NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in Round 25

Cowboys host Sharks in high stakes showdown

The round opens with a Thursday night blockbuster between the Cowboys and Sharks at QLD Country Bank Stadium with major finals ramifications on the line.

Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) returns in a major boost for the hosts with Coen Hess reverting to the interchange and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown dropping out whilst Jason Taumalolo has been named for his 250th NRL game.

For Cronulla, Thomas Hazelton (head knock) returns with Jesse Colquhoun dropping back to the reserves.

The Sharks’ only loss to the Cowboys from their past 10 outings was last season’s qualifying finals thriller that ended with a Valentine Holmes field goal in golden point.

Warriors looking to keep good times rolling vs. Manly in Auckland

The Warriors will be looking for their sixth win on the trot when they face the Sea Eagles in Auckland on Friday evening.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (head knock) returns for the hosts at fullback with understudy Taine Tuaupiki dropping out whilst Bunty Afoa is in for Mitchell Barnett (knee).

Brad Parker (head knock) and Ben Trbojevic are both missing for Manly with Morgan Harper coming into the centres and Kelma Tuilagi starting on an edge.

The Sea Eagles have won 11 of their past 15 against the Warriors.

Eels take on Roosters as desperation grows

Parramatta will meet the Roosters on Friday night at CommBank Stadium with both sides needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Eels have made mass changes with Mitchell Moses (eye socket) and Andrew Davey (head knock) ruled out but Reagan Campbell-Gillard (suspension) and Maika Sivo (suspension) returning.

Dylan Brown and Daejarn Asi make up a new-look halves pairing whilst Bailey Simonsson shifts into the centres, J’maine Hopgood onto an edge, and Joe Ofahengaue to lock.

Angus Crichton (knee) has been named to return for his first game in eight weeks with Dylan Napa dropping out.

The Roosters have beaten Parramatta in seven of their past nine meetings.

Wests Tigers, Dolphins face off at CommBank

The Wests Tigers host the Dolphins at CommBank Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they look to make a late climb off the bottom of the ladder.

It is smooth sailing for the hosts who have named the same 17 that went toe-to-toe with the Warriors in Hamilton a week ago.

As for the Dolphins, Wayne Bennett has been forced into a plethora of changes with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (head knock), Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder), Connelly Lemuelu (head knock), Kenny Bromwich (head knock) and Ray Stone (suspension) all unavailable.

Euan Aitken (knee) returns at second row with Harrison Graham starting at nine and Jack Bostock and Robert Jennings forming a new centre-pairing.

JJ Collins also comes onto the bench for his second NRL game of 2023.

Panthers eye minor premiership surge on the Gold Coast

Penrith will be eyeing their eighth-straight win when they make the trip to the Gold Coast to take on the Titans on Saturday evening.

Kieran Foran (sternum), Tanah Boyd (shoulder), and Erin Clark are all missing for the hosts with Moeaki Fotuaika (suspension) coming into the side along with Jacob Alick and debutant Tom Weaver.

A former Australian Schoolboy and under-19s NSW representative, Weaver, 20, comes in at halfback off the back off an impressive QCup campaign with the Tweed Seagulls.

Jayden Campbell shifts to five-eighth whilst Keano Kini has been named to start at the back, although, AJ Brimson (ribs) could come into the side late.

Jarome Luai (illness), Mitch Kenny, and Tyrone Peachey are all back for the Panthers with Zac Hosking, Jack Cogger, and Luke Sommerton dropping out.

Penrith have won eight of their past nine against the Titans.

Storm aiming to continue charge vs. Dragons

Melbourne will be looking to back up their statement win over the Raiders when they take on the Dragons in Wollongong on Saturday night.

Zac Lomax (shoulder) and Francis Molo (head knock) return for the Red V with Max Feagai and Toby Couchman dropping out and Michael Molo shifting to lock.

Melbourne have named the same 17 that dispatched of the Raiders a week ago, although, Harry Grant has been named to start with Bronson Garlick on the interchange.

The Storm have beaten the Dragons in eight of their past 11 but just two of their past five in Wollongong.

Souths Newcastle-bound for Sunday afternoon blockbuster

The Rabbitohs make the journey to Newcastle to face the Knights on Sunday afternoon in what beckons as arguably the most important game of the round.

Bradman Best (adductor) is set to return for the hosts with Enari Tuala dropping out whilst Jackson Hastings (ankle) has been named.

For the Bunnies, Michael Chee Kam comes onto the bench for Ben Lovett.

The Rabbitohs have won 12 of their past 14 against the Knights and six in a row in Newcastle.

Raiders hoping to steady ship vs. Bulldogs

The Raiders will look to bounce back from a disheartening defeat when they face the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium in the final game of Round 25 on Sunday.

Jarrod Croker (hamstring) replaces rookie Ethan Strange in the centres whilst Tom Starling and James Schiller come in for Adrian Trevilyan and Pasami Saulo.

Jacob Preston (suspension) and Harrison Edwards are both out for the Dogs with Ryan Sutton (neck) and Raymond Faitala-Mariner both returning.

Luke Thompson and Tevita Pangai Jr. revert to the interchange with Liam Knight and Corey Waddell starting.

The Raiders have beaten the Bulldogs on seven-consecutive occasions with the visitors having not tasted victory in the nation’s capital since 2015.

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