The Storm have suffered multiple hits to their spine in the lead-up to their top-of-the-table clash against Cronulla with Jahrome Hughes set to join Ryan Papenhuyzen on the sidelines.

Papenhuyzen will be out 4-6 weeks after suffering a small fracture in his leg in Saturday’s narrow win over the Gold Coast while Hughes felt a “pop” in his calf early in the match.

“Scans last night showed Paps has a small fracture to the fibula in the same ankle he injured last year,” Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said on Sunday.  “The injury will likely require surgery, which will keep Paps sidelined between four and six weeks.”

Young utility back Sua Fa’alogo, who could be an option to replace Papenhuyzen at fullback, injured his knee while back-up halfback Jonah Pezet, who would normally fill in for Hughes, is out for the year after tearing his ACL in the NSW Cup recently.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy could use Tyran Wishart and Nick Meaney against the Sharks at fullback or in the halves. Maroons winger Xavier Coates should be OK to return from a hamstring strain.

Papenhuyzen’s injury rules him out of any prospect of making his Blues debut in Origin I as a bench utility on June 5 with NSW also now without Cameron Murray due to a hip injury as South Sydney’s horror season goes from bad to worse.

Murray suffered the injury in Thursday night’s NRL loss to Penrith, ruling him out for 6-8 weeks. The Rabbitohs’ injury situation is now so dire that former North Queensland forward Gehamat Shibasaki has answered an SOS call to join the squad from Souths’ Queensland Cup affiliate Townsville Blackhawks.

Shibasaki will join the Rabbitohs on a week-by-week basis and is available for selection in Saturday’s clash against St George Illawarra. Prop Tevita Tatola, centre Campbell Graham and young winger Tyrone Munro are all sidelined long-term through injury.

Rising star Jye Gray suffered an ankle injury against Penrith and halfback Dean Hawkins suffered a quad injury. Star fullback Latrell Mitchell is back after he has missed the past three games through suspension while winger Alex Johnston is a chance to return from a hamstring injury against the Dragons.

Rabbitohs forward Jacob Host was charged by the match review committee after making contact with the legs of Panthers kicker Brad Schneider. He faces two games on the sidelines, risking three if Souths dispute the grading. 

Panthers centre Izack Tago was slapped with a one-game ban for a hip drop tackle on Gray.

Star halfback Nathan Cleary will be back this Friday when they tackle Canterbury after getting a game off to manage his return from a hamstring tear.

Brisbane’s hopes of mounting a title challenge hang in the balance after a biceps rupture to skipper Adam Reynolds, but coach Kevin Walters is backing Jock Madden to fill the breach.

Reynolds had scans on Saturday on the injury he suffered in the 40-18 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Friday night and will have surgery early this week, ruling him out for 12-14 weeks, which will leave the 33-year-old out of action until at least round 21.

Jock Madden, the club’s back-up half, had a minor pectoral injury in round eight against Wests Tigers and is racing the clock to be fit for Friday night’s away clash with Parramatta.

Utility Tristan Sailor is an option if Madden does not recover in time while Walters ruled out switching fullback Reece Walsh, who had a poor game in the loss to the Roosters, to the halves.

Winger Jesse Arthars broke his jaw against the Roosters and was taken to hospital. He is set to be replaced by veteran Corey Oates. Arthars had surgery on Saturday and will miss six weeks.

Brisbane winger Deine Mariner avoided a ban, copping a fine instead, after being sin-binned for a late hit on James Tedesco.

The Eels will be without Clint Gutherson for at least a month due to a minor knee operation.

Roosters duo Victor Radley (hamstring) and Daniel Tupou (knee) are a chance to be back alongside Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for his 300th NRL game against the Warriors on Sunday while hooker Brandon Smith’s calf strain is not likely to keep him out.

Titans halfback Tanah Boyd dislocated his wrist early in his team’s loss to Melbourne while Dolphins centre Tesi Niu is also set to be out after injuring his ankle in their narrow win over the Cowboys.

Wests Tigers half Aiden Sezer is facing a ban of five matches after he was one of 10 players charged after a spiteful Saturday schedule of three matches in the NRL.

Sezer was charged with grade-three dangerous contact for a hip-drop tackle on Canterbury forward Josh Curran during the Tigers’ loss at Accor Stadium.

Due to a poor judiciary record dating back to his stint in the Super League, he will be banned for four weeks with an early guilty plea or risk a fifth match out if he challenges the verdict at the judiciary.

Bulldogs duo Samuel Hughes and Tigers veteran David Klemmer are facing fines of two-game bans for contrary conduct towards referee Kasey Badger while Wests forward Alex Seyfarth ($1500-$2000) was also pinged for striking.

He was sin-binned after appearing to headbutt Reed Mahoney during a skirmish involving several players.

Mahoney was charged with contrary conduct ($1800-$2500) for his part in the incident and was also given a $2500 fine or two-match ban for a dangerous throw on Tigers cub Alaimalo Solomon.

Titans hooker Chris Randall ($1000-$1500 for a high tackle), Storm forward Joe Chan ($1000-$1500 for dangerous contact), Dolphins second-rower Felise Kaufusi ($1000-$1500 for a high tackle) and Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater ($1000-$1500 for dangerous contact) are all set to cop a finanical hit. 

Manly veteran Nathan Brown was charged with grade-two dangerous for an incident involving Josh Papalii and risks a two-game ban if he challenges the judiciary so he is almost certain to cop a $3000 hit to the hip pocket.

Canberra prop Emre Guler will be slugged $1800 to $2500 for a high shot on Tolutau Koula in his team’s win over Manly, lock Morgan Smithies is looking at $1500 to $2000 for a crusher tackle while Brisbane winger Deine Mariner has the same punishment for a shoulder charge on James Tedesco in Brisbane’s loss to the Roosters.

Round 10 teams

All times AEST

Dolphins vs Manly at Suncorp Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday May 9

Dolphins: Veteran forward Kenny Bromwich is a maybe due to a head knock while centre Tesi Niu is out due to an ankle problem. 

Sea Eagles: Nathan Brown has avoided a ban, copping a $3000 fine for dangerous contact on Josh Papalii.

Penrith vs Canterbury at BlueBet Stadium: 6pm, Friday May 10

Panthers: Nathan Cleary will return from a week off to ensure his hamstring was not aggravated by a short turnaround before their win over the Rabbitohs. Izack Tago has been banned for a hip-drop tackle so Paul Alamoti will likely slot in at centre.

Bulldogs: Connor Tracey is a maybe due to a quad strain.

Parramatta vs Brisbane at CommBank Stadium: 8pm, Friday May 10

Eels: Bryce Cartwright is on track to be right to return from a rib injury but Clint Gutherson’s absence at the back for a month with a knee injury means Blaize Talagi is likely to get a chance at fullback.

Broncos: With Adam Reynolds out long term with a torn bicep, Jock Madden is a chance to return from a pec injury at halfback or Tristan Sailor is another option but Kevin Walters has ruled out switching Reece Walsh from fullback. 

Deine Mariner is free to play after copping a fine for his shoulder charge in the loss to the Roosters but fellow winger Jesse Arthars (broken jaw) is set to be replaced by veteran Corey Oates. 

Wests vs Newcastle at Scully Park, Tamworth: 3pm, Saturday May 11

Tigers: Alex Seyfarth (headbutt) and David Klemmer (contrary conduct) will escape with a fine but Aiden Sezer (hip drop) is facing a four-game ban for a hip drop. Api Koroisau should be back after a week off to nurse a calf strain.

Knights: Jacob Saifiti (leg) and Tyson Frizell (hamstring) are set to bolster the pack.

St George Illawarra vs South Sydney at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday May 11

Dragons: Moses Suli will be back after sitting out the clash with Cronulla due to a concussion.

Rabbitohs: Cameron Murray’s hip injury is a huge blow for interim coach Ben Hornby’s hopes of dragging the team up the ladder. Star fullback Latrell Mitchell has served his ban for elbowing Shaun Johnson but winger Taane Milne is out one more week for his dangerous tackle on Cameron Munster. 

Prop Tevita Tatola, centre Campbell Graham and young winger Tyrone Munro are all sidelined long-term through injury.

Rising star Jye Gray suffered an ankle injury against Penrith, while halfback Dean Hawkins hurt his thigh while doing a kickoff. 

Veteran winger Alex Johnston could be back from a hamstring injury against the Dragons. 

Melbourne vs Cronulla at AAMI Park: 7.35pm, Saturday May 11

Storm: The loss of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes to leg injuries is a huge blow, particularly with back-up playmaker Jonah Pezet out for the season with a torn ACL on NSW Cup duty. 

Nick Meaney could switch to the halves alongside Cameron Munster with Sua Faalogo to potentially step in at fullback if his knee is OK with Tyran Wishart another option for each vacancy. 

Fijian prop Tui Kamikamica (calf) is a chance to be back on deck.

Sharks: The absence of Braydon Trindall after being stood down for drink-driving and young forward Jesse Colquhoun’s long-term foot injury are the only hits to the Cronulla roster.

Sydney vs Warriors at Allianz Stadium: 2pm, Sunday May 12

Roosters: Victor Radley (hamstring) and Daniel Tupou (knee) are a chance to be back alongside Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for his 300th NRL game. Brandon Smith (calf) should be right.

Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) and Jazz Tevaga (hamstring) are close to returning.

Gold Coast vs North Queensland at Cbus Super Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday May 12

Titans: Moeaki Fotuaika sat out the loss  to Melbourne with a concussion while Tanah Boyd is out for at least a month with a dislocated wrist. 

Cowboys: Veteran half Chad Townsend could be out with a knee injury while winger Murray Taulagi (hamstring) is a chance of making a comeback. 

Bye

Raiders: Emre Guler was slugged $1800 for a high shot on Tolutau Koula in his team’s win over Manly while fellow forward Morgan Smithies is forking out $1500 for a crusher tackle.