NRL teams lists Round 12: Kalyn Ponga, David Fifita and Shaun Johnson return

While the Knights, Rabbitohs and Titans welcome back some of their biggest stars, the Dragons have made a call on the future of an injured attacker. Check out all the ins and outs.

Fullback Matt Dufty won’t be a Dragon beyond this year but St George Illawarra have not closed the door on retaining Corey Norman.

The Dragons informed Dufty that they will not look to renew his contract when it expires at season’s end. It means the injured fullback will be on the lookout for another club, with Brisbane and Canterbury linked to the 25-year-old.

While the Dragons have made a definitive decision on Dufty, the same cannot be said for Norman. The Dragons wanted to take a wait-and-see approach to the duo but have already made a call on Dufty. They are yet to rule out extending Norman’s, whose contract also expires at the end of the season.

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Matt Dufty will not be at the Dragons next season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Dufty remains sidelined with a shoulder injury opening the door for his would-be replacement Cody Ramsey to further push his case to become the club’s long-term no. 1 Ramsey has been considered a potential fullback option for some time.

Dufty won’t play against the Tigers on Friday night as he continues to be sidelined with a shoulder injury. It is hoped Dufty could return to play the Broncos next week.

In other Round 12 team news;

– Cameron Murray is a welcome addition for South Sydney to play Parramatta and push his case for a NSW spot.

– Anthony Milford, James Roberts, Kalyn Ponga, Jack Wighton and Josh Hodgson named to play.

– Gerald Beale has been named to play for the Dragons for the first time since 2014.

– Josh Jackson and Jack Hetherington return for the Bulldogs.

– Joseph Suaalii back on the extended bench with Josh Morris starting at centre.

– Manly forced into another change in the back-row with Karl Lawton named to start in place of the injured Haumole Olakau’atu.

ROUND 12 TEAMS

BRONCOS (Yuggera and Turrbal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Broncos coach Kevin Walters will roll out another young gun with boom back-rower TC Robati named to debut. With Matt Lodge suspended, Rhys Kennedy starts at prop with Robati joining the bench. Tyson Gamble is also suspended, replaced in the halves by Anthony Milford, who gets his third chance at first grade this year. Herbie Farnworth (hamstring) returns at centre with Dale Copley dropping out of the 17.

STORM (Wurundjeri)

TEAMS COMMENT: Come into the clash off a five-day turnaround. Jahrome Hughes (calf) returns after a late withdrawal last week with Cooper Johns dropping out of the 17. Kenny Bromwich (hamstring) will sit out another week. Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) may not return until Round 15 or 16, ruling him out of NSW contention. Cameron Munster (foot) again misses out but is hopeful of playing Origin I. But it’s a different story for Harry Grant (hamstring) who is resigned to missing the Origin opener.

COWBOYS (Wulgurukaba)

TEAMS COMMENT: Jason Taumalolo has copped a one-week ban and is replaced at lock by Coen Hess, who returns from concussion. Connolly Lemuelu (thumb) also misses out after undergoing surgery on Tuesday, replaced by returning young gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (ankle). Peter Hola and Corey Jensen join the bench in place of Lachlan Burr (suspension) and Francis Molo (concussion).

WARRIORS (Aotearoa)

TEAMS COMMENT: No changes to the side that beat the Tigers, sticking with last week’s late change of young matchwinner Reece Walsh at fullback and Roger Tui-vasa-Sheck in a roaming wing role. Tohu Harris and Ben Murdoch-Masila rotated positions from lock to right edge during the Tigers game which is expected to continue.

WESTS TIGERS (Dharwal & Eora)

TEAMS COMMENT: Tommy Talau switches to centre to replace Joey Leilua (concussion) with James Roberts returning from a pectoral injury on the wing. Jake Simpkin drops off the bench with Tom Amone claiming the No. 14 jumper for his club debut.

DRAGONS (Dharwal & Yuin)

TEAMS COMMENT: Recent signing Gerard Beale will make his club debut at centre. Talatau Amone moves to the bench with Adam Clune dropping out of the 17. Tariq Sims (suspension) is a big inclusion after missing last week. He replaces Josh Kerr (shoulder charge) who will miss a week through suspension. Cody Ramsey and last start debutant Jaiyden Hunt have been named despite concussions last week. However, Max Feagai misses out after his weekend head knock and is replaced on the wing by Brayden Wiliame, who returns from a calf issue.

Stephen Crichton shifts to fullback for the Panthers against the Bulldogs. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

PANTHERS (Dharug)

TEAMS COMMENT: The Panthers continue without Dylan Edwards after he missed the Rabbitohs game due to a hamstring injury, which sees Stephen Crichton continue at fullback and Paul Momirovski at centre. Kurt Capewell (suspension) is out for a week. He is replaced in the starting back row by Liam Martin, with Moses Leota (shoulder) returning from injury on the bench.

BULLDOGS (Bidjigal/Bediagal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Skipper Josh Jackson (calf) and prop Jack Hetherington (suspension) are big inclusions. Jackson returns at lock, pushing Adam Elliott to the second row and Chris Smith (suspension) out of the side. Hetherington returns at starting prop, relegating Ava Seumanufagai to the bench. Sione Katoa (suspension) is replaced at hooker by youngster Jackson Topine.

RABBITOHS (Gadigal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Cameron Murray (ankle) returns at lock and is hoping to prove himself for Origin, with Liam Knight dropping out. Josh Mansour (concussion) misses out after a heavy head knock, replaced by Taane Milne on the wing. Jai Arrow starts in the front row with Thomas Burgess moving to the interchange. Jacob Host (quad) returns in the second row with Jaydn Su’A dropped.

EELS (Burramattagal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (suspension) is out for one week. He is replaced at starting prop by Oregon Kaufusi with Marata Niukore returning from suspension on the bench. Waqa Blake and Ryan Matterson are expected to overcome knocks to play.

Cameron Murray returns to bolster the Rabbitohs’ pack. Picture: Brett Costello

ROOSTERS (Gadigal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Huge night at the judiciary with Victor Radley to miss either two or five weeks, while Angus Crichton will miss either two or zero. With Radley out, Isaac Liu moves from prop to lock and Siosiua Taukeiaho is promoted to start at prop. Daniel Suluka Fifita joins the bench. Josh Morris’ return from a back problem sees teen sensation Joseph Suaalii drop to the reserves. Sam Walker has been named despite rumours of resting.

RAIDERS (Ngunnawal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Jack Wighton and Josh Hodgson (both suspension) are important inclusions. Wighton takes his customary five-eighth spot, while Hodgson has been named on the bench, with Tom Starling (ankle) to start despite an injury last week. George Williams has been granted an immediate release with Sam Williams the new halfback. Jordan Rapana (hamstring) returns on the wing in place of Semi Valemei.

SHARKS (Gweagal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Josh Dugan, Mawene Hiroti and Teig Wilton are all out suspended, replaced by Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien and Siosifa Talakai. Shaun Johnson (hamstring) returns in the halves in place of Chad Townsend, who drops out of the 17. Andrew Fifita (hamstring) returns on the bench.

TITANS (Yugambeh)

TEAMS COMMENT: Top gun David Fifita (suspension) is back after a two-week absence, pushing Beau Fermor to the bench and Sam Stone out of the squad. Patrick Herbert (calf) returns at centre in place of Esan Marsters. Ash Taylor has been named on the extended bench. He is close to returning from a hip injury and could replace Tanah Boyd in the halves on game day. Tyrone Peachey and Herman Ese’ese both remain unavailable due to suspension.

Kalyn Ponga is back for the Knights. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

KNIGHTS (Awabakal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Welcome back two big guns in fullback Kalyn Ponga (groin) and centre Bradman Best (hamstring). Ponga comes in at fullback with Kurt Mann shifting to the halves and Blake Green dropped. Best replaces last week’s debutant Simi Sasagi at centre.

SEA EAGLES (Gayamaygal & Garagal)

TEAMS COMMENT: Second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu (hand) is out, replaced by Karl Lawton in the starting side, although Curtis Sironen (knee) has been named to return on the bench and could easily be promoted into the starting role. Toafofoa Sipley (dangerous contact) and Lawton (high tackle) took $1150-$1500 fines and are free to play. Dylan Walker (hamstring) is expected back after the bye.