The National Rugby League (NRL) finals race is heating up, and this weekend’s round of matches is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated of the season, with several star superstars set to make their return from lengthy injury layoffs. Headlining the list of potential comebacks is South Sydney Rabbitohs powerhouse Latrell Mitchell, who has been named in the number 19 jersey on South Sydney’s extended 6-man bench for their upcoming clash against the Gold Coast Titans.
Mitchell’s road back to the field has been a slow one: he was named to the extended bench last week ahead of the Rabbitohs’ match against the New Zealand Warriors, but was ultimately ruled out hours before kickoff due to lingering fitness concerns. This time, however, club insiders and coaching staff have indicated the star back is on track to take the field, with a special NRL rule exception clearing the way for a pre-planned swap that will open up a spot for him. Starting forward Jai Arrow was named in the starting lineup solely to hit the 100-game milestone for the Rabbitohs, and will exit the game immediately after kickoff. Skipper Cameron Murray, also named to the bench, will move into the starting lock position, while Mitchell is expected to slot into left centre, shifting current starter Tallis Duncan to the back row.
Mitchell has not seen competitive NRL action since Round 11, sidelined by a combination of back and calf injuries that have kept him out for months. His return could not come at a better time for the Rabbitohs, who are gearing up for a push into the final series and have been eager to get their most dynamic playmaker back on the field. Duncan, who is set to shift positions to accommodate Mitchell, praised the star’s unique impact on the squad following a rainy Tuesday training session in Sydney. “He brings X-factor, he’s Latrell,” Duncan said. “Any time you get to share the field with a player like that, you know he delivers when it matters most. When the game is on the line, he’s the guy that will come up with the play we need.”
Along with Mitchell, the Rabbitohs have named Jamie Humphreys to the bench as an extra goal-kicking option, ahead of a Titans side that will be without key forward Beau Fermor, who remains sidelined with a rib injury.
Elsewhere across the league, defending premiers Penrith Panthers have made a surprise selection call following the suspension of starting five-eighth Jack Cogger. Cogger will remain out of action until Penrith’s second finals match, and coach Ivan Cleary has opted to give 2025 squad member Jack Cole the starting spot over young talent Blaize Talagi. Talagi’s inconsistent defensive performances over recent weeks cost him the starting role, despite high expectations for the young playmaker. Cole, who is set to move to the North Sydney Bears in 2027, has only featured in two first-grade matches this season, but will now take on the high-stakes role of partnering Nathan Cleary in the halves as Penrith fights to secure a top-two finish on the season ladder ahead of the finals.
In Canterbury, the club’s recent COVID-19 outbreak has not forced late changes to the team sheet, with all eight players who tested positive cleared to take the field on Friday. The only confirmed absence for the Bulldogs is Kurt Mann, who remains out with a groin injury.
Over at the Sydney Roosters, captain James Tedesco has once again been named in the match day squad, though questions remain over whether he will actually take the field after multiple late scratches in recent weeks. Hooker Reese Robson told reporters that Tedesco has progressed well in his injury recovery, and joined the full squad for training on Tuesday. “He’s getting better every week, the medical staff are doing everything right to manage him, and he’s tracking along really nicely,” Robson said. “Seeing him back out running with the group today is definitely a step in the right direction. We’ll get a clearer picture closer to kickoff, but things are looking good.”
North Queensland Cowboys have earned a major double boost ahead of their weekend clash, with representative stars Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai both cleared to return from their respective injury layoffs. Dearden will slot straight into the starting halfback role, forcing a positional shuffle that sees Jaxon Purdue move to centre and Zac Laybutt shift out to the wing, replacing Murray Taulagi who is currently following concussion protocols.
Other late team changes around the league include Jahrome Hughes earning a starting spot for Melbourne Storm ahead of their match against the Brisbane Broncos, who will be without halfback Adam Reynolds for the remainder of the season after a season-ending injury. The Newcastle Knights will start Harrison Graham at hooker after Phoenix Crossland was ruled out, with Dom Young and Tyson Frizell also sidelined, but have welcomed centre Dane Gagai back into the squad for their clash against the New Zealand Warriors, who are getting halfback Te Maire Martin back from injury.