Some 11 Melbourne players will be rested from the club's penultimate game of the regular season as coach Craig Bellamy eyes a fit and firing Storm for the run through NRL finals.
The Storm locked up the minor premiership with last week's defeat of the Dolphins and consequently Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero and Tui Kamikamica will all be on ice for Thursday's away clash with North Queensland.
Centre Marion Seve will play his first game of the season, having last featured in the 2023 preliminary final loss to Penrith, while Young Tonumaipea and Dean Ieremia are also recalled to the backline.
Promising young playmaker Keegan Russell-Smith will make his NRL debut from the bench, as will prop Tristan Powell and Ativalu Lisati, a mid-season signing from Penrith.
"There’ll be some really exciting rewards for some guys who have been fantastic all year," said Storm prop Christian Welch.
State of Origin winger Xavier Coates is still at least another week away off returning from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since June, but experienced hands Cam Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen will be on deck to guide the Storm.
The Cowboys welcome Jeremiah Nanai (head knock) and Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) back from injury for the clash.
Brisbane's Payne Haas could return from a foot injury against the Dolphins to enhance the Broncos' late finals push.
The State of Origin prop has been named on an extended bench and will be assessed ahead of Saturday night.
Jeremy Marshall-King is a chance to return from his foot injury to help the Dolphins keep their finals hopes alive.
The hooker has been named on an extended bench alongside Tevita Pangai, also a chance to return from a hamstring issue.
Sean O'Sullivan and Mark Nicholls are into the starting side following head knocks to Dolphins teammates Kodi Nikorima and Jesse Bromwich.
Ivan Cleary has made two changes as Penrith fight to remain in the top four, dropping Daine Laurie and teenager Casey McLean from his backline to face South Sydney.
Premiership winner Sunia Turuva returns to the wing after two weeks playing reserve grade, with Paul Alamoti back in the centres.
Tommy Talau returns from a minor pectoral injury for Manly's blockbuster clash against Canterbury, forcing Tolu Koula to the bench as coach Anthony Seibold faces an abundance of backline options.
Matthew Lodge replaces the suspended Corey Waddell on the bench following an unfortunate run of injuries.
Jacob Kiraz replaces suspended Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton in the centres, so Wests Tigers-bound Jeral Skelton comes on to the wing.
Out for almost two months with a serious ankle injury, Nicho Hynes has been named in Cronulla's extended squad to face the Warriors in Shaun Johnson's last NRL game.
He could make a last-minute switch into the team at the expense of handy back-up playmaker Daniel Atkinson.
Sione Katoa (head knock) and Siosifa Talakai (calf) are both back in for the Sharks, but fellow outside back Ronaldo Mulitalo remains sidelined with knee issue.
A shoulder injury has rubbed Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii out of the Sydney Roosters' clash with Canberra, bringing veteran Michael Jennings back into the starting side.
The Roosters have recalled Brandon Smith after he missed last week's win over Gold Coast, and also have Connor Watson back from a head knock.
Spencer Leniu will start up front in place of the suspended Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
