ahead of schedule in his return from an ankle injury.
Round 24 teams
All times AEST
Penrith vs Melbourne at BlueBet Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday August 15
Panthers: James Fisher-Harris (groin) and Dylan Edwards (knee) are potential inclusions after each player has spent a few weeks out. Liam Martin (suspension) and Scott Sorensen (hamstring) are likely to be out.
Storm: Eli Katoa (knee) is set to return after getting a rest against the Rabbitohs. Former Maroons prop Christian Welch remains sidelined with a back problem and is hoping to be back before the end of the regular season.
Manly vs Warriors at 4 Pines Park: 6pm, Friday August 16
Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai (knee) is set to be available for selection but Tolu Koula (knee) is unlikely to suit up.
Warriors: Winger Marcelo Montoya (groin) is the most likely of the club’s walking wounded to return with Adam Pompey and Jackson Ford likely to need another week or two with their knee complaints. Shaun Johnson (thigh) is a maybe.
Warriors veteran Shaun Johnson. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Sydney vs Parramatta at Allianz Stadium: 8pm, Friday August 16
Eels: Fijian winger Maika Sivo is pushing for a return from a hamstring injury.
Roosters: Lindsay Collins (head knock) should be right to go after the week off from the bye. Dom Young (hamstring) and Nat Butcher (rib cartilage) will be touch and go while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Michael Jennings have one more week each left of their suspensions.
Canterbury vs Dolphins at Salter Oval, Bundaberg: 3pm, Saturday August 17
Bulldogs: Utility forward Jaeman Salmon (jaw) is close to making a return.
Dolphins: Jeremy Marshall-King is not far off a return from a foot problem and could be a surprise inclusion for the Bundaberg trip. Mark Nicholls (head knock) could be ruled out after failing his HIA on Sunday against the Warriors.
North Qld vs Canberra at QCB Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday August 17
Cowboys: Todd Payten is likely to keep the same line-up which took on Brisbane with veteran prop Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) the only injured Cowboy close to a return but still probably a couple of weeks away. Jeremiah Nanai (concussion) needs to pass the protocols to play.
Raiders: Veteran winger Jordan Rapana failed to finish the loss to Manly due to a concussion so he could be ruled out.
Jordan Rapana. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Wests vs South Sydney at Campbelltown Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday August 17
Tigers: Latu Fainu (head knock) could be back in the halves or on the bench.
Rabbitohs: Taane Milne has avoided a ban and copped a fine despite being charged with tripping Ryan Papenhuyzen in Thursday night’s loss to Melbourne.
St George Illawarra vs Gold Coast at WIN Stadium: 2pm, Sunday August 18
Dragons: Ben Murdoch-Masila (foot) is out for the rest of the season but depth options Jesse Marschke and Fa’amanu Brown are due back from hamstring injuries.
Hame Sele (illness) is a chance to play despite being rushed to hospital during Saturday night’s loss to Canterbury whale Kyle Flanagan’s fate over a potential biting ban rests with the judiciary panel on Tuesday night.
Titans: Beau Fermor (bruised kidney) is set to make a comeback after missing the loss to the Sharks.
Cronulla vs Newcastle at PointsBet Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday August 18
Sharks: Craig Fitzgibbon is set to get a triple boost with Braydon Trindall (hamstring), Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) and Teig Wilton (hamstring) set to return and they could also have star half Nicho Hynes back in the line-up as he is ahead of schedule in his return from an ankle injury.
Knights: Front-rower Jacob Saifiti is a chance to return from a calf injury which has sidelined him the past two weeks.
Bye – Brisbane
with AAP