There are huge inclusions for both the Knights and Storm with superstar fullbacks Kalyn Ponga and Ryan Papenhuyzen both named to return.
The Eels have unveiled a pair of debutants to solve their injury crisis, while Craig Fitzgibbon has called upon Daniel Atkinson to fill a vacant wing spot.
Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles have unveiled their new look backline including Tom Trbojevic. See the Round 18 team lists below!
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THURSDAY
Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, 7:50pm AEST at CommBank Stadium
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Blaize Talagi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Shaun Lane 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Matt Doorey 17. Charlie Guymer 18. Daejarn Asi 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Morgan Harper 22. Luca Moretti
Analysis: Maika Sivo is sidelined due to a hamstring injury, with Jake Tago earning his NRL debut on the wing for the Eels. Back rower Charlie Guymer has also been named to make his first NRL appearance on the bench, with Makahesi Makatoa shifting to the extended reserves.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Cameron Murray 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Michael Chee Kam 18. Jye Gray 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Fletcher Myers 21. Adam Christensen 22. Thomas Fletcher
Analysis: Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray return from Origin dutires. Mitchell is a straight swap for Jye Gray at fullback who has been named as 18th man. Meanwhile, Murray will play in the backrow, with Keaon Koloamatangi retaining the lock position. Michael Chee Kam shifts to the bench.
FRIDAY
Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans, 6pm AEST at C.ex Coffs Harbour Stadium
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Daniel Atkinson 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Teig Wilton 18. Jesse Colquhoun 19. Tom Rodwell 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha 22. Jayden Berrell
Analysis: One change for the Sharks with Daniel Atkinson replacing Sione Katoa on the wing after he suffered delayed concussion symptoms and as such as stood down for 11 days.
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Josiah Pahulu 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Joe Stimson 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Ken Maumalo 22. Jaylan De Groot
Analysis: In a huge boost, AJ Brimson returns from a groin injury and have been named at five-eighth in the absence of Jayden Campbell who has been sidelined due to a hand injury. Beau Fermor has returned to the back row, with Jojo Fifita returning from illness which sees Phillip Sami move on position in, named in the centres. Moeaki Fotuaika also returns after Origin Game II which sees Josiah Pahulu shift to the bench. Jacob Alick and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui are the two players to drop out of the 17.
Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers, 8pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Deine Mariner 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Kobe Hetherington 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Tristan Sailor 19. Joshua Rogers 20. Cory Paix 21. Blake Mozer 22. Kotoni Staggs
Analysis: Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas all have been named after being rested after Origin Game II. Tristan Sailor drops out of the 17 with Walsh taking back his No.1 jersey. Carrigan’s return sees Kobe Hetherington shift to the back row to offset the loss of Jack Gosiewski (arm) while Payne Haas slots back into the front row. Kotoni Staggs is also out due to personal reasons, which sees Deine Mariner take over in the centres and Corey Oates named on the wing after battling a knee injury.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Brad Schneider 19. Luron Patea 20. Trent Toelau 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton
Analysis: Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin have all taken back their places in the side after being rested following Origin Game II. Isaah Yeo also shifts back into lock, with Luron Patea and Casey McLean shifting to the extended bench after their debuts in Round 17. Liam Henry, Daine Laurie and Matt Eisenhuth meanwhile remain on the pine.
Eels vow to climb off the bottom | 00:57
SATURDAY
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors, 3pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Jake Turpin 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Harry Hayes 23. Jack Todd
Analysis:Jeral Skelton is the man to make way after Connor Tracey returned from a concussion, with Jacob Kiraz shifting back to the wing and Tracey wearing the No.1 jersey. Blake Taaffe also drops to the extended bench, with Kurt Mann named in the No.14 jersey.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jackson Ford 18. Jacob Laban 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Leka Halasima
Analysis: The same 17 that played in Round 17 will take the field this week, however there’s been some reshuffling. Tohu Harris is named to start, Mitchell Barnett has been named at prop and Marata Niukore and Kurt Capewell in the back row with Jackson Ford on the bench.
Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm, 5:30pm AEST at Leichhardt Oval
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer 18. Reuben Porter 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomon Alaimalo 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Justin Olam
Analysis: Brent Naden has dropped out of the Tigers’ backline, with Solomona Faataape shifting to the centres and Charlie Staines returning on the wing. John Bateman, after playing off the bench last week, has also been named to start which sees Reuben Porter drop out of the 17 altogether. Heath Mason joins the bench, while Justin Olam could be a late inclusion as he eyes a return from a knee injury.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan 18. Reimis Smith 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Analysis: A huge boost for the Storm with Ryan Papenhuyzen returning at fullback. Sua Faalogo shifts to the bench, while Xavier Coates’ hamstring injury sees Kane Bradley named on the wing. Harry Grant has once again been rested, while Reimis Smith has been named in the No.18 after making his return via NSW Cup last weekend.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles, 7:35pm AEST at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 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. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jake Clifford 22. Jaxon Purdue
Analysis: In a huge boost for the Cowboys, Todd Payten has named all six of his State of Origin stars for this week’s clash. The returns of Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi and Tom Dearden means Jaxon Purdue, Braidon Burns and Jake Clifford all drop to the reserves. In the forwards, Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson and Jeremiah Nanai have all been named to start. As a result, Harrison Edwards, Sam McIntyre and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki drop to the bench. Jason Taumalolo remains in the starting side at prop.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lehi Hopoate 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Caleb Navale 22. Aitasi James
Analysis: In Reuben Garrick and Tom Trbojevic, Manly coach Anthony Seibold has a new centre pairing for his side’s match against the Cowboys. Garrick is returning from a concussion, while Trbojevic is being eased back from a hamstring injury via the centres. In his place, speedster Tolu Koula will line up at fullback, with Lehi Hopoate shifting to the bench. Elsewhere, Manly’s Origin trio, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu, are all back in the starting side, while Josh Aloiai returns from suspension in the front row.
HIA for Cotter questioned by NRL | 00:31
SUNDAY
Sydney Roosters vs St. George Illawarra Dragons, 2pm AEST at Allianz Stadium
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 14. Naufahu Whyte 15. Terrell May 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Siua Wong 20. Sandon Smith 21. Blake Steep 22. Salesi Foketi
Analysis: With Joey Manu out for the next month, Trent Robinson is running out of backline options. Veteran Michael Jennings will replace the Kiwi international this week, lining up alongside Sitili Tupouniua, who is filling in at centre for the second consecutive week. Lindsay Collins returns to the starting side, with Terrell May reverting back to the bench.
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Michael Molo 19. Fa’amanu Brown 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Jack Bird
Analysis: NSW Origin star Zac Lomax is back on deck after being rested for last week’s win due to a shoulder issue. He takes his place on the wing for Shane Flanagan’s side with Mat Feagai making way. Otherwise it’s a fairly settled 17 for the Dragons. Jack Bird is named in the reserves and could be a chance to return from an ankle injury this round.
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights, 4:05pm AEST at GIO Stadium
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Adam Cook 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru
Analysis: Ricky Stuart is continuing with the same experimental backline that took the field last week against the Storm. Adam Cook retains the halfback role and Kaeo Weekes is at fullback, with Jordan Rapana moved to the wing and Albert Hopoate in the centres. Last week’s debutant Jordan Martin is out with a head knock and he is replaced on Canberra’s bench by Simi Sasagi.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Thomas Cant
Analysis: A huge boost for the Newcastle Knights with star fullback Kalyn Ponga named for his first game since Round 7. His return pushes livewire fullback Fletcher Sharpe into the No.14 jersey. Leo Thompson (Achlles) and Dylan Lucas (hamstring), who both missed last week’s win over Parramatta, are back on deck for Adam O’Brien. Phoenix Crossland (concussion) is out, with Jayden Brailey named to start at hooker.
Bye: Dolphins.