The ins and outs of the NRL are more important than ever at this time of year. When the Sea Eagles take on the Broncos this Friday night, Manly will be without David Williams due to a knee injury. Dean Whare and Darcy Lussick are both in however, the former replacing Williams and the later returning from suspension on the bench. The Broncos include both Josh McGuire and Alex Glenn, who are both likely to compete with Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, and Matt Gillett for game time.
The Raiders will include Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Jarrad Kennedy in their clash with the Bulldogs, with Sam Mataora out with a finger injury for the season. For the Bulldogs, Martin Taupau has been added as 18th man in the only change, with Dene Halatau still out with a knee injury until the finals.
Michael Jennings and Brad Tighe are both being included in the Panthers line-up in the match with the Titans this weekend, with Tom Eisenhuth dropped out of the side and Travis Robinson relegated to an extended bench. For the Titans, Brenton Lawrence has been added to an extended squad in the only change for the weekend.
Dean Young returns to the Dragons side in their clash with the New Zealand Warriors, pushing Will Matthews back to the bench. Alehana Mara, Ukuma Ta’ai, and Konrad Hurrell are all in for the Warriors, with Nathan Friend out for the season with a shoulder injury and Steve Rapira out with a hamstring. There is still no Simon Mannering in the side, with Nathan Friend replaced at hooker by Pita Godinet.
Joel Riethmuller is the only inclusion for the North Queensland Cowboys for this weekend’s game against the Knights, coming in as 18th man. For the Knights, James McManus returns from a cheekbone injury to the wing, with form flyer Kevin Naiqama dropping to 18th man.
Tinirau Arona and Aidan Guerra have both been included in the Roosters line-up for their clash against the Tigers, with Jack Bosden and Lama Tasi both dropped to make way. For the Tigers, Masada Iosefa and Chris Lawrence are in, with Robbie Farah out with a hand and Tim Simona also sitting this one out.
Justin Hunt, Jason Clark, and Dave Tyrrell are all in for the South Sydney Rabbitohs for their match against the Parramatta Eels on Sunday, with Issac Luke dumped to the NSW Cup. For the Eels, Matthew Ryan returns from injury on the bench, with Taulima Tautai dropped to make way.
The last game of the round is between the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks, with the Storm amazingly seeing no changes at all this weekend. For the Sharks, Ben Ross returns from a hand injury, pushing Mark Taufua to the bench and moving Tyson Frizell back to 18th man.