NRL 2026, Round 18, official team lists, injuries, updates, Fantasy

Official team lists, updates and injury news for Round 18 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership.

NOTE: If, at the time of submission of the NRL Tuesday Team List:

a) three (3) of the club’s players listed on the Tuesday Team List have been actually selected to play in a State of Origin match, the club may name one (1) additional player as a “Reserve”.

b) four (4) or more of the club’s players listed on the Tuesday Team List have been actually selected to play in a State of Origin match, the club may name a maximum of two (2) additional players as “Reserves”.

NRL Team Lists: Round 18
Panthers v Rabbitohs, Friday 8.00pm at CommBank Stadium

Panthers: Jack Cogger comes in at halfback for Blues star Nathan Cleary while the new-look back comprises of Scott Sorensen, Luke Garner and Lindsay Smith with Isaiah Papali’i (concussion), Isaah Yeo (Blues) and Liam Martin (Blues) all missing. Jack Cole, John Fonua and Luron Patea have all been added to the six-man bench as they were in Round 16 when Ivan Cleary chose to rest his Origin stars after Game Two.

Rabbitohs: A boost for the Bunnies with centre Jack Wighton back from an arm injury after six games on the sideline so Tallis Duncan returns to the back row. Last week’s debutant Dayne Jennings takes over on the wing from Alex Johnston, who is facing 2-3 weeks out with a calf injury. With Cam Murray on Origin duty, Lachlan Hubner is the new lock. Matt Dufty has been added to the six-man bench as he chases a first NRL appearance since Round 12.

Dragons v Wests Tigers, Saturday 5.30pm at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium

Dragons: No changes to the side that went down narrowly to the Raiders last Sunday. Centre Moses Suli is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from the hip injury that has seen him miss the past two matches.

Wests Tigers: Skipper Jarome Luai has suffered delayed concussion symptoms following the Knights game and will be rested. He is replaced at five-eighth by Jock Madden, who returns from a concussion suffered in Round 16. The loss of Taylan May (shoulder) sees youngster Heamasi Makasini promoted to start at centre. Lock Alex Twal returns after four games out with a knee injury so Alex Seyfarth reverts to the bench. Charlie Murray joins the six-man bench in place of Mavrik Geyer.

Broncos v Sharks, Saturday 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: Mass changes for the premiers with Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas on Origin duty and Aublix Tawha (ankle), Jack Gosiewski (ribs) and Josiah Karapani (club suspension) also missing. Gehamat Shibasaki returns from a knee injury in the centres so Grant Anderson goes to the wing and Jesse Arthars drops to the bench. Hayze Perham is the new fullback and Deine Mariner is back from a thigh injury on the wing while up front it’s Vaa Semu in at prop for Haas. Lock Xavier Willison has been named and the Broncos’ medical team are liaising with the NRL regarding an exemption which would allow him to return to play inside the 11-day concussion stand-down period. The new men on the six-man bench are Jaiyden Hunt and Burleigh Bears forward Luke Gale who is chasing an NRL debut.

Sharks: The loss of Addin Fonua-Blake and Blayke Brailey to Blues camp brings Tom Hazelton in at prop and Jayden Berrell at hooker. Maroons rep Briton Nikora is replaced in the back row by Billy Burns. The new faces on the bench are Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha and Harrison Hassett. 

Eels v Sea Eagles, Sunday 2.00pm at CommBank Stadium

Eels: After making his return from a hamstring injury through NSW Cup last week, Jonah Pezet comes in for his first NRL game since Round 5, taking over at halfback for Mitch Moses. That is the only change to the squad that went down to the Rabbitohs in Round 17.

Sea Eagles: Young gun Joey Walsh takes over at five-eighth after Luke Brooks suffered a season-ending ACL injury against the Storm. Clayton Faulalo (hamstring) and Reuben Garrick (concussion) return to take over from Tolu Koula (NSW Origin) and Josh Feledy, who has moved to the interchange. Corey Waddell comes in for Haumole Olakau’atu (NSW Origin) and Kobe Hetherington returns at prop after missing a game in the concussion protocols. NSW Cup hooker Zaidas Muagututia could be in line for an NRL debut as he joins the extended bench.

Knights v Dolphins, Sunday 4.05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Fletcher Sharpe again slides to fullback to cover for Maroons star Kalyn Ponga while Fletcher Hunt comes into the centres for Bradman Best, who has earned a NSW Blues recalls. Sandon Smith moves from the bench to five-eighth and Harrison Graham is added to the six-man bench along with Francis Manuleleua.

Dolphins: The dynamic Trai Fuller again steps up at fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in Maroons camp while Tevita Naufahu and Felise Kaufusi also join the starting side for Selwyn Cobbo and Thomas Flegler. The loss of halfback Isaiya Katoa to a fractured wrist sees Brad Schneider wear the No.7. Prop Tom Gilbert (throat) is back after missing the Warriors game and Jake Averillo comes into the centres after returning from hand surgery through Queensland Cup last week. Averillo fills the void left by Jack Bostock, who will make his Origin debut for NSW. Brian Pouniu and Sebastian Su’a have been added to the bench.