Josh McGuire's State of Origin hopes have soared with the Brisbane lock set to make an early return from injury after being named on an extended bench for Thursday night's NRL clash with Parramatta.
McGuire will be desperate to return from an ankle complaint two weeks early for the Broncos' final match before Queensland selectors name their team for June 6's State of Origin series opener in Melbourne.
McGuire, 28, was named Queensland's player of the series last year but was expected to miss next month's opener after going down with what was diagnosed as a six-week injury in round seven.
Jordan Kahu will return from a broken jaw for Brisbane, replacing Tom Opacic in the centres while George Fai slots in for Korbin Sims (broken jaw) on the bench.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has swapped fullback Clint Gutherson with five-eighth Corey Norman for the Broncos clash.
There has also been a backrow reshuffle forced by Beau Scott's season-ending knee injury with Manu Ma'u in the second row, Peni Terepo moving to lock and Siosaia Vave at prop.
Like McGuire, North Queensland co-captain Matt Scott will be out to prove his fitness to Maroons selectors after being named for Friday night's clash with Melbourne despite suffering a knee complaint last round.
Cowboys coach Paul Green also kept Michael Morgan at fullback and Te Maire Martin at pivot after last round's 20-19 loss to South Sydney.
They line up against a Melbourne side welcoming back skipper Cameron Smith (suspension) and Kiwi prop Jesse Bromwich (knee) while the banned Curtis Scott has been replaced at left centre by Young Tonumaipea.
In a week of big-name returns, Cronulla have welcomed back Luke Lewis (calf) and Wade Graham (hamstring) to the back-row with Joseph Paulo benched for Sunday's clash with Newcastle.
The Knights have replaced halfback Brock Lamb (cheekbone) with Jack Cogger.
The welcome mat has also been thrown out at Wests Tigers for playmaker Josh Reynolds who is set for an emotional return after overcoming a shoulder injury and being named on the bench for Sunday's clash with his former club Canterbury.
John Olive replaces Josh Morris (knee) in the Bulldogs centres.
Meanwhile, Trent Hodkinson is at five-eighth for Dylan Walker (broken eye socket) and Lewis Brown at hooker for Apisai Koroisau (suspension) while winger Jorge Taufua (collarbone) is back for Manly's Friday night clash with Canberra.
Gold Coast back-rower Kevin Proctor returns from a groin strain with skipper Ryan James moving to prop for Saturday's clash against an unchanged Sydney Roosters.
For the Warriors, fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is back after missing last round due to the birth of his child, moving Peta Hiku to centre for Saturday's clash with South Sydney.
At the Rabbitohs, Greg Inglis is at fullback for Alex Johnston (hamstring) and Adam Doueihi is in the centres.
Peter Wallace is still unavailable for Penrith who take on St George Illawarra on Saturday night.
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