Brisbane coach Kevin Walters will welcome back rampaging prop Payne Haas for Thursday's showdown with fellow top-four hopefuls Parramatta.
Haas, who missed the State of Origin decider with a shoulder complaint, will start in his first game since round 16 as Corey Oates, Kurt Capewell and Pat Carrigan return to the Brisbane side after their Origin exploits.
Jake Turpin replaces the injury Billy Walters at hooker with Cory Paix offering back-up off the bench.
The sixth-placed Eels have Ryan Matterson (ribs) available once more, with Marata Niukore dropping onto the interchange.
While Brisbane and Parramatta can strengthen their standing in the top eight, St George Illawarra are battling to get in there after heavy back-to-back defeats.
Moses Mbye replaces the injured Moses Suli at centre for Friday's game at Kogarah where Tariq Sims will make his Dragons return from suspension off the bench.
Manly's Jake Trbojevic is out with COVID-19 with Toafofoa Sipley named to start in his place at lock as Des Hasler's men aim to strengthen their finals spot.
In Friday's other game, Luke Keary (concussion) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are back for the Sydney Roosters who travel to Newcastle.
Matt Lodge will make his first start for the Chooks who face a Knights side who hope to have wingers Dom Young and Edrick Lee as well as forward Tyson Frizell available.
The Warriors have dropped Brisbane-bound Reece Walsh to the interchange with Chanel Harris-Tavita taking the fullback berth for Saturday's trip to Canberra.
The Raiders, who have lost James Schiller to injury and Jordan Rapana to suspension, have named Albert Hopoate on the wing after his debut in their upset win over the Storm last week. Skipper Elliott Whitehead returns to the starting side.
Penrith are boosted by the returns of their captains too, with Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary part of the seven-man Origin contingent lining up to face third-placed Cronulla on Saturday.
The Sharks have picked Connor Tracey on the wing after Sione Katoa was ruled out for the year with a pectoral injury and welcome back Siosifa Talakai in the centres.
In Saturday's other game, Nick Meaney takes the spot of Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback for Melbourne with Tyran Wishart slotting in on the wing.
Their opponents South Sydney have Cameron Murray and Damien Cook back after they were given a rest after their Origin exploits.
It's a similar story for the North Queensland Cowboys, who host the Wests Tigers on Sunday, with Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai all returning for Todd Payten's men.
The Tigers have promoted James Tamou to the starting side in his 300th game.
Brent Naden is back on the wing after serving a four-game ban and Tyrone Peachey returns to the bench as a utility after being told he was free to leave the club.
In Sunday's other game, Canterbury believe winger Josh Addo-Carr (ankle) will be fit to face a Gold Coast side bringing Jayden Campbell back from a hamstring injury via the bench.
