NRL Late Mail Round 27: Sezer Out, Young Set to Be Rested

Our NRL late mail man Adam Stiles runs through all the last-minute team changes leading into Supercoach Round 26.

Round 27 is finally here, and what a ride the 2024 late mail has been.

I found a new home at the SC Playbook, got to interact with a stack of you legends, and am on pace to finish around the respectable 2000s in the overall standings with a Playbook contributor league runner-up trophy to my name – congrats to Jay Schubert for taking me out in the grand final last week.

Normally this is where I sign off and ride into the sunset for some offseason hibernation, and I will do so for the article.

But Timmy ‘Silvertongue’ Williams has twisted my arm and for the first time, I’ll be covering the 24-hour and game day mail right up until the grand final across the key socials channels.

Exciting times ahead.

But as for the SuperCoach season, I’ve had another absolute blast and best of luck for the final overall push.

All the updates across the round will come via @scplaybook1 on X/Twitter and Instagram, as well as myself @AStilesAuthor (X/Twitter only).

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BRONCOS

Reece Walsh‘s hand has not healed in time and he will not be a late inclusion this week, with the fullback trimmed 24 hours out.

With limited options, I’m expecting 1-17.

24 hour cuts: Walsh, Semu

STORM

As a Broncos fan I hope they have 17 player replacements on game day as this could get ugly. Sigh.

Christian Welch dropped out Wednesday night through illness and has been replaced on the bench by Lazarus Vaalepu.

Xavier Coates is still on the extended bench and presumably being given up until an hour out to tick the boxes for a return, and he seems on track at this stage.

24 hour cuts: Welch, Bradley, Chan

TIGERS

Aiden Sezer will be ruled out with a shoulder injury, with Latu Fainu shifting to the halves and Tony Sukkar making his debut from the interchange.

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EELS

Nothing major likely for the Eels with a few faces returning, should be 1-17 or close to.

RABBITOHS

No major changes expected for the Bunnies, should be 1-17 also.

No impact for this round, or this season for the matter, but the club was unsuccessful in their bid to have Latrell’s one match suspension be served this round and he will miss round 1 next season.

ROOSTERS

Mark Nawaqanitawase will debut this week.

There’s much speculation for who, and unfortunately it seems Dominic Young given a rest.

Owners will hope not, and I’ve seen speculation that anyone in the backline could drop out, but it’s a massive one to watch.

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DRAGONS

It seems to be either the prop swap or prop drop each week for the Dragons, so expect another shuffle involving that position and the bench.

Jacob Liddle’s late absence from the team last week was due to the birth of his child so he is good to go, as is Mosese Suli.

RAIDERS

Jamal Fogarty was a late out last week with a hamstring injury and given the nature of those, I’d expect he’s still in some doubt.

I assume Adam Cook would again replace him in the halves if he’s a late withdrawal.

BULLDOGS

A likely 1-17 for the Bulldogs in this one.

COWBOYS

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion after missing time with a thumb injury, presumably via the interchange.

Not expecting any other major changes this week.

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PANTHERS

For the second week, and I must stress this is pure observation/speculation from around the traps, Dylan Edwards could be given a rest with Daine Laurie to finish the regular season at fullback given the former still doesn’t look 100% and finals are looming.

If this again doesn’t eventuate, I’ll expect 1-17 with Scott Sorensen looking on track to return.

TITANS

Named according to their big ins and outs this week – with Keano Kini the major in after missing last round – I nonetheless always anticipate some sort of forward pack shuffle on game day.

SEA EAGLES

Nothing stands out for Manly, expecting 1-17.

SHARKS

Ronaldo Mulitalo has teased holders for weeks now, but he should be right to return along with Jesse Ramien. 

Siosika Talakai is on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion after battling with a calf complaint.

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KNIGHTS

Kai Pearce-Paul is on the extended bench and could be a late call up, which would trigger a few shuffles in the squad accordingly.

No other changes expected with the Tyson duo of Frizell and Gamble good to go.

DOLPHINS

Wayne dropped an absolute all time game day shuffle last round and for this first time this season, not even creative character conservation could save me from having to tweet the update in two parts, with two takes, and tagging the Miami Dolphins by accident. Shambles.

Felise Kaufusi is free to play after a successful night at the judiciary, so hopefully this one is far more straightforward.

I feel they owe me a 1-17 after last week, however I could see at least one shuffle with Jeremy Marshall-King and Kodi Nikorima on the bench standing out as players who could be brought back into the starting 13.

Personal speculation though.