The 2024 NRL season has delivered another week of dramatic late team reshuffles, as injury crises, surprise comeback stories and debutant announcements have reshaped match-day lineups across all competing sides this weekend. The most high-profile shakeup has landed at South Sydney Rabbitohs, where a pair of key injury blows have cleared the way for a fairy-tale NRL return after four years on the sidelines. Fullback Matt Dufty, who spent five seasons with Saturday’s opponent St George Illawarra Dragons, has earned an unexpected call-up to the starting side after a string of standout performances in the NSW Cup that caught Rabbitohs coaching staff’s attention.
Dufty’s promotion comes as South Sydney copes with two critical absences that will sideline key players for multiple weeks. Young gun Jye Gray, who Dufty is deputising for, suffered a grade three AC joint sprain, with the club yet to confirm a definitive timeline for his return to the field. The news is even bleaker for high-profile recruit David Fifita: the forward tore his hamstring during last week’s clash against the Canberra Raiders, and is set to miss up to six matches as he recovers. To fill the gap in the back row, Lachlan Hubner has been named to make the starting line-up against the Dragons, who have retained their core starting spine, with Mat Feagai stepping into the side to replace injured Moses Suli.
Over at Wests Tigers, head coach Benji Marshall has wasted no time reinstating star playmaker Jarome Luai to the starting five-eighth position, after Luai made a full recovery from a recent knee injury. Jock Madden, who stepped up to deliver an impressive performance in the halves in Luai’s absence, retains his spot in the match-day 17. Patrick Herbert has also kept his starting centre position after a remarkable comeback performance last round, pushing exciting young talent Heamasi Makasini to the wing. Forward Samuela Fainu has also been named in the side, despite an injury scare that put his availability in question just days ago. The high-flying Tigers will face off against the Brisbane Broncos this weekend, who welcome captain Adam Reynolds back to the side following his own injury layoff, with Xavier Willison named at lock to replace suspended star Pat Carrigan.
The Canterbury Bulldogs are on the cusp of a major double boost heading into their clash with the Parramatta Eels, with two key injury returnees set to take the field. Club captain Stephen Crichton, who damaged his shoulder on Good Friday, has been named on the extended bench, marking an earlier-than-expected return from injury. Key off-season signing Leo Thompson will make his club debut this weekend, after overcoming a calf injury that delayed his first appearance for the Bulldogs. Max King, who suffered a jaw injury, remains sidelined for the clash. The Eels, meanwhile, have named Charlie Guymer and Jack Williams in their starting back row, with Saxon Pryke set to make his NRL debut coming off the interchange bench.
Melbourne Storm head coach Craig Bellamy has made targeted changes to his side, breaking a four-game losing skid. Manaia Waitere has been named on the wing, though he is widely expected to shift to centre following the dropping of Moses Leo. Shawn Blore, who has been sidelined with a foot injury, has a strong chance of featuring this weekend after being named on the extended bench alongside Hugo Peel. Over at the Canberra Raiders, winger Savelio Tamale has been dropped to the interchange bench, opening the door for Seb Kris to shift to the wing, while Matt Timoko has been recalled to starting centre after a stint in reserve grade focused on shoring up his defensive game.
In the final match-day announcements, Penrith Panthers confirmed that Izack Tago will make his 2024 season debut in the centres, replacing suspended player Casey McLean. Luke Garner has stepped into the side to cover for Liam Martin, who remains sidelined with a knee injury, for the Panthers’ clash against the Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Newcastle Knights welcome playmaker Dylan Brown back to the side following his recovery from a knee injury, with Fletcher Sharpe shifting to fullback to accommodate his return.