Around the Ground with Rosso

Michael Crocker returns for the Melbourne Storm on Friday Night when they take on the Cronulla Sharks at Olympic Park. It will be his first appearance since being suspended against South Sydney in Round Nine at Telstra Stadium.

He has been named on a five man bench, which includes Garrett Crossman who returns from a shoulder injury replacing Ben Cross who has been ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury.

Ben Pomeroy, who moved to the Sutherland Shire from Penrith at the beginning of 2006, will make his second appearance for the Sharks this season against the Storm. He will replace Dragons-bound Beau Scott, who has been dropped by coach Stuart Raper after a poor performance against the Roosters last week.

Young Sharks fullback Toshio Laiseni will return to First Grade this week after being ruled out just before kick off last weekend through injury. He will replace former Bronco Leon Bott who took Laiseni?s place in the line-up. Incredibly, Bott was also injured in that match suffering a knee problem.

The Bulldogs have one change in their line-up for their clash with the Roosters on Saturday night. Cameron Phelps, who suffered a shoulder injury against the Dragons last weekend is sidelined with Andrew Emilio taking his place on the wing. New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams will move to the centres with Chris Armit returning from injury on the bench.

Ryan Cross will move back to the centres this weekend as he replaces Craig Wing who assumes the hooking role. Sam Perrett will play his second game in a row in the top grade slotting on to the wing. Former Origin star Brett Finch will start the match against the Bulldogs from the bench.

Todd Lowrie returns for Newcastle on the bench as they look to confirm their position in the top eight.

The Rabbitohs have a couple of injury worries leading in to the match with the MacDougall brothers both sidelined (Luke a fractured thumb, Adam with a virus). Germaine Paulson and Paul Mellor come in to the side in their respective positions. Giant prop Scott Geddes returns to the starting line-up with Manase Manuokafoa reverting to the bench.

Ty Williams will miss the Cowboys? all-important Queensland derby fixture with the Broncos on Saturday night. Queensland State of Origin III representative Josh Hannay will replace him in the centres. Young halfback Brent McConnell has been dropped with Thurston shifting in to the halfback role and captain Travis Norton moving to five-eighth. David Faiumu and Gold Coast bound Gavin Cooper both return to the squad with former centre Paul Bowman making a rare appearance at lock.

Brisbane, who are fresh off the bye have dropped halfback Shane Perry and replaced him with 2005 regular Brett Seymour. Coach Wayne Bennett has named a 6 man bench that includes Greg Eastwood and Casey McGuire who are on standby. Queensland centre Justin Hodges plays his first game for the Broncos since injuring a hamstring in the side?s record breaking win at Brookvale Oval in round 16.

Former Sharks prop Keith Galloway returns for the Tigers as the premiers look to break back in to the top eight with just seven rounds remaining before the finals series. New South Wales fullback, Brett Hodgson, will shift to five-eighth with exciting youngster Shannon McDonnell moving back to fullback. Daniel Fitzhenry will switch back to his normal position on the wing. Hooker Robbie Farah will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness for the Sunday afternoon blockbuster.

The Eels have named an unchanged line-up from the won that defeated the Warriors over in New Zealand by 20-12 on Saturday night. The Eels will be looking to continue their good form against the Tigers of late as earlier this season when these two clubs met it was the Eels that came away with the points by a dozen.

Canberra coach Matthew Elliot has also named an unchanged team for their clash with the Dragons on Sunday at Canberra Stadium. Hooker Lincoln Withers will play just his second game against his former club since being released there at the end of 2004.

The Dragons have shocked followers by naming utility back Ben Hornby in the centres in replace of Mark Gasnier who has been given a week off with a calf strain. Clint Greenshields returns to the top grade since being dropped by coach Nathan Brown after the Dragons uninspired ten point victory over the Rabbitohs in Round 18. Experienced forwards Jason Ryles and Dean Young return to the side?s forward pack while captain Trent Barrett returns from a six game suspension after a shoulder charge gone wrong in the side?s victory in Newcastle almost two months ago.

Manly fans were given a scare towards the closing stages of the side?s narrow victory at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night, when captain Ben Kennedy hobbled off with a knee injury. He has been cleared to play, however, against the Panthers on Sunday afternoon. Des Hasler this afternoon named an unchanged side for the club?s clash with the 9th placed Panthers.

Penrith captain Craig Gower returns from injury for the Panthers as the club looks to continue a two match winning streak. Papua New Guinean pocket rocket Paul Aiton has been left out of the squad with his place taken by back rower Matthew Bell.

The Warriors have the week off to ponder on what might have slipped away in the side?s important loss to the Eels at Mount Smart on Saturday night.