Melbourne have copped a massive blow to their finals chances, with Cameron Munster sidelined for at least the next month.
Munster was ruled out of last last Sunday’s clash against the Gold Coast Titans and has since undergone surgery for a knee cartilage issue.
Cameron Munster. NRL Imagery
The 31-year-old could miss up to six weeks with the injury, likely opening the door fo utility Tyran Wishart to slot into the five-eighth role.
After scraping through a narrow victory on Sunday, the Storm need to win the bulk of their matches to sneak into the post-season, but face a tough run home.
Elsewhere, the desperate Bulldogs will be without Stephen Crichton due to injury, while Tom Dearden is pushing for a return for North Queensland.
The fullback situation at the Rabbitohs remains an interesting one, while the Broncos look to keep their slim finals hopes alive with two key men back on deck.
Thursday
Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos, CommBank Stadium (7:50pm)
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cole 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Billy Scott 20. Sione Fonua 21. Kalani Leuluai-going 22. Luron Patea
Panthers team news: Casey McLean (quad) and Isaiah Papali’i (concussion) have both been named to return this weekend, while the club’s Origin trip of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Luiam Martin also return after the round 19 bye.
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Ben Talty 16. Preston Riki 17. Grant Anderson 18. Va’a Semu 19. Hayze Perham 20. Billy Walters 21. Luke Gale 22. Thomas Duffy
Broncos team news: Adam Reynolds (calf) and Ezra Mam (shoulder) will both return in the halves, pushing Tom Duffy out of the side and Ben Hunt to the bench. Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Patrick Carrigan are all back on deck after Origin, while back-rower Brendan Piakura (concussion) also returns. Billy Walters has been playing reserve grade since returning from an ACL injury and has been named among the wider squad for Thursday’s must-win game.
Adam Reynolds will return this week. Getty Images
Friday
Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights, Shark Park (6pm)
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Tom Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Addin Fonua-Blake 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Billy Burns 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jayden Berrell
Sharks team news: Briton Nikora returns in the back-row after being rested last weekend, pushing Billy Burns to the bench.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Sandon Smith 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Harrison Graham 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Tyson Gamble
Bradman Best celebrates his try in the Origin decider. NRL Photos
Knights team news: Bradman Best returns at centre, forcing a backline reshuffle that sees Fletcher Sharpe at five-eighth and Sandon Smith on the bench.
Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm, Allianz Stadium (8pm)
Roosters team: 1. Cody Ramsey 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Hugo Savala 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Rex Bassingthwaighte 19. Tommy Talau 20. Toby Rodwell 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Robert Toia
Roosters team news: James Tedesco (concussion) remains sidelined for another week, but Sam Walker and Reece Robson have been named to return while Robert Toia has been listed among the reserves. Nat Butcher (suspension) returns in the back-row, with Salesi Foketi dropping to the bench this week. Lindsay Collins (concussion) remains sidelined after suffering a head knock in round 17.
James Tedesco remains sidelined. Getty Images
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Trent Toelau 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Gabriel Satrick 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Josiah Pahulu 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Stanley Huen 19. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 20. Davvy Moale 21. Manaia Waitere 22. Hayden Watson
Storm team news: Tyran Wishart comes into the No.6 jersey with Cam Munster (knee) sidelined for at least a month, while Jahrome Hughes (hamstring) is also out and has been replaced by Trent Toelau. Gabriel Satrick has been named in the bench utility role while mid-season recruit Oryn Keeley lines up on the edge.
Saturday
Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs, GIO Stadium (3pm)
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Zac Hosking 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Savelio Tamale 19. Morgan Smithies 20. Coby Black 21. Joseph Roddy 22. Sione Finau
Raiders team news: Ethan Strange and Hudson Young will both return to the starting side after Origin, which pushes Daine Laurie and Ata Mariota to the bench. Savelio Tamale has been named on the six-man interchange.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Latrell Siegwalt 19. Bronson Garlick 20. John Radel 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Edward Kosi
Matt Dufty has been in red-hot form this season. NRL Images
Rabbitohs team news: Cody Walker (suspension) slots back into the halves with Jayden Sullivan (head kock) unavailable, while veteran wiger Alex Johnston (calf) replaces rookie Dayne Jennings (leg) on the wing. After starring against the Knights last weekend, fullback Matt Dufty retains the fullback spot and Jye Gray is named in the No.14 jumper on the bench.
Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons, Go Media Stadium (5:35pm)
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Marata Niukore 21. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 22. Luke Metcalf 23. Makaia Tafua
Warriors team news: Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett return after being rested last week following the Origin decicer, with Leka Halasima and Tanner Stowers-Smith both shifting to the bench. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring) returns on the wing and pushes Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad out of the team.
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 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. Jacob Halangahu 18. Moses Suli 19. Lyhkan King-Togia 20. Emre Guler 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Jacob Webster
Dragons team news: Tyrell Sloan (hamstring) limped off in round 18 but will play on the wing, while Moses Suli is on the bench after a disrupted season.
Canterbury Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, Accor Stadium (7:35pm)
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jaeman Salmon 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harry Hayes 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Jack Underhill 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Marcelo Montoya 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Viliame Kikau 22. Jed Reardon 23. Stephen Crichton
Bulldogs team news: Stephen Crichton was stretchered off on Saturday night but has been named in the No.23 jumper and remains an outside chance of playing. Sean O’Sullivan will play five-eighth, Jacob Preston starts in the back-row and Viliame Kikau (pectoral) is among the reserves as he pushes for a return.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Jared Haywood 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Ethan Roberts 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Josese Lanyon 18. Faaletino Tavana 19. Kit Laulilii 20. Junior Tupou 21. Javon Andrews 22. Apisai Koroisau
Tigers team news: Api Koroisau (pectoral) is named among the reserves and could be a late inclusion, but rookie Jared Haywood has been named at hooker. Bunty Afoa (suspension) has been ruled out, with Fonua Pole at prop.
Sunday
Gold Coast Titans v Manly Sea Eagles, Cbus Super Stadium (2pm)
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 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. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Sam Verrills 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Michael Molo 21. Jaylan De Groot 22. Sialetili Faeamani
Titans team news: No major changes after a narrow loss to Melbourne.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Simione Laiafi 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Josh Feledy 15. Nathan Brown 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jackson Shereb 18. Nicholas Lenaz 19. Blake Wilson 20. Aaron Schoupp 21. Fletcher Baker 22. Onitoni Large
Tom Trbojevic. Getty
Sea Eagles team news: Ethan Bullemor will start in place of Ben Trbojevic (concussion) in the only change for Manly this weekend.
Dolphins v North Queensland Cowboys, Suncorp Stadium (4:05pm)
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Brad Schneider 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Max Plath 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Tevita Naufahu 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Trai Fuller 22. John Fineanganofo
Dolphins team news: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jack Bostock and Selwyn Cobbo all return to the backline in a timely boost, but Jake Averillo (ribs) is sidelined. Max Plath (ankle) looks set to overcome an injury concern and has been named.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kaiden Lahrs 20. Liam Sutton 21. Ethan King 22. Tom Dearden
Cowboys team news: Tom Dearden (ankle) is firming for a return from injury and is named among the reserves.