Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has rested a staggering 16 players for Thursday’s clash with Canterbury in an attempt 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 has chosen to rest virtually the entire squad that went down to the Raiders in Mudgee.
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.
Melbourne have followed a similar path, resting Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Eli Katoa and Josh King for the game against the Roosters.
While Brisbane’s star halfback Adam Reyolds is an outside chance of returning from a hamstring injury and is listed as a reserve, as is former Wallabies playmaker and Titans recruit Carter Gordon, who could be a slim chance at finally making his NRL debut.
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.
Canberra’s premiership push has taken a significant blow, with winger Xavier Savage ruled out for the rest of the year with a fractured shoulder.
Savage injured his shoulder in the first half of last Friday’s miracle golden-point win over Penrith in Mudgee.
The Raiders’ flyer initially played through the pain before not returning after halftime, and scans have since confirmed the devastating blow.
Canberra are unsure if Savage will require surgery, but he is no chance of returning this year regardless.
Melbourne were expected to be boosted by the early return of Jahrome Hughes from a shoulder injury but Crag Bellamy gave him another week on the sidelines.
Captain Harry Grant has accepted an enforced two-week break after Melbourne’s hard-fought win over Canterbury.
The hooker 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 for dangerous contact while Raiders second-rower Hudson Young will be pinged $1800 for the same offence.
Titans centre Phil Sami was fined $750 for a careless high shot on Warriors opposite number Rocco Berry.
Cowboys hooker Reece Robson and Tigers forward Tony Sukkar are facing $1000 fines each 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: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Enari Tuala 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Jake Turpin 23. Toby Sexton
Josh Curran will replace Viliame Kikau in the back row, while Daniel Suluka-Fifita has been added to the bench in place of Harry Hayes (knee), who suffered a knee injury against the Storm.
Second-rower Jacob Preston has avoided a ban despite being charged with dangerous contact in their 20-14 loss to Melbourne.
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Jesse McLean 3. Sione Fonua 4. David Fale 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Luron Patea 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Austin Dias 11. Zac Lipowicz 12. Mavrik Geyer 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Soni Luke 15. Preston Riki 16. Riley Price 17. Billy Phillips 18. Billy Scott 19. Niko Apelu 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Riley Wake 22. Jaxen Edgar
Ivan Cleary is resting almost all of his entire first-string line-up, with back-rower Matt Eisenhuth named as captain and premiership winners Paul Alamoti on the wing and Jack Cole returning.
Warriors vs Eels at Go Media Stadium: 6pm, Friday August 29
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Demitric Vaimauga 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Leka Halasima 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Kalani Going 23. Edward Kosi
No changes from Andrew Webster, with Jackson Ford out suspended for another two more rounds.
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Matt Doorey 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Jordan Samrani 18. Sean Russell 19. Dean Hawkins 20. Dan Keir 21. Toni Mataele 22. Joey Lussick
It’s the same 17 for Jason Ryles after the upset over the Roosters last weekend, with Sean Russell (hand) named as 18th man.
Storm vs Roosters at AAMI Park: 8pm, Friday August 29
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Kane Bradley 3. Marion Seve 4. Grant Anderson 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Alec MacDonald 11. Shawn Blore 12. Joe Chan 13. Trent Loiero 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Sua Faalogo 19. Josiah Pahulu 20. Will Warbrick 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Angus Hinchey
Craig Bellamy has followed a similar path to the Panthers, with Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Eli Katoa and Josh King being rested.
Bronson Garlick is elevated to starting hooker with Harry Grant suspended. Tyran Wishart will remain at No.7 with Jahrome Hughes still needing another week.
Shawn Blore (ankle) is back on deck, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been added to the bench.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Egan Butcher 16. Salesi Foketi 17. Siua Wong 18. Ethan King 19. Blake Steep 20. Toby Rodwell 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Taylor Losalu
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 last week with a concussion and will 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: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Danny Levi 21. Trey Mooney 22. Ethan Sanders
Xavier Savage is out for the rest of the year with a shoulder injury, with fellow winger Savelio Tamale (knee) replacing him in his first match since Round 14.
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Heath Mason 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Heamasi Makasini 19. Kit Laulilii 20. Krystian Mapapalangi 21. Tristan Hope 22. Brent Naden
Adam Doueihi (cheekbone) is out and will be replaced by Latu Fainu in the No.7 jersey despite his own head knock concerns.
Starford To’a returns from a shoulder injury in the starting centres, replacing Brent Naden.
Dragons vs Sea Eagles at Jubilee Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday August 30
Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Jacob Halangahu 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Hame Sele 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 19. Corey Allan 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Nathan Lawson 22. Blake Lawrie
Jack De Belin and Hame Sele have been listed to return from concussions, and Jaydn Su’A (knee) is also back in the side. But while Michael Molo (ankle) was left out along with rookie Hamish Stewart, who was not named after his concussion.
Tyrell Sloan will start on the wing at the expense of Corey Allan, and Damien Cook’s return at hooker pushes Jacob Liddle to the bench.
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolu Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Aaron Schoupp 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Joey Walsh 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Michael Chee Kam 21. Simione Laiafi 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Jake Trbojevic (concussion) remains sidelined, with the Sea Eagles unlikely to play him again in 2025, as coach Anthony Seibold sticks with the same 17 that beat the Dolphins.
Cowboys vs Broncos at QCB Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday August 30
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Zac Laybutt 15. Karl Lawton 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Thomas Mikaele 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Todd Payten has stuck with the same squad that came back to beat the Tigers, with Murray Taulagi unable to make a return from a thigh injury.
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Jock Madden 22. Adam Reynolds
Michael Maguire has named back-rower Brendan Piakura on the bench in his return from concussion, while Adam Reynolds remains a slight chance to return from a hamstring injury and is listed among the reserves.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Sharks vs Knights at Shark Park: 2pm, Sunday August 31
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru
Centre KL Iro is back from a pectoral injury, so Siosifa Talakai slides to the bench.
Jesse Colquhoun is the new lock, after Cam McInnes (knee) was ruled out for the season.
Knights: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. James Schiller 4. Bradman Best 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Greg Marzhew 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Lachlan Crouch
Coach Adam O’Brien has named the same 17 that were thrashed by Brisbane last week, with Greg Marzhew the 18th man after being a late withdrawal last week.
Dolphins vs Titans at Suncorp Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday August 31
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. LJ Nonu 20. James Walsh 21. Peter Hola 22. John Fineanganofo
Kodi Nikorima was a late withdrawal from the loss to Manly due to an illness, and his return this week pushes Jake Averillo back to the centres.
In the forward pack, Connelly Lemuelu starts in the back row in place of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Keano Kini 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston 18. Tukimihia Simpkins 19. Sean Mullany 20. Cooper Bai 21. Carter Gordon 22. Tony Francis
Des Hasler won’t get any fresh troops back on deck as they desperately try to avoid the wooden spoon.
Former Wallaby Carter Gordon is named as a reserve after playing two games for Ipswich in the Queensland Cup in his return from a spinal injury.
Bye – Rabbitohs
with AAP