Heavy hitters make timely return to action to light up NRL finals stage

Five key players have been named to make their return for week one of the NRL finals.

Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs), Andrew Fifita (Sharks), Brett Morris (Bulldogs), Ben Hunt (Broncos) and Michael Morgan (Cowboys) are timely inclusions for their teams, with each likely to play a pivotal role.

Inglis declared himself 100 per cent fit at Monday’s NRL captains’ call but later admitted the swelling from surgery two weeks ago to remove a floating body in his right knee had not subsided.

Team-mate George Burgess will miss the clash after pleading guilty to his bizarre bottle-throwing incident, but will challenge the grading of his grade two contrary conduct charge in an attempt to play in week two of the finals. He is replaced by David Tyrrell.

The Sharks welcome back Fifita after serving a club suspension for an altercation with a referee at a Penrith junior league match. Fifita, who remains in doubt after suffering a calf injury last week, will be joined by brother David and Ben Barba on an extended bench.

Fullback Morris is a handy inclusion for the Bulldogs’ suddendeath clash with the Dragons. He replaces Chase Stanley in the 17 after the Bulldogs rested their star No 1 with a corked quad last week.

Gareth Widdop’s corked thigh is more serious and he hasn’t been named for the Dragons. The No 6 has started running and will be monitored throughout the week.

‘‘Gareth is progressing well and has been in most of the days that the first-grade squad have trained since suffering the cork in his thigh,’’ Dragons high performance manager Mark Andrews said.

Joel Thompson (hamstring) is also an outside chance to return.

The Broncos and Cowboys have received timely boosts ahead of the Queensland derby with key playmakers Morgan (ankle) and Hunt (thigh) named to return from injury.

Meanwhile, the Roosters and Storm are unchanged following big wins last week. Mitchell Pearce (hamstring) is at least another week away.