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Teams: Tigers trot out the brightest youngsters
Here we go, team lists are upon us. A few names to watch in the Bulldogs line-up, winger Jonathan Sua goes rather well, while Daniel Suluka-Fifita plays his first game for the club after being signed while recovering from a torn ACL. Front-rower Tom Amone also gets his first game in club colours, along with ex-Warrior Zyon Maiu’u.
The Tigers – Jeral Skelton gets his first game for the joint-venture while Tallyn Da Silva is captaining at hooker. Big things expected right across their spine actually, young fullback Heath Mason is from the same junior crop as halves Galvin and Fainu.
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 22. Ratu Rinakama 3. Luke Smith 4. Danny Gabrael 5. Jonathan Sua 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Joseph O’Neill 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Sam Hughes 11. Harry Hayes 12. Lipoi Hopoi 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Reuben Moyle 15. Tom Amone 16. Alekolasimi Jones 17. Jack Todd 19. Cassius Tia 20. Taye Cochrane 21. Logan Spinks 22. Ratu Rinakama 23. Zyon Maiu’u 24. Ragarive Wavik 25. Cooper Toy.
Tigers: 1. Heath Mason 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Josh Feledy 5. Alexander Lobb 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Tim Johannssen 9. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Kit Laulilii 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Sione Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Tristan Hope 16. Jaxson Rahme 17. Solomane Saukuru 18. William Craig 19. Lachlan Broederlow 20. Marc Tannous 21. Faaletino Tavana 22. Max Liles 23. Jared Haywood 24. Noah Johannssen.
NRL ask Souths for ‘please explain’ after trial drama
South Sydney are expected to be scrutinised by the NRL after a suspected paramedic booking bungle caused a 100-minute delay to their trial match against Manly, almost forcing the game to be abandoned.
Manly eventually ran out 34-24 winners in Gosford, with Lehi Hopoate impressing in attack and young winger Navren Willett scoring a double.
The match was slated to start at 3.30pm AEDT but, with no paramedic on site at Central Coast Stadium, it became doubtful whether it would get underway at all.
It’s understood a booking oversight likely led to the issue.
Cameron Murray signs autographs for fans during the game delay.Credit: Getty Images
The NRL, who were making inquiries around the circumstances on Saturday evening, did not comment.
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly confirmed the club were looking into the matter.
“We’re reviewing the circumstances of the delay to the start of the game, and we will comment when the review is complete,” Solly said.
A medical emergency was initially thought to be the catalyst for the delay, after a spectator suffered a suspected heart attack in the lead up to the match.
An ambulance had to be called, with paramedics arriving and taking the woman to Gosford Hospital.
But, after those treating paramedics left, there were no on-duty medicos at the ground.
Solly told this masthead on Sunday that the fan had spent the night in hospital but was alert, responsive and hopeful of making a quick recovery.
Read the full story here.
Watch: Maori All Stars win a thriller
Cody Ramsey spent seven months in hospital and lost 28kg. 896 days later, he’s back
Like a lot of good things in rugby league, the scene was Henson Park.
On a sun-drenched Saturday at the fabled suburban ground in Marrickville, Cody Ramsey taking bombs, carrying into contact and then trying, and failing, to keep his emotions in check, was as good as rugby league gets.
The Dragons fullback had waited 896 days to do so.
Cody Ramsey made his long-awaited return to rugby league.Credit: Dragons Digital
Seven months were spent in a hospital bed across the course of half a dozen surgeries after Ramsey was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a bowel disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract.
He lost 28 kilograms in just seven weeks. He was told not only that his footy career was over, but that his numerous operations had left him facing potentially life-threatening sepsis complications on three separate occasions.
The chances of Ramsey and his partner Tahlia not being able to have children because of his condition was also raised.
Cody Ramsey takes on the defence for the first time in 896 days.
Which is why, on his 25th birthday, the returning No.1 was overcome when greeted on the sidelines by his daughters Mia (one year old) and Ella, born less than three weeks ago.
Ramsey started the second half of the Dragons’ pre-season NSW Cup trial against the Roosters when he punted the kick-off downfield, and summed up his 30-minute cameo aptly when he later trudged towards the Henson sheds.
“We f—ing made history,” he gushed.
Read the full story here.
The weather: It’s good
Welcome to February footy
Evening one, evening all,
Coming to you live and loud from sunny, sunny Kogarah Oval for the last of our NRL trials this weekend. Rugby league enthusiast Johnathan Drennan is alongside me as the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs square off in our first game. Young halves Latu Fainu and Lachie Galvin are steering the good Tigers ship with a slew of local talent in Benji Marshall’s first outing this season.
The Dogs are keeping most of their best and brightest on the bench this week, but it’s a different story in the second game – Dragons-Roosters. New club captains Damien Cook and Clint Gutherson will step out against a reasonable Chooks outfit featuring Spencer Leniu, Siua Wong, Dominic Young and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Our first game kicks off at 5.30pm AEDT, and we’ll be with you for all the fun and games. Giddy up people.
