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.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights
A standout for the Rabbitohs during the first few rounds of the seasons at fullback, Jye Gray will return to that position with Latrell Mitchell facing a one-game ban after being sent to the sin-bin over a shot against Sua Fa'alogo last week.
Gray's transition to the back of the field will see Englishman Lewis Dodd likely start in his first NRL match with Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys still out due to injury.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Josh Schuster is also a chance to play after spending the week at five-eighth in the NSW Cup.
Lachlan Hubner will return from concussion protocols.
Coach Wayne Bennett is also expected to return to his regular press conference duties this week after losing a front tooth on Friday.
🚨 MASSIVE TEAM NEWS: Josh Schuster and Lewis Dodd have both been NAMED to play in NSW Cup! Will this see Jamie Humphreys return? @zerotackle pic.twitter.com/OhOKtFPfV5
— Ethan Lee Chalk (@EthanLeeChalk) April 29, 2025
Projected Round 9 Team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Campbell Graham 4. Jack Wighton 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Euan Aitken 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale
After conceding their fifth straight loss in Round 8, Knights coach Adam O'Brien may decide to shake things up for this week but will get the inclusion of playmaker Tyson Gamble (nose).
Adam Elliott (calf), Jacob Saifiti (calf) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) currently sit on the sidelines, but their availability is unknown as to when they will return to the field.
Projected Round 9 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Leo Thompson 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Dylan Lucas 12. TKai Pearce-Paul 13. Mat Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones
