As expected, Craig Bellamy has swung the axe as the Storm aim to avoid a seventh-straight loss.
The Broncos will be boosted by the return of one of the game’s exciting players in Reece Walsh.
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Meanwhile, the Knights welcome back two of their best players ahead of a Sunday arvo blockbuster.
Read on for all of the team lists for Round 9!
FRIDAY 1ST MAY
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. NQ Cowboys @ Accor Stadium, 6pm AEST
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jonathan Sua 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Samuel Hughes 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Jake Turpin 19. Marcelo Montoya 20. Alekolasimi Jones 21. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Logan Spinks 23. Jethro Rinakama
Analysis: Cameron Ciraldo has swung the axe, and this time it’s not Bronson Xerri losing his spot. Marcelo Montoya has been dropped to the bench, with Enari Tuala taking his spot in the backline as he returns from a hamstring injury. Viliame Kikau has also been replaced by Sitili Tupouniua in the back row after he suffered a pectoral injury, however it remains unclear how long he will be sidelined for. Elsewhere, Harry Hayes’ ban brings Lipoi Hopoi onto the bench.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Griffin Neame 18. Matthew Lodge 19. Mason Barber 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Robert Derby
Analysis: Murray Taulagi is set for a sideline stint after he suffered another concussion in Round 8, with Todd Payten confirming his winger will likely be sidelined for several games. Zac Laybutt has been named as his replacement, while Jeremiah Nanai has been named to start in the back row after he came off the bench in his return game last weekend. Thomas Mikaele reverts to the bench in his place. Elsewhere, Mason Barber has been named on the bench as he eyes an NRL debut.
Dolphins vs. Melbourne Storm @ Suncorp Stadium, 8pm AEST
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Trai Fuller 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Brad Schneider 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Ray Stone 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Oryn Keeley 18. Lewis Symonds 19. Tevita Naufahu 20. John Fineanganofo 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Jack Bostock
Analysis: To come.
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Hugo Peel 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Alec MacDonald 14. Trent Toelau 15. Joe Chan 16. Davvy Moale 17. Trent Loiero 18. Cooper Clarke 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Josiah Pahulu 21. Moses Leo 22. Jack Hetherington
Analysis: To come.
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Wishart confident Storm can bounce back | 04:28
SATURDAY 2ND MAY
Gold Coast Titans vs. Canberra Raiders @ Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm AEST
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Kurtis Morrin 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Oliver Pascoe 15. Cooper Bai 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Klese Haas 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Josh Patston 20. Zane Harrison 21. Adam Christensen 22. Bodhi Sharpley
Analysis: To come.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Ata Mariota 12. Simi Sasagi 13. Jayden Brailey 14. Chevy Stewart 15. Daine Laurie 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Joseph Roddy 18. Owen Pattie 19. Jordan Uta 20. Ethan Alaia 21. Jake Clydsdale 22. Sione Finau
Analysis: To come.
Parramatta Eels vs. New Zealand Warriors @ CommBank Stadium, 5:30pm AEST
Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Toni Mataele 17. Dylan Walker 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Lorenzo Talataina 20. Jordan Samrani 21. Teancum Brown 22. Araz Nanva
Analysis: To come.
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Luke Metcalf 21. Kayliss Fatialofa 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Makaia Tafua
Analysis: To come.
Sydney Roosters vs. Brisbane Broncos @ Allianz Stadium, 7:35pm AEST
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Egan Butcher 22. Blake Steep
Analysis: To come.
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Ben Talty 9. Cory Paix 10. Jack Gosiewski 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Josh Rogers 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Va’a Semu 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Hayze Perham 20. Luke Gale 21. Thomas Duffy 22. Antonio Verhoeven
Analysis: To come.
Madge praises under-manned Broncos | 06:53
SUNDAY 3RD MAY
Newcastle Knights vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs @ McDonald Jones Stadium, 2pm AEST
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Sandon Smith 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Fletcher Hunt 18. Harrison Graham 19. Francis Manuleleua 20. Cody Hopwood 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. James Schiller
Analysis: Welcome back Kalyn Ponga! The Knights need their star fullback back on deck after a couple of losses on the trot, including a 44-12 thumping at the hands of Penrith last weekend. There were some impressive performances from Newcastle when Ponga was sidelined with a hamstring issue, but this is a much better side with the star No. 1 is at the back. He’s not the only big name back though. Strike centre Bradman Best returns from a groin injury in another huge boost for Justin Holbrook. With Ponga back, Fletcher Sharpe will start in the halves alongside Dylan Brown, pushing Sandon Smith to the bench. Young gun Fletcher Hunt is also on the six man bench for now, but whether Hunt will get a run will depend on what happens game day Veteran forward Tyson Frizell is set to make his return via the bench. Greg Marzhew will start on the wing after missing one game with a head knock. James Schiller makes way although he has been named on the extended bench.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Euan Aitken 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Adam Elliott 21. Latrell Siegwalt 22. Brandon Smith
Analysis: Star forward Keaon Koloamatangi has been coming off the bench in recent contests, but he’s been named to start against the Knights. He’ll wear the No. 11 jersey, taking the place of Brandon Smith, who could be forced to spend some time on the sideline. Smith had been building nicely this season before suffering a calf issue last weekend. Smith has been named on an extended bench but looks up against it to feature. One name who could be in line to make his club debut is Adam Elliott. The forward is also on the Bunnies’ extended bench. Halfback Jamie Humphreys left the Storm win with a rib injury but he’s expected to take his place against Newcastle. Jayden Sullivan is in the squad as cover for Humphreys.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. Wests Tigers @ Ocean Protect Stadium, 4:05pm AEST
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Siosifa Talakai 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jesse Colquhoun 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Riley Jones 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Chris Veaila
Analysis: To come.
Tigers team: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Tristan Hope 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Twal 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Latu Fainu 19. Faaletino Tavana 20. Patrick Herbert 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Charlie Murray
Analysis: To come.
Penrith Panthers vs. Manly Sea Eagles @ CommBank Stadium, 6:15pm AEST
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Kalani Going 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole 20. Luron Patea 21. Billy Scott 22. Sione Fonua
Analysis: To come.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Clayton Faulalo 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Blake Wilson 19. Jackson Shereb 20. Joey Walsh 21. Simione Laiafi 22. Zach Dockar-Clay
Analysis: To come.
Bye – St. George-Illawarra Dragons
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