Fringe Manly backrower Jamie Buhrer has been handed the unenviable task of marking up against retiring Brisbane great Darren Lockyer for his sold-out NRL regular season farewell at Suncorp Stadium.

As the Sea Eagles continued to count the cost of the sideline brawl against Melbourne that has rubbed out at least three players from Sunday's meeting with the Broncos, Buhrer was named at No.6 in place of Keiran Foran.

Will Hopoate returns from injury in place of Brett Stewart at fullback and Michael Oldfield for the injured David Williams on the wing, while Vic Mauro, Daniel Harrison, Terence Seuseu and Tim Robinson have all been named on a six-man bench.

There will almost certainly be more changes to come for coach Des Hasler as well, with Glenn Stewart named at lock despite the likelihood he could be banned for the rest of the season at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.

Sea Eagles hooker Matt Ballin backed Buhrer, who has come off the bench in 16 of his 22 games in 2011, to do the job at five-eighth.

"It will great for Jamie," Ballin said.

"It's great that Darren Lockyer's last game will be up there. It will be a big crowd and a good spectacle.

"I am sure we will be up for it."

Melbourne called up Atelea Vea and Adam Woolnough to replace suspended duo Adam Blair and Sika Manu for Sunday's match against Sydney Roosters, while Cooper Cronk's return at halfback pushes Rory Kostjasyn to the interchange bench.

St George Illawarra's slim chance of pushing for a top-four finish have been boosted by the absence of injured Penrith pair Petero Civoniceva and Trent Waterhouse (both knee) for Friday night's tussle in Wollongong.

Luke Lewis returns from a shoulder injury to play in the Panthers' season finale, while the Dragons have added Adam Cuthbertson to an otherwise unchanged side.

South Sydney have been boosted by the return of try-scoring fullback Nathan Merritt from a quad strain for Friday's night's vital game against fellow top-eight contender Newcastle.

Chris McQueen shifts infield to cover for centre Greg Inglis, who won't play again this season due to an ankle injury.

Wests Tigers welcome back Bryce Gibbs ahead of Saturday night's away game against Cronulla, where victory should be enough to secure fourth spot and a home final in week one of the playoffs.

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