The teams are in for Round 26, with key returns, and some clubs able to express a certain amount of stability as the end of the regular season looms.
The Penrith Panthers continue to juggle their halves in the lead-up to the finals, while the Newcastle Knights have had to replace a trio of players.
Here are all the changes for Round 26 in rapid fire.
Bye: Canberra Raiders
Brisbane Broncos
- No changes for Michael Maguire. He has retained the same 19 that beat the Raiders last weekend.
Melbourne Storm
- Jack Howarth is out, so Tyran Wishart shifts from the halves to the centres, and Jahrome Hughes returns to take the vacant number seven jumper.
- Joe Chan drops out of the side, with Marion Seve taking the vacant spot on the bench in the only other change for Craig Bellamy in a game that will be played under a revised rule book.
Manly Sea Eagles
- Josh Feledy returns to the starting side in the centres for the injured Tolutau Koula.
- Onitoni Large also comes onto the bench for Nicholas Lenaz in the only other change for Kieran Foran.
St George Illawarra Dragons
- Jacob Liddle is out with an injury, so Damien Cook takes over in the starting side and Connor Muhleisen is added to the bench.
- There are no other changes for the Red V, but Kade Reed is in the reserves list.
2026-08-28T10:00:00Z
Penrith Panthers
- Blaize Talagi is again overlooked in the halves, with the suspended Jack Cogger replaced by Jack Cole at five-eighth.
- Luron Patea drops off the bench, with Blaize Talagi and Jaxen Edgar included. Kalani Going is 20th man and could yet be a late in for Talagi if he again is dropped off the pine.
Canterbury Bulldogs
- Enari Tuala returns for Jonathan Sua on the wing in what is the only change to the run on team.
- On the bench, Kurt Mann is out, with Jack Underhill returning to the interchange bench.
Gold Coast Titans
- Beau Fermor is out injured for the Gold Coast. Josh Patston comes straight into the starting side.
- No other changes for Josh Hannay's side.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
- The big news for the Rabbitohs is that they have permission to play Jai Arrow for the first couple of seconds over the next two weeks to get him to 100 NRL appearances. He has been named to start at lock, but it's reasonably assumed that will be Cameron Murray's spot from about five seconds into the game.
- Jamie Humphreys, Adam Elliott and Latrell Mitchell have all been added to the bench for the Rabbitohs, with Liam Le Blanc, Edward Kosi and Peter Mamouzelos missing out.
2026-08-29T07:30:00Z
Sydney Roosters
- James Tedesco is added to the starting side again as he tries to return from an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for a lot longer than originally believed. Cody Ramsey heads back to the bench.
- Nat Butcher moves from prop to lock, with Lindsay Collins called into the starting side at prop. Victor Radley is out with a concussion.
- Taylor Losalu comes onto the bench.
The Dolphins
- Despite being one of the Dolphins best last weekend, the late swap is reverted, with Max Plath named to start on the edge, and Brian Pouniu dropping back to the bench.
- There are no other changes for Kristian Woolf, with the Dolphins on the charge into the finals.
North Queensland Cowboys
- Tom Dearden is back for the Cowboys as they head into the final two weeks of the year. That pushes Jaxon Purdue to the centres and Zac Laybutt to the wing with Murray Taulagi out.
- Jeremai Nanai returns from injury. Kai O'Donnell shifts back to the bench as a result.
- Sam McIntyre misses out on the 19.
Wests Tigers
- Terrell May starts at prop, with Alex Seyfarth moving to lock and Alex Twal out with a concussion.
- Faaletino Tavana is off the bench, with Ethan Roberts added.
2026-08-30T04:00:00Z
New Zealand Warriors
- Luke Laulilii makes a start for the Warriors, replacing the injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
- Ali Leitaua is also called into the centres for Adam Pompey, who returns to the bench.
- Te Maire Martin returns, sending Luke Hanson out of the side and Chanel Harris-Tavita back to five-eighth.
- Morgan Gannon replaces Jett Cleary on the bench in the only other change.
Newcastle Knights
- Dominic Young is out suspended. Dane Gagai returns to the centres, and Fletcher Hunt shuffles out to the wing.
- Phoenix Crosssland is off for a knee clean out ahead of the finals. Harrison Graham will start at dummy half in his place.
- Tyson Frizell is also out suspended, so it's Francis Manuleluea who returns to the starting side on the edge.
- In a positional swap, Jacob Saifiti starts in the front row ahead of Jacob Saifiti.
- The promotion to the starting team of Graham, as well as the demotion of Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana means Deisel Hagan is a chance of debuting from the bench, while Pasami Saulo is the other new face.
Parramatta Eels
- Ryda Talagi is listed to make his debut from the bench for the Eels. Dylan Walker also returns alongside Bailey Simonsson, with Kelma Tuilagi, Jordan Samrani and Jezaiah Funa out.
Cronulla Sharks
- Cameron McInnes moves into the starting side for Thomas Hazelton at lock in what is a straight swap.
- Braden Uele comes onto the bench for Samuel Stonestreet.
