NRL 2026: Round 20 team tips, team lists, ins and outs, injuries, suspensions, latest teams news, Mitchell Woods injury

Mitchell Woods has been dealt another setback in his road to a potential NRL debut, with the young Bulldogs playmaker re-injuring his hamstring in his first game back in 315 days.

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Woods looked on track for a big day when he went over for the opening try, with the Bulldogs going on to play out a thrilling 26-all draw against the Canberra Raiders.

But unfortunately for Woods his day came to an early end, with the halfback going down injured early in the second half.

It was the last thing Woods needed, having picked up a hamstring injury in the pre-season.

Woods has been earmarked as the Bulldogs’ halfback of the future but the club has played the long game with the talented teenager, being extra cautious in his return to play.

“Mitch is a great young kid, I love coaching him, he’s just footy obsessed but he’s 19, he’s still got a little bit of an apprenticeship to go,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said of Woods on 100% Footy earlier this year.

“He’s been injured this pre-season. We know he’s going to be a first grader, we love that he’s at the Bulldogs but we’re not going to rush him ever.

“There’s no point worrying about those decisions yet.”

Read for the latest NRL team tips ahead of Round 20!

THURSDAY JULY 16

Penrith Panthers vs. Brisbane Broncos @ CommBank Stadium, 7:50pm

Round 18 Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 18. Jack Cole 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 16. Billy Phillips 13. Lindsay Smith 3. Izack Tago 14. Billy Scott 15. Kalani Going 17. Luron Patea 19. Sione Fonua 20. Zakauri Clarke

Team Tips: The Panthers could welcome back both Mitch Kenny (leg) and Casey McLean (quad), although McLean is considered the more likely of the two to return. That would push Jack Cole back to the reserves with Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin back on deck.

Round 18 Broncos team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Grant Anderson 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Thomas Duffy 7. Ben Hunt 8. Va’a Semu 9. Cory Paix 10. Preston Riki 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Xavier Willison 14. Blake Mozer 15. Ben Talty 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Jesse Arthars 19. Luke Gale 20. Joshua Coric

Team Tips: All eyes will be on what the Broncos do in the halves, with Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam on track to return according to Code Sports. The pair took part in Brisbane’s first training session after the Origin decider, although Mam was wearing a red no-contact bib. Reynolds will automatically slot in to replace Ben Hunt if healthy, but the bigger question is whether Mam will again feature on the bench or replace Tom Duffy. “They’ve got to pick him,” veteran reporter Brent Read said of Mam on ‘NRL 360’. “It was ridiculous he wasn’t playing before … they’ve got to pick him because he’s the long-term six of that football club. Your season is basically over. You’ve got to play him, get him back in forth and find some confidence in him.”

FRIDAY JULY 17

Cronulla Sharks vs. Newcastle Knights @ Ocean Protect Stadium, 6pm

Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 22. Blayke Brailey 16. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 9. Jayden Berrell 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Siosifa Talakai 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Mawene Hiroti 23. Addin Fonua-Blake

Team Tips: Addin Fonua-Blake will move back to the starting side in place of Oregon Kaufusi but otherwise the Sharks will run it back with the winning formula which saw them demolish the Dolphins. That is, outside of the chance that lock forward Jesse Colquhoun will return after missing the game with knee inflammation. “It’s not a significant injury and he won’t he out for a long period of time” Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.

Last week’s Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 6. Fletcher Sharpe 5. Greg Marzhew 14. Sandon Smith 7. Dylan Brown 8. Cody Hopwood 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 17. Thomas Cant 13. Mathew Croker 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Lachlan Crouch 18. Harrison Graham 19. Fletcher Hunt 20. Francis Manuleleua

Team Tips: Bradman Best will return after being rested, with Fletcher Sharpe reverting back to the halves and Sandon Smith dropping to the bench. There is no certainty Jermaine McEwen will be back, however, after pulling up with hamstring tightness which saw Thomas Cant promoted to the starting side. “Hopefully (he’ll be back),” Adam O’Brien said post-game. The Knights coach also said it was just a cork on the hip for Greg Marzhew, who should be fine to play against the Sharks even on the short turnaround.

Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm @ Allianz Stadium, 8pm

Last week’s Roosters team: 22. Cody Ramsey 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Hugo Savala 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Egan Butcher 17. Delasalle Vaa 18. Rex Bassingthwaighte 19. Tommy Talau

Team Tips: The Roosters will welcome back two of their Origin stars, with both Reece Robson and Sam Walker returning. There will still be no James Tedesco though, meaning Cody Ramsey will likely stay at fullback for another week.

Last week’s Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 21. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 14. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 19. Trent Toelau 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 15. Joe Chan 13. Trent Loiero 9. Harry Grant 12. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Oryn Keeley 23. Hayden Watson

Team Tips: Melbourne will welcome back Cam Munster against the Roosters after he was rested for the Titans clash. Oryn Keeley played well in his club debut and is a chance to come into the starting line up for Joe Chan. Tyran Wishart will revert back to the bench. Moses Leo is due back after missing one match because of concussion protocols.

SATURDAY JULY 18

Canberra Raiders vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs @ GIO Stadium, 3pm

Last week’s Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 21. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 17. Daine Laurie 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 15. Ata Mariota 12. Noah Martin 13. Zac Hosking 6. Ethan Strange 11. Hudson Young 14. Tom Starling 16. Josh Papali’i 19. Morgan Smithies 20. Coby Black

Team Tips: Seb Kris was a late withdrawal from last week’s game after suffering a hamstring injury at training. There is no clarity yet on the severity of the injury, but if he returns it would be in a straight swap with Jed Stuart. Elsewhere, both Ethan Strange and Hudson Young will return to the starting side in place of Daine Laurie and Ata Mariota.

Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Dayne Jennings 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 13. Cameron Murray 14. Lachlan Hubner 15. Jamie Humphreys 16. John Radel 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Jye Gray 19. Latrell Siegwalt

Team Tips: Wayne Bennett was tight-lipped on whether Jye Gray will return to fullback next week, telling reporters the move this week was largely influenced by Cody Walker (suspension) being unavailable. “We knew what we were doing,” Bennett said. “We made a deliberate decision to do what we did. Cody’s not playing today. Cody adds a lot to our team and does things that other players can’t do, and Dufty can kind of complement that and we needed him today to do those couple of things that he did.” When asked if that meant Gray would return next week with Walker back on deck, Bennett simply said “I don’t have to do that until Tuesday”. Elsewhere, Bennett also revealed that Euan Aitken will be fine for the game against the Raiders despite being short of breath in the clash with Newcastle. “He had a bit of a virus yesterday and thought he could play today, and the doctors thought he could play and they medicated him a little bit and he got out there and all of a sudden his heart was racing, so we got him off as soon as we realised we had a bit of a problem there, but he’s fine now,” Bennett said. Otherwise, there aren’t too many changes expected for South Sydney with Alex Johnston (calf) and Latrell Mitchell (calf) still a week away.

New Zealand Warriors vs. St George Illawarra Dragons @ Go Media Stadium, 5:35pm

Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tanner Stowers-Smith 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Marata Niukore 18. Luke Metcalf 21. Luke Laulilii

Team Tips: The Warriors will welcome back Origin representatives Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell, with Barnett to bump Tanner Stowers-Smith back to the bench while Capewell will replace Jacob Laban in the starting side. Stowers-Smith picked up a shoulder injury in the game against the Tigers but fortunately will be OK to play according to coach Andrew Webster.

Round 18 Dragons Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Josh Kerr 17. Emre Guler 18. Jacob Halangahu 19. Lyhkan King-Togia

Team Tips: Kade Reed is nearing a return from his finger injury, although it is more likely he will come back via NSW Cup before being considered for an NRL recall.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Wests Tigers @ Accor Stadium, 7:35pm

Last week’s Buldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 19. Bronson Xerri 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 14. Kurt Mann 10. Leo Thompson 11. Josh Curran 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Harry Hayes 9. Bailey Hayward 15. Alekolasimi Jones 16. Jack Underhill 17. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Jacob Preston

Team Tips: The Bulldogs are set to welcome back star centre Viliame Kikau while Enari Tuala should also be good to go after missing last week’s game against the Raiders with an illness. That should see Bronson Xerri drop back to the extended bench while Kikau would also bump Jaeman Salmon back to the interchange. All eyes will be on injured skipper Stephen Crichton after he was taken from the field, with Cameron Ciraldo unsure how long his centre could be out — if at all. “Two years ago something happened that was pretty similar so fingers crossed it’s a good result, but he’ll get a scan and make sure everything’s OK,” Ciraldo said.

Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Josese Lanyon 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Fonua Pole 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Faaletino Tavana 22. Jared Haywood

Team Tips: There will be several changes for the Tigers, with Bunty Afoa facing a ban for his late shot on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Fonua Pole would be the likely candidate to come in for him. Elsewhere, Starford To’a is also a chance of being sidelined with a groin injury, with Tino Tavana an option to come into the starting side with Sunia Turuva shifting to the centres. Otherwise, Patrick Herbert (shoulder) is another alternative as he targets his return. In welcome news, Samuela Fainu appeared to be struggling with a groin injury when he came from the field but coach Benji Marshall revealed the early mark was precautionary.

SUNDAY JULY 20

Gold Coast Titans vs. Manly Sea Eagles @ Cbus Super Stadium, 2pm

Last week’s Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Sam Verrills 19. Jaylan de Groot

Team Tips: Cooper Bai played just four minutes against the Storm after suffering a shoulder injury. Thankfully, coach Josh Hannay doesn’t believe the injury is serious. “There’s no structural damage,” Hannay revealed after his side’s heartbreaking loss to Melbourne. Other than Bai, don’t expect Hannay to make any changes to his side.

Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 17. Simione Laiafi 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 10. Kobe Hetherington 14. Corey Waddell 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 18. Josh Feledy 22. Nic Lenaz

Team Tips: The Sea Eagles will be without Ben Trbojevic (concussion) and likely Corey Waddell (ankle) too with Ethan Bullemor expected to join the starting side to cover Trbojevic while Fletcher Baker is likely to join the extended bench as depth in the middles.

Dolphins vs. North Queensland Cowboys @ Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm

Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Brad Schneider 24. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 8. Felise Kaufusi 14. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Sebastian Su’a 18. Brian Pouniu 23. Max Plath

Team Tips: The Dolphins will welcome back Origin stars Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jack Bostock but will be sweating on the availability of Queensland representative Max Plath after he went down with an ankle injury. Kristian Woolf said Plath was “walking okay” post-game in a “positive sign” but that he would have to go for scans. Elsewhere, Isaiya Katoa told Fox League before the loss to the Sharks that he would come back from his forearm injury in Round 22 at the earliest, with Round 23 the more likely return date.

Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 19. John Bateman

Team Tips: To come.

Bye: Parramatta Eels