State of Origin and COVID breaches are set to have a major impact heading into this weekend's games, with a host of players likely to be sidelined.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin will be tasked with managing 12 players' one-game bans for their breach of protocols over the next four weeks, with the NRL allowing the club to split them up.
Jai Arrow won't be available after his own breach during Queensland Maroons camp, while a host of players will have to get through the Origin clash unscathed in order to back up.
In some more positive news, Parramatta and Manly are both set to welcome back some of their key players.
All clubs from NSW have been moved up to Queensland due to COVID dramas in Sydney, which could also throw a spanner in the works.
Here's how each NRL side is likely to line up in round 18.
To see how your side lined up before the Origin bye round, click here.
GOLD COAST TITANS VS PARRAMATTA EELS
Friday 16th July, Cbus Super Stadium (6pm)
Titans predicted team:
1. AJ Brimson
2. Phillip Sami
3. Brian Kelly
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Corey Thompson
6. Ash Taylor
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Erin Clark
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
11. Kevin Proctor
12. David Fifita
13. Tyrone Peachey
14. Beau Fermor
15. Sam Lisone
16. Moeaki Fotuaika
17. Jaimin Jolliffe
Titans team news:
No changes expected to the side that defeated Canberra back in round 16.
David Fifita (suspension) will be available, after serving his one-game ban through State of Origin.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, AJ Brimson and Moeaki Fotuaika are all expected to back up from Origin duties.
Eels predicted team:
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Maika Sivo
3. Tom Opacic
4. Waqa Blake
5. Haze Dunster
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Ryan Matterson
13. Nathan Brown
14. Joey Lussick
15. Shaun Lane
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Marata Niukore
Eels team news:
Reed Mahoney (shoulder) is scheduled to return from injury. Joey Lussick will likely remain in the 17.
Isaiah Papali'i (HIA) will need to pass concussion protocols in order to play.
Mitchell Moses and Junior Paulo are expected to be named to back up from Origin.
MANLY SEA EAGLES VS ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Friday 16th July, TBA (7.55pm)
Sea Eagles predicted team:
1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Brad Parker
4. Morgan Harper
5. Reuben Garrick
6. Kieran Foran
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Martin Taupau
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Josh Schuster
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Dylan Walker
15. Sean Keppie
16. Karl Lawton
17. Toafofoa Sipley
Sea Eagles team news:
Jake Trbojevic (hip) and Josh Schuster (calf) are both expected to return from injury in a huge boost for Manly.
Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic are expected to be named to back up from Origin.
Toafofoa Sipley (shoulder) is in doubt.
Dragons predicted team:
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Cody Ramsey
3. Brayden Wiliame
4. Max Feagai
5. Mat Feagai
6. Corey Norman*
7. Ben Hunt
8. Blake Lawrie*
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Josh McGuire*
11. Josh Kerr*
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jack de Belin*
14. Adam Clune
15. Poasa Faamausili
16. Daniel Alvaro*
17. Billy Burns
Dragons team news:
Extremely difficult to pick this one, with 12 players set to face one-game suspensions, split up over the next four rounds.
Ben Hunt and Tariq Sims are expected to be named to back up from Origin, but don't be surprised if they don't end up playing given the short turnaround.
Zac Lomax (thumb) could be in contention, but is a part of the suspended dozen so could be given another week.
CANBERRA RAIDERS VS CRONULLA SHARKS
Saturday 17th July, TBA (3pm)
Raiders predicted team:
1. Xavier Savage
2. Semi Valemei
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Matt Frawley
7. Sam Williams
8. Emre Guler
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Josh Papalii
11. Corey Harawira-Naera
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Ryan Sutton
14. Tom Starling
15. Hudson Young
16. Iosia Soliola
17. Joseph Tapine
Raiders team news:
Elliott Whitehead (shoulder/eye) is expected to return in the second-row, pushing Hudson Young to the bench.
Josh Papalii is expected to return from Origin duties in the front-row, replacing the injured Dunamis Lui (calf).
Sharks predicted team:
1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Connor Tracey
4. Jesse Ramien
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Matt Moylan
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Aaron Woods
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Toby Rudolf
14. Braydon Trindall
15. Siosifa Talakai
16. Jack Williams
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele
Sharks team news:
Matt Moylan (calf) is expected to return at five-eighth, pushing Braydon Trindall back to the bench.
Royce Hunt (knee) could be available for selection.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Saturday 17th July, Queensland Country Bank Stadium (5.30pm)
Cowboys predicted team:
1. Valentine Holmes
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Connelly Lemeulu
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Scott Drinkwater
7. Tom Dearden
8. Coen Hess
9. Reece Robson
10. Jordan McLean
11. Shane Wright
12. Mitch Dunn
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Jake Granville
15. Tom Gilbert
16. Lachlan Burr
17. Francis Molo
Cowboys team news:
Valentine Holmes, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Francis Molo are all expected to back up from Origin at this stage.
Heilum Luki is facing suspension for a high shot against the Rabbitohs.
Roosters predicted team:
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Josh Morris
4. Joseph Manu
5. Matt Ikuvalu
6. Drew Hutchison
7. Sam Walker
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Sam Verrills
10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
11. Angus Crichton
12. Sitili Tupouniua
13. Victor Radley
14. Lachlan Lam
15. Egan Butcher
16. Nat Butcher
17. Isaac Liu
Roosters team news:
Angus Crichton and James Tedesco are both expected to be named to back up from Origin/.
Joseph Manu will move back to the centres and Isaac Liu will revert to the bench. Ben Thomas and Billy Smith are likely to drop out of the 17.
MELBOURNE STORM VS NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Saturday 17th July, AAMI Park (7.35pm)
Storm predicted team:
1. Nicho Hynes
2. George Jennings
3. Reimis Smith
4. Justin Olam
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Brandon Smith
10. Christian Welch
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenneath Bromwich
13. Dale Finucane
14. Aaron Booth
15. Tui Kamikamica
16. Chris Lewis
17. Aaron Pene
Storm team news:
Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Christian Welch, Felise Kaufusi and Dale Finucane are all expected to be named to back up from Origin duties at this stage.
Harry Grant (hamstring) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) are considered outside chances of returning.
Knights predicted team:
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dominic Young
3. Kurt Mann
4. Enari Tuala
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Jake Clifford
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Mitchell Barnett
12. Tyson Frizell
13. Sauaso Sue
14. Connor Watson
15. David Klemmer
16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
17. Brodie Jones
Knights team news:
Tyson Frizell (ankle) and Daniel Saifiti (ribs) are both expected back from injury in a huge boost for Newcastle.
Kalyn Ponga is expected to be named to back up from Origin duties.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS VS PENRITH PANTHERS
Sunday 18th July, TBA (2pm)
Warriors predicted team:
1. Reece Walsh
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Euan Aitken
4. Marcelo Montoya
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Sean O'Sullivan
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Matt Lodge
11. Eliesa Katoa
12. Bayley Sironen
13. Jazz Tevaga
14. Josh Curran
15. Leeson Ah Mau
16. Bunty Afoa
17. Ben Murdoch-Masila
Warriors team news:
Euan Aitken and Josh Curran are both expected to return, after they were forced into 14-day COVID isolation.
No other changes expected at this stage for the Warriors.
Panthers predicted team:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Charlie Staines
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Paul Momirovski
5. Brian To'o
6. Matt Burton
7. Tyrone May
8. Moses Leota
9. Api Koroisau
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Mitch Kenny
15. Scott Sorensen
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Liam Martin
Panthers team news:
Dylan Edwards (foot) and Paul Momirovski (hip) are both expected to return from injury in the Panthers' backline.
Tyrone May and Matt Burton will play in the halves, with Nathan Cleary (shoulder) and Jarome Luai (knee) sidelined.
Brian To'o, Api Koroisau, Kurt Capewell, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin are all expected to back up from Origin duties.
BRISBANE BRONCOS VS WESTS TIGERS
Sunday 18th July, Suncorp Stadium (4.05pm)
Broncos predicted team:
1. Tesi Niu
2. Xavier Coates
3. Herbie Farnworth
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Corey Oates
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Brodie Croft
8. Rhys Kennedy
9. Jake Turpin
10. Payne Haas
19. Rhys Kennedy
11. Alex Glenn
12. TC Robati
13. Tom Flegler
14. Kobe Hethrington
15 Ethan Bullemor
16. Keenan Palasia
17. Jordan Riki
Broncos team news:
No major changes expected to the side that defeated Cronulla in round 16.
Payne Haas is expected to back up from Origin duties.
Tigers predicted team:
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. James Roberts
4. Adam Doueihi
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Moses Mbye
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Alex Twal
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Alex Seyfarth
14. Stefano Utoikamanu
15. Shawn Blore
16. Thomas Mikaele
17. Joe Ofahenguae
Tigers team news:
No changes flagged at this stage, but Michael Maguire may look to wield the axe following two big losses in a row before the bye.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS VS CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Sunday 18th July, TBA (6.15pm)
Rabbitohs predicted team:
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Dane Gagai
4. Campbell Graham
5. Taane Milne
6. Cody Walker
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Mark Nicholls
9. Damien Cook
10. Hame Sele
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jaydn Su'a
13. Cameron Murray
14. Benji Marshall
15. Liam Knight
16. Tom Burgess
17. Jacob Host
Rabbitohs team news:
Jai Arrow (COVID isolation) won't be available following his breach of protocols during Origin camp.
Latrell Mitchell, Dane Gagai, Damien Cook and Cameron Murray are all expected to back up from Origin duties.
Bulldogs predicted team:
1. Nick Meaney
2. Corey Allan
3. Will Hopoate
4. Aaron Schoupp
5. Falakiko Manu
6. Lachlan Lewis
7. Jake Averillo
8. Ava Seumanufagai
9. Sione Katoa
10. Luke Thompson
11. Corey Waddell
12. Matt Doorey
13. Josh Jackson
14. Bailey Biondi-Odo
15. Dylan Napa
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Renouf Atoni
Bulldogs team news:
Ava Seumanufagai (suspension) is expected to return and will likely come into the starting side.
Matt Doorey (concussion) should be fit to return in the second-row.
Jeremy Marshall-King (suspension) and Raymond Faitala-Mariner (foot) are both due back in round 19.
