Round 8 saw a couple of huge wins, with the Cowboys and Broncos both putting the competition on notice.
Canterbury also got themselves back in the winners' circle after a shock win over the Roosters, while the Storm belted Newcastle and continued their red-hot form.
David Fifita is set to miss the next month through injury, while both Jack Wighton and Karl Lawton are facing bans for dangerous throws.
Here's how every side will line up in Round 9.
NRL ROUND 9 RESULTS
BRISBANE BRONCOS 32 - 12 SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Thursday 5th May, Accor Stadium (7.50pm)
Rabbitohs team:
1. Blake Taaffe
2. Alex Johnston
3. Isaiah Tass
4. Campbell Graham
19. Taane Milne
6. Cody Walker
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Damien Cook
24. Davvy Moale
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Cameron Murray
14. Siliva Havili
16. Liam Knight
17. Jaxson Paulo
18. Trent Peoples
Rabbitohs team news:
Hame Sele (calf) has been ruled out 24 hours prior to kickoff. Taane Milne (suspension) has been promoted to the starting side in place of Josh Mansour.
Tom Burgess (back) has been a late exclusion from the side, with Davvy Moale getting a run-on start. Trent Peoples comes onto the bench to make his NRL debut. Liam Knight returns, as Shaq Mitchell drops out completely.
Meanwhile, Peter Mamouzelos is the 18th man.
Broncos team:
1. Te Maire Martin
2. Corey Oates
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selywn Cobbo
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Corey Jensen
9. Billy Walters
10. Patrick Carrigan
11. TC Robati
12. Jordan Riki
13. Kobe Hetherington
14. Cory Paix
15. Rhys Kennedy
16. Tom Flegler
17. Keenan Palasia
Broncos team news:
Huge blow for the Broncos, with rep forwards Payne Haas (shoulder) and Kurt Capewell both ruled out.
Patrick Carrigan (knee) will make his return from injury in the front-row, while TC Robati has been promoted to the starting side on the edge.
Brenko Lee has been named as the replacement player in jersey 18.
CANBERRA RAIDERS 14 - 4 CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Friday 6th May, GIO Stadium (6pm)
Raiders team:
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Nick Cotric
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Matt Timoko
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Matt Frawley
7. Brad Schneider
8. Josh Papalii
9. Adam Elliott
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Ryan Sutton
14. Tom Starling
15. Corey Harawira-Naera
16. Seb Kris
17. Corey Horsburgh
Raiders team news:
Jarrod Croker has been named to make his first appearance of the year, replacing Semi Valemei in the centres.
Jack Wighton (suspension) is set for a stint on the sidelines, after he was charged with a grade two dangerous throw. Matt Frawley has been named in the halves to partner Brad Schneider.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been recalled at fullback, pushing Jordan Rapana to the wing and Xavier Savage out of the side.
Elliott Whitehead (facial injury) should be fit to return in the second-row and has been named.
Bulldogs team:
1. Matt Dufty
2. Brent Naden
3. Aaron Schoupp
4. Jake Averillo
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Matt Burton
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Luke Thompson
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Corey Waddell
12. Tevita Pangai Junior
13. Josh Jackson
14. Bailey Biondi-Odo
15. Joe Stimson
16. Max King
17. Ava Seumanufagi
Bulldogs team news:
Josh Jackson (COVID) and Brent Naden have both been named to return, pushing Jayden Okunbor and Billy Tsikrikas out of the side.
No other changes from Trent Barrett after a much-needed win over the Roosters.
PARRAMATTA EELS 22 - 20 PENRITH PANTHERS 20 - 22
Friday 6th May, BlueBet Stadium (7.55pm)
Panthers team:
1. Dylan Edwards
24. Brian To'o
3. Izack Tago
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Taylan May
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
22. Moses Leota
9. Api Koroisau
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
8. Matthew Eisenhuth
14. Soni Luke
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Jaeman Salmon
Panthers team news:
Moses Leota (shoulder) and Brian To'o (knee) have both been named among the reserves and could line up for Penrith on Friday night.
Charlie Staines and Jaeman Salmon are the likely players to miss out if both men are deemed fit.
Eels team:
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Hayze Perham
3. Will Penisini
4. Tom Opacic
5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Nathan Brown
14. Makahesi Makatoa
15. Ryan Matterson
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Bryce Cartwright
Eels team news:
Jake Arthur has been dropped after a tough night, with Dylan Brown moving back into the halves.
Tom Opacic (neck) has been named to return in the centres, while Sean Russell (ribs) has been named among the reserves.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 44 - 16 GOLD COAST TITANS
Saturday 7th May, BB Print Stadium Mackay (5.30pm)
Roosters team:
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Paul Momirovski
4. Joseph Manu
5. Joseph Suaalii
6. Sam Walker
7. Luke Keary
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Sam Verrills
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
16. Nat Butcher
13. Victor Radley
12. Sitili Tupouniua
14. Drew Hutchison
15. Fletcher Baker
17. Siosiua Taukeiaho
Roosters team news:
Daniel Tupou (suspension) and Paul Momirovski (illness) return in the backline, replacing Kevin Naiqama and Adam Keighran (ankle).
Connor Watson (throat) is still another week or two away from returning from injury.
A late shift has seen Sitili Tupouniua move to the bench, while Nat Butcher comes into the starting side.
Titans team:
1. AJ Brimson
2. Greg Marzhew
3. Brian Kelly
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Corey Thompson
6. Will Smith
7. Toby Sexton
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Erin Clark
10. Isaac Liu
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Beau Fermor
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
14. Tanah Boyd
15. Sam Lisone
16. Herman Ese'ese
17. Sam McIntyre
Titans team news:
Huge blow for the Titans with second-rower David Fifita (knee) set to miss at least a month due to an MCL injury.
Sam McIntyre has been named as the replacement on the bench for the Titans.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 36 - 16 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Saturday 7th May, Queensland Country Bank Stadium (7.35pm)
Cowboys team:
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Peta Hiku
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Reuben Cotter
11. Tom Gilbert
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
15. Heilum Luki
16. Coen Hess
17. Griffin Neame
Cowboys team news:
No major changes to the side that smashed Parramatta.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made his return from injury via the bench and has again been named there.
Knights team:
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Edrick Lee
3. Enari Tuala
4. Bradman Best
5. Dom Young
6. Tex Hoy
7. Phoenix Crossland
8. David Klemmer
9. Chris Randall
10. Daniel Saifiti
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
14. Jack Johns
13. Leo Thompson
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Mat Croker
17. Pasami Saulo
18. Simi Sasagi
Knights team news:
Adam O'Brien has made a host of changes to his struggling side.
Jake Clifford and Adam Clune (knee) are both out of the side this week. Tex Hoy and Phoenix Crossland make up a new-look halves combination.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mat Croker and Dom Young will all return from injury. Enari Tuala shifts to the centres, while Brodie Jones (elbow) has been ruled out.
Kurt Mann (ankle) remains sidelined.
MELBOURNE STORM 42-6 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Sunday 8th May, AAMI Park (2pm)
Storm team:
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Nick Meaney
3. Reimis Smith
4. Justin Olam
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Harry Grant
10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenny Bromwich
13. Josh King
14. Brandon Smith
15. Tyran Wishart
16. Trent Loiero
18. Chris Lewis
Storm team news:
Tepai Moeroa (shoulder) has been ruled out for six weeks after suffering an injury against Newcastle, with Jordan Grant named to replace him on the bench.
Dean Ieremia (hamstring) and Tom Eisenhuth (calf) have both been named among the reserves.
Dragons team:
1. Moses Mbye
2. Mathew Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
14. Talatau Amone
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Andrew McCullough
11. Tariq Sims
6. Jack Bird
12. Josh McGuire
13. Jack de Belin
15. Blake Lawrie
16. Aaron Woods
17. Tyrell Fuimaono
18. Jayden Sullivan
Dragons team news:
Jack Bird (arm/knee) has been confirmed to make his return in the back-row, despite initially being named at five-eighth. Junior Amone has been promoted to the starting side and Jayden Sullivan retains his spot on the bench.
Tariq Sims will start at prop, with Aaron Woods and Blake Lawrie to come off the bench.
George Burgess has been dropped and played NSW Cup on Saturday.
CRONULLA SHARKS 29-10 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Sunday 8th May, Shark Park (4.05pm)
Sharks team:
1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Siosifa Talakai
22. Connor Tracey
6. Matt Moylan
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
13. Dale Finucane
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
15. Cameron McInnes
10. Aiden Tolman
14. Jack Williams
16. Wade Graham
19. Andrew Fifita
Sharks team news:
Late changes for Cronulla, with Dale Finucane shifting to prop and Cameron McInnes starting at lock. Royce Hunt has been omitted and Aiden Tolman drops to the bench.
Ronaldo Mulitalo (illness) has been ruled out, with Connor Tracey returning to the side on the wing.
Warriors team:
1. Reece Walsh
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Viliami Vailea
4. Rocco Berry
5. Adam Pompey
6. Daejarn Asi
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Matt Lodge
11. Euan Aitken
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Jazz Tevaga
14. Jack Murchie
15. Ben Murdoch-Masila
16. Bunty Afoa
17. Aaron Pene
Warriors team news:
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (HIA) and Aaron Pene (suspension) have both returned to the 17, forcing Bayley Sironen out of the side. Jesse Arthars (shoulder) has been ruled out.
Daejarn Asi impressed in his club debut at five-eighth and has retained his spot in the halves.
No sign of Kodi Nikorima in the squad, after he missed the win over Canberra due to COVID.