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Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is set to rest several stars for Thursday’s clash with Canterbury to freshen them up for the finals.
The premiers’ top-four chances are all but over after back-to-back extra-time losses so Cleary is considering resting his son Nathan as well as the likes of Origin stars Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo, who made an early return from a shoulder injury last week.
Once word leaked of the Panthers’ intentions, Canterbury have rocketed from outsiders to heavy favourites with the bookmakers with the NRL Integrity Unit aware of a betting plunge on the Bulldogs which they will investigate.
Wests Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi’s season has come to a premature end after copping a knock early in their loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Adam Doueihi is off to hospital after suffering suspected facial fractures around his eye socket and cheekbone.
Brutal mechanism copping an accidental knee to the face – could see what appeared to be bony depressions/deformity as he came off.
If fractures confirmed is likely… pic.twitter.com/9Tycu0DJw8
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 24, 2025
Doueihi was taken to hospital with what scans revealed to be multiple cheekbone fracture after a tackle on Jason Taumalolo went wrong. Back-up half Latu Fainu also failed to finish the match, replaced in the dying stages after a head knock and he too could be out of the Round 26 trip to Canberra.
Melbourne are expected to be boosted by the early return of Jahrome Hughes from a shoulder injury but captain Harry Grant has accepted an enforced two-week break after Melbourne’s hard-fought win over Canterbury.
Grant was given a three-week suspension, but had it reduced to two weeks with an early plea on Monday, for a shoulder charge on Canterbury’s Harry Hayes.
Melbourne still have two tough top-eight encounters to complete their regular season. They host the Sydney Roosters on Friday night before a Thursday clash against the Broncos in Brisbane.
Canterbury forward Jacob Preston has copped a fine of $1000-$1500 for dangerous contact while Raiders second-rower Hudson Young will be pinged $1800-$2500 for the same offence.
Titans centre Phil Sami was fined $750-$1000 for a careless high shot on Warriors opposite number Rocco Berry.
Cowboys hooker Reece Robson and Tigers forward Tony Sukkar are facing $1000-$1500 fines for careless high tackles in North Queensland’s win over Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
Round 26 teams
All times AEST
Bulldogs vs Panthers at Accor Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday August 28
Bulldogs: Second-rower Jacob Preston has avoided a ban despite being charged with dangerous contact in their 20-14 loss to Melbourne,
Panthers: Ivan Cleary is set to rest several stars from the line-up which went down in extra time to Canberra.
Warriors vs Eels at Go Media Stadium: 6pm, Friday August 29
Warriors: No changes expected from Andrew Webster. Jackson Ford is out suspended for another two more rounds.
Eels: Jason Ryles is unlikely to risk Sean Russell (hand) and Kitione Kautoga (syndesmosis) in the last two rounds.
Storm vs Roosters at AAMI Park: 8pm, Friday August 29
Storm: Tyran Wishart will make way for Jahrome Hughes’ return at halfback while Bronson Garlick is set to be elevated to starting hooker with Harry Grant suspended.
Roosters: Sandon Smith is set to partner Hugo Savala in the halves with Sam Walker in the concussion protocols after a category-one incident early in Saturday’s loss to Parramatta.
Daniel Tupou was sidelined with a concussion and should be right to return.
Sam Walker won’t return tonight after suffering a concussion.
Deemed to have shown Category 1 signs (balance disturbance/motor incoordination) – will enter concussion protocols with associated 11 day stand down period meaning he is highly likely to miss next week too.
In rare… pic.twitter.com/foZkaPQgJn
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 23, 2025
Raiders vs Tigers at GIO Stadium: 3pm, Saturday August 30
Raiders: Xavier Savage is in doubt with a shoulder injury with fellow winger Savelio Tamale (knee) a chance to replace him.
Tigers: Adam Doueihi (cheekbone) is out and Latu Fainu (head knock) in doubt.
Dragons vs Sea Eagles at Jubilee Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday August 30
Dragons: Hamish Stewart, Jack De Belin and Hame Sele should be right to return from concussions while Michael Molo (ankle) and Jaydn Su’A (knee) are maybes.
Sea Eagles: Jake Trbojevic (concussion) remains sidelined, with the Sea Eagles unlikely to play him again in 2025.
Cowboys vs Broncos at QCB Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday August 30
Cowboys: Murray Taulagi is a chance to make a comeback from a thigh injury.
Broncos: Michael Maguire is likely to stick with the winning combination which dismantled the Knights.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Sharks vs Knights at Shark Park: 2pm, Sunday August 31
Knights: Veteran forward Adam Elliott is an outside chance of suiting up for the final two rounds after recovering from a biceps tear.
Dolphins vs Titans at Suncorp Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday August 31
Dolphins: Kodi Nikorima was a late withdrawal from the loss to Manly due to an illness.
Titans: Des Hasler won’t get any fresh troops back on deck as they desperately try to avoid the wooden spoon.
Bye – Rabbitohs
with AAP