While the State of Origin period is rolling on, as is the NRL competition and there’s plenty up for grabs as we head towards the business-end of the season.
With just six points separating the last-placed Eels and the sixth-placed Bulldogs, there will be plenty at stake for every team taking the field in round 17.
St George Illawarra, North Queensland and Brisbane will be hoping their representative stars can back up in a bid to break the mid-table deadlock, with the likes of Ben Hunt and Payne Haas named in their respective squads back in club land.
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Shaun Johnson will miss at least a month with an Achilles injury, while a host of other changes have been made by Warriors coach Andrew Webster after their 66-6 loss.
Their opponents from last weekend, the resurgent Gold Coast Titans, have also been dealt an injury blow with speedster Jayden Campbell ruled out with a hand injury.
Junior Pauga will be unavailable for the Roosters as he serves a four-game ban for an ugly high shot on Connor Tracey, which sees the Canterbury fullback sidelined as well.
Here’s who will be lining up in the NRL in round 17.
FRIDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks, Accor Stadium (8pm)
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Jacob Preston 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Eli Clark 22. Harry Hayes 23. Stephen Crichton
Bulldogs team news: Connor Tracey is out with concussion, opening the door for Blake Taaffe to return at fullback. Bronson Xerri is back from a hamstring complaint at centre, while Jacob Preston is pushing for a return from a foot injury. Stephen Crichton has been named among the reserves but will only have 48 hours to recover from Origin.
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Teig Wilton 22. Jayden Berrell
Sharks team news: No changes to the side from the round 15 loss against the Dolphins.
SATURDAY
New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos, Go Media Stadium (3pm)
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Kurt Capewell 18. Tom Ale 20. Jacob Laban 21. Edward Kosi 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
Warriors team news: Mass changes following the 66-6 loss to the Titans. Shaun Johnson is out injured and will be replaced by Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves. Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett will return from Origin duties, while winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is back from suspension. Tom Ale and Jacob Laban drop out of the side.
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Blake Mozer 20. Reece Walsh 21. Payne Haas 22. Patrick Carrigan 23. Corey Oates
Broncos team news: Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Patrick Carrigan have all been named among the reserves and will be monitored after Origin. Jesse Arthars returns from a broken jaw on the wing and replaces Josiah Karapani, while Jordan Riki is back on deck from suspension and slots into the starting back-row.
Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels, McDonald Jones Stadium (5.30pm)
Knights: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Kai Pearce-Paul 17. Brodie Jones 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. David Armstrong
Knights team news: Andrew Johns finally gets his wish, with English playmaker Will Pryce named to make his debut at five-eighth. Kai Pearce-Paul is back from a toe injury and will push Jack Hetherington out of the team.
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Blaize Talagi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Matt Doorey 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Daejarn Asi 19. Joey Lussick 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Jake Tago 22. Charlie Guymer
Eels team news: Mitchell Moses has been named to back up from NSW duties, while winger Maika Sivo is back from a hamstring injury. Kelma Tuilagi will miss the next five games through suspension, allowing Bryce Cartwright to come into the starting team and Matt Doorey to join the bench. Matt Arthur – the son of former coach Brad – will make his first grade debut off the bench after playing in the U19s State of Origin.
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders, AAMI Park (7.35pm)
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Christian Welch 15. Bronson Garlick 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan 18. Reimis Smith 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Kane Bradley 22. Sualauvi Faalogo 23. Chris Lewis
Storm team news: Harry Grant and Xavier Coates have both been named to back up from Origin duties. No room for young gun Sua Faalogo this week, while Nick Meaney is out of action due to a calf injury.
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Jordan Martin 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Zac Woolford 20. Adam Cook 21. James Schiller 22. Emre Guler
Raiders team news: Nick Cotric has been left out this week and will be replaced by Albert Hopoate. Tom Starling returns from concussion and replaces Zac Woolford, while back-rower Jordan Martin has been named to make his debut off the bench.
SUNDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Dolphins, Kogarah Oval (2pm)
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Michael Molo 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Jesse Marschke 22. Jack Bird 23. Fa’amanu Brown
Dragons team news: Moses Suli returns in the centres, pushing Christian Tuipolotu out of the 17 this week. Jack Bird is closing in on a return from an ankle injury, while rep stars Ben Hunt, Jaydn Su’A and Zac Lomax will all back up from Origin.
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Felise Kaufusi 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Tevita Pangai Junior 18. Josh Kerr 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Kurt Donoghoe 21. Trai Fuller 22. Oryn Keeley
Dolphins team news: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi have been selected to back up from Origin, while Tesi Niu is a fresh face in the backline and replaces Jack Bostock, who is sidelined with a concussion.
Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys, BlueBet Stadium (4.05pm)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 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. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Luron Patea 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton 23. Trent Toelau 24. Tyrone Peachey
Panthers team news: Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo have all been named to start and look set to back up from Origin commitments. Mitch Kenny and Jack Cole return from injury in the spine.
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Tomas Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Griffin Neame 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Jamal Shibasaki 20. Valentine Holmes 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Tom Dearden 23. Reece Robson 24. Reuben Cotter
Cowboys team news: Jeremiah Nanai has been rested this week, but the rest of North Queensland’s Origin contingent have been named in the squad. Jordan McLean is set to return from a calf injury and will start in the front-row.
Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers, Allianz Stadium (6.15pm)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Sitili Tupouniua 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 14. Spencer Leniu 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Blake Steep 21. Ethan King 22. Michael Jennings 23. Salesi Foketi 24. De La Salle Va’a
Roosters team news: All four of the club’s Origin players have been named to back up, with Lindsay Collins on the bench this week. Sitili Tupouniua will play in the centres this week with Joseph Suaalii and Junior Pauga both out due to suspension.
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomona Faataape 3. Brent Naden 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer 18. Kit Laulilii 19. Charlie Staines 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. John Bateman 22. Justin Olam
Tigers team news: David Klemmer will return from suspension on the bench, while both John Bateman and Justin Olam are pushing for a return from injury. Adam Doueihi has retained his spot at centre after an impressive showing against the Raiders.