Following the completion of the eighth round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 9 with the exact same line-up.
Kayal Iro (Cronulla Sharks), Max Plath (The Dolphins), Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers), Josh Schuster (South Sydney Rabbitohs) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm) are just a few players who are set to be available for selection heading into Round 9.
However, while some return, the likes of Matt Burton (Canterbury Bulldogs), Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Mawene Hiroti (Cronulla Sharks) and Josh Curran (Canterbury Bulldogs) have been ruled out for this week.
Sydney Roosters vs The Dolphins
The Sydney Roosters are expected to remain unchanged for this week.
Projected Round 9 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher
The Dolphins are set to receive a significant boost for Round 9 with Felise Kaufusi (knee), Jeremy Marshall-King (leg), Kurt Donoghoe (ankle) and Max Plath (foot) set to return back to the field from injury.
Meanwhile, front-rower Daniel Saifiti is in some doubt for the match after picking up a shoulder injury over the weekend.
Daniel Saifiti came off early after suffering a shoulder injury - Dolphins indicated post match they suspected instability/subluxation (“it might have come out a little bit & gone back in”).
Provided it’s a relatively “clean” sublux many back in 1-3 weeks, though can extend out. pic.twitter.com/o9dLrB7OeZ
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 27, 2025
"They're thinking it might just have come out a little bit and gone back in," coach Kristian Woolf said.
"He's in a bit of pain. The doctor and physio thought it wasn't quite to go back out there. I'm not sure in terms of time frames or severity, what that looks like."
Projected Round 9 Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Max Plath 14. Ray Stone 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr
