Injured veteran Robbie Farah appears set to be given one final chance to prove his fitness for a farewell when Wests Tigers train on Wednesday.
In a bid to make one final appearance for the club before retiring, Farah was on Tuesday named on an extended bench for Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Cronulla.
Farah ran for the first time since breaking his leg three weeks ago when he ran on Monday, and is understood to have shown a clean bill of health on Tuesday.
However the 35-year-old is still considered unlikely for the final-round match at Leichhardt Oval that if the Tigers win, would steal the Sharks’ finals spot.
The Tigers are scheduled to train at Farah’s home venue on Wednesday morning.
The joint venture club could also have skipper Moses Mbye back from a hip flexor issue that has sidelined him for the past three weeks.
Cronulla have leg problems of their own in recent weeks, however star halfback Shaun Johnson was named after missing one week with a quad injury.
Fullback Matt Moylan (hamstring) is on an extended bench, while Siona Katoa and Jack Williams are back in the 17-man line-up.
In other team news for round 25, defending premiers Sydney Roosters get Boyd Cordner (calf) and Cooper Cronk (eye) back to face South Sydney.
Front-rower Sio Siua Taukeiaho is out with a rib complaint against a Rabbitohs side that have included Tom Amone on the bench for Kyle Turner.
Parramatta have made a couple of changes to their bench, with Tepai Moeroa and Ray Stone coming in for Peni Terepo and David Gower.
They take on a Manly outfit, still reeling from Tom Trbojevic’s season-ending pectoral injury, that have also lost Jack Gosiewski (knee) and Morgan Boyle (arm).
Sean Keppie has been named to make his debut, while, as expected, Brendan Elliot will be relied upon at fullback.
“I suppose it sparks a fire in all of us. It’s not just myself. I know within myself I can do a job there for the team,” Elliot said on Tuesday.
“With him out, everyone’s got to step up, everyone’s got to take a bit of his load. It sparks a fire in all of us because we’re not a one-man team.”
Melbourne playmaker Brodie Croft has been given a chance to impress in the absence of Cameron Munster (shoulder) when they face North Queensland.
Josh Addo-Carr and Brandon Smith have been rested, while Josh McGuire makes his return from a controversial suspension for contrary conduct.
Canberra have also opted to shelve players for the finals, icing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jordan Rapana, Iosaia Soliola and John Bateman against the Warriors.
NRL ROUND 25 MATCHES (ALL TIMES AEST)
Thursday
Rabbitohs v Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.50pm
Friday
Eels v Sea Eagles at Bankwest Stadium, 6pm
Storm v Cowboys at AAMI Park, 7.55pm
Saturday
Raiders v Warriors at GIO Stadium, 3pm
Bulldogs v Broncos at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm
Titans v Dragons at Cbus Super Stadium, 7.35pm
Sunday
Wests Tigers v Sharks at Leichhardt Oval, 2pm
Panthers v Knights at Panthers Stadium, 4.05pm