Superstar South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell will make his comeback from injury at left centre for the grudge match against the Sydney Roosters.
Veteran winger Alex Johnston missed training on Tuesday with the shoulder injury he suffered in the defeat of Penrith, forcing Isaiah Tass to the wing and pushing Mitchell to centre.
Mitchell’s understudy, Jye Gray, remained at fullback as coach Wayne Bennett opted to keep the Dally M Medal leader in the side.
Mitchell’s practice stint on the left side comes after Bennett previously hosed down a suggestion he could play at centre when he returned from a hamstring injury.
Latrell Mitchell. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Replacement wingers Fletcher Myers and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape trained with the reserves, while outside back options Euan Aitken, Ty Munro and Campbell Graham are all injured.
Friday’s clash at Accor Stadium will be Mitchell’s first game of the year – and first since Bennett returned to the club for a second stint in charge.
But the Roosters’ hopes of ending a two-game losing skid have been rocked by a fractured cheekbone to Victor Radley, with the forward out of Friday’s showdown.
Ex-Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase is also out with a calf injury with centre Billy Smith to make his first appearances for 2025.
Nathan Cleary is back for Penrith from a concussion, while Dylan Edwards and winger Brian To’o both won’t play.
Five players have been suspended after being charged in Round 4 with Dragons prop Emre Guler (three matches for a crusher tackle) in the most strife.
Tigers star Jarome Luai has taken the guilty plea for a one-game punishment for a high shot on Ed Kosi.
Broncos forward Jordan Riki (two matches for a high tackle), Bulldogs forward Sitili Tupouniua (one for a late hit) and Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert (one for a high shot) have accepted their bans rather than risk an extra week out at the judiciary.
Round 5 teams
All times AEDT
Raiders vs Sharks at GIO Stadium: 8pm, Thursday April 3
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Jed Stuart 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Adam Cook
Morgan Smithies returns on the bench after missing the Round 3 match against the Cowboys due to a concussion.
Josh Papalii has been fined $6000 but avoided suspension for a couple of high shots – and will partner Joseph Tapine in the front row, who is in the clear after a chicken wing tackle.
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Chris Veaila 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Billy Burns
Kayal Iro (hamstring) and Siosifa Talakai (concussion) are both missing from this game, with Mawene Hiroti coming into the starting line-up.
Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is still out, but fellow prop Tom Hazelton is set to return on the bench after he was a late withdrawal on the weekend.
Sam Stonestreet is $1500 lighter in the hip pocket after a crusher tackle charge.
Nathan Cleary hoists a high bomb. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Panthers vs Cowboys at CommBank Stadium: 6pm, Friday April 4
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Casey McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Blaize Talagi 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Luron Patea 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Jesse McLean
Nathan Cleary returns from his concussion layoff in a major boost to the ailing premiers, who have lost three from four.
Dylan Edwards (groin) will not be making an early comeback, and veteran forward Scott Sorensen is out after copping a heavy head knock in the loss to the Rabbitohs.
Back-up half Trent Toelau (knee) and winger Brian To’o (hamstring) limped off in Thursday’s upset defeat and will also be out of action. Casey McLean comes onto the wing.
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton 22. Thomas Mikaele
Coach Todd Payten has named the same 1-17 that took down the Raiders, after Jeremiah Nanai avoided a ban for a high tackle on Tom Starling, copping a $1000 fine.
Rabbitohs vs Roosters at Accor Stadium: 8pm, Friday April 4
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Lewis Dodd 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Thomas Fletcher
Star Rabbitoh Latrell Mitchell (hamstring) returns to the team but not in his normal fullback position; rather Bennett has named him at centre.
Isaiah Tass pushes out to the wing to cover for Alex Johnston (shoulder), who is out after a bittersweet return from his torn Achilles, but the club is confident he won’t be out too long.
Second-rower Lachlan Hubner (suspension) is also back on deck as starting lock, while Campbell Graham (leg) is out after also missing the win over Penrith. Off-season English recruit, Lewis Dodd, is part of an extended reserves.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 21. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Nat Butcher 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Ethan King 22. Taylor Losalu
Connor Watson will return from a concussion, so Zach Dockar-Clay will revert to the bench utility role.
Victor Radley suffered a fractured cheekbone in last Friday’s loss to the Titans, so he will miss a few weeks. Nat Butcher takes over at lock.
Ex-Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase is also out with a calf injury with centre Billy Smith to make his first appearances for 2025.
Lindsay Collins will start at prop with Spencer Leniu moving to the bench.
Eels vs Dragons at CommBank Stadium: 3pm, Saturday April 5
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Sam Tuivaiti 17. Dan Keir 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Bailey Simonsson 21. Brendan Hands 22. Ronald Volkman
New recruit Dylan Walker will have his first game in Eels colours, coming off the bench.
Ryley Smith starts at hooker in place of Joey Lussick, while second-rower Jack Williams will be out for a month due to a knee injury.
Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Dylan Egan 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Sione Finau 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Toby Couchman joins the starting side after Emre Guler’s suspension and will join David Klemmer as the starting front-rowers.
Blake Lawrie has been named on the bench, elevated from NSW Cup.
Titans vs Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday April 5
Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Sean Mullany 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Josiah Pahulu
Front-rower Jaimin Jolliffe (calf) is back on deck but will come off the bench with Des Hasler not willing to change a winning line-up too much.
Chris Randall is the starting hooker, replacing Sam Verrills (hip) while Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (ankle) is also sidelined.
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kenny Bromwich 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Josh Kerr 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Max Feagai 22. Junior Tupou
After four losses, Kristian Woolf is under pressure to change his side after sticking with largely the same squad throughout the losing streak.
However, there’s just the one change to the 17-man squad with Max Plath moving from second-row to lock after Tom Gilbert received a one-game ban for a high shot on Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs.
Connelly Lemuelu returns from an eye socket injury in the No.12 jersey.
Broncos vs Tigers at Suncorp Stadium: 7.35pm, Saturday April 5
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deine Mariner 20. Martin Taupau 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Jock Madden
Back-rower Jordan Riki was slapped with a grade-two careless high tackle after his shoulder collected the head of Dolphins winger Jack Bostock in the 39th minute of their win at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The Broncos have not risked a three-week suspension by fighting Riki’s charge, and he is out for a fortnight.
His place in the team for next Saturday night’s home clash with Wests Tigers will be taken by bench back-rower Brendan Piakura.
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Heath Mason 19. Kit Laulilii 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Reuben Porter 22. Tony Sukkar
Jarome Luai has been banned for a high shot, and Latu Fainu will take over at halfback.
Winger Jeral Skelton was hoping to return from a brief hamstring layoff but has not been passed fit in time.
Alex Seyfarth copped a fine for his high shot on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, which decided the game on Sunday at Campbelltown Stadium in controversial circumstances.
Centre Adam Doueihi has been named to play after being a very late withdrawal in the warm-up last week, so Jack Bird reverts to the bench.
Sea Eagles vs Storm at 4 Pines Park: 4.05pm, Sunday April 6
Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Clayton Faulalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Nathan Brown 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Dean Matterson 21. Caleb Navale 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
With Tom Trbojevic (knee) out injured, Lehi Hopoate slides to fullback, and Clayton Faulalo comes in on the wing.
Nathan Brown starts at prop in place of Josh Aloiai, with Toafofoa Sipley joining the bench.
Lachlan Croker is still missing after being sidelined since the pre-season with a knee complaint.
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Joe Chan 19. Kane Bradley 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Moses Leo 22. Jahrome Hughes
Jahrome Hughes (broken hand) is unlikely to be good to go for at least another week, but Craig Bellamy has named him as an extended reserve. Tyran Wishart has been named as starting halfback.
Prop Lazarus Vaalepu has been added to the bench in place of Marion Seve, but Nelson Asofa-Solomona (concussion) will not return.
Bulldogs vs Knights at Accor Stadium: 6.15pm, Sunday April 6
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Jack Todd 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Jacob Kiraz
Sitili Tupouniua has been banned for a week for a late hit on Braydon Trindall, while Reed Mahoney has been fined $3600 but won’t be suspended for two charges.
Jacob Kiraz is listed among the reserves as he nears a return from a hip injury, but five-eighth Matt Burton and second-rower Viliame Kikau are not quite ready for comebacks from their respective knee injuries.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Kyle McCarthy 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Tyrone Thompson
Leo Thompson (knee) returns as a starting prop, pushing Brodie Jones to the reserves.
Dylan Lucas (hamstring) and Kai Pearce-Paul (suspension) will be absent from the pack.
Bye – Warriors
with AAP
