NRL round 16 squad announcements

Roosters: Two late changes with Drew Hutchison added to the bench for his first game since suffering a punctured lung in round nine and teenager Joseph Suaalii coming in on the wing. Matt Ikuvalu goes to 18th man.

Sam Walker returns at halfback after two weeks to rest his shoulder issues so Lachlan Lam shifts to No.6 and Joey Manu returns to the centres.

Sitili Tupouniua (foot) is back so Fletcher Baker goes to the bench. James Tedesco and Angus Crichton will both back up from Origin II.

Adam Keighran and Freddy Lussick were the first two players omitted from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Ben Thomas was the last player cut an hour before kick-off.

The Roosters have won four of their past five games at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Storm: No late changes for the Storm with Queensland forwards Christian Welch and Felise Kaufusi backing up on a five-day turnaround from Sunday's Origin II clash. Welch will come from the bench with Tui Kamikamica promoted to start.

The return of Kenny Bromwich from a rib injury and brother Jesse from an elbow problem helps cover for the loss of Nelson Asofa-Solomona to suspension.

Cooper Johns and Jordan Grant were the first two players cut 24 hours before kick-off. Dean Ieremia was the last man omitted an hour before kick-off.

Warriors v Dragons, Friday 6.00pm at Central Coast Stadium

Warriors: Mid-season recruits Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (wing) and Chad Townsend (halfback) have been rushed into the side while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifts back to fullback in the absence of Reece Walsh (hamstring).

Five-eighth Kodi Nikorima dropped out of the side on Thursday and his place is taken by Sean O'Sullivan.

Rocco Berry will be the 18th man.

Euan Aitken and Josh Curran are set to miss the next two rounds after being on a flight from the Gold Coast to Sydney in which a cabin crew member has since tested positive to COVID-19. Marcelo Montoya moves from wing to centre to replace Aitken and Edward Kosi is the new winger. Eliesa Katoa comes into the starting side to fill the void left by Curran.

Interchange forward Bayley Sironen suffered a head knock in round 15 but is good to go. Bunty Afoa joins the bench with Kane Evans promoted to start.

Taniela Otukolo was the other player to drop out of the squad on Thursday.

The Warriors have won their past five games against the Dragons.

Dragons: Will start 1-17 with Jackson Ford the 18th man.

The return of fullback Matt Dufty (shoulder) sees exciting youngster Tyrell Sloan drop out of the side. Jack Bird shifts from back row to centre and Gerard Beale pushes out to the wing to replace the suspended Mikaele Ravalawa.

Bird is replaced in the back row by Josh Kerr, while Paul Vaughan will start at prop. Josh McGuire and Tyrell Fuimaono both return fom suspension on the bench.

Tariq Sims, Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough came through Origin II without incident and have been named to play.

Kaide Ellis and Jordan Pereira were the first two players omitted from the squad 24 hours before kick-off.

Brayden Wiliame has scored a try in three consecutive games.

Panthers v Eels, Friday 7.55pm at BlueBet Stadium

Panthers: Penrith will start 1-17 with Izack Tago the 18th man.

Nathan Cleary will miss the next month due to the shoulder injury he suffered in Origin II. Blues teammate Jarome Luai has been named at halfback with Matt Burton moving from centre to five-eighth and Tyrone May coming into the centres.

Fullback Dylan Edwards (foot) is out so Charlie Staines goes to fullback and Brent Naden comes onto the wing for his first game of 2021 with Paul Momirovski (hip) and Robert Jennings (hamstring) also unavailable.

Viliame Kikau returns from a hamstring strain in the back row so Liam Martin goes to the interchange and Spencer Leniu to the reserves.

Brian To'o, Isaah Yeo and Kurt Capewell have all been named to back up from Origin II along with Luai. 

Jaeman Salmon and Taylan May were omitted from the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.

The Panthers have won 16 consecutive games at BlueBet Stadium.

Eels: In a change announced an hour before kick-off, Junior Paulo moves back to the bench with Marata Niukore named to start at prop. Will Smith is the 18th man.

Maika Sivo's return from suspension means two-try debutant Sean Russell makes way.

The other changes are on the bench where Nathaniel Roache (knee) and Keegan Hipgrave make way for Oregon Kaufusi and Bryce Cartwright.

Sean Russell and Jake Arthur dropped off the extended bench on Thusday night.

Reed Mahoney (shoulder) is unlikely to be back before round 18.

Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will play his 150th NRL game.

Bulldogs v Sea Eagles, Saturday 3.00pm at Bankwest Stadium

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs will line up 1-17 with no late changes.

Corey Allan (shoulder) returns on the wing for his first game since round nine and is part of a new-look backline which also features debutant Falakiko Manu in the centres and Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth.

With Adam Elliott sidelined by a cheekbone injury, Jackson Topine comes into the side.

Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham, Aaron Schoupp, Corey Waddell and Sione Katoa's immediate futures are under a cloud after they breached biosecurity protocols by visiting a pub in Eastern Sydney on the weekend.

Joe Stimson also gets a recall on the bench alongside two more debutants in Bailey Biondi-Odo and Christopher Patolo.

Ofahiki Ogden and Watson Heleta were omitted from the squad on Friday. Renouf Atoni was the last man cut on game day and Lachlan Lewis is 18th man.

Jake Averillo has scored four tries in his past three games at Stadium Australia.

Sea Eagles: Winning form is good form and Des Hasler has the luxury of naming the same 17 that produced a devastating second-half display against the Titans. No late changes on game day with Cade Cust the last man cut and Moses Suli 18th man.

Origin stars Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans will play but Tom's brother Jake remains sidelined with a glute injury.

Jack Gosiewski and Tevita Funa were dropped when the squad was trimmed to 19 players 24 hours out from kick-off.

The Sea Eagles have won five of their past six games against the Bulldogs.

Raiders v Titans, Saturday 5.30pm at GIO Stadium

Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes.

Veteran centre and co-captain Jarrod Croker (knee) returns for the first time since round seven with rookie Matthew Timoko shifting to the extended bench.

The only other change to the 17 is Ryan Sutton being named at lock and Sia Soliola on the interchange after the pair were involved in a pre-match swap last round. Josh Papalii and Jack Wighton will both back up after playing in Origin II.

Matt Frawley and Ryan James were the two players omitted 24 hours before the match. Hudson Young was cut an hour before kick-off and Timoko is 18th man.

The Raiders have won their past five games against the Titans.

Titans: Maroons forward Moeaki Fotuaika has been promoted to the starting side and Tyrone Peachey goes to the bench in a late switch.

AJ Brimson (knee) returns to displace the impressive Jayden Campbell at fullback while Corey Thompson (ankle) is also back on the wing with last-start two-try rookie Greg Marzhew (elbow) dropping out of the squad.

Kevin Proctor returns from a one-game suspension to push Sam Stone from the second row to the extended bench. Beau Fermor (hamstring) and Sam Lisone (pectoral, out since round 7) claim places on the interchange with Mitch Rein joining Stone and Campbell in the reserves and Jai Whitbread out of the 21.

David Fifita, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika are all named to back up from Origin II.

Rein and Campbell were dropped from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Sam McIntyre was cut an hour before kick-off and Stone is 18th man.

Titans winger Corey Thompson will play his 100th NRL game.

Knights v Cowboys, Saturday 7.35pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Newcastle will start 1-17, with Kalyn Ponga (groin) to make his long-awaited return while Kurt Mann, who filled in last round at fullback, returns to the centres despite concerns about an ankle injury.

Mann's move sees Brodie Jones slide back to the interchange with Jack Johns dropping to the reserves.

Daniel Saifiti backs up from Origin to join twin Jacob and Jayden Brailey in the Newcastle front row.

Phoenix Crossland and Jirah Momoisea were the two players omitted 24 hours before the match.

The Knights are aiming for back-to-back home wins for the first time in 2021.

Cowboys: In a minor change announced an hour before kick-off, Lachlan Burr has been moved into the starting 13 with Coen Hess going back to the bench.

Daejarn Asi will be the 18th man.

Coach Todd Payten named the same 17 that lost narrowly to Cronulla in round 15 but bench forward Tom Gilbert has been ruled out as he continues to isolate after Magnetic Island was declared a COVID-19 hotspot.

Gilbert returned a negative COVID-19 test, but is still in isolation as ordered by QLD Health. His place in the 17 will be taken by Heilum Luki.

Maroons trio Val Holmes, Kyle Feldt and Francis Molo will play after getting through Origin II on Sunday.

Corey Jensen and Connelly Lemuelu were left out on the eve of the match.

Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt requires two tries to reach a century of NRL tries.

Broncos: A late switch an hour before game time wiith Jordan Riki added to the bench and Cory Paix going back to 18th man.

Matt Lodge won't play after making an immediate switch to the Warriors on Thursday. His place in the front row is taken by Rhys Kennedy.

Kotoni Staggs replaces Jesse Arthars in the centres for his first game this year, with Arthars dropping to the interchange, while Jamayne Isaako and Corey Oates come in for Xavier Coates and Selwyn Cobbo on the wings.

With Tevita Pangai jnr suspended, rookie TC Robati shifts to the second row and Kobe Hetherington is lock. John Asiata (neck) is replaced on the bench by Keenan Palasia while Ethan Bullemor also joins the bench.

Brodie Croft (knee) comes in at halfback with Tyson Gamble switching to five-eighth and veteran Karmichael Hunt sidelined by a calf injury picked up at training.

The Broncos have won six of their past seven games against the Sharks.

Sharks: Matt Moylan injured his calf in the warm-up and is out of the side, with his place taken by Braydon Trindall.

Will Chambers will miss the trip to Brisbane to be with his wife in Melbourne who is due to give birth. The backline reshuffle sees Connor Tracey move to centre and Sione Katoa come in on the wing.

Teig Wilton has been promoted to the starting side and Siosifa Talakai goes to the bench.

Andrew Fifita was cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Mawene Hiroti joined the bench when Moylan dropped out. Bill Magoulias is 18th man.

The Sharks are aiming for five straight wins for the first time since 2018.

Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs, Sunday 4.05pm at Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers: The Tigers are 1-17 with no late changes.

Coach Michael Maguire made just three changes to his 17 in the wake of last round's capitulation to Melbourne.

Adam Doueihi (head knock) makes his return to the centres in place of Tommy Talau, who drops out of the squad, while interchange forward Alex Seyfarth swaps places with starting lock Joe Ofahengaue and Thomas Mikaele earns a recall to the bench with Tom Amone being relegated to the reserves.

Shawn Blore (ankle) has been named on the interchange despite concerns about his availability.

Amone and Jake Simpkin were the first two players cut from the squad on Saturday. Fatalaiga Pauga was the last man cut one hour before kick-off and Michael Chee Kam is 18th man.

Wests Tigers five-eighth Moses Mbye will play his 150th NRL game.

Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs are 1-17 with Jaydn Su'A the last man cut and Braidon Burns 18th man.

Benji Marshall (birth of child) returns in the No.14 jumper, with Blake Taaffe dropping to reserves, while Hame Sele is promoted from the interchange to take the place of starting prop Tevita Tatola (knee) and Liam Knight is the new forward on the bench.

The club's five Origin players - Latrell Mitchell, Dane Gagai, Damien Cook, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray - got through Sunday night without injury and have been named to start.

Blake Taafe and Josh Mansour were omitted from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off.

Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored eight tries in his past three games.