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More than 25 fit players will miss the final round of the season after Melbourne, Parramatta, South Sydney and Newcastle opted to rest some of their big names.
The NRL will be missing more than 25 of its biggest names in a farcical last round after Melbourne, Parramatta and South Sydney opted to rest players en masse before the finals.
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has confirmed he is poised to sit a staggering eight of his stars against St George Illawarra.
That figure does not include Latrell Mitchell and Liam Knight, who make up for another two players to drop out of the Rabbitohs' squad amid suspensions.
Adam Reynolds, Damien Cook, Dane Gagai and Thomas Burgess have not been named, while Jai Arrow, Cameron Murray, Alex Johnston and Cody Walker are on an extended bench and not expected to play.
The Rabbitohs aren't alone though.
Parramatta have made their top-four hopes secondary, resting halves Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown for their clash with Penrith.
Clint Gutherson will also sit out the match after picking up a minor leg injury, while Junior Paulo is suspended and Isiah Papali'i and Nathan Brown will not take the field.
Defending champions Melbourne will rest seven players against Cronulla that could have massive implications.
Cameron Munster, Christian Welch, Felise Kaufusi, Kenny Bromwich, Reimis Smith and Tom Eisenhuth have all been rested, while Josh Addo-Carr's hamstring is on ice and Jesse Bromwich suspended.
It comes with the minor premiership up for grabs, given a full-strength Penrith side can still claim it if Melbourne lose to Cronulla.
More importantly if the Sharks beat the depleted Storm they will also claim a top-eight spot, ending Canberra and Gold Coast's finals hopes.
In the Hunter, Newcastle will be without the rested Jacob Saifiti, Jayden Brailey and Mitch Barnett.
The total players missing is down on the 29 absent from the final round of last year, but still leaves a gaping hole in several games.
Ivan Cleary's decision to run Penrith at full strength comes with the Panthers desperate to get more time into their combinations.
Penrith have barely played with their best team since the start of the State of Origin series, with the majority of their stars out.
Manly have also named their best possible team for Saturday's clash with North Queensland, given a win will guarentee them a top-four spot.
The Sydney Roosters also go in with their best side, bolstered by the return of the retiring Josh Morris from injury alongside Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siosuia Taukeiaho.
Coach Trent Robinson has moved teenage half Sam Walker back to the bench for the opening game of the round, with Lachlan Lam to start at No.7.
The Roosters need to win their clash with Canberra and have Manly and Parramatta both lose to go into the top four.
The Raiders have moved Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad back to fullback for the match, with Jordan Rapana reverting to the wing and Bailey Simonsson out with a groin strain.
