Entering Round 9, some NRL clubs are set to receive significant boosts to their team, while others have lost key players as they look to clinch the two points.
Some big additions this week include Victor Radley, Sunia Turuva and Selwyn Cobbo, while Moeaki Fotuaika, Moses Suli and Nelson Asofa-Solomona headline the losses.
Teams will be named on Tuesday at 4 pm (AEST), but here is all the latest in team news and rumours.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers
Suffering a 54-20 points loss to the Storm last week, the Rabbitohs woes are set to continue with them not welcoming back any stars this week and will lose Taane Milne to suspension.
Izaac Thompson is the frontrunner to enter the team for Round 9 on the wing. There is also some doubt on the status of prop Shaquai Mitchell after he was a late withdrawal from the team last week.
If he isn't available, Michael Chee-Kam is the most suitable replacement, pushing Keaon Koloamatangi or Davvy Moale into the starting front row.
Poor from Milne #nrlstormsouths pic.twitter.com/UeD9DYsAnT
— John Davidson (@johnnyddavidson) April 25, 2024
The club's injury list also currently includes Lachlan Ilias (leg), Tyrone Munro (collarbone), Richie Kennar (knee), Alex Johnston (hamstring), Campbell Graham (sternum), Tevita Tatola (foot), while Latrell Mitchell remains suspended until Round 10.
Projected Round 9 Team: 1. Jye Grayย 2.ย Jacob Gagaiย 3.ย Isaiah Tassย 4.ย Jack Wighton 5. Izaac Thompsonย 6.ย Cody Walkerย 7.ย Dean Hawkins 8. Shaquai Mitchellย 9.ย Peter Mamouzelosย 10.ย Thomas Burgessย 11.ย Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Hostย 13.ย Cameron Murrayย 14.ย Damien Cookย 15. Siliva Havili 16. Davvy Moale 17. Jai Arrow
The Panthers have yet to provide an update on the condition of Scott Sorensen (knee) and Moses Leota (shoulder) after the duo were late withdrawals from last week's game against the Cowboys.
If unavailable, the duo will be replaced by Matthew Eisenhuth and Mavrik Geyer, just like last weekend, with Lindsay Smith and Luke Garner pushing to the starting team.
Ivan Cleary has confirmed that Sunia Turuva will return this week after being left out of the team due to his contract negotiations becoming a distraction last week.
โSunia didn't play mainly because he was going through his contract decision and still negotiating,โ Cleary said after the match.
โSo it was something that has been sort of going on for a few weeks. I think people don't quite understand how much that can take out of someone, especially a young man with such a big decision.
โNot just professionally wise but emotionally. That's why we gave him the night off. He will be back next week.โ
Projected Round 9 Team: 1.ย Dylan Edwardsย 2.ย Sunia Turuvaย 3.ย Izack Tagoย 4.ย Taylan Mayย 5.ย Brian To'oย 6.ย Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leotaย 9.ย Mitch Kennyย 10.ย James Fisher-Harrisย 11.ย Scott Sorensenย 12.ย Liam Martinย 13.ย Isaah Yeoย 14.ย Daine Laurieย 15.ย Lindsay Smithย 16.ย Liam Henryย 17.ย Luke Garner
