Slater's warning to Dolphins after cruel injury blow

Billy Slater has urged the Dolphins to avoid moving Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to the centres, despite the devastating injury to Herbie Farnworth last weekend.

Farnworth continued a horror injury run when he limped off the field against the Warriors and is now expected to miss up to eight weeks of action with a hamstring injury.

Kristian Woolf is blessed with options in the outside backs, including electric fullback Trai Fuller, who has recently returned from an ACL injury via reserve grade.

But while Tabuai-Fidow has starred at centre at representative level, Slater believes moving him from fullback to replace Farnworth would be mistake.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

"He is a real strike player for them, he does a lot of work out of their own end, but also creates opportunities through footwork and speed.

"I think I'd be looking at all options to keep Hammer at fullback, but I'm sure that would be a consideration for Kristian Woolf and his coaching staff.

"I think their best footy team is with Hammer at fullback, so if you can keep that key position settled … that would be the priority. 

"Like they have done all year, I'm sure they will have someone to fill in that role." 

Elsewhere, the Broncos and Roosters have been hit with untimely injury blows, while the Sea Eagles will be weighing up a move that could make or break their finals hopes.

Here's all the early mail ahead of round 23.

THURSDAY

Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos, AAMI Park (7.50pm)

Nelson Asofa-Solomona

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. Tui Kamikamica 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Bronson Garlick 17. Joe Chan

Storm team news: Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension) is due back and will likely be named to come off the bench. Tyran Wishart is expected to retain the starting halfback role ahead of Jonah Pezet, who should keep his bench utility role.

Broncos predicted team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt

Broncos team news: Xavier Willison (arm) will be sidelined for at least the next month, while back-rower Brendan Piakura (concussion) is also out of action. Expect to see Jaiyden Hunt come onto the bench this week.

FRIDAY

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers, McDonald Jones Stadium (6pm)

Knights predicted team: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jack Hetherington

Knights team news: No changes flagged at this stage after the round 22 bye.

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. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Isaiah Papali'i

Panthers team news: Isaah Yeo (shoulder) suffered an injury against the Titans and could be in doubt. If he is unavailable, expect to see Matt Eisenhuth slot into the side.

Canberra Raiders vs Manly Sea Eagles, GIO Stadium (8pm)

Tom Trbojevic

Raiders predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 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. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Raiders team news: No changes flagged at this stage despite the loss to the Dragons. Matty Nicholson (ankle) could be back on deck soon in a major boost.

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. Ethan Bullemor 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Caleb Navale

Sea Eagles team news: Ben Trbojevic (head knock) left the field on Saturday night and will be unavailable, which will likely see Ethan Bullemor start in the back-row and Caleb Navale join the bench. Tom Trbojevic spent time at fullback and it will be interesting to see which way Anthony Seibold leans with the season on the line.

SATURDAY

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks, Kogarah Oval (3pm)

Dragons predicted team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses 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. Michael Molo 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Hame Sele 17. Blake Lawrie

Dragons team news: Don't expect to see any changes to the side that pulled off a huge upset against the Raiders last weekend.

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: Toby Rudolf (concussion) could be available to return, but Craig Fitzgibbon may opt to stick with the same 17 that got the job done without him.

Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters, Suncorp Stadium (5.30pm)

Herbie Farnworth

Dolphins predicted team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Jake Averillo 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Josh Kerr 17. Kenny Bromwich

Dolphins team news: Major blow heading towards the finals with Herbie Farnworth (hamstring) ruled out of the next six weeks. There are plenty of potential options to fill the void, but the most likely scenario would see Jake Averillo named at centre and Tevita Naufahu on the wing. Felise Kaufusi (suspension) will miss the next two games.

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. Siua Wong 13. Egan Butcher 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Blake Steep 16. Salesi Foketi 17. Spencer Leniu

Roosters team news: No changes expected at this stage, with experienced forward Nat Butcher (knee) suffering a fresh injury in his return via NSW Cup. Young half Sandon Smith (concussion) will be available to return but is unlikely to earn a spot in the side.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors, Accor Stadium (7.35pm)

Sitili Tupouniua

Bulldogs predicted team: 1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Jethro Rinakama 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 major changes flagged at this stage despite the shock loss against the Tigers. Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) could be in the mix to return from injury.

Warriors predicted team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Marata Niukore 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Warriors team news: Wayde Egan (concussion) and Chanel Harris-Tavia (calf) are both scheduled to return in a timely boost.

SUNDAY

Gold Coast Titans vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cbus Super Stadium (2pm)

Brandon Smith

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. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Chris Randall 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston

Titans team news: Chris Randall (concussion) will likely return on the bench. No other changes flagged after a spirited performance against Penrith.

Rabbitohs predicted team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Ashton Ward 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Brandon Smith 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Thomas Fletcher 17. Tyrone Munro

Rabbitohs team news: Jamie Humphreys and Peter Mamouzelos were both late outs against the Broncos after suffering delayed concussion symptoms and aren't expected to be named. Brandon Smith (knee) could be back on deck and fill the bench utility role, while young playmaker Ashton Ward is in line to keep his starting spot.

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys, CommBank Stadium (4.05pm)

Jake Clifford

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. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Eels team news: No changes flagged despite a tough loss against the Storm.

Cowboys predicted team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Marly Bitungane 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Kai O'Donnell 17. Coen Hess

Cowboys team news: Jake Clifford (quad) is expected back after being ruled out prior to the side's loss against Cronulla on the weekend, which should see Jaxon Purdue slot back into the centres. Sam McIntyre (calf) will also likely return on the bench.