SYDNEY - The Bulldogs' top two hopes have been dealt a blow with the news Queensland Origin prop Ben Hannant will be out until just before the NRL finals due to a hamstring injury.
Just two points ahead of third-placed Gold Coast with four rounds remaining, the Bulldogs will
have to make do without Hannant for the run in with Jarrad Hickey named as his replacement for Friday night's trip to Townsville to take on North Queensland.
The loss of Hannant comes just three weeks after he returned from a knee injury.
Meanwhile South Sydney's star recruit Michael Crocker will come into the starting pack to replace injured captain Roy Asotasi against the Titans.
Crocker will start at lock in a reshuffled pack with David Fa'alogo moving into the engine room after Asotasi was ruled out for the year with a knee injury sustained in their surprise 36-22 win over Manly on Saturday night.
With superstar Greg inglis stood down from all club duties, Melbourne have named Dane Nielsen as his replacement in the centres.
The Storm have rested Jeff Lima, bringing in Ryan Tandy for Monday night's clash with Newcastle.
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has switched halfback Tim Moltzen back to fullback to replace Shannon Gallant, who will miss through a calf injury.
The move has opened the door for teenager Robert Lui to make his NRL debut alongside Benji Marshall in the halves for Sunday's meeting with Cronulla.
Canberra will welcome back NSW forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs from a knee injury, and have named Joe Picker on the bench, while youngster Shaun Fensom and Glen Turner have been left out of the team to face St George Illawarra on Saturday.
The Warriors will again be without captain Steve Price, who is still battling a rib injury, when they take on Parramatta on Saturday night.
But Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Evarn Tuimavave had done well to work his way back from injury.
"We didn't start well against the Titans but our bench players did a good job getting us back into the game when they came on," he said.
"Evarn has come back really well in his late start to the season."
Dragons coach Wayne Bennett has named a six-man bench as cover for Justin Poore and Beau Scott, the pair to front the NRL judiciary on tonight to fight dangerous throw charges.
- AAP
The Bulldogs will be without prop Ben Hannant until just before the finals. Photo / Getty Images
SYDNEY - The Bulldogs' top two hopes have been dealt a blow with the news Queensland Origin prop Ben Hannant will be out until just before the NRL finals due to a hamstring injury.
Just two points ahead of third-placed Gold Coast with four rounds remaining, the Bulldogs will
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