The Canterbury-bound playmaker has starred filling in at left centre for Penrith, scoring in all but one game and working up a dynamite combination with Jarome Luai.

But all the while he has been doing it plugging a hole.

First, he was there to cover for a backline reshuffle with Dylan Edwards' injury then Momirovski was banned for three weeks for dangerous contact.

But with the Panthers back to full strength and given Momirovski will be at the club next year, team selection was always going to be a serious point of contention.

"I'm glad I'm not picking the team," Nathan Cleary said recently.

"It's a very tough one. It's a good headache to have, but good luck to dad (Ivan Cleary) on that.

"Matty has been absolutely killing it. It's a tough one to pick."

But on Tuesday coach Ivan Cleary made his call, leaving Momirovski in the reserves for Sunday's clash with Gold Coast.

It comes after Canterbury had pushed for an early release for the 21-year-old amid claims his development was being stunted in reserve grade.

Elsewhere, Adam Reynolds has been named to make his comeback for South Sydney against Cronulla after overcoming a thumb injury.

The Sharks have meanwhile recalled Andrew Fifita for the first time this year on the bench, with Josh Dugan to also come in for the injured Jesse Ramien after five straight losses.

Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has found the axe, dropping Kyle Flanagan after hooking him midway through their loss to St George Illawarra.

Brandon Wakeham will start in the halves for the first time this year alongside Jake Averillo, with Lachlan Lewis' internal organ damage still not enough to save Flanagan.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has also rushed in the changes.

Adam Doueihi has been shifted to centre despite being arguably the club's best player in the first two months, with Moses Mbye to partner Luke Brooks in the halves.

Jake Simpkin is one of three players to go back to the reserves with Jacob Liddle to start at hooker, while Jock Madden could still start at No.6 after being named on the bench.

Melbourne have been decimated with injuries for their clash with St George Illawarra, with Cameron Munster (foot) and Harry Grant (hamstring) both gone.

Jesse Bromwich will instead start at hooker and Ryley Jacks is in the halves.

Canberra have also felt the pinch of injuries, with Jordan Rapana (hamstring), Ryan Sutton (elbow) and Joe Tapine (knee) all out of the team to face Canterbury.

And Parramatta will debut Jakob Arthur at five-eighth against the Warriors, with the son of coach Brad able to join the team from outside the bubble in Brisbane.

Australian Associated Press