Entering Round 7, 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 Lachlan Galvin, James Tedesco, Reuben Garrick and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, while the losses are headlined by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sione Katoa, and Jayden Campbell.
Teams will be named on Tuesday at 4pm (AEST), but here is all the latest in news and rumours.
The Roosters will receive a double boost as James Tedesco and Sam Walker make their returns from concussions. Their arrival will see Joseph Manu pushed back to the centres and Zack Dockar-Clay drop out of the team.
Fetalaiga Pauga and Michael Jennings are both a chance to take the remaining outside back spot, with Jennings likely to remain in the centres - Joseph Suaalii will move to the wing.
Dominic Young (suspended) remains on the sidelines, and while Sandon Smith (elbow) was estimated to return from Round 7-9, it is highly unlikely he will make an early return.
The club has suffered one injury blow, with Sitili Tupouniua missing the game due to the 11-day stand-down period. Zero Tackle understands Egan Butcher will take his place.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Terrell May 17. Egan Butcher
The Melbourne Storm will only be forced into one change, with Tui Kamikamica (calf) set to spend a stint on the sidelines after being taken from the field in the fourth minute of the match.
His absence will allow Nelson Asofa-Solomona to make his long-awaited return to the NRL from the NSW Cup.
Joe Chan is also pushing for selection in the team after making a successful return via reserve grade.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Joe Chan 17. Alec MacDonald
Shane Flanagan will have a tough decision to make regarding his backline after centre Jack Bird (concussion) will be unavailable and will undergo an 11-day stand-down period.
The Dragons have several options in reserve grade, including Mat Feagai, Max Feagai, Sione Finau, Savelio Tamale and Christian Tuipulotu.
However, Christian Tuipulotu is likely to receive the call-up. This means he could either push Zac Lomax back to the centres or could slot into the vacant spot left by Bird.
Luciano Leilua will also make his return to the team after being a late withdrawal last round with Ben Murdoch-Masila dropping out of the side.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that winger Mikaele Ravalawa (ankle) picked up an injury last week and is in doubt to play in Round 7.
Projected Round 7: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
The New Zealand Warriors have suffered another big blow to their middle forward, with Jazz Tevagae (hamstring) leaving the field after just a nine-minute stint.
Tevaga will join a growing injury list at the club that includes Bunty Afoa (hamstring), Demitric Sifakula (knee), Dylan Walker (ankle), Freddy Lussick (suspension), Luke Metcalf (leg), and Marata Niukore (foot).
The club will be eager to receive Walker back from injury, but his return status is unknown, and he is unlikely to be forced back into the team.
NSW Cup captain Kalani Going and young prop Zyon Maiu'u are good options for replacing Jazz Tevaga on the interchange bench.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Tom Ale 16. Zyon Maiu'u 17. Jacob Laban
The Parramatta Eels may have to make one change for this round despite walking away with the win last week against the Cowboys.
Winger Bailey Simonsson would only play 66 minutes of the match after being removed with a reported leg injury. While the severity hasn't been confirmed, Maika Sivo looms as his obvious replacement if he cannot play.
Coach Brad Arthur confirmed on NRL 360 that Blaize Talagi will be recalled and named as an impact player off the interchange bench.
“We're going to use him off the bench this week. He can cover a few different spots for us," Arthur said.
"When it gets fast we might put him on through the middle. We're going to experiment a few things with him because he does provide x-factor for us.
“Blaize is a young kid that has a real ability to find space with the ball. He's still learning the game. He handled the first three games physically for us. He's just got to get on top of some detail."
Matt Doorey (facial fracture), Mitchell Moses (foot) and Toni Mataele (hamstring) are still some time from returning meaning the remainder of the team is set to stay the same.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Will Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Blaize Talagi 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi
The Dolphins are forced into even more changes for this week, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) joining Felise Kaufusi (hamstring), Herbie Farnworth (shoulder), and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) on the sidelines.
"He's had a history with hamstrings but hasn't had one for a couple of years he told me," coach Wayne Bennett said post-match.
"It'll be three or four weeks at least I've got to assume."
The Daily Telegraph has reported that Kodi Nikorima (calf) will also miss the clash with Sean O'Sullivan set to replace him in the halves.
The publication understands that Valynce Te Whare is also expected to play, while 9News Queensland journalist Adam Jackson has reported that Trai Fuller will replace Tabuai-Fidow in the fullback position and was also seen at training in the fullback spot.
The club's casualty ward also consists of Kurt Donoghoe (suspension) and Tom Gilbert (knee). Anthony Milford is unavailable after being hit with a two-week suspension in his return to the NRL.
However, Max Plath (suspension) and Connelly Lemuelu (knee) will be available for selection.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Sean O'Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kenneath Bromwich 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Jarrod Wallace 16. Ray Stone 17. Valynce Te Whare
Last week, The Sydney Morning Herald revealed that Nathan Cleary will not take part in the match because his recovery time took longer than expected. Instead, he will return in Round 8 against the Cowboys.
His absence means Brad Schneider will remain in the halves. However, in good news, the club will receive back Scott Sorensen (knee), and he will enter the team, per The Daily Telegraph.
Sorensen's return will see him return to the starting second row with Luke Garner pushing back to the interchange bench.
Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner
The Wests Tigers will receive back several players from either injuries or suspension this week but could be without a key enforcer in the forwards.
John Bateman (concussion), Samuela Fainu (concussion) and Lachlan Galvin (suspension) will all make their respective returns to the team and slot straight into the team.
David Klemmer was fined twice after being reported on Sunday meaning he will be free to play against the Penrith Panthers.
Centre Starford To'a (ankle) is aiming to make a return the following week, while Latu Fainu's (hamstring) return is still unknown.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Justin Olam 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Samuela Fainu
Unfortunately for the Gold Coast Titans, Jayden Campbell is likely to spend some time on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury late in the game against the Raiders.
Coincidentally, it is the same knee that sidelined the fullback for the first three rounds of the season and injured last season.
Zero Tackle understands that if Campbell is ruled out, Keano Kini will wear the number one jersey, with AJ Brimson remaining in either the halves or centres.
Brimson was a late change in the halves for Tanah Boyd and could remain there after a hard-fought effort last round.
In good news for Titans fane, Keenan Palasia (quad) should make his return to the NRL this week and will take a spot on the interchange bench with Josiah Pahulu the likely player to make way.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Keenan Palasia
The Manly Sea Eagles will be sweating on the availability of Ben Trbojevic for this week after he sustained a hamstring injury against the Warriors and failed to return to the field.
However, after he was switched to the centres last week, it is expected that he will be directly replaced by Reuben Garrick (concussion), who will return from the 11-day stand-down period.
Prop Josh Aloiai will also miss the game after being hit with a Grade 2 Dangerous Contact charge and is facing one to two weeks on the sidelines.
It is understood that Toafofoa Sipley also had a knee issue during the match. Lachlan Croker may be unavailable due to a different injury after going off for a HIA.
"Our club doctor assured me there was no head knock there," Seibold said.
Seibold also confirmed post-match that Jason Saab (hamstring), Matt Lodge (knee) and Nathan Brown (knee) are all on track to make their returns this week.
Project Round 7 Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matt Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Aaron Woods 17. Nathan Brown
The Brisbane Broncos received no injuries or suspensions in Round 6 and could instead receive a major boost in prop Payne Haas (knee) returning - however, it is unlikely.
Set to remain unchanged, the club will still be without Adam Reynolds (hamstring), Deine Mariner (back), and Brendan Piakura (ankle), all of whom are still in the casualty ward.
However, AAP has reported that Deine Mariner trained with the club on Monday and is a possibility of returning early and playing this week - the club stated that he is likely to return in a couple of weeks.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Tristan Sailor
The Canberra Raiders will have to make at least one change to their forwards, as Zac Hosking suffered a dislocated shoulder and was assisted from the field in the 45th minute of the game.
Ricky Stuart confirmed post-match that he will likely not return for at least six weeks.
'He did feel it pop out. I just hope that it's one of those ones we can rehab for five or six weeks and strap it and play," he said.
"He'll be a massive loss for us for the amount of time we do lose him."
Skipper Elliott Whitehead (calf) still remains in doubt, with the recovery of his injury being listed as indefinite, and the club has yet to provide an update on his condition.
This could see Simi Sasagi return back to the NRL team. A utility who can play either in the centres or second row he has had good performances to begin the season.
Albert Hopoate (burns) is also available, but it could be hard seeing him replace James Schiller after he scored another double against the Titans.
In other injury news at the club, Corey Horsburgh (groin) and Jordan Rapana (knee) won't be back until at least Round 11-13.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Chevy Stewart 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Simi Sasagi 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Pasami Saulo
After being on the end of a magnitude of injuries two weeks ago, the Canterbury Bulldogs sustained no injuries against the Storm but will instead receive back a couple of players.
Blake Taaffe (concussion) and Kurtis Morrin (suspension) will both be available for selection, with the former coming back from the 11-man stand-down period.
Max King (wrist) could also push to be available for selection during the week but is regarded as an outside chance to be back in the team.
After multiple losses, coach Cameron Ciraldo may also decide to give 18th man Toby Sexton his first game of the season in the place of current half Drew Hutchison.
Sexton is coming off a double in the NSW Cup and helped lead the team to a 26-20 victory over the Canberra Raiders.
The club will still be without Kurt Mann (hand), Harrison Edwards (neck), Blake Wilson (illness), Jacob Preston (jaw), Ryan Sutton (knee), Daniel Suluka-Fifita (knee) and Karl Oloapu (neck).
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Chris Patolo 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Poasa Faamausili
The Newcastle Knights will likely remain unchanged after picking up no injuries or suspensions last weekend.
Winger Greg Marzhew returned last week and will stay put on the edge of the field. However, forward Tyson Frizell's (hamstring) return is still unknown - Dylan Lucas will remain in the team if he is not fully fit to play.
2023 Dally M Medal winner Kalyn Ponga (hip) had an injury scare in Round 6 but played the full 80 minutes and made some big plays in the second half.
"A few needles at half-time definitely helped. It shouldn't be too bad, I think I just banged my hip. I was never going to come off myself," Ponga told Channel Nine post-match.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker
The Cronulla Sharks will be forced into at least one change, with Sione Katoa charged by the MRC and facing a one-to-two-week stint on the sidelines. This means Craig Fitzgibbon will be forced to shuffle his backline.
However, they will receive Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) back after he successfully returned via the NSW Cup last round. Fellow forward Royce Hunt (calf) is also a chance to return this round.
Jack Williams (cork) picked up a minor injury against the Rabbitohs but will be fit and won't miss any game time.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Kayal Iro 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15. Jack Williams 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Todd Payten is set to name an unchanged team this week with no players succumbing to injuries or suspensions.
However, according to reports from News Corp, winger Murray Taulagi is in doubt for this weekend after injuring his hamstring last round against the Parramatta Eels.
The publication reports that he will undergo scans to ascertain how serious the injury is at this stage. The injury may also have a domino effect on the Queensland team for the upcoming State of Origin series.
Robert Derby, Viliami Vailea and Semi Valemei are all contenders to take his position in the team if he is unavailable to play.
Heilum Luki (ankle) remains on the sidelines and will attempt to return in Round 9, while Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Achilles) will return mid-season.
Projected Round 7 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Tom Chester 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski