Teams: Superstars set to return, injury drama derail top-eight teams
Tom Trbojevic is set to play this weekend in a bid to keep Manly’s slim finals hopes alive, with the star fullback named to return from a hamstring injury.
The captain hasn’t played since round 20 when he limped off against the Titans and during his absence, the Sea Eagles have failed to win a game.
Tom Trbojevic. Getty
Manly remain two wins outside the top-eight and will need to win all of their remaining fixtures, while also relying on other results to make the finals.
Elsewhere, the struggling Wests Tigers have been dealt a fresh blow, with Adam Doueihi undergoing surgery for his troublesome shoulder.
South Sydney have made a call on Latrell Mitchell, while their cross-town rivals the Roosters will welcome back James Tedesco this weekend.
Cronulla have also named a replacement for Braydon Trindall.
Nine.com.au has all the team news for round 25 below.
Thursday
Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers, AAMI Park (7.50pm)
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Trent Toelau 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Angus Hinchey 17. Cooper Clarke 18. Joe Chan 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Davvy Moale 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Hayden Watson
Storm team news: Harry Grant (hamstring) returns at hooker, pushing Tyran Wishart back to the bench. Jack Howarth (shoulder) is also back on deck and will replace Joe Chan at centre, while Alec MacDonald (concussion) has been named to come off the bench. Trent Toelau will play halfback in place of Hayden Watson.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Liam Henry 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Luron Patea 17. Billy Phillips 18. Jack Cole 19. Blaize Talagi 20. Jaxen Edgar 21. Luke Garner 22. Jesse McLean
Panthers team news: Casey McLean (hand) returns at centre, offsetting the absence of Paul Alamoti (hamstring) in the only major change.
Friday
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos, GIO Stadium (6pm)
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Ata Mariota 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Roddy 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Daine Laurie 18. Vena Patuki-Case 19. Savelio Tamale 20. Coby Black 21. Sebastian Kris 22. Jayden Brailey
Raiders team news: Simi Sasagi (shoulder) returns at centre, pushing Savelio Tamale to the bench. Morgan Smithies (concussion) is sidelined, with Ata Mariota named to start at lock. Corey Horsburgh has been recalled on the bench.
Reece Walsh won’t play again this season. NRL Imagery
Broncos team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Ben Hunt 8. Xavier Willison 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Va’a Semu 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Gehamat Shibasaki 20. Ben Talty 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Luke Gale
Broncos team news: Reece Walsh (ankle) won’t play again this season and will be replaced by Hayze Perham at fullback. Tom Duffy has been axed after last week’s heavy defeat, replaced by Ben Hunt at halfback.
Dolphins vs Parramatta Eels, Suncorp Stadium (8pm)
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Ray Stone 15. Francis Molo 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Brian Pouniu 18. Brad Schneider 19. Jake Averillo 20. Tevita Naufahu 21. John Fineanganofo 22. Sam Elliott
Dolphins team news: Connelly Lemuelu (hamstring) is sidelined, with Max Plath named to start in the back-row.
Max Plath has a new role this week. Getty Images
Eels team: 1. Apa Twidle 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Teancum Brown 17. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 18. Sean Russell 19. Kelma Tuilagi 20. Araz Nanva 21. Ryda Talagi 22. Ryley Smith
Eels team news: Jack de Belin has been named at lock, with rookie Saxon Pryke going to the bench. Dylan Walker is missing again after returning in round 24.
Saturday
Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles, McDonald Jones Stadium (3pm)
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Cody Hopwood 16. Lachlan Crouch 17. Thomas Cant 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Toby Winter 20. Diesel Hagan 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Elijah Leaumoana
Knights team news: Bradman Best (calf) returns to fill the void left by Dane Gagai (hamstring) in the centres, while Jacob Saifiti (hamstring) is also back on deck. Francis Manuleleua is missing, with Tyson Frizell named in the back-row.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Clayton Faulalo 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nicholas Lenaz 16. Corey Waddell 17. Caleb Navale 18. Josh Feledy 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Onitoni Large 21. Jackson Shereb 22. Blake Wilson
Sea Eagles team news: Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) returns at fullback, pushing Clayton Faulalo to five-eighth in place of young gun Joey Walsh (broken jaw). Ben Trbojevic (concussion) has been cleared and starts in the back-row.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors, Accor Stadium (5.30pm)
Latrell Mitchell has been sidelined for multiple months. Getty
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Peter Mamouzelos 19. Edward Kosi 20. Jonah Glover 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Latrell Mitchell
Rabbitohs team news: Latrell Mitchell (calf/back) has been named in the No.22 jersey as he looks to make his long-awaited return from injury. If he is cleared to play, expect Tallis Duncan to shift to the back-row. Adam Elliott (groin) has been sidelined again after limping off early in last week’s win.
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Luke Hanson 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Adam Pompey 20. Morgan Gannon 21. Jett Cleary 22. Luke Laulilii 23. Makaia Tafua
Warriors team news: Luke Hanson comes into the halves in place of Luke Metcalf, who is again sidelined with a hamstring injury. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (suspension) will miss the next two games, with Taine Tuaupiki at fullback.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Allianz Stadium (7.35pm)
Bronson Xerri has earned a recall. NRL Imagery
Dragons team: 1. Daniel Atkinson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Emre Guler 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Damien Cook 15. Toby Couchman 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Jacob Webster 18. Setu Tu 19. Josh Kerr 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Luciano Leilua 22. Kade Reed
Dragons team news: Clint Gutherson (knee) remains sidelined, with Daniel Atkinson holding on to the fullback spot after a strong performance against the Tigers last weekend. Kade Reed (hand) has been named among the reserves.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Enari Tuala 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Alekolasimi Jones 19. Jake Turpin 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Jed Reardon 22. Jonathan Sua 23. Jack Underhill
Bulldogs team news: Bronson Xerri earns a recall in the centres, with Enari Tuala moving to the wing and Jethro Rinakama (knee) sidelined.
Sunday
Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks, Cbus Super Stadium (2pm)
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Cooper Bai 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Klese Haas 16. Chris Randall 17. Bodhi Sharpley 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Sialetili Faeamani 20. Adam Christensen 21. Jett Liu 22. Tony Francis
Titans team news: Arama Hau returns in the back-row, replacing Josh Patston (concussion). Cooper Bai has been promoted to the starting lock role.
Braydon Trindall leaves the field with a shoulder injury. Fox League
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Niwhai Puru 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Liam Ison 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Toby Rudolf
Sharks team news: Braydon Trindall (shoulder) has been sidelined, with Niwahi Puru named to replace him at five-eighth. Addin Fonua-Blake (suspension) returns at prop, with Oregon Kaufusi shifting to bench.
Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers, Allianz Stadium (4.05pm)
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Billy Smith 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Nat Butcher 17. Egan Butcher 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Rex Bassingthwaighte 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Taylor Losalu
Roosters team news: James Tedesco (ankle) returns at fullback, pushing Cody Ramsey to the six-man bench in the only change for the ladder-leaders.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Twal 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tristan Hope 19. Sunia Turuva 20. Javon Andrews 21. Charlie Murray 22. Faaletino Tavana
Tigers team news: Adam Doueihi (shoulder) has undergone surgery and won’t play again this season, with Jock Madden named at halfback. Alex Twal (illness) returns at lock, with Sione Fainu dropping back to the bench. Sunia Turuva (knee) left the field last weekend, but has been named on the six-man bench.
