NRL Round 11 Team Updates: Ezra Mam Set to Make His Return for Broncos, Todd Payten Drops Halfback Following Golden-Point Standoff

Ezra Mam is set to make his NRL comeback for the Broncos this weekend as he has been cleared to play against the Dragons.

The five-eighth received the green light following a high tackle incident during his return to the Queensland Cup with the Souths Logan Magpies on Sunday, stepping in for Ben Hunt.

This round is pivotal for players keen to secure their positions for State of Origin selection, with both established players and newcomers competing for spots on the squad.

Parramatta will gain a significant advantage on the flanks, while the struggling Dragons will need to adapt once again due to an injury in their forward pack.

Here’s the latest on team changes ahead of round 11.

FRIDAY

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels, McDonald Jones Stadium (6pm)

Knights Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Paul Bryan

Knights Team News: Fletcher Hunt will make his NRL debut on the wing, stepping in for the injured Greg Marzhew (knee), while Tyson Frizell moves to the front-row due to Leo Thompson (concussion) being unavailable this week.

Eels Team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Matt Doorey 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Toni Mataele 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Ryan Matterson 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Jake Tago 22. Brendan Hands

Eels Team News: Zac Lomax (foot) makes a timely return, with Bailey Simonsson (foot) set to spend some time on the sidelines. Charlie Guymer has been omitted from this week’s squad.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters, Accor Stadium (8pm)

Bulldogs Team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Luke Smith 19. Jack Underhill 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Drew Hutchison 23. Blake Taaffe

Bulldogs Team News: Jaeman Salmon (ankle) will be sidelined for approximately 10 weeks, with Luke Smith making his debut from the bench.

Roosters Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Egan Butcher 16. Blake Steep 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Ethan King 19. Salesi Foketi 20. Dominic Young 21. Chad Townsend 22. Benaiah Ioelu

Roosters Team News: Lindsay Collins (knee) returns from injury to take a place on the bench, while promising young talent Salesi Foketi drops to reserves.

SATURDAY

Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors, Suncorp Stadium (3pm)

Dolphins Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Ray Stone 14. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Oryn Keeley 20. Max Feagai 21. Kenny Bromwich 22. Junior Tupou

Dolphins Team News: The lineup remains unchanged from their recent victory against the Eels in round 10.

Warriors Team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Taine Tuaupiki 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Samuel Healey 18. Eddie Ieremia 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 23. Moala Graham-Taufa

Warriors Team News: James Fisher-Harris (pectoral) is back in the front-row in a significant boost, replacing Jackson Ford (concussion). Star winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) is listed among the reserves.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles, QCB Stadium (5.30pm)

Cowboys Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kai O’Donnell 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kaiden Lahrs

Cowboys Team News: A major shakeup from Todd Payten, with Jake Clifford dropped, Jaxon Purdue stepping into the halves, and Tom Dearden now in the No.7 jersey. Zac Laybutt makes his first NRL appearance since recovering from an ACL injury sustained last season.

Sea Eagles Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Caleb Navale 17. Nathan Brown 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Joey Walsh 22. Matthew Lodge

Sea Eagles Team News: Jazz Tevaga returns to the starting hooker position, allowing Jake Trbojevic to play lock. Fresh face Caleb Navale is on the bench this week.

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm, Shark Park (7.35pm)

Sharks Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Teig Wilton 22. Chris Veaila

Sharks Team News: Siosifa Talakai (concussion) returns to the bench, while back-rower Teig Wilton (shoulder) is in the reserves. Tom Hazelton (shoulder) is out after sustaining an injury against Manly.

Storm Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Harry Grant 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Storm Team News: Harry Grant (hamstring) has been included among the reserves as he aims for a return, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona drops out of the 17 in favour of Tui Kamikamica, who is back on the bench.

SUNDAY

Brisbane Broncos vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Suncorp Stadium (2pm)

Broncos Team: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Delouise Hoeter

Broncos Team News: Ezra Mam returns to the NRL as the five-eighth, replacing Ben Hunt (hamstring), who will be sidelined for roughly six weeks.

Dragons Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Nathan Lawson 19. Hame Sele 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 22. Michael Molo

Dragons Team News: Toby Couchman (shoulder) is ruled out; Jack de Belin will shift to prop, and Blake Lawrie will return from the bench.

Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans, GIO Stadium (4.05pm)

Raiders Team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Jed Stuart 19. Noah Martin 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Raiders Team News: Corey Horsburgh returns from concussion to bolster the front-row. Matty Nicholson (ankle) will be out for approximately three months, and Simi Sasagi joins the bench.

Titans Team: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Kieran Foran 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Chris Randall 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Tony Francis 19. Arama Hau 20. Josh Patston 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Sean Mullany

Titans Team News: Kieran Foran (biceps) has been included on the bench, marking his first game of the season, alongside Jaimin Jolliffe (suspension), who returns.

Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Campbelltown Stadium (6.15pm)

Tigers Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Royce Hunt 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Brent Naden 15. Tony Sukkar 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Heath Mason 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Reuben Porter 22. Tristan Hope

Tigers Team News: Fonua Pole (knee) will miss the clash, resulting in Royce Hunt getting a start at prop. Starford To’a (neck) is also back on the field at centre, pushing Brent Naden to the bench.

Rabbitohs Team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Tevita Tatola 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Josh Schuster 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Jacob Host

Rabbitohs Team News: Alex Johnston (hamstring) is back on the wing, replacing Fletcher Myers in the sole change following the victory in round 10.