It may only be Round 3, but several NRL clubs have been hit with injuries and suspensions to star players, while another coach has decided to axe a star halfback after two consecutive losses.
In what seems like a playmaker's curse, Adam Reynolds, Cameron Munster, Josh Schuster, Jayden Sullivan, Lachlan Ilias, Luke Keary, and Jahrome Hughes may all be absent this round.
Teams will be named on Tuesday at 4pm (AEST), but here is all the latest in news and rumours.
The reigning premiers will be without 2023 Golden Boot winner James Fisher-Harris this week after he sustained a shoulder injury during their game against the Eels. Although it doesn't seem serious, he is expected to be out for this week.
In his place, the Panthers could select either Lindsay Smith or Liam Henry, which would free up a spot on the interchange bench. Daine Laurie should also keep his spot on the team despite playing limited minutes last week.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Mavrik Geyer 16. Luke Garner 17. Liam Henry
The Broncos are facing a double blow for the Grand Final rematch, with Adam Reynolds ruled out and Payne Haas carrying a minor knee injury.
The loss of Reynolds will likely see Jock Madden enter the halves. However, Kevin Walters could also choose from the likes of Coby Black, Blake Mozer or Tristan Sailor if he decides to go another way.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Xavier Willison
The Warriors should welcome back hooker Wayde Egan this week, shifting newly re-signed hooker Freddy Lussick to the bench. Forward Marata Niukore may also return but it's hard seeing him push anyone out of the team with no injuries.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jackson Ford 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Freddy Lussick
The Raiders are forced into making a change with Sebastian Kris failing his HIA. His departure from the team will likely see the club run the same team as Round 1, with Zero Tackle understanding Nick Cotric will return to the NRL side.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Nick Cotric 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Ata Mariota 17. Pasami Saulo
The Roosters have suffered a massive blow, with Luke Keary ruled out of the match after failing a HIA. In his absence, a combination of new halves, consisting of Sandon Smith and Sam Walker, will be seen, per News Corp.
With Smith playing the utility role of the bench, this could be given to Connor Watson. Angus Crichton had an outstanding performance in the NSW Cup and was easily the best player on the ground, so a call-up is imminent for him.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Manu 4. Joseph Suaalii 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Angus Crichton 17. Terrell May
Jason Demetriou has decided to axe halfback Lachlan Ilias after two consecutive defeats. He will be replaced by 2023 NSW Cup Player of the Year Dean Hawkins, per The Daily Telegraph and AAP.
Jack Wighton will return from suspension and will be a direct replacement in the centres for Richie Kennar.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Jack Wighton 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Thomas Burgess
After Poasa Faamausili failed an HIA, the Bulldogs will need a replacement for him in the starting front row. The Daily Telegraph understands this will likely go to either Samuel Hughes or Josh Curran.
Faamausili's injury also frees up a spot on the interchange bench, which will either go to Liam Knight or Kitione Kautoga.
Winger Josh Addo-Carr will return from injury and will either enter the team in favour of Blake Wilson or Connor Tracey. If it is the latter, Jacob Kiraz will push back into the centres.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Connor Tracey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jacob Kiraz 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Liam Knight 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin
The Titans could receive a major boost this week, with News Corp reporting that the star trio of Jayden Campbell, Kieran Foran and David Fifita all have a chance of returning to the team and will slot straight into the starting line-up.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. AJ Brimson 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Keenan Palasia 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas
Prop Francis Molo is facing a two-game suspension and is set to be unavailable for the clash while will see a front-row spot be vacant. Brother Michael will likely replace him, with Hame Sele set to join the interchange bench if he returns in time from injury.
In other team news at the Red V, Luciano Leilua will likely start against his former club, pushing Tom Eisenhuth back to the interchange bench.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Michael Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Hame Sele 17. Tom Eisenhuth
Linked with multiple NRL clubs and eyeing a contract extension with the Cowboys, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will be looking to impress this week as he moves into the starting team after Heilum Luki's injury.
Teammate Jordan McLean also sustained an injury last week and is set to miss this week's game. In his place, the club will likely promote Thomas Mikaele to the starting prop position and move Jack Gosiewski onto the bench.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski
The Wests Tigers are forced to shuffle their backline due to Starford To'a's injury. The club disclosed that Justin Olam's estimated return is Round 4.
If he is unavailable for selection, former Canterbury Bulldogs utility back Declan Casey will get the call-up - Josh Feledy and Solomone Saukuru are also injured.
Benji Marshall could also decide to switch up his starting halves, moving Jayden Sullivan to the bench and starting with the veteran Aidan Sezer.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Declan Casey 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Fonua Pole 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu
Zero Tackle understands that recruit Billy Burns has emerged as a potential replacement for the suspended Briton Nikora, but they may decide to go another way.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Royce Hunt (illness) is set to return, which is bound to cause Craig Fitzgibbon a selection headache, especially with his interchange bench.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15. Jack Williams 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Bailey Simonsson has been ruled out of the match, and with Maika Sivo still suspended, the Eels will look to either Haze Dunster or Zac Cini to join the team to round out the backline.
After spending the majority of last week in the centres, Kelma Tuilagi is also likely to be unavailable due to a shoulder injury.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Haze Dunster 3. Will Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Brendan Hands 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Wiremu Greig
Tommy Talau will join Jason Saab on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury that could keep him out for up to a couple of months. After contending with Talau last week for the vacant spot, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega will likely be called up.
There has been no news yet on the status of Josh Schuster, but due to the club winning their first two matches in dominant fashion, it's hard to see him entering the team, and he will likely remain in the NSW Cup.
Project Round 3 Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown
According to Code Sports, hooker Jayden Brailey is closing in on a return from injury and may force his way back into the start and play off the interchange bench.
Dylan Lucas will also return after failing his HIA in Round 1. Jack Hetherington sustained a minor ankle injury against the Cowboys and should spend at least a week on the sidelines.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Tom Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Dylan Lucas
Cameron Munster may make a surprise return to the team if Jahrome Hughes is suspended - after the MRC charged him. This would see Jonah Pezet remain in the halves but switch roles.
Christian Welch is also unavailable due to concussion, but enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona should be back after spending last week in the QLD Cup as he recovers from injury.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jonah Pezet 8. Josh King 9. Harry Grant 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Chris Lewis