With the minor premiership locked up, Craig Bellamy will rest a whopping 11 first choice players against the Cowboys, with a shock name given the nod at halfback.
A Roosters star has been ruled out in a cruel injury blow on the eve of the finals.
Meanwhile, one of the NRL’s best is close to returning, with the Sharks naming Nicho Hynes in their extended squad.
THURSDAY
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm, 7:50pm AEST at QLD Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Tomas Chester 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Braidon Burns
Analysis: The Cowboys welcome back two studs from injury in the form of Jason Taumalolo and Jeremiah Nanai. That pushes Kulikefu Finefeuaki and Sam McIntyre to the bench.
Melbourne team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Grant Anderson 8. Lazarus Vaalepu 9. Tyran Wishart 10. Christian Welch 11. Kane Bradley 12. Joe Chan 13. Alec MacDonald 14. Keagan Russell-Smith 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Ativalu Lisati 17. Tristan Powell 18. Coby Williamson 19. Ammaron Gudgeon 20. Josh King 21. Trent Loiero 22. Nick Meaney
Analysis: With the minor premiership locked up, he Storm are set to rest 11 players for their clash against the Cowboys. Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Eli Katoa, Tui Kamikamica, Jack Howarth, Will Warbrick, Nick Meaney, Josh King, Shawn Blore and Trent Loiero will have a week off. Strangely, outside back Grant Anderson has been named at halfback alongside Cam Munster. Prop Lazarus Vaalepu comes into the starting side. The Storm will unleash three debutants in Ativalu Lisati, Tristan Powell and Keagan Russell-Smith.
FRIDAY
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles, 6:00pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Eli Clark 20. Jack Underhill 21. Drew Hutchison 22. Blake Taaffe 23. Lipoi Hopoi
Analysis: Just as they did when Stephen Crichton was in Origin camp, Jacob Kiraz moves into the centres to replace the suspended skipper. Tigers-bound Jeral Skelton comes into the side and will play on the wing. Josh Curran returns in a huge boost after missing last week’s win against the Warriors with a shoulder injury. Kurt Mann is set for a sideline stint after breaking his collarbone. He’s been replaced at lock in the starting side by Jaeman Salmon.
Sea Eagles team:1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Tolutau Koula 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Karl Lawton 20. Jamie Humphreys 21. Clayton Faulalo 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Analysis: Tolutau Koula will start on the bench with Tommy Talau returning from a pec injury. Hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong has been dropped to the extended bench, with prop Matt Lodge returning from nearly four months out with injury. Corey Waddell will miss the last two games of the regular season (suspension).
Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs, 8:00pm AEST at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Daine Laurie 20. Casey McLean 21. Luron Patea 22. Luke Sommerton
Analysis: Paul Alamoti and Sunia Turuva return back in the centre and wing positions respectively, forcing Casey McLean and Daine Laurie onto the extended bench. The Panthers will be significantly bolstered by the addition of hooker Mitch Kenny who also pushes Luke Sommerton to the extended bench.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Tyrone Munro 3. Taane Milne 4. Fletcher Myers 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Jacob Host 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Siliva Havili 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Brock Gray 21. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 22. Richard Kennar
Analysis:Cody Walker returns from his week off due to the NRL’s concussion 11-day stand down policy. The Rabbitohs have also named Cameron Murray, although he heads to the judiciary on Tuesday night in the hopes of a downgrade to his Grade 2 Careless High Tackle Charge. Siliva Havili comes onto the bench for an injured Shaq Mitchell (calf).
SATURDAY
Parramatta Eels v St George Illawarra Dragons, 3:00pm AEST at CommBank Stadium
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Dan Keir 18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Morgan Harper 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Analysis: Forward Luca Moretti returns from a quad injury on the bench, pushing Jake Tago to 18th man.
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Toby Couchman 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. Mikaele Ravalawa 20. Michael Molo 21. Connor Muhleisen 22. Moses Suli
Analysis: Shane Flanagan made two changes to his side defeated by the Sharks on the weekend, with Mosese Suli returning on the extended bench, and Raymond Faitala-Mariner’s exceptional performance in NSW Cup helping him find his way back onto the bench. The veteran forward replaces young half Lyhkan King-Togia.
Dolphins v Brisbane Broncos, 5:30pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Kenny Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone 14. Mason Teague 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Tesi Niu 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Tevita Pangai Junior 20. Trai Fuller 21. Anthony Milford 22. Jeremy Marshall-King
Analysis: The Dolphins will be missing five-eighth Kodi Nikorima and prop Jesse Bromwich with the pair stood down after suffering concussions last weekend. Sean O’Sullivan replaces Nikorima in the halves with Mark Nicholls to start in the front row. Jeremy Marshall-King is nearing a return, with the talented hooker named on the extended bench where he will be given every chance play this weekend in a must-win clash.
Broncos team: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Benjamin Te Kura 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Corey Oates 21. Cory Paix 22. Payne Haas
Analysis: The big selection news for the Broncos is star forward Payne Haas being named in the extended squad. Hulking prop Ben Te Kura comes onto the bench. The rookie hasn’t been seen in first grade since Round 5. No sign of when Reece Walsh will return from a hand injury.
Cronulla Sharks v New Zealand Warriors, 7:35pm AEST at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Siosifa Talakai 4. Kayal Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Chris Veaila 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Billy Burns 22. Nicho Hynes
Analysis: Cronulla fans have been awaiting the return of superstar halfback Nicho Hynes from an ankle injury and that could come this week after he was named in the reserves. Siosifa Talakai, however, looks to be a certain starter after overcoming a calf niggle. His return eases the pain of losing Jesse Ramien to a one-game suspension. Sione Katoa returns from a head knock, but there’s no sign of Ronaldo Mulitalo, who was a late scratching last week due to a flare-up of a pre-existing knee injury. That means rookie Sam Stonestreet retains a spot on the wing.
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Demitric Sifakula 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Leka Halasima 21. Edward Kosi 22. Paul Roache 23. Jacob Laban
Analysis: With Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Adam Pompey out due to a concussion and knee injury respectively, coach Andrew Webster has been forced to reshuffle his backline. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shifts to centre with Taine Tuaupiki named at fullback following a huge game in NSW Cup last week. Ali Leiataua has also been named in the centres. Given the Warriors have the bye in Round 27, this will be Shaun Johnson’s final NRL game as well as Jazz Tevaga and Addin Fonua-Blake’s final games for the club.
SUNDAY
Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans, 2:00pm AEST at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Brodie Jones 13. Adam Elliott 14. Will Pryce 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Thomas Cant 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Jackson Hastings 21. David Armstrong 22. Thomas Jenkins
Analysis: In a big boost for the Knights, star centre Bradman Best returns from a hamstring injury. His addition pushes Dylan Lucas to the second row to replace Tyson Frizell, who is sidelined under the NRL’s concussion protocols. Also joining him on the sideline is Kai Pearce-Paul, who suffered a nasty laceration to his leg last week. He is replaced in the second row by Brodie Jones with Tom Cant joining the bench after a strong performance in NSW Cup last week.
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Josiah Pahulu 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Joe Stimson 21. Arama Hau 22. Jaylan De Groot
Analysis: Phillip Sami returns from injury and is a straight swap in the centres for AJ Brimson, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season on Tuesday as he prepares to undergo groin surgery. Josiah Pahulu is also back on deck after overcoming an abductor injury and replaces Keenan Palasia on the bench.
Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders, 4:05pm at Allianz Stadium
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Robert Toia 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Analysis: Coach Trent Robinson has been forced once again to replace Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the pack after the enforcer copped a three-game suspension for a high tackle. Spencer Leniu has been named in his place with Naufahu Whyte joining the bench. Star centre Joseph Aukuso-Sua’ali’i is out after suffering a shoulder injury last week and is replaced by veteran Michael Jennings. Meanwhile, Brandon Smith returns at hooker and Connor Watson is back on deck after missing last week due to a concussion. Zach Dockar-Clay makes way for Smith, while Watson has been named on the bench with Sandon Smith dropping to the reserves.
Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Ata Mariota 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Jed Stuart 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. Adam Cook 22. Trey Mooney
Analysis: After making switches before kick-off last week, Josh Papali’i and Tom Starling have been named to start with Corey Horsburgh and Danny Levi on the bench in the only changes made by coach Ricky Stuart.
