Teams: Superstars return for blockbuster minor premiership showdown

With just four rounds left in the regular season, the race for spots inside both the NRL’s top-four and top-eight is as hot as ever.

Canterbury were bounced back to ninth last weekend after a narrow loss and now face a crunch showdown with South Sydney without gun forward Sitili Tupouniua.

On the flip side, the Rabbitohs will welcome back Campbell Graham from injury, but Latrell Mitchell remains sidelined despite training on Tuesday.

The battle for the minor premiership is on as well, with Thursday’s blockbuster between the Panthers and Roosters set to go a long way to deciding who takes it out.

Both premiership heavyweights will welcome back their respective fullbacks, but Penrith will be without co-captain Isaah Yeo due to a pectoral injury.

Elsewhere, the struggling Sea Eagles have made a change at fullback, while the Sharks will be without a key star due to suspension.

Nine.com.au has all the round 24 team news below.

Thursday

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Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters, CommBank Stadium (7.50pm)

Panthers team: 1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Izack Tago 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. Dylan Edwards 21. Jesse McLean 22. Kalani Leuluai-going

Panthers team news: Dylan Edwards (shoulder) is firming for a return after being named among the reserves. Isaah Yeo (pectoral) has been replaced by Lindsay Smith at lock, with Liam Henry named to start at prop. Jack Cogger is back at five-eighth after missing last weekend’s loss for personal reasons.

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. No other changes at this stage.

Friday

Manly Sea Eagles vs Dolphins, Brookvale Oval (6pm)

Sea Eagles team: 1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nicholas Lenaz 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Jackson Shereb 18. Josh Feledy 19. Hugo Hart 20. Onitoni Large 21. Caleb Navale 22. Blake Wilson

Sea Eagles team news: Clayton Faulalo (hamstring) returns at fullback, with Lehi Hopoate shifting to the wing and Blake Wilson dropping out. Nathan Brown starts in the front-row this week with Taniela Paseka (knee) sidelined. Still no sign of captain Tom Trbojevic (hamstring), who was scheduled to be back.

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. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Max Plath 15. Ray Stone 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Brad Schneider 19. Jake Averillo 20. Sebastian Su’a 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Brian Pouniu

Dolphins team news: Kurt Donoghoe (thumb) will miss the next fortnight, with Ray Stone (neck) returning on the bench in his place.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Accor Stadium (8pm)

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jethro Rinakama 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. Bronson Xerri 20. Jake Turpin 21. Jack Underhill 22. Sean O’Sullivan 23. Jonathan Sua

Bulldogs team news: Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) will miss the rest of the year, with rookie forward AJ Jones replacing him on the bench.

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. Adam Elliott 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Euan Aitken 18. Peter Mamouzelos 19. Edward Kosi 20. Jonah Glover 21. Liam Le Blanc 22. John Radel

Rabbitohs team news: Ashton Ward (hamstring) and Jamie Humphreys (ankle) are both out, so Jayden Sullivan starts at halfback and Peter Mamouzelos earns a recall on the six-man bench. Campbell Graham (calf) makes an early return from injury, forcing Jye Gray back to the bench with Matt Dufty still at fullback.

Saturday

Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders, Shark Park (3pm)

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Billy Burns 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Michael Gabrael 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Sharks team news: Addin Fonua-Blake (suspension) will be replaced by Oregon Kaufusi at prop, while KL Iro (concussion) returns at centre in place of the injured Jesse Ramien (pectoral). Siosifa Talakai (biceps) returns via the bench.

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Savelio Tamale 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Ata Mariota 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Roddy 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Vena Patuki-Case 19. Sebastian Kris 20. Coby Black 21. Sione Finau 22. Jordan Uta

Raiders team news: Corey Horsburgh has been axed by coach Ricky Stuart after his late-game “brain explosion” against the Knights, while centre Simi Sasagi (shoulder) is out injured. Savelio Tamale earns a recall in the backline, while Matty Nicholson has been named at back-row, with Ata Mariota moving to prop.

Parramatta Eels vs North QLD Cowboys, CommBank Stadium (5.30pm)

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. Dylan Walker 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Teancum Brown 17. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 18. Toni Mataele 19. Sean Russell 20. Kelma Tuilagi 21. Harrison Edwards 22. Ryley Smith

Eels team news: Apa Twidle replaces the injured Isaiah Iongi (knee) at fullback, while utility Dylan Walker is back after being rested in round 23.

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Jaxon Purdue 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. John Bateman 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Ethan King 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Mason Kira 22. Liam Sutton

Cowboys team news: Reed Mahoney (concussion) returns at hooker, pushing Soni Luke back to the bench. Tom Dearden (ankle) remains sidelined.

Brisbane Broncos vs New Zealand Warriors, Suncorp Stadium (7.35pm)

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Xavier Willison 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Pat Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Va’a Semu 18. Blake Mozer 19. Ben Talty 20. Gehamat Shibasaki 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Hayze Perham

Broncos team news: Adam Reynolds (concussion) remains sidelined, which means Tom Duffy keeps the halfback spot for another week.

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 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. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Adam Pompey 21. Morgan Gannon 22. Luke Hanson 23. Makaia Tafua

Warriors team news: Luke Metcalf retains the halfback spot after a stellar return against the Panthers last weekend. Demitric Vaimauga (ribs) is back on the bench.

Sunday

Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans, McDonald Jones Stadium (2pm)

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Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Cody Hopwood 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Lachlan Crouch 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Diesel Hagan 22. Toby Winter

Knights team news: Bradman Best and Phoenix Crossland are both back after missing last weekend with calf injuries.

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 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. Josh Patston 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Klese Haas 16. Cooper Bai 17. Bodhi Sharpley 18. Sam Verrills 19. Jaylan De Groot 20. Arama Hau 21. Sialetili Faeamani 22. Jett Liu

Titans team news: Lachlan Ilias has been named at halfback, with AJ Brimson shifting back to the centres. Bodhi Sharpley will make his debut off the bench.

Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons, CommBank Stadium (4.05pm)

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 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. Faaletino Tavana 20. Ethan Roberts 21. Javon Andrews 22. Charlie Murray

Tigers team news: Solomone Saukuru is set to make his NRL debut in place of Heamasi Makasini in the only major change after the round 23 bye.

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Toby Couchman 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Jacob Webster 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Josh Kerr 21. Blake Lawrie 22. Christian Tuipulotu

Dragons team news: Toby Couchman (concussion) returns on the bench, pushing Josh Kerr out of the 19. Mat Feagai (back) has been named on the six-man bench despite leaving the field last weekend, with Setu Tu on the wing.