The Panthers are set for a huge boost with star halfback Nathan Cleary set to take the field for the first time since Round 10.
Almost every coach will have a big decision to make regarding their Origin stars, with Kevin Walters in particular set to make a big call.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are set to welcome back their key playmakers while the Sea Eagles can breathe a sigh of relief.
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FRIDAY
Canberra Raiders v Warriors, 8pm AEST at GIO Stadium
Raiders Round 18 team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 20. Adam Cook 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 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. Jordan Martin 18. Simi Sasagi
Team Tips: A massive boost for the Raiders, with halfback Jamal Fogarty expected back from his bicep injury this week. Fogarty’s return will see Adam Cook drop out of the side, with Kaeo Weekes likely retain the fullback jersey and Jordan Rapana shifting to the wing. Seb Kris was 18th man in Round 18 and could line up in the centres against the Warriors. Zac Hosking is also due to return from a shoulder injury and is set to replace Jordan Martin on the bench.
Warriors Round 18 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 15. Dylan Walker 14. Freddy Lussick 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jackson Ford 23. Leka Halasima
Team Tips: Round 20 might come too soon for Warriors Origin stars Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell, who may be rested after a gruelling decider at Suncorp. Jackson Ford will likely replace Capewell in the back row, with Jazz Tevaga or Bunty Afoa starting at prop. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Marcelo Montoya were unable to finish their Round 18 loss to the Bulldogs but are expected to back up. However, both Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) and Tohu Harris (wrist) are out, with Taine Tuaupiki and Dylan Walker expected to start in their place. Leka Halasima could remain on the bench after impressing against the Bulldogs. He could be joined by one of Jacob Laban and Tom Ale.
DCE ‘excited’ to let Ponga ‘just play’ | 01:57
SATURDAY
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers, 3pm AEST at Industree Group Stadium
Rabbitohs team last week: 1. Jye Gray 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. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Le Blanc
Tigers team last week: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Alexander Lobb 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Fonua Pole 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 17. Reuben Porter 23. Alex Seyfarth
Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos, 5:30pm AEST at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights team last week: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Krystian Mapapalangi 3. Dylan Lucas 4. Thomas Cant 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker 18. Jack Hetherington
Team Tips: With Kalyn Ponga being picked in the Maroons team, Fletcher Sharpe may yet again return to fullback depending on how Ponga pulls up after the decider. Enari Tuala is also expected to remain sidelined with a calf injury. Coach Adam O’Brien will also be sweating on the return of fellow Origin stars Dane Gagai and Bradman Best with the centre duo much-needed as the Knights look to bounce back from their 44-6 thumping to Manly. Both players should be good to go for Newcastle, however Dylan Lucas and Thomas Cant may have to remain as the club’s centre pairing for one more game.
Broncos team last week: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Joshua Rogers 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 15. Kobe Hetherington 13. Tyson Smoothy 14. Blake Mozer 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau
Team Tips: Reece Walsh will run out on Origin duties Wednesday with Tristan Sailor on standby take over at fullback, while fellow Origin representatives Patrick Carrigan, Selwyn Cobbo and Payne Haas will also hope to get through the Decider unscathed. Kevin Walters revealed he will have to make an analytical decision regarding if that trio back-up, however with the club’s finals hopes on the ropes, it looms likely they will play in a bid to secure a much-needed victory. Kobe Hetherington and Xavier Willison could again take their spots at prop and lock should they be sidelined. Jock Madden is also expected to remain sidelined with a hamstring injury in a horror halfback blow, with Josh Rogers the man to once again take over in the No.7 jersey until Adam Reynolds returns.
Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters, 7:35pm AEST at AAMI Park
Storm team Round 18: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 10. Josh King 9. Bronson Garlick 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eli Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 8. Tui Kamikamica 14 Sua Fa’alogo 15. Christian Welch 19. Alec McDonald 17. Joe Chan
Team Tips:Harry Grant is highly unlikely to take the field off the back of the Origin series decider, battling an ongoing sternum injury. Bronson Garlick, his replacement, is also in doubt due to a back injury. Nick Meaney is set to return in the centres, with Grant Anderson the likely man to shift one wider to replace Kane Bradley on the wing. Nelson Asofa-Solomona could also be in doubt due to a hamstring issue.
Roosters Round 18 team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dom 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 18. Ethan King 15. Terrell May 16. Nat Butcher17. Spencer Leniu
Team Tips: The Roosters’ Origin contingent of Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu are all in doubt considering the club’s position on the ladder. Crichton and Collins are the most likely two to sit out, however Trent Robinson could be short on middle forwards with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves also being hit with a four-game suspension. Naufuha Whyte or Sitili Tupouniua will join the bench, with Joseph Suaalii returning on the outside backs. Should Crichton be sidelined, Butcher is the likely man to take the edge spot while Terrell May is also a strong chance of being named in the starting side.
Blues guns prepare for ‘chaotic’ Suncorp | 11:21
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SUNDAY
Penrith Panthers v Dolphins, 2pm AEST at Bluebet Stadium
Panthers Round 18 team: 1. Dylan Edwards 14. Daine Laurie 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti
5. Brian To’o 18. Brad Schneider 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 6. Jack Cole 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matthew Eisenhuth
Team Tips: In a huge boost for Penrith, Nathan Cleary is expected to make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury. He will slot straight back in at halfback, with Jarome Luai moving to five-eighth and Brad Schneider dropping to the reserves, should Luai back up from Origin. If Ivan Cleary decides to rest his Origin stars, as he did after Game II, Schneider will likely partner Cleary in the halves. Elsewhere, if Cleary rests his Origin contingent, Daine Laurie will likely start at fullback and Casey McLean on the wing, with Liam Henry starting in the back row for Liam Martin. Isaah Yeo was utilised off the bench following Game II and the same tactic could be deployed, with Matt Eisenhuth starting at No.13.
Dolphins team last week: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Sean O’Sullivan
Team Tips:Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could be back on deck following Game III, pushing Trai Fuller to the reserves if the Dolphins marquee man backs up. Euan Aitken suffered a ruptured peck last time out against the Rabbitohs, meaning his season is over. Felise Kaufusi is a chance of slotting into his backrow spot, while Josh Kerr could also put his hand up. Elsewhere, Kodi Nikorima suffered a sternum injury but Wayne Bennett was confident he will be free to take the field after 10 days of rest.
Manly Sea Eagles v Gold Coast Titans 4:05pm AEST at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles team last week: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Nathan Brown 14. Clayton Faulalo 15. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 16. Ethan Bullemor 18. Caleb Navale 21. Ben Condon
Team Tips:Reuben Garrick left the field after 63 minutes of Manly’s win over the Knights, though the The Daily Telegraph has revealed his omission was only down to him battling an illness, not injury. Anthony Seibold will likely name Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic to return after Origin duties, with impressive debutant Jamie Humphreys dropping to the reserves and Nathan Brown shifting to the bench. Ben Trbojevic missed Round 19 with concussion but will be back this week, however he may find it hard to displace Karl Lawton in the backrow who was impressive against the Knights. Should Lawton shift back to the bench, Gordon Cham Kum Tong is unlikely to remain on the pine due to Lawton’s utility value.
Titans team last week: 18. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 17. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Josiah Pahulu 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 4. Beau Fermor 11. David Fifita 13. Chris Randall 1. Keano Kini 12. Klese Haas 14. Isaac Liu 16. Keenan Palasia
Team Tips: No changes expected for the Titans who enjoyed an impressive win over the Eels. AJ Brimson was named to return at fullback from a groin injury, shifting Keano Kini to the bench and the young gun will likely remain on the pine whilst Brimson and Jayden Campbell are firing.
North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury Bulldogs, 6:15pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys Round 18 team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Villiami 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
Team Tips: Todd Payten opted to rest his Origin stars following Game II and could do the same this weekend. Should he do so, Jaxon Purdue, Jake Clifford, Harrison Edwards, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Sam McIntyre could all return to the starting side, with Val Holmes, Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter all rested. Murray Taulagi was ruled out of the decider with a hamstring injury meaning Braidon Burns will likely come onto the wing.
Bulldogs Round 18 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. Sam Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 13. Bailey Hayward
15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi
Team Tips: Prop Max King will miss the Bulldogs’ run home with a wrist fracture. It’s a major blow for the Bulldogs, who are light on middle forwards as is. Poasa Faamausili is King’s likeliest replacement. Jaeman Salmon is out with a fractured jaw, with Jacob Preston expected to slot straight back into the Bulldogs’ starting side. Stephen Crichton is an almost certainty to back up after doing so following Game II on the shortest possible back-up.
BYE: Dragons, Eels, Sharks