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Fri: Panthers v Rabbitohs (7.45pm AEST)
Are the Panthers about to make their charge towards the finals? The least affected team by Origin, there has been talk out of the Penrith camp that this is their chance to get their mojo on. Ivan Cleary has stuck with virtually the same 17 that trounced the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval last Sunday.
No Greg Inglis with Alex Johnston switching to fullback in place of the QLD Origin star. Joel Reddy comes onto the wing while Jason Clark has been named on an extended bench. Expect him to earn a spot in the final 17.
Sat: Dragons v Cowboys (7.30pm AEST)
The Dragons have been rocked by an injury and Origin crisis which has left coach Paul McGregor struggling to field a team. Such is the carnage, McGregor is likely to play Gold Coast recruit Mark Ioane despite the 110kg forward only arriving in Wollongong on Wednesday. Expect Nathan Green, Charly Runciman and Craig Garvey to play with Garvey set to play lock.
The Cowboys are also down on troops due to Origin, with QLD ace Johnathan Thurston clearly the biggest loss for North Queensland. Robert Lui gets his chance at halfback. Meanwhile, prop Matt Scott has revealed he is considering off-season neck surgery, which will undoubtedly plague him during the Cowboys run to the finals.
Sun: Sea Eagles v Sharks (4.00pm AEST)
Don't be shocked to see Jamie Lyon return from an ankle injury on Sunday despite not being named by Manly coach Geoff Toovey. Willie Mason has also been named to return after missing last weekend's loss to Souths.
Little-known Pat Politoni can give his NRL career a shot in the arm with the young Sharks hooker set to replace NSW Origin bound Michael Ennis. Politoni will start at hooker for a Cronulla side also without Blues skipper Paul Gallen. It's becoming repetetive, but expect Gallen and Warriors halfback Chad Townsend signings to be announced ahead of next Sunday's clash with St George-Illawarra.
Mon: Wests Tigers v Eels (7.00pm AEST)
No Robbie Farah or Aaron Woods for the Tigers due to Origin with Dene Halatau named at hooker and Sauaso Sue named in the front-row.
Kieran Foran is obviously the big signing Parramatta is sweating on, but Eels fans can also expect to see Foran's Manly teammate, prop James Hasson, in the blue and gold next season. Hasson, who at the age of 23 still has plenty of footy in front of him and who represented Ireland at the 2013 World Cup, has agreed to terms with the Eels on a one-year deal. In team news, don't be shocked to see hooker Isaac De Gois push for a late inclusion.
