Round 8 of the 2026 NRL season kicks off Thursday night with injury lists dominating the team news. Nearly every club is carrying meaningful absences, and for several premiership contenders the week could define their season trajectory. Here are the injury stories that will shape betting markets heading into the weekend.
Panthers Lose Liam Martin
Penrith have confirmed that Liam Martin will miss four to six weeks with a PCL injury sustained in their Round 6 loss to Canterbury. The timing is poor for the ladder leaders, who face an extended stretch without one of their most important forwards. Martin's absence, combined with Casey McLean's Round 8 suspension, forces coach Ivan Cleary into a reshuffled pack against the Sea Eagles on Saturday.
The Panthers remain premiership favourites at 6-1 but their odds have drifted marginally in most markets this week. Punters backing them for the minor premiership should factor in the possibility of at least one further loss before Martin returns.
Storm's Casualty Ward
Melbourne's horror run shows no sign of slowing. Already on a five-game losing streak, the Storm will miss Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Will Warbrick through concussion protocols, Nick Meaney (jaw, Round 9) and Dean Ieremia (Achilles, indefinite) for extended periods. Coach Craig Bellamy has limited options with the roster stretched thin.
Their clash against Brisbane at AAMI Park on Saturday night is being billed as a must-win. A sixth consecutive loss would make finals qualification a serious conversation for a club that has not missed the eight since 2010.
Eels Wait on Moses Return
Mitchell Moses is targeting a Round 9 return from the foot injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 4. Parramatta's upset win over Canterbury on Sunday without him has given the Eels a morale boost, but Moses remains the key to any sustained run. Zac Lomax (foot, Round 12) and Joey Lussick (thumb, Round 11) are further out.
The Roosters also face selection headaches with five players on the long-term injury list including Sam Walker (ACL), Mark Nawaqanitawase (calf) and Lindsay Collins (knee). Coach Trent Robinson will lean heavily on Hugo Savala and James Tedesco to carry the side through May. Ongoing team-by-team injury coverage is tracked by ABC Rugby League.
What This Means for Punters
Injury-affected rounds create value and risk in roughly equal measure. Sides with depth (Panthers, Broncos, Sea Eagles) generally absorb absences better than those already stretched thin (Storm, Dragons). Premiership futures markets have not moved significantly this week, meaning punters who believe the Panthers' injury run is a short-term setback can still get them at roughly the same price as last week. Conversely, bottom-eight sides like the Storm are now drifting rapidly in match markets until they show evidence of steadying the ship.