Wayne Bennett has snubbed Lewis Dodd in a halves shake-up, while the Dragons have axed Lachlan Ilias and Des Hasler has lost patience with David Fifita.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
Read on for the NRL Teams for Round 9!
FRIDAY MAY 2
Cronulla Sharks v Parramatta Eels, Suncorp Stadium, 6pm
Sharks team:1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Hohepa Puru
Analysis: Centre Kayal Iro has been named to make his return from a hamstring injury with Mawene Hiroti (knee) dropping out. Braden Hamlin-Uele is also slated for his first NRL game since Round 3 after making a successful return from injury in NSW Cup last week. Hamlin-Uele joins the bench.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Bryce Cartwright 22. Jordan Samrani
Analysis: Suspended forward Kelma Tuilagi has been replaced by Charlie Guymer in the second row. Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses will again combine in the halves, with Isaiah Iongi lining up at fullback.
Sydney Roosters v The Dolphins, Suncorp Stadium, 8pm
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Analysis: Trent Robinson has made no changes to his 17 after the win over the Dragons, with, Dom Young listed in the reserves for the second-straight game. Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala will link up in the halves.
Dolphins team:1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai
Analysis: Felise Kaufusi returns at prop in a timely boost with Daniel Saifiti out with a shoulder injury. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has been named to play his first game since suffering a leg gash following the Round 6 win over the Panthers, with Ray Stone shifting to the bench. Kurt Donoghoe is also back from an ankle injury on the bench, with Sean O’Sullivan and Kenny Bromwich shifting to the reserves.
Penrith to roll dice on Sorenson’s ban | 00:29
SATURDAY MAY 3
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights, Suncorp Stadium, 3pm
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Davvy Moale 17. Fletcher Myers 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Nazareth Taua
Analysis: The suspension of Latrell Mitchell sees Jye Gray move back to fullback, but Jack Wighton is shock pick at five-eighth after Lewis Dodd was again snubbed from a potential Souths starting debut. Wighton has played most of his career at five-eighth and is a solid choice to partner Jayden Sullivan in the halves because he gives Souths a much needed kicking game, which they have lacked without Jamie Humphreys and Cody Walker. However, with Humphreys due back next week this was as agood a chance as any to give Dodd a starting role and it appears Bennett just doesn’t trust the Englishman to do the job at this stage. The longer the season goes the more apparent it seems that Bennett had nothing to do with the Dodd signing. Of course Dodd could be a late inclusion on the bench, but this was Bennett’s chance to back Dodd and give him some confidence as a starter. Regardless, this looks like the best balance for the side until Humphreys and Walker return and Souths desperately need Wighton’s left foot kicking game. Wighton’s switch sees Euan Aitken shift from the second row to the centres, with Tallis Duncan coming into the back row. Jai Arrow holds the lock spot with Lachlan Hubner returning from concussion on the bench. Josh Schuster is again named in the reserves as he pushes for a long-awaited return to first grade from NSW Cup.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Tyrone Thompson
Analysis: In a much-needed boost, middle forwards Jacob Saifiti and Adam Elliott return from calf injuries. Saifiti will start as Tyson Frizell shifts to lock. Mathew Croker moves to the bench to sit alongside Elliott while Tyrone Thompson and Thomas Cant drop out. Tyson Gamble (broken nose) has been named on the extended bench and is a chance to return.
New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys, Suncorp Stadium, 5:30pm
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Marata Niukore 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Eddie Ieremia 23. Edward Kosi
Analysis: The Warriors have won six of their past seven games and coach Andrew Webster has made just one change as Te Maire Martin comes onto the bench for Jacob Laban.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Thomas Mikaele
Analysis: The Cowboys are 1-17 on the team that beat the Titans last week as Todd Payten’s men chase a fifth straight win.
Wests Tigers v St. George-Illawarra Dragons, Suncorp Stadium, 7:45pm
Tigers team:1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope
Analysis: Benji Marshall has stuck solid with the same 17 who beat the Sharks in golden point in dramatic fashion last weekend.
Dragons team:1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Emre Guler 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 19. Nathan Lawson 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Analysis: Shane Flanagan has swung the axe on halfback Lachlan Ilias as exciting young talent Lyhkan King-Togia comes in for his fifth NRL game. It will be the 19-year-old’s first start in the No. 7 jersey having played five-eighth in his only other NRL start. Ilias has struggled for most of the season, with the former Rabbitohs halfback failing to deliver when the game was on the line in several tight losses. Flanagan’s men had been in every game this season before they were thumped by the Roosters on Anzac Day and Ilias is one of several casualties. Young winger Sione Finau has also been dropped as Corey Allan makes his long-awaited club debut. Allan will play his first NRL game since 2023 as he returns from a lengthy layoff after rupturing his ACL last January. Before this season, Blake Lawrie hadn’t been dropped to NSW Cup since 2018 but now it’s happened twice in a month. The veteran front-rower makes way for lock Hamish Stewart (concussion) who returns to the starting side as Jack de Belin shifts to the bench.
SUNDAY MAY 4
Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Suncorp Stadium, 1:50pm
Titans team: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Klese Haas 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Tony Francis 19. David Fifita 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Allan Fitzgibbon
Analysis: In a shock call, David Fifita has been dropped to the reserves by coach Des Hasler in a move that almost no NRL fan or pundit saw coming. Fifita returned from a hamstring injury off the bench in Round 8, playing 59 minutes in a huge 50-18 loss to the Cowboys. Fifita missed six tackles and made 16 during that period, running for 86 metres and breaking two tackle, but after that performance Hasler had seen enough. Fifita was the man to go in a bid to spark was has been a torrid four-game losing streak. Hasler’s decision is sure to have rival clubs watching on intently, with the $1 million back rower hitting the open market come November 1 this year, with a move for 2027 on the cards. “There’s probably a couple of areas we need to address. We’re working on that,” Hasler said in a press conference on Tuesday. It remains to be seen how long Fifita will remain on the outer on the Gold Coast, but Hasler’s decision shapes as a huge call which could have a major influence on the back rower’s future. Fifita took up an option for the 2025 and 2026 season last year after snubbing a mammoth four-year, $3.3 million deal to join the Roosters. The former Origin star originally had agreed to make a move to the Tricolours, before a phone call with supremo Nick Politis to express his concerns saw the contract rescinded. But now, with his future uncertain and the Roosters armed with a huge war chest, could they make another play for his services once he becomes a free agent? The Roosters have already been heavily linked with a move for veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, adding an elite playmaker alongside young gun Sam Walker. Throw in the mix Fifita, who is one of the NRL’s most damaging players when fit and firing and Trent Robinson could have a much-improved side. Elsewhere, Jaimin Jolliffe has also been omitted due to suspension, with Iszac Faasuamaleaui and Klese Haas being named on the pine alongside Josiah Pahulu. Brock Gray, meanwhile, has suffered an ACL tear and his season is over.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison
Analysis: Suspensions have ravaged this Bulldogs side, with Bailey Hayward returning to five-eighth in place of Matt Burton who earned a ban. Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua are the other two who earned suspensions, with Daniel Suluka-Fifita slotting into the front row and Kurtis Morrin and Blake Taaffe earning spots on the bench.
Ilias set to be dropped as halfback | 00:50
Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos, Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Casey McLean 21. Billy Scott 22. Jack Cole
Analysis: No signs of Brian To’o who remains another week away from returning from a hamstring injury. Casey McLean has dropped out of the side, with Luke Garner returning in the centres after a concussion sidelined him for a week with Tom Jenkins keeping his spot on the wing as well as Izack Tago. Trent Toelau has also been called on for his second NRL game of the year as the utility, with Brad Schneider making way and he hasn’t been named in the extended squad. Scott Sorensen has also been included in the back row after earning a suspension which he will contest at the NRL judiciary.
Broncos team: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jock Madden 22. Benjamin Te Kura
Analysis: Only the one change for the Broncos. Jordan Riki is back on deck after battling an infection, slotting into the back row. Brendan Piakura is the man to make way, meaning Xavier Willison has now emerged as the club’s front line edge option. According to Code Sports, Michael Maguire is considering making the 199cm beast’s switch a permanent one after a strong performance against the Bulldogs in Round 8. The 22-year-old partnered with Ben Hunt on the left edge in impressive fashion and his days of being largely a bench forward could be over. Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Selwyn Cobbo who will once again wear the No.1 jersey. The 22-year-old had a poor season by his lofty standards in 2024, but has been excellent for Brisbane after moving back to the wing. Then at fullback, he delivered arguably his best performance this year in Round 8, setting up a try, running for 122 metres and recording three tackle busts during Brisbane’s upset win over the Dogs. Cobbo is without a contract for the 2026 season and previously it was believed that he would not depart Queensland, with his tome town of Cherbourg being 265 kilometres outside Brisbane. However, he blew that myth out of the water after his fullback performance which could spark a huge bidding war for his services. What’s more, if his form continues his potential price tag could only continue to soar and he proves he is a long term NRL No.1. Elsewhere, NRL fans will be eagerly watching Ben Hunt in Round 9 with Ezra Mam due to return from suspension in Round 10. It remains to be seen if the five-eighth will slot straight into his No.6 jersey, but should Hunt move to hooker at any point at Magic Round, it would give the biggest indication yet of Maguire’s plans.
Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders, Suncorp Stadium, 6:25pm
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Analysis: Sua Fa’alogo has been cleared after suffering a head knock in Round 8, once again being named on the wing. Nelson Asofa-Solomona got through a Queensland Cup appearance last week and has been named in the reserves with a potential promotion to the bench on the cards. Tui Kamikamica’s return to the bench from an ankle injury also sees Lazarus Vaalepu displaced, joining NAS in the extended squad.
Raiders team:1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
Analysis: No changes for the Raiders, with Jamal Fogarty remaining at halfback after informing the club he would be departing for the Sea Eagles ahead of the 2026 season.
Bye – Manly Sea Eagles
Discussion about this post