Manly have received a major boost in their hopes of holding a top-four spot, with superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic cleared to return from a hamstring injury.
Trbojevic has been sidelined since April but will line up in Saturday night’s clash with Canterbury, taking over the captaincy duties once again.
Tom Trbojevic is set to return for Manly. Getty
After suffering a quad injury during State of Origin camp, young gun Casey McLean is facing a stint on the sidelines for his club side Penrith.
Elsewhere, plenty of Origin representatives have been named to back up after game two on Wednesday night, while things have continued to unravel on the injury front for the Wests Tigers, with a star forward sidelined.
Brisbane, Parramatta and South Sydney have all received the bye this week.
Nine.com.au has all the team news ahead of round 16 below.
Friday
Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons, McDonald Jones Stadium (8pm)
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Thomas Cant 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Cody Hopwood 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Francis Manuleleua 20. Sandon Smith 21. Tyson Gamble 22. James Schiller
Knights team news: Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas have both been named to back up from Origin duties, while star centre Bradman Best (hamstring) returns to the side, forcing Fletcher Hunt to the bench. Jermaine McEwen has been suspended for one match after an off-field incident, with Thomas Cant named to start in his place. Sandon Smith (calf) is listed among the reserves.
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Josh Kerr 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Emre Guler 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Hame Sele 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Christian Tuipulotu
Dragons team news: Jaydn Su’A (pectoral) will likely miss the rest of the season, with Luciano Leilua named on the bench. Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) has been named among the reserves and could be a late inclusion.
Jaydn Su’A is sidelined due to injury. Getty
Saturday
Wests Tigers vs Dolphins, Campbelltown Stadium (3pm)
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Starford To’a 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Josese Lanyon 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Mavrik Geyer 17. Charlie Murray 18. Heamasi Makasini 19. Latu Fainu 20. Heath Mason 21. Peter Taateo 22. Adam Doueihi
Tigers team news: Adam Doueihi (shoulder) has been named in the No.22 jumper and could be a shock late inclusion after a lengthy absence. The news is less positive for Kai Pearce-Paul (pectoral) who is sidelined indefinitely. Api Koroisau has been named to back up from Origin at hooker.
Adam Doueihi is named among the reserves. Getty
Dolphins team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Ray Stone 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brian Pouniu 20. John Fineanganofo 21. LJ Nonu 22. Sam Elliott 23. Max Plath 24. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Dolphins team news: No changes to last week’s side, with a handful of Origin stars – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Thom Flegler – given a rest. Max Plath and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki could still back up after Wednesday’s game.
Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers, Cbus Super Stadium (5.30pm)
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jenson Taumoepeau 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Cooper Bai 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Jaylan De Groot 18. Lachlan Ilias 19. Jett Liu 20. Sam Verrills 21. Adam Christensen 22. Bodhi Sharpley
Titans team news: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Jojo Fifita are both named to back up from Origin duties, with Klese Haas and Jaylan De Groot dropping to the bench.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Jack Cogger 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. Billy Phillips 17. Luron Patea 18. Jack Cole 19. Sione Fonua 20. Kalani Going 21. Isaah Yeo 22. Brian To’o 23. Nathan Cleary
Panthers team news: Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o and Isaah Yeo are all named among the reserve and could be late inclusions. If they don’t play, Jack Cogger will play halfback, Paul Alamoti will play wing and Lindsay Smith is at lock. Casey McLean (quad) is sidelined, with Luke Garner and Izack Tago in the centres.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles, Accor Stadium (7.35pm)
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Kurt Mann 10. Leo Thompson 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Harry Hayes 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Jed Reardon 16. Jack Underhill 17. Josh Curran 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Logan Spinks 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Alex Conti 23. Alekolasimi Jones
Bulldogs team news: Stephen Crichton (shoulder) has been named to play despite being deemed unfit to play for NSW, while utility Kurt Mann (ear) is back on deck and will play hooker, pushing Bailey Hayward to the bench. Logan Spinks is on the six-man bench and could potentially make his NRL debut.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Josh Feledy 19. Joey Walsh 20. Hugo Hart 21. Blake Wilson 22. Jackson Shereb
Sea Eagles team news: Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) returns at fullback, with Clayton Faulalo (hamstring) dropping out due to injury. Tolu Koula has been named to back up from Origin duties and will play in the centres.
Tolu Koula will back up after Origin. Getty Images
Sunday
New Zealand Warriors vs North Queensland Cowboys, Go Media Stadium (2pm)
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Jacob Laban 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Kayliss Fatialofa 18. Rocco Berry 20. Luke Metcalf 21. Makaia Tafua 22. Mitchell Barnett 23. Kurt Capewell
Warriors team news: Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell are both named among the reserves and could back up from Origin duties. Alofiana Khan-Pereira (leg) is out with a severe cork, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on the wing. Sam Healey (thumb) returns on the sx-man bench, as does Luke Metcalf.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Liam Sutton 19. Sam McIntyre 20. John Bateman 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Ethan King 23. Wiremu Greig
Cowboys team news: Huge boost with back-rower Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) named to return from injury, while Braidon Burns (hamstring) is also back. Reuben Cotter is in the side at lock and is expected to back up after Origin.
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders, AAMI Park (4.05pm)
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Joe Chan 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Shawn Blore 19. Tyran Wishart 20. Davvy Moale 21. Preston Conn 22. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 23. Lockyer-Azile Foliola
Storm team news: Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero have all been named to back up from Origin duties. It’s not the only boost for Melbourne either, with centre Jack Howarth (quad) and utility Tyran Wishart (ankle) both returning.
Cameron Munster will back up for Melbourne. NRL Imagery
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Jayden Brailey 14. Owen Pattie 15. Ata Mariota 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Daine Laurie 18. Jed Stuart 19. Vena Patuki-Case 20. Coby Black 21. Jordan Uta 22. Chevy Stewart
Raiders team news: Savelio Tamale (concussion) returns on the wing, while Origin stars Ethan Strange and Hudson Young are both named to play. Daine Laurie and Ata Mariota shift to the bench after starting in round 15.
Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks, Allianz Stadium (6.15pm)
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Tommy Talau 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Rex Bassingthwaighte 19. Toby Rodwell 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Junior Tupou 22. Egan Butcher 23. Taylor Losalu 24. Cody Ramsey
Roosters team news: James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sam Walker, Reece Robson, Rob Toia, Lindsay Collins and Victor Radley have all been named to back up after playing in Wednesday night’s Origin clash. In less positive news, Hugo Savala and Reece Foley are both out due to concussions suffered last weekend.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Niwhai Puru 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Billy Burns 15. Oregon Kaufusi 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Blayke Brailey 22. Nicho Hynes
Sharks team news: Blayke Brailey (broken arm) and Nicho Hynes (calf) have both been named among the reserves and could be surprise late inclusions. Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora are both expected to back up after Origin.