Latrell Mitchell named in Round 25 team lists, ins and outs, injury updates, Luke Metcalf hamstring, Sunia Turuva dropped, Ben Hunt at halfback

Read on for Round 25 NRL Teams!

THURSDAY AUGUST 20

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers @ AAMI Park, 7.50pm

Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Trent Toelau 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Angus Hinchey 17. Cooper Clarke 18. Joe Chan 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Davvy Moale 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Hayden Watson

ANALYSIS: The Storm have received a double boost for this week’s match with Harry Grant (hamstring) and Jack Howarth (shoulder) both returning from injury. Grant’s inclusion sees Tyran Wishart slide to the six-man bench and Trent Toelau move to the halves in favour of rookie Hayden Watson (named in the reserves). Meanwhile, Howarth will slot straight into the back-line with Joe Chan moving back to the bench. Alec MacDonald (concussion) will also make his return and will come off the interchange bench.

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Liam Henry 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Luron Patea 17. Billy Phillips 18. Jack Cole 19. Blaize Talagi 20. Jaxen Edgar 21. Luke Garner 22. Jesse McLean

ANALYSIS: The Panthers may have lost Paul Alamoti (hamstring) due to injury, but they have received a massive boost to the outside backs with NSW Blues star and New Zealand international Casey McLean (hand) making his triumphant return to the field. In other team news, Jack Cole replaces rookie fullback Jaxen Edgar on the six-man bench, while Luke Garner has been named among the reserves after making a successful return via NSW Cup last week after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to concussion. Elsewhere, Blaize Talagi remains on the extended bench with Jack Cogger the favoured option despite last week’s uninspiring performance in attack. The Panthers continue to look a much better defensive unit with Cogger in the line-up though and with Talagi currently not named in NSW Cup, he may struggle in the interim to impress coach Ivan Cleary enough to earn a recall.

FRIDAY AUGUST 21

Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos @ GIO Stadium, 6pm

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Ata Mariota 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Roddy 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Daine Laurie 18. Vena Patuki-Case 19. Savelio Tamale 20. Coby Black 21. Sebastian Kris 22. Jayden Brailey

ANALYSIS: Simi Sasagi (shoulder) returns to the line-up as the Raiders look to stay alive in the finals race and replaces Savelio Tamale in the centres who has been dropped back to the six-man bench. Sasagi has been playing through a shoulder injury that should have ended his season, but coach Rciky Stuart previously said the centre wanted to line up one final time this season for Josh Papalii’s farewell game at home. The loss of English international Morgan Smithies (concussion) means former QLD Maroons forward Corey Horsburgh has earned a recall. Set to join the Perth Bears from next season onwards, Horsburgh was on the end of a heated Stuart press conference a couple of weeks ago when he cost the side the win against the Knights. Papalii has been named in the starting front-row in the final home game of his NRL career, after announcing he will hang up the boots at the end of this year’s campaign.

Broncos team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Ben Hunt 8. Xavier Willison 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Va’a Semu 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Gehamat Shibasaki 20. Ben Talty 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Luke Gale

ANALYSIS: The Broncos have decided to shake up their halves, but there is still no sign of Adam Reynolds (calf), who reportedly may not play another game before retiring at the end of the season. Instead, Michael Maguire has opted to drop Thomas Duffy and name Ben Hunt in the No.7 jersey alongside Ezra Mam in the halves. That isn’t the only change to the spine for this week with Hayze Perham replacing Reece Walsh (syndesmosis) who has been ruled out for the season. It is an interesting decision from coach Maguire considering Duffy is one of the club’s potential long-term options in the halves along with the incoming Jonah Pezet. You would think with their season over, Brisbane would want to continue to see what they have in Duffy.

Reece Walsh Facing World Cup Race | 00:34

Dolphins vs Parramatta Eels @ Suncorp Stadium, 8pm

Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Ray Stone 15. Francis Molo 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Brian Pouniu 18. Brad Schneider 19. Jake Averillo 20. Tevita Naufahu 21. John Fineanganofo 22. Sam Elliott

ANALYSIS: Utility back Jake Averillo could make his long-awaited return to first grade this week after being named on the six-man bench. The future Wests Tigers player has been pushed down the pecking order in recent weeks but coach Kristian Woolf has decided to select him over Tevita Naufahu. That isn’t the only change with Connelly Lemuelu (hamstring) ruled out due to injury. His departure means Max Plath will push into the starting side and Brian Pouniu comes on to the bench.

Eels team: 1. Apa Twidle 2. Brian Kelly 3. Will Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Teancum Brown 17. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 18. Sean Russell 19. Kelma Tuilagi 20. Araz Nanva 21. Ryda Talagi 22. Ryley Smith

ANALYSIS: Only the two changes for Parramatta this weekend, with Kelma Tuilagi (who has signed with the Melbourne Storm) replacing Dylan Walker (wrist) on the six-man interchange bench and Jack De Belin returning, which pushes Toni Mataele out of the side. This means that highly-touted younger Jezaiah Funa-Iuta could make his NRL debut against the Dolphins. Ryley Smith remains among the reserves, while Saxon Pyrke returns to the bench with De Belin starting.

SATURDAY AUGUST 22

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles @ McDonald Jones Stadium, 3pm

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Cody Hopwood 16. Lachlan Crouch 17. Thomas Cant 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Toby Winter 20. Diesel Hagan 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Elijah Leaumoana

ANALYSIS: NSW Blues star Bradman Best (calf) has been named to make his return and will be a direct replacement in the centres for veteran Dane Gagai (hamstring), who has been sidelined. Veteran front rower Jacob Saifiti (hamstring) is also back on deck after spending nearly two months on the sidelines to start this year, which saw him named in the Blues side for Game I. Saifiti’s return sees him replace Francis Manulelua (concussion), who has suffered late-onset symptoms.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Clayton Faulalo 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nicholas Lenaz 16. Corey Waddell 17. Caleb Navale 18. Josh Feledy 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Onitoni Large 21. Jackson Shereb 22. Blake Wilson

ANALYSIS: Superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) will make his long-awaited return to the field after missing the past three matches due to injury. However, it is not all good news at the Northern Beaches with Joey Walsh (jaw) likely to spend the rest of the season on the sidelines. Trbojevic’s inclusion and Walsh’s exclusion means Clayton Faulalo will shift to the halves. Caleb Navale has been named on the six-man interchange bench and is in line to play his first NRL match of the season after returning from an ACL injury last week via NSW Cup. He isn’t the only forward named to return with Ben Trbojevic (concussion) also good to go.

Knights Go From Spoon to Finals | 03:48

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Warriors @ Accor Stadium, 5.30pm

Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Peter Mamouzelos 19. Edward Kosi 20. Jonah Glover 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Latrell Mitchell

ANALYSIS: Look who is back. Latrell Mitchell has been named on the reserves as he targets a long-awaited return from a back injury. Teammate Campbell Graham had been pessimistic earlier in the week about Mitchell’s chances of returning this week, telling reporters he “doubted” the superstar centre would be back but then coach Wayne Bennett opened the door for it happening as he declared Mitchell “some chance”. That was a telling admission given Bennett had previously been quite cagey when asked about Mitchell’s status. Mitchell has previously had setbacks at training though, so the key will be to get through this week and then see how he is placed for Saturday’s game. If he plays it would bump Tallis Duncan back to the second row and Euan Aitken, who has been promoted to the starting side to replace Adam Elliott (adductor), back to the bench. Elliott strained his adductor in the win over the Bulldogs and is out for two to three weeks.

Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Luke Hanson 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Adam Pompey 20. Morgan Gannon 21. Jett Cleary 22. Luke Laulilii 23. Makaia Tafua

ANALYSIS: Luckless Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf will be sidelined until the finals with the hamstring strain he suffered in Saturday’s win over the Broncos. Code Sports reported Metcalf is facing at least four weeks out, which means Luke Hanson will fill in, with Te Maire Martin (hamstring) on track to return next week according to the Warriors. Elsewhere, Taine Tuaupiki is a straight swap at fullback for the suspended Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

Warriors & Broncos suffer injury blows | 01:54

St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs @ Allianz Stadium, 7.35pm

Dragons team: 1. Daniel Atkinson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Emre Guler 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Damien Cook 15. Toby Couchman 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Jacob Webster 18. Setu Tu 19. Josh Kerr 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Luciano Leilua 22. Kade Reed

ANALYSIS: Fullback Clint Gutherson remains sidelined with a knee injury, so it is Daniel Atkinson once again filling in with Mat Feagai on the wing. Elsewhere, Blake Lawrie drops off the bench with Josh Kerr the fresh face coming in.

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Enari Tuala 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Alekolasimi Jones 19. Jake Turpin 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Jed Reardon 22. Jonathan Sua 23. Jack Underhill

ANALYSIS: There will be no Jethro Rinakama for the rest of the year, with the winger suffering knee and ankle injuries. Enari Tuala pushes out to the wing to replace him with Bronson Xerri earning a recall to the starting side at centre. Sean O’Sullivan is back on the six-man interchange and could be an option in the halves if the Bulldogs wanted to move Stephen Crichton to the centres and see how Lachlan Galvin fares alongside a traditional halfback to end the year.

Ciro questioned on Dogs’ finals hope | 02:04

SUNDAY AUGUST 23

Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks @ Cbus Super Stadium, 2pm

Titans team:1. Keano Kini 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Cooper Bai 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Klese Haas 16. Chris Randall 17. Bodhi Sharpley 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Sialetili Faeamani 20. Adam Christensen 21. Jett Liu 22. Tony Francis

ANALYSIS: There are a number of changes for the Titans, with Sam Verrills out of the team entirely only a few weeks after being a surprise inclusion at starting hooker. Luke Sommerton replaces him on the bench, while Arama Hau is back after playing Queensland Cup last weekend with Ipswich. Elsewhere, Cooper Bai starts at lock with Chris Randall shifting to the bench after Josh Patston suffered a Category 1 concussion against the Knights.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Niwhai Puru 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Liam Ison 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Toby Rudolf

ANALYSIS: Five-eighth Braydon Trindall is targeting a return “at some stage this season” from his dislocated shoulder, but in the meantime it will be Niwhai Puru filling in. Meanwhile, Addin Fonua-Blake returns from suspension with Oregon Kaufusi moving to the bench.

Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers @ Allianz Stadium, 4.05pm

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Billy Smith 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Nat Butcher 17. Egan Butcher 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Rex Bassingthwaighte 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Taylor Losalu

ANALYSIS: A huge boost for the Roosters with James Tedesco named to return from his ankle injury, which sees Cody Ramsey drop back to the bench.

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Twal 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tristan Hope 19. Sunia Turuva 20. Javon Andrews 21. Charlie Murray 22. Faaletino Tavana

ANALYSIS: Big changes for the Tigers, who are without halfback Adam Doueihi for the rest of the year after he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Latu Fainu was scheduled to return from suspension as a potential replacement in the halves but suffered a hamstring injury at training and is expected to miss at least a few weeks. The temptation would have been there for the club to see what they have in Javon Andrews and Jock Madden given both players will be around next year, while Jarome Luai is obviously PNG-bound and has not been playing up to a high enough standard where his spot in the team is guaranteed. But dropping Luai may have created even more unnecessary headlines surrounding the club, so he partners Madden with Andrews named on the extended bench. Coach Benji Marshall has sent a statement though with Sunia Turuva named on the extended bench and replaced by Jeral Skelton. Turuva was struggling through a knee injury late in last week’s game, but did not appear on the club’s injury report that was released on Tuesday afternoon and foxsports.com.au understands his omission is not injury-related.

Bye: Cowboys