There's plenty of team news to note this week as Wests Tigers look to bounce back from a frustrating last-start defeat against the Parramatta Eels on Easter Monday.
Already a highlight on the rugby league calendar with a blockbuster crowd expected, Monday's match will take on even more importance with a number of potential big inclusions to note for the home side.
After picking up an ankle ligament injury last week, Life Member Benji Marshall has been named to start against the Eels on Monday — telling reporters that he was "pretty confident" in being right for the match.
His inclusion sees no changes to the 17-man squad that took on the Broncos at Campbelltown in Round 3, but the biggest news is perhaps in the four-man reserves list which includes rookie Tyson Gamble.
The only uncapped player in Wests Tigers' 2018 squad, Gamble has been named in the reserves for the past few weeks and has delivered a number of strong performances for the club's Intrust Super Premiership side. Should Marshall fail in his bid to recover from his ankle injury, Gamble may be in line to make his NRL debut — or Coach Ivan Cleary might look to another alternative returning on the reserves list.
After starring at fullback in Round 1, Tuimoala Lolohea has not played since picking up a knee injury in the lead up to Round 2 but has been named to potentially return to the side this weekend. Having played in the halves last year alongside Luke Brooks, Lolohea is certainly an option to replace Marshall if need be, or he may even return in to the team at fullback — as he did in his side's season-opening victory.
The good news also continues for Wests Tigers with young gun hooker listed as available for the first time this year. Liddle has not played for the club in 2018 as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery, and could find his way in to the final 17 for Easter Monday depending on how he goes throughout the week.
A member of the 2018 Emerging Blues squad, Liddle is one of the best young talents in the game and will no doubt offer plenty to the squad throughout the season with his dynamic ball running and attack.
For Parramatta, the news is not as good with star outside backs Jarryd Hayne (hip) and Bevan French (shoulder) both ruled out of the Easter Monday clash. They are replaced in the side by Will Smith and George Jennings, with Kirisome Auva'a shifting to centre in place of Hayne.
After picking up another head knock last week, Cameron King has been named in the reserves with Kaysa Pritchard set to start at hooker while Tony Williams replaces off-season recruit Kane Evans in the squad.
Peni Terepo also joins the interchange bench alongside Beau Scott and Kenny Edwards.
The traditional Easter Monday clash is always a high-octane affair between these two sides, and with a huge crowd expected at ANZ Stadium, this is definitely not a game to be missed!
WESTS TIGERS
1. Corey Thompson
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Pita Godinet
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence (capt.)
12. Robbie Rochow
13. Matt Eisenhuth
Interchange:
14. Matt McIlwrick
15. Alex Twal
16. Michael Chee Kam
17. Josh Aloiai
Reserves:
18. Tyson Gamble
19. Tim Grant
20. Jacob Liddle
21. Tuimoala Lolohea
Coach: Ivan Cleary
PARRAMATTA EELS
1. Will Smith
2. George Jennings
3. Michael Jennings
4. Kirisome Auva'a
5. Josh Hoffman
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Tim Mannah (capt.)
11. Manu Ma'u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange:
14. Beau Scott
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Peni Terepo
17. Tony Williams
Reserves:
18. Cameron King
19. Suaia Matagi
20. David Gower
21. Marata Nuikore
Coach: Brad Arthur
