The teams are in for Round 25, with all 16 making changes of some sort from last time out.
The biggest of those come at the Roosters, who welcome back James Tedesco, and the Manly Sea Eagles, who welcome back Tom Trbojevic, but have a surprise in the halves.
In other big news, Latrell Mitchell is a chance to play, Jahrome Hughes is still missing, and Benji Marshall has joined Michael Maguire in making a big call on an incumbent.
Here are all the changes for Round 25 in this week's edition of rapid fire.
Bye: North Queensland Cowboys
Melbourne Storm
- Jack Howarth returns for the Storm, slotting into the centres. Joe Chan drops back to the bench.
- The return of Harry Grant at hooker means Tyran Wishart moves to the bench. Trent Toelau will play at halfback with Jahrome Hughes still missing and Hayden Watson back to the reserves.
- Alec MacDonald also returns to the bench. Watson is joined by Davvy Moale and Jack Hetherington in dropping out of the 19.
Penrith Panthers
- Paul Alamoti is out for the Panthers, so Izack Tago is promoted into the centres.
- Jack Cogger continues on at five-eighth despite last weekend's loss.
- The run-on forward pack is as named. Isaah Yeo is still some distance away from playing again, while Jack Cole replaces Jaxen Edgar on the bench.
Canberra Raiders
- Simi Sasagi returns in the centres, with Savelio Tamale dropping back to the bench.
- Josh Papalii will also start in his final ever home game, with Ata Mariota moving to lock and Morgan Smithies out.
- Corey Horsburgh returns on the bench for the Raiders after missing last week, while Sebastian Kris has also been left out.
Brisbane Broncos
- Reece Walsh's season is over, with Hayze Perham to replace him at fullback.
- Michael Maguire has also axed Tom Duffy back to the bench. Still no Adam Reynolds, but Ben Hunt will instead start at halfback.
2026-08-21T10:00:00Z
Dolphins WON BY 18 POINTS
The Dolphins
- Connelly Lemuelu is missing for the Dolphins, with Max Plath starting in the second-row.
- Brian Pouniu is the new man on the bench in the only change for the Dolphins.
Parramatta Eels
- Jack de Belin is back, starting at lock ahead of Saxon Pryke who is still named on the bench.
- Dylan Walker is out with a wrist injury, while Toni Mataele is also out. Kelma Tuilagi comes onto the bench.
2026-08-22T05:00:00Z
Sea Eagles WON BY 20 POINTS
Newcastle Knights
- Bradman Best returns, offsetting the loss of Dane Gagai to injury.
- Jacob Saifiti returns from injury, with Cody Hopwood dropping back to the bench.
- Francis Manuleleua is out, with Tyson Frizell called into the starting side on the edge.
- Tom Trbojevic is back for the Sea Eagles, effectively replacing the injured Joey Walsh. Clayton Faualao moves to five-eighth with Onitoni Large overlooked.
- Nathan Brown starts up front with Fletcher Barker missing, while Ben Trbojevic's return in the second-row pushes Corey Waddell to the bench.
- Caleb Navale joins the bench, with Hugo Hart and Jackson Shereb dropped.
- Adam Elliott is out with a groin injury. Euan Aitken starts in the second-row, and the free bench spot is taken by Liam Le Blanc.
- Latrell Mitchell is a chance of playing. He has been named in jersey 22. If he does play, he likely slots into the centres, with Tallis Duncan going back to the second-row.
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad being suspended opens the door for Taine Tuaupiki to come back into the side at fullback.
- Luke Hanson comes in at five-eighth, with Chanel Harris-Tavita moving to halfback and Luke Metcalf out injured.
- Morgan Gannon is the new man on the bench.
- Daniel Atkinson, who played at fullback last weekend despite not being named there, will wear the number one this time around, while Mathew Feagai has been named on the wing.
- Josh Kerr replaces Blake Lawrie on the bench in the only other change.
- Jethro Rinakama's season is over, so Enari Tuala moves to the wing, Bronson Xerri starts at centre, and Sean O'Sullivan joins the bench.
- Arama Hau is back, named to start on the edge. Josh Patston drops out.
- Cooper Bai starts at lock, with Chris Randall dropping to the bench in a straight swap.
- Luke Sommerton joins the bench in place of Sam Verrills.
- Not much in the way of changes for the Sharks who have lost two on the bounce against bottom sides.
- Braydon Trindall is out with a shoulder injury, so Niwhai Puru comes into the halves.
- Addin Fonua-Blake returns from suspension and will start, with Oregon Kaufusi reverting to the bench.
- Sam Stonestreet drops off the bench to accomnodate the return of Fonua-Blake.
- James Tedesco is back for the Roosters, so Cody Ramsey shuffles back to the bench.
- Rex Bassinghwaighte drops out of the 19 in what is the only change for the Roosters.
- Sunia Turuva has been sensationally dropped to the bench, while Adam Doueihi is off for shoulder surgery. Jeral Skelton comes in on the wing, while Jock Madden starts at halfback.
- Alex Twal comes in at lock, with Sione Fainu back to the bench.
- Faaletino Tavana and Javon Andrews drop off the bench.
Manly Sea Eagles
2026-08-22T07:30:00Z
Warriors WON BY 19 POINTS
South Sydney Rabbitohs
New Zealand Warriors
2026-08-22T09:30:00Z
Bulldogs WON BY 30 POINTS
St George Illawarra Dragons
Canterbury Bulldogs
2026-08-23T04:00:00Z
Sharks WON BY 8 POINTS
Gold Coast Titans
Cronulla Sharks
2026-08-23T06:05:00Z
Wests Tigers WON BY 1 POINTS
