Following the completion of the fourth round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 5 with the exact same line-up.
Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Thomas Hazelton (Cronulla Sharks) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm) are just a few players that are set to be available for selective heading into Round 5.
However, while some return, the likes of Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles), Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), Kayal Iro (Cronulla Sharks) and Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs) have been ruled out for this week.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters
Injuring his hamstring during the pre-season, Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell will make his long-awaited return to the field and slot straight into the fullback position.
Unfortunately, with Mitchell's return, Jayden Sullivan is the player likely to make way with incumbent fullback Jye Gray transitioning to the utility role off the interchange bench.
However, The Daily Telegraph reports that Mitchell has been training in the centres, meaning Gray will remain at fullback while Mikaele Ravalawa and Isaiah Tass trained on the wing.
Lachlan Hubner (suspension) also returns, while veteran winger Alex Johnston (shoulder) is considered unlikely after suffering an injury during their Round 4 clash against the Panthers.
Projected Round 5 Team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Latrell Mitchell 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola
Trent Robinson is expected to make only two changes with Connor Watson (concussion) making his way back into the side, pushing Hugo Savala from the interchange bench to the reserves.
The club also confirmed that Victor Radley (cheekbone) will not be available for Friday night.
Several players could be used to replace him such as the returning Salesi Foketi (suspension) or Taylor Losalu. Zero Tackle understands that it will be the former.
Billy Smith was named as 18th man last week and will provide coverage for Mark Nawaqanitawase if he is listed as unavailable - the cross-code recruit left the field with an injury on Friday night.
Projected Round 5 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Nat Butcher 17. Naufahu Whyte
