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.
North Queensland Cowboys vs The Dolphins
Todd Payten is forced into at least one change for the Cowboys this week after Tom Chester left the field with a hamstring injury midway through the opening half against the Panthers.
Set to spend several weeks on the sidelines,ย Zero Tackleย understands that Viliami Vailea has emerged as the frontrunner to replace him in the team.
Second-rowerย Heilum Luki (ankle) is also set to make his return from injury and will push Kulikefu Finefeuiaki to the interchange bench and prop Thomas Mikaele out of the side.
Tom Chester left the field with a hamstring injury & it looked like a pretty nasty one.
Even the most minor of strains are usually unable to return the next week - so Chester likely facing a multi-week stint on the sideline. pic.twitter.com/d08hbqWVhk
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 27, 2024
The club's injury list also currently includes Murray Taulagi (hamstring), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Achilles), Coen Hess (knee) and Zac Laybutt (knee)
Projected Round 9 Team: 1.ย Scott Drinkwaterย 2.ย Kyle Feldtย 3.ย Valentine Holmesย 4.ย Tom Chesterย 5.ย Semi Valemeiย 6.ย Tom Deardenย 7.ย Chad Townsendย 8.ย Jordan McLeanย 9.ย Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neameย 11.ย Heilum Lukiย 12.ย Jeremiah Nanaiย 13.ย Reuben Cotterย 14.ย Jake Granville 15. Jason Taumaloloย 16.ย Sam McIntyreย 17.ย Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
The Dolphins have suffered a big blow to their forward pack for this week, with Jesse Bromwich (calf) and Kenneath Bromwich (concussion) sustaining injuries in Round 8.
Jesse will undergo scans for a calf injury after he was seen on the interchange bench with ice on, while Kenneath will be forced to undergo the 11-day stand-down period.
"It is a bit sore and tender but I will get scans. I haven't had a calf tear before," The Dolphins skipper said after the Knights match.
"It doesn't feel like a tear. It is either a bad cork or a little strain. If not (I will play) next week or the week after.
"I'm hoping I will be fine next week but (injuries) seem to be the story of our season. We've had a few guys get injured and guys come in and do a great job."
However, the club will receive some major boosts, with Felise Kaufusi (hamstring)ย and Connelly Lemuelu (knee) set to make their returns this weekend, per AAP.
"I am pretty sure we get Felise back next week and Connelly Lemuelu and they are two forwards we could do with," Bromwich added.
Anthony Milford is also available for selection after spending a stint on the sidelines via suspension.
The club's injury list also currently includes Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring), Herbie Farnworth (shoulder), Thomas Flegler (shoulder), and Tom Gilbert (knee)
Projected Round 9 Team: 1.ย Trai Fullerย 2.ย Jamayne Isaakoย 3.ย Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niuย 5.ย Jack Bostockย 6.ย Kodi Nikorimaย 7.ย Isaiya Katoa 8. Oryn Keeleyย 9.ย Jeremy Marshall-Kingย 10.ย Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusiย 12.ย Euan Aitkenย 13.ย Max Plath 14.ย Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoeย 16.ย Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu
