Sixteen NRL clubs are gearing up for Round 1, with several players making their club debuts and transitioning from positions they previously played.
From Luke Brooks at the Manly Sea Eagles, to Spencer Leniu to the Sydney Roosters to Morgan Smithies at the Canberra Raiders, this round will mark the first time fans get to see them wear their clubs jersey.
Unfortunately, it isn't all good news with a plethora of elite players ruled out of round one including Dominic Young, Jack Wighton, David Fifita and Maika Sivo.
Teams will be named at 4pm (AEST), but here is all the latest in news and rumours.
Second-rower Josh Schuster has been ruled out of the clash after an injury-plagued pre-season but will be ready to be selected the following week. In his place, newly re-signed utility Ben Trbojevic will take his place on the left edge of the field.
After impressing in the trials, The Daily Telegraph reports Jamie Humphreys will be awarded the utility spot on the interchange, while Nathan Brown will also be selected after being promoted to the Top 30 roster.
Project Round 1 Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Reuben Garrick 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Jason Saab 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Taniela Paseka 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Karl Lawton 16. Nathan Brown 17. Ethan Bullemor
The Rabbitohs will unveil a new-look backline in round one, with Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham and Tyrone Munro all ruled out - Izaac Thompson will also be unavailable after not being granted a visa to the United States.
In their place, the Rabbitohs have to select two of either Richard Kennar, Jacob Gagai or Taane Milne. The latter two are the frontrunners, with Gagai set to become one of the oldest-ever NRL debutants.
It is understood that Cody Walker and Damien Cook are racing the clock to play as they are currently under injury clouds but are set to play.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Jacob Gagai 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Sean Keppie 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Shaquai Mitchell 16. Davvy Moale 17. Thomas Burgess
Spencer Leniu is set to make his much-anticipated debut in Roosters colours, but the lethal combination with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will have to wait with the Kiwi international suspended for the game.
Sandon Smith and Connor Watson will be contending for the bench utility position. In other team news, recruit Dominic Young will miss the game with their backline consisting of Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii.
“I think he tore three ligaments in his neck... very unfortunate for him, I think he's out and Suaalii's in. Billy Smith, Joey Manu, Tupou and then Suaalii,” Brandon Smith said on The Bye Round podcast.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Joseph Suaalii 3. Joseph Manu 4. Billy Smith 5. Daniel Tupou 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Terrell May 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Angus Crichton 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu
The Courier Mail has reported that Corey Jensen has locked down the starting prop position, taking over from Thomas Flegler. As Jensen moved from the bench, Martin Taupau and Xavier Willison were contending for his bench spot, with the position reportedly going to the veteran Taupau.
Selwyn Cobbo has transitioned from the wing to the centres this season creating a lethal combination with Kotoni Staggs - Jesse Arthars and Corey Oates will take their respective spots on the wing.
After sustaining a minor injury in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge, Brendan Piakura has declared himself a certain starter to Kevin Walters after multiple impressive training sessions overseas in Las Vegas.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Corey Oates 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Martin Taupau 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Kobe Hetherington
Tyson Gamble is the frontrunner to take the five-eighth role and join Jackson Hastings in the halves over Jack Cogger and Will Pryce. However, Cogger will likely find himself on the bench, with Jayden Brailey likely not to start the season with a hamstring injury, per The Daily Telegraph.
Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul is set to make his debut this round after missing the two trial games and will likely be used in the starting edge spot.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Bradman Best 4. Dane Gagai 5. Tom Jenkins 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. Jack Cogger 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Dylan Lucas 17. Jack Hetherington
According to News Corp, Jordan Rapana has won the battle for the vacant fullback spot over youngster Chevy Stewart, as Seb Kris remains on the sidelines after being suspended last season.
Although he was charged by the Match Review Committee (MRC), Ethan Strange is free to play and will take one of the centre spots, whilst English international Morgan Smithies will get his first taste of NRL footy at lock.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Xavier Savage 3. Ethan Strange 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Emre Guler 17. Zac Hosking
The Warriors will be without Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for the opening rounds, with all reports pointing to Taine Tuaupiki taking his position at the back of the field.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will make his return to the NRL after a stint at rugby union, while Kurt Capewell will also put on the club's jersey for the first time, adding great depth to their forward stocks.
Chanel Harris-Tavita will have to be patient as he attempts to play his first game in over a year with Luke Metcalf taking the five-eight spot and Dylan Walker being used as the utility off the interchange bench.
Projected Round 1 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. Marata Niukore 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Bunty Afoa
The Sharks are one of the only clubs that will have their best team on show in round one. Nicho Hynes returns after missing the second trial match with a quad injury linking up with Braydon Trindall in the halves.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon is unlikely to pull the plug on playing Siosifa Talakai in the centres, but Kade Dykes and Kayal Iro are hot on his tail, and poor performances will see him easily drop out of the team.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Jack Williams
As reported by News Corp, Joe Chan - the son of ex-Storm forward Alex Chan - is pushing to be selected for the side and impressed Craig Bellamy in the trial matches, especially in Fiji.
Recruit Shawn Blore has been suffering from minor niggle injuries but will be ready to fire in round one and will join Elise Katoa in the back-row. It's understood that the club will play all three of Ryan Papenhuzyen, Nick Meaney and Sua Fa'alogo.
“Listen. I am not too sure,” Chan said of his round one prospects via News Corp.
“If coach selects me then I would do my best to go hard as usual. From there, I am not too worried about it.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Xavier Coates 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Will Warbrick 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Shawn Blore 12. Elisea Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Joe Chan 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Trent Loiero 17. Sua Fa'alogo
After failing to win the World Club Challenge, the Panthers will be eager to begin their 2024 campaign with a victory. Scott Sorensen (who picked up an injury during pre-season) and Sunia Turuva (injured during the WCC match) are both expected to play.
In what is regarded as their best team, Jarome Luai should be back to replace Jack Cole while Liam Henry is the likely candidate to take Spencer Leniu's vacant spot on the bench.
Projected Round 1 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. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Luke Garner 17. Liam Henry
The Eels have suffered a major blow to their outside backs, with Maika Sivo facing a three to four-week suspension for a careless high tackle in their second trial match. In his place, the club could go with either Haze Dunster or Morgan Harper - the latter's selection would push Bailey Simonsson to the wing.
Brad Arthur has previously revealed that he will only play one hooker in the team this season meaning Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick will be contending for the number nine jersey.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Haze Dunster 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Junior Paulo 9. Joey Lussick 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Kelma Tuilagi 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Wiremu Greig
There has been much talk as to who the Bulldogs will play in their backline this season, but the likely five players are what they used in the second trial match, apart from Jacob Kiraz coming in for Blake Wilson.
Drew Hutchinson has seemingly won the halfback spot from Toby Sexton, with the latter appearing in a NSW Cup trial match last weekend.
Recruits Josh Curran and Kurt Mann will be found on the bench alongside predicted breakout star Samuel Hughes, meaning Jaeman Salmon will slot into the lock spot.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Josh Curran 15. Kurt Mann 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Kurtis Morrin
Des Hasler will have some tough choices to make for his first game as Titans coach, with David Fifita and Jayden Campbell being ruled out. In their place, Keano Kini will play at fullback, while Jacob Alick and Klese Haas are contending for the vacant back-row spot.
Kieran Foran will return after missing their second pre-season match, while AJ Brimson will be ready to go after suffering a slight head knock.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Keano Kini 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. Jacob Alick 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas
Shane Flanagan has decided to mix up his backline, moving Zac Lomax to the wing from the centres and Jack Bird from the second-row to the centres.
It's an interesting move, but it paid off against the Wests Tigers in the second trial match. Luciano Leilua will move directly into the back row after joining from the Cowboys.
The interchange bench will be made up of new recruits - Jesse Marschke, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Hame Sele and Tom Eisenhuth - with Marschke playing the utility role and playing a one-two punch with Jacob Liddle at hooker
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Hame Sele 17. Tom Eisenhuth
Jake Averillo and Tesi Niu are in a two-way battle for the centre spot as Wayne Bennett looks to complete a new-look backline that includes Herbie Farnworth and Jack Bostock.
Farnworth reportedly jarred his knee at training on Tuesday but is expected to play. This comes after representative forward Tom Gilbert has been ruled out of the season with an ACL injury.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Jake Averillo 5. Jack Bostock 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Ray Stone 14. Valynce Te Whare 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Kodi Nikorima
The Cowboys face a difficult choice as to who their two centres and two wingers will be this weekend. Zac Laybutt, Viliami Vailea, Semi Valemei and Kyle Feldt have all emerged as players that could be chosen by Todd Payten.
Payten will also have to fill the spot left by Luciano Leilua on the edge with young guns Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki emerging as the favourites.
Projected Round 1 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Semi Valemei 5. Kyle Feldt 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Thomas Mikaele