The race for the minor premiership is well and truly on after title shots Sydney Roosters and South Sydney welcomed back some big names for the penultimate clash of the NRL season.
The Roosters have been bolstered by the inclusion of key duo Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in their 21-man squad to host Brisbane on Saturday after they recovered from knee and rib injuries respectively.
Having missed the past three games, Keary's comeback is a major boost for a Roosters side aiming to secure top spot for what would be the fourth time in six years.
"Obviously Luke is a pretty crafty player and a big part of our attack. You can see in attack we're probably missing him a bit," Roosters co-captain Jake Friend said on Tuesday.
The Rabbitohs also get a host of stars back to take on Canberra on Saturday, with skipper Greg Inglis (hand), Alex Johnston (hamstring), and Campbell Graham (wrist) all named to play.
In contrast, defending premiers Melbourne are the only team in the top three hit heavily by injury and suspension that could derail their chase for the JJ Giltinan Shield.
Melbourne, the Roosters and Rabbitohs are locked on 32 points though the Storm top the table on points differential with two rounds remaining in the regular season.
Justin Olam replaces the suspended Will Chambers, while Cheyse Blair, Tui Kamikamica and Ryley Jacks come in for Suliasi Vunivalu, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Brandon Smith.
Skipper Cameron Smith has been named to play the Titans on Saturday despite suffering back spasms against Parramatta.
Penrith interim coach Cameron Ciraldo has backed up his promise to wield the axe after his team's poor run of form
Tyrone Peachey stint at fullback has ended ahead of Friday's trip to the Warriors as he moves to five-eighth and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak switches from wing to the No.1 jersey.
Christian Crichton earns a recall to the wing while Sione Katoa has been dropped to the reserves in favour of Wayde Egan. Tyrone May takes the utility spot on the bench.
Warriors playmaker Mason Lino comes in for injured veteran Blake Green (calf), while Tohu Harris is poised to return from injury.
At Cronulla, centre Jesse Ramien (ankle) is out and has been replaced by Josh Dugan, while Edrick Lee starts on the wing and Wade Graham and Jayden Brailey return for Sunday's clash with Newcastle.
In Johnathan Thurston's final game in Townsville, which doubles as a battle of the bottom-two teams, North Queensland stars Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo return to face Parramatta on Friday..
