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.
Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm
Despite winning their first game of the season last week against the Warriors, the Titans may be forced into quite a few changes for Round 9.
Moeaki Fotuaika and Sam Verrills both sustained head knocks against the Warriors, but the club have yet to confirm if they will be absent due to the 11-day stand-down period.
They may also receive Phillip Sami (ankle) and Keenan Palasia (quad) back into the team, while Harley Smith-Shield failed warm-up and could push for a spot in the backline to replace Aaron Schoupp.
If Fotuaika is absent from selection, Palasia will be a direct replacement in the starting forward pack. After spending time as the 18th man, Joe Stimson is also a possibility.
Mo Fotuaika another who failed a HIA yesterday - appeared to show clear Category 1 signs of concussion (balance disturbance/motor incoordination).
Will likely miss next week as part of the 11 day stand down period within the NRLโs concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/qs42nXX4R5
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 26, 2024
The club's injury list also currently includes Jayden Campbell (knee) and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (knee).
Projected Round 9 Team: 1. AJ Brimsonย 2.ย Alofiana Khan-Pereiraย 3.ย Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Samiย 5.ย Jojo Fifita 6. Tanah Boydย 7.ย Kieran Foran 8. Keenan Palasiaย 9.ย Chris Randallย 10.ย Jaimin Jolliffeย 11.ย David Fifitaย 12.ย Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haasย 14.ย Sam Verrillsย 15.ย Erin Clark 16. Isaac Liu 17. Josiah Pahulu
Theย Melbourne Storm will likely be forced into at least two changes. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (calf) is in doubt for the clash with an injury concern, while Xavier Coates left the field last round with a hamstring injury.
Not expected to be sidelined long-term, coach Craig Bellamy insisted that he is hopeful it's a minor strain, but Coates will not be rushed back.
"If we had to, we would have put him back on, but we thought it was safer to leave him off," Bellamy said.
"Sounded like he might be a chance [next week], but I'll have to see how he progresses throughout the week."
After retuning to the NSW Cup last week from injury, Sua Faalogo has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Coates, while Dean Ieremia, Marion Seve, Young Tonumaipea and Grant Anderson are other options.
Missing the past few weeks Tepai Moeroa (back) will substitute in for Asofa-Solomona.
It is understood that playmaker Jonah Pezet (knee) also sustained a suspected injury in the QLD Cup and was forced to be carried off the field.
The club's injury list also currently includes Tui Kamikamica (calf).
Projected Round 9 Team: 1.ย Ryan Papenhuyzenย 2.ย Will Warbrickย 3.ย Reimis Smithย 4.ย Nick Meaney 5. Sua Faalogoย 6.ย Cameron Munsterย 7.ย Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welchย 9.ย Harry Grantย 10.ย Josh Kingย 11.ย Shawn Bloreย 12.ย Eliesa Katoaย 13.ย Trent Loieroย 14.ย Tyran Wishart 15. Tepai Moeroa ย 16.ย Joe Chanย 17.ย Alec MacDonald
