NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in Round 26

Battle of the West ignites at BlueBet

The Eels make the trip to Penrith to take on the premiership favourites in an anticipated Battle of the West on Thursday night.

Brian To’o (rest) returns in a big boost for the hosts with Thomas Jenkins dropping out.

Parramatta welcome Shaun Lane (elbow) back onto the interchange with rookie rake Brendan Hands dropping out whilst J’maine Hopgood shifts back to the middle with Joe Ofahengaue reverting to the pine and Ryan Matterson named on the edge in a back row reshuffle.

Penrith and Parramatta’s history has been a hot topic of conversation over the years – the Eels have won three of their past five against their arch-rivals after a four-game losing streak.

Warriors looking to extend winning streak vs. Red V in Auckland

The hottest ticket in rugby league right now – the Warriors – are again in Auckland for a Friday evening face-off against a Dragons side riding a four-game losing streak.

Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has named the same 17 that defeated the Sea Eagles last week, although, Josh Curran comes into the starting lineup with Jackson Ford reverting to the interchange.

Zac Lomax (shoulder) returns for the Dragons at the expense of Max Feagai.

The Warriors will be looking to notch their first seven-game winning streak since 2002 with a win also securin

g their first top four finish since 2007.

Dolphins, Cowboys face in QLD derby at Suncorp

The Cowboys make the trip south to take on the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (head knock), Connelly Lemuelu (head knock), and Kenny Bromwich (head knock) return for the Dolphins with Isaiya Katoa, Trai Fuller, and JJ Collins dropping out.

Kodi Nikorima has been named at six with Herman Ese’ese and Euan Aitken reverting to the bench.

For the Cowboys, Semi Valemei (knee) and Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) are missing with Zac Laybutt coming into the centres to push Murray Taulagi back to the flank whilst Heilum Luki starts on an edge with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki earning an interchange nod.

The Cowboys have lost 12 of their past 17 at Suncorp Stadium.

Storm host Titans at AAMI

Melbourne will look to continue their march towards the top four when they host the Titans at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) has been named in the 19 jersey for the Storm as he looks to play his first NRL game in over 400 days.

Josh King (rest) is out for the hosts with Nelson Asofa-Solomona named to start at lock and Alec MacDonald coming onto the bench.

Jayden Campbell (patella) and Phillip Sami (foot) are out for the Titans with Jojo Fifita (ankle) and Kieran Foran (sternum) coming into the side.

The Storm have won eight of their past nine against the Titans including seven of eight at AAMI Park.

Roosters looking to keep finals dream alive vs. Wests Tigers

With four wins from their past five and finals chances still alive, the Roosters shift their attention to a Saturday evening matchup against the 17th-place Wests Tigers at Allianz.

James Tedesco (head knock) is missing for the Tricolours but Sam Walker (knee) makes his awaited return at halfback in place of Drew Hutchison.

Joseph Manu shifts to the back and Corey Allan comes into the centres whilst Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (neck) returns pushing Fletcher Baker to the bench and Dylan Napa out.

Jake Simpkin (head knock) is out for the Wests Tigers with Will Smith starting at seven and Apisai Koroisau back at hooker.

The Roosters have won an incredible 16 of their past 17 against the Wests Tigers.

Broncos Canberra-bound for top 8 showdown

The Broncos head to the nation’s capital to face a Raiders side on Sunday afternoon still jostling for top eight positioning.

Ricky Stuart has named the same 17 that downed the Bulldogs a week ago, although, Josh Papali’i has been named to start up front with Emre Guler on the pine.

Fresh off a bye, Corey Oates (knee) returns for his 200th NRL game with Deine Mariner dropping out whilst Adam Reynolds (calf) has been ruled out with Jock Madden starting at seven.

Corey Jensen replaces Keenan Palasia on the interchange with Martin Taupa’u (suspension) listed among the reserves.

Canberra have won four of their past five against Brisbane.

Dogs, Sea Eagles face off at Homebush

In the only clash this weekend involving two sides out of finals contention, Manly travel to Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on the Bulldogs.

Kurtis Morrin replaces Jayden Okunbor on the bench for Canterbury with Max King named to start and Luke Thompson on the interchange.

Reuben Garrick (back) is out for the Sea Eagles with Toluta’u Koula shifting to the back and Brad Parker coming into the centres.

Ben Trbojevic (head knock) returns into the back row with Kelma Tuilagi reverting to the bench and Dean Matterson out whilst Gordon Chan Kum Tong has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench.

A stocky hooker, the Bankstown Bulls junior has come through the grades at Manly and has become a mainstay at KOE NSW Cup level this season.

Manly have won eight of their past nine against the Bulldogs.

Knights host Sharks in Sunday afternoon epic

Arguably the game of the round, the Knights are again at McDonald Jones Stadium in search of their eighth-straight win when they face the Sharks in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster.

Jackson Hastings (ankle) has been named to return for the hosts with Adam Clune dropping out.

Craig Fitzgibbon has named the same 17 that took care of business in Townsville a week ago.

The Sharks have won 11 of their past 15 against Newcastle but just one of their past four at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Fill In The Form To Get Our NRL News Straight To Your Email For FREE!