Dylan Edwards confirmed for NRL return as Cowboys axe Chad Townsend in brutal development

The Panthers will welcome back star fullback Dylan Edwards from injury for their top-of-the-table clash with Melbourne on Thursday night, with coach Ivan Cleary confirming his return on Wednesday. Edwards and James Fisher-Harris will both return for the crunch match, with the latter's inclusion a huge boost considering they are already missing first-choice starting second-rowers Liam Martin (suspended) and Scott Sorensen (hamstring).

The pair got through the captain's run on Wednesday before they were declared starters against the Storm. Edwards' return this weekend won't only be a huge boost for Penrith's NRL minor premiership hopes, it will also mark just the fifth time this season – and the first time since round 10 – that Penrith will start a game with their first-choice spine.

The NRL premiers currently sit just two points behind leaders Melbourne on the ladder despite missing Edwards, Nathan Cleary, Mitch Kenny and Luai for multiple games this season. Edwards hasn't featured for Penrith since picking up a knee injury in a man-of-the-match performance as he helped the Blues win State of Origin Game 3 to break a 19-year drought in Origin deciders at Suncorp.

And on Tuesday, Jarome Luai noted the significance of Edwards and Fisher-Harris' return to the side. “They bring that level of consistency, intensity, you know they’ll always be there when the big moments come, and when they’re needed,” Luai told SMH.

A win against Melbourne will see the Panthers end the round in first place with just three rounds remaining. However, a loss on Thursday would leave the Panthers at risk of falling out of the top two, and in turn, losing home-ground advantage in the first week of the finals. Melbourne beat Penrith 8-0 earlier this year, but the Panthers have won five of the past seven clashes between the two teams since the 2021 finals series.

Chad Townsend axed following embarrassing defeat

Chad Townsend paid the price for North Queensland's horror show against the Broncos last weekend, dropped for North Queensland's crunch clash with Canberra on Saturday. Jake Clifford has been named in Townsend's place after the veteran halfback endured a difficult night in the 42-18 capitulation last weekend, missing five tackles in an overall poor performance.

The loss leaves North Queensland seventh on the ladder and puts them at risk of dropping out of the top eight. The Cowboys should realistically still make the finals with a round 25 bye but a loss to the Raiders would mean they would likely need to win at least one of their final two matches, against ladder-leaders Melbourne or the in-form Canterbury side.

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Townsend is in his last season at the Cowboys, with Clifford the favourite to wear the No.7 jersey next season after impressing in Queensland Cup. And if Clifford impresses on Saturday there is every chance Townsend could have played his last game in Cowboys colours.

"Both of our halves at the (Northern) Pride have done really well over the past eight to 10 weeks, they are at the top of the comp," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said. "Jake has just got his nose in front (of Thomas Duffy) there, he has got his opportunity through tackling well, kicking well and talking well."

with AAP