By MARK CASHMAN

Northern Suburbs will be without their skipper Nick Palmer for their big 7TWO TV match of the round game against Southern Districts on Saturday.

Palmer had been named by head coach Earl Va’a earlier in the week to make his return in the second row against the Rebels but that was put on hold after setback at training midweek.

The former Waratah copped a head knock against the Hunter Wildfires at Bon Andrews Oval in Round Five and is following the strict medical protocols set down by the club’s medical staff.

Palmer was going to start the game, get some minutes under his belt and then be replaced by the in form Dave Henaway, fresh off the bench.

Henaway will now start and team with Declan Carroll who has grown immeasurably in his time stepping in to Palmer’s shows sin recent weeks, his defence a feature of his play.

The other late change to the Norths side for Saturday is the withdrawal of Reece Mau’u with a leg injury sustained against Gordon ands he has been replaced by Kepu Lokotui.

Va’a is wary of the dangers that Souths will present at set piece time.

“They have one of the best scrums in the competition and their lineout is first class,” Va’a said.

“That means that we will have to win our own ball at both scrum and lineout and then be aware of their big bodies that they will run at use.

“Defensively we have got to understand who we are defending against, whether that be against their tight forwards or when their playmakers dump the ball lout the back in attack.”

Souths coach Todd Louden said they were heading to Rat Park with an open mind.

“I’ve got to say that we a team that is playing with absolutely nothing to lose,” Louden said.

“Whether that makes us dangerous I’m not sure at this stage but we will turn up and give it a go and see what happens.

“We’ve got another run on debut in No.6 Damon Foley from our colts so as I have been telling you we are exposing a hell of a lot of guys to first grade footy which is great.”

The emphasis of much of the Souths game will be on their scrum with Tetera Faulkner, Andrew Tuala and Tim Metcher all starting.

Souths do have the ability to hang in games and they do take their opportunities.

Field position will be critical to the way that this game pans out because if Norths get pinned in their own red zone the scrum and the referee’s yellow card could come into play.

Va’a has been happy with the Norths scrum and the work of his props German Haeffeli and Dewald Dekker but this will be a huge test and a preview of what lies ahead in the finals.

Souths path to the finals will be dictated by the way that this game plays out, if they lose they could drop off the back of the top six peloton, it will be a great contest.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15):

German Haeffeli, James Margan, Dewald Dekker, Nick Palmer (c), Declan Carroll, Brad Hemopo, Charlie Jeavons-Fellows, Hugh Sinclair, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Cam Clark, Max Burey.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):

Tetera Faulkner, Andrew Tuala, Tim Metcher, Patrick Kuenzle, Jake Douglas, Damon Foley, James Finch, Sama Malolo, Cooper Chambers, Christian Kagiassis, Zak Hickey, Viliami Latu, Nathan Lawson, Deon Evans-Ao, Brandon Finnegan.

LAST TIME: Northern Suburbs W 35-28, June 1 2019.

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON