Slater weighs up No.7 switch after Storm gun's injury

Billy Slater has weighed in on the "luxury" his former club Melbourne have heading into the business-end of the season with Jahrome Hughes on the sidelines.

The reigning Dally M Medal winner suffered a dislocated shoulder in round 21, ruling him out for the next six weeks and putting question marks around the halfback role.

Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet are the two options at the Storm's disposal and speaking on Nine's The Billy Slater Podcast, one of the club's all-time greats weighed in on the situation and expects to see both men selected in the squad for round 22.

Jahrome Hughes

"Without doubt, I think both will be named," Slater said.

"That's the luxury that Craig Bellamy has, that both of those players are capable of jumping into the No.7 jersey and doing a good job.

"They have very different strengths, so it's merely what Craig Bellamy feels the footy team needs. Whether or not he goes with that defensive-orientated player who is a great defender in Wishart, or he feels that Jahrome took control of most of the kicking game and that's a real strength of Pezet's game.

"It will be whatever he feels the footy team needs."

Slater however did concede that Pezet's lack of game time over the past 12 months could go against him in the tightly-run race for the No.7 jumper.

"He's been around for a few years now, but he is coming off an ACL reconstruction last year and had a couple of setbacks this year," the champion fullback said.

"He hasn't played a whole heap of football. He is certainly on the rise and he will be looking for an opportunity to play first grade in the coming years - but whether that has actually set him back for this opportunity right now...

Jonah Pezet

"Tyran Wishart has been playing most weeks in this footy team and has been filling in the halves and he's got a great record when he does play in the halves." 

Melbourne will welcome back Cameron Munster in the five-eighth role this week, while fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is expected to return from injury.

Elsewhere, the growing casualty ward at the Rabbitohs has gained one more member and the club could be without one of their most experienced players due to suspension, while their cross-town rivals the Roosters have been forced into another halves shake-up.

Here's all the early mail ahead of round 22.

THURSDAY

Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm, CommBank Stadium (7.50pm)

Cameron Munster will return this weekend

Eels predicted team: 1. Joash Papali'i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J'maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Eels team news: Kelma Tuilagi (suspension) is expected to return in the only change for Parramatta following last weekend's surprise win over Brisbane.

Storm predicted team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan

Storm team news: Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) will miss the next six weeks and will be replaced by either Tyran Wishart or Jonah Pezet at halfback. Expect to see Cameron Munster back in at five-eighth after missing last week to attend his father's funeral, while gun fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (calf) is also likely to return.

FRIDAY

New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins, Go Media Stadium (6pm)

Felise Kaufusi

Warriors predicted team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Sam Healey 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Marata Niukore

Warriors team news: Wayde Egan (head knock) will miss at least a week, with Sam Healey the likely replacement at hooker. Andrew Webster could also look to make other changes following a surprise loss against the Titans last weekend, with Ali Leiataua a potential option in the centres to allow Kurt Capewell to move back to second-row.

Dolphins predicted team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jake Averillo 6. Sean O'Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Harrison Graham 15. Ray Stone 16. Josh Kerr 17. Mark Nicholls

Dolphins team news: Felise Kaufusi (knee) and Mark Nicholls (concussion) are both in line to return after last weekend's bye. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (thumb) and Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) could be included in the squad, but are likely another week away.

Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Suncorp Stadium (8pm)

Broncos predicted team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Jack Gosiewski

Broncos team news: No changes flagged at this stage despite the side's round 21 loss.

Rabbitohs predicted team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Shaq Mitchell 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Jacob Host 16. Ryan Gray 17. Ashton Ward

Rabbitohs team news: Tevita Tatola (shoulder) will join the growing casualty ward, while skipper Jack Wighton is facing a three-game suspension but will front the judiciary on Tuesday night. Expect to see Jye Gray move to five-eighth and Alex Johnston slot in at fullback should Wighton be ruled out.

SATURDAY

Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers, Cbus Super Stadium (3pm)

Dylan Edwards

Titans predicted team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston

Titans team news: No changes flagged at this stage after a surprise round 21 win.

Panthers predicted team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Panthers team news: No changes expected for the reigning premiers this week.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders, WIN Stadium (5.30pm)

Jaydn Su'A

Dragons predicted team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Mosese Suli 4. Mat Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Nick Tsougranis 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Loko Pasifiki Tonga 16. Jack de Belin 17. Michael Molo

Dragons team news: Jaydn Su'A (knee) looks set to miss the remainder of the year, with Nick Tsougranis or Jacob Halangahu potential options in the back-row. No other major changes flagged at this stage, with young prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga eyeing a recall.

Raiders predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Seb Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Raiders team news: Seb Kris (concussion) is expected to return at centre, pushing Simi Sasagi to the bench. Matty Nicholson (ankle) is another week or two away from a return.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters, Brookvale Oval (7.35pm)

Haumole Olakau'atu

Sea Eagles predicted team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Sea Eagles team news: Haumole Olakau'atu (shoulder) was injured again in his return on Sunday and will likely miss the rest of the season. Corey Waddell will likely start in the back-row, with Caleb Navale joining the bench.

Roosters predicted team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Siua Wong 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu

Roosters team news: Sandon Smith (concussion) will be sidelined, but his absence will be offset by the return of Hugo Savala (wrist) in the halves. Nat Butcher (knee) is also expected back and should replace younger brother Egan on the bench.

SUNDAY

Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bulldogs, CommBank Stadium (2pm)

Jahream Bula

Tigers predicted team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Izaac Tu'itupou 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To'a 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi 14. Tristan Hope 15. Jack Bird 16. Fonua Pole 17. Sione Fainu

Tigers team news: Jahream Bula (hamstring) is due back from injury, with Sunia Turuva likely shifting to the wing and Jeral Skelton dropping out.

Bulldogs predicted team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward

Bulldogs team news: No changes flagged after a big win over Manly.

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys, Shark Park (4.05pm)

Jason Taumalolo

Sharks predicted team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Billy Burns 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Sharks team news: Briton Nikora (concussion) should return in the back-row, but Toby Rudolf (concussion) will miss at least a week.

Cowboys predicted team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Thomas Duffy 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Temple Kalepo 15. Jason Taumalolo 16. Kai O'Donnell 17. Coen Hess

Cowboys team news: Jordan McLean (calf) and Jason Taumalolo (calf) are both expected to return in the forward pack. Karl Lawton (suspension) is facing a stint on the sidelines for a tackle that injured Jaydn Su'A.