Following the completion of the second round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 3 with the exact same line-up.
Nelson Asofoa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys), Jack Bostock (The Dolphins) and Josh Addo-Carr (Parramatta Eels) are just a few players that are set to be available for selection heading into Round 3.
However, while some return, the Rabbitohs' injury woes have continued, a Penrith Panthers star will be unavailable and so will a key member of the Canberra Raiders forward pack, among others.
Fresh off a bye and a Round 1 domination of the Parramatta Eels, the Storm will enter the Grand Final rematch with a fully fit squad led by their spine - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant.
Originally set to return from suspension, Nelson Asofa-Solomona is facing a fresh new ban after playing in the QLD Cup over the weekend.
The Daily Telegraph has since reported that the New Zealand international has been cleared to take the field after he was only issued with a warning by the QLD Match Review Committee on Monday night.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Nelson Asofoa-Solomona
The Penrith Panthers have suffered a massive blow for Thursday night's Grand Final rematch against the Storm after the club confirmed Dylan Edwards is set to be sidelined for two to three weeks with a groin strain.
In his absence, Daine Laurie will move to the vacant fullback position, while either Blaize Talagi or Brad Schneider is likely to be promoted to the interchange bench after spending the week in the NSW Cup.
According to Peter Lang from The Western Weekender, Thomas Jenkins will also make his way into the squad in place of Casey McLean.
"He just had a bit of a groin strain," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary originally said on Friday night.
"He could have kept playing but just the way the game was and what we needed at the time, we had a fresh fullback sitting on the bench, that is why we made that call."
Forward Isaiah Papali'i (hip) may also make his return after being a late omission from the team last week and will replace Matthew Eisenhuth on the interchange bench with Liam Henry returning to the field and scoring a try last week.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Brian To'o 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali'i 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner
The New Zealand Warriors have kept the same team for the opening two weeks of the season, so don't expect any team changes, especially considering that they didn't sustain any injuries or suspensions in their upset win against Manly.
Te Maire Martin is pressing his case to be selected after another solid performance in the NSW Cup but won't be called upon by Andrew Webster until the club suffer another loss.
Rocco Berry also returned to the NSW Cup last week, while winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is the only NRL-contracted member on the team's injury list and will be back between Rounds 10 and 14.
Projected Round 3 team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima
After one of the greatest upset wins of all time, the Roosters head into this week filled with confidence and will receive a double boost to their forward pack with the inclusion of Spencer Leniu (suspension) and Victor Radley (concussion).
Their return comes as youngster Salesi Foketi has accepted an early guilty plea of a one-match suspension after being sent to the sin-bin, while former Eel Makahesi Makatoa is the player likely to be dropped.
The club also confirmed last week that Egan Butcher (ACL) has returned to match condition and may also be available for their Round 3 match.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Robert Toia 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Taylor Losalu 17. Naufahu Whyte
Despite losing 32-22 last week against the Raiders, the Brisbane Broncos are set to remain unchanged this week with Blake Mozer (shoulder), Ezra Mam (suspension) and Kotoni Staggs (quad) still on the sidelines.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura
Conceding its most points (78) in the opening two rounds since 2002, coach Todd Payten has hinted that several changes are set to be made to the team ahead of Round 3.
The Courier-Mail has reported that young halfback Tom Duffy has been axed after only two games with Jake Clifford entering the line-up in his place.
Representative duo Jason Taumalolo and Jeremiah Nanai are set to return to the side after spending last weekend in the QLD Cup. At the same time, winger Braidon Burns will be absent with a hamstring injury.
Looking dejected in the dressing room sheds after he was taken from the field, Burns has a long history of hamstring injuries throughout his career.
While the severity has yet to be determined, Todd Payten confirmed he is next to no chance of playing in next week's derby match against the Brisbane Broncos.
“Hamstring, I don't know how bad it is but he's very, very long odds to play next week,” he said.
Predicted Round 3 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Kyle Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Jason Taumalolo 15. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess
A late omission from their match last week against the North Queensland Cowboys, Sharks forward Thomas Hazelton (back soreness) is set to be available.
His return means Craig Fitzgibbon will field his best possible team - a part from injured winger Sione Katoa.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sam Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10 Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton
The Rabbitohs will receive Jack Wighton (suspension) back and he will slot straight back into the centres, but their forward stocks will be heavily depleted this weekend.
Lachlan Hubner is facing a three-match ban for a Grade 2 Crusher Tackle on Clinton Gutherson from last week's clash, while Tallis Duncan (hamstring) will also be unavailable.
According to NRL Physio, Duncan will undergo scans and is likely to face a "longer recovery" time due to the strain being higher up the hamstring.
He will not only miss this week's match against the Cronulla Sharks but could also face a multi-week absence from the field.
Their absences will force Wayne Bennett into a massive shake-up in the forward pack with Thomas Fletcher, Jacob Host and last week's 18th man, Liam Le Blanc, options to take their spots in the team.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Fletcher Myers 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Siliva Havili 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Jacob Host 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola
The Dolphins are set to receive two massive boosts for Round 3 with Jack Bostock (knee) and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (concussion) set to return to the squad as they look to win their first match of the 2025 NRL season.
While Finefeuiaki will slot straight into the back row, pushing Oryn Keeley to the interchange bench, Jack Bostock is set to transition into the centre - a position he trained at during pre-season training.
"Jack has a low-grade medial ligament injury that will require a few weeks of rehabilitation, so we expect him to miss the first two games," Dolphins Head of Performance Jeremy Hickmans said last week.
Despite the inclusion, forward duo Connelly Lemuelu (fractured eye socket) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) remain out with the former set to be available from Round 5 onwards.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone
The Wests Tigers will be looking to go back-to-back after claiming the first win of their 2025 campaign on Sunday against the Parramatta Eels.
However, the club will be sweating on the availability of fullback Jahream Bula who sustained an ankle injury before the match came to a close.
"We'll find out tomorrow...but we should be good," Bula said on Triple M.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu
The Gold Coast Titans are sweating on the availability of winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira after he suffered a calf strain on Sunday but coach Des Hasler was confident that he will be available.
The livewire flyer will be sent for scans to determine the severity of the injury, and if unavailable, cross-code recruit Carter Gordon could be called upon as his replacement after recovering from a back injury.
Forward Josiah Pahulu (concussion) will also return to the side and will push Brock Gray off the interchange bench.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Josiah Pahulu
Playmaker Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with injury meaning Jack Cogger will keep his spot in the team as he looks to continue to impress in the opening matches of the season and keep his spot in the side once Gamble returns.
However, Adam O'Brien will need to make two changes to his forward pack with Kai Pearce-Paul (suspension) and Leo Thompson (knee) unavailable for this week - the latter set to spend at least the next four weeks on the sidelines.
Brodie Jones is likely to be one of the players called up after spending last week as the 18th man.
Meanwhile, Zero Tackle understands that youngsters Cody Hopwood and Jermaine McEwen have emerged as frontrunners to come off the interchange bench after starting in the NSW Cup.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Adam Elliott 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Mat Croker
Josh Addo-Carr will make his long-awaited debut against his former club after spending the opening rounds on the sidelines due to a suspension which was enforced by the NRL last season.
Speaking after their loss to the Wests Tigers on Sunday, coach Jason Ryles hinted that several changes could be made.
This could see the likes of Dean Hawkins, Wiremu Greig, Joey Lussick, Ryan Matterson, Kelma Tuilagi, Bryce Cartwright, and Charlie Guymer be promoted to the first-grade squad after they all played in the NSW Cup earlier in the day.
Projected Round 3 team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Sam Tuivaiti
The Bulldogs have suffered a double injury blow ahead of Round 3 with Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau set to spend at least a month on the sidelines after sustaining knee injuries.
Burton's absence will see several players contend for the five-eighth jersey, including Drew Hutchison and Joseph O'Neill.
However, it will likely fall to either Stephen Crichton or Bailey Hayward after they both impressed Cameron Ciraldo when Burton left the field on Sunday.
"That's what we trained for all pre-season, if one of our halves went down Critta was moving into that spot," Cameron Ciraldo said on Crichton.
"I thought he did a good job when he was there, but I needed him (to go back to the right) and take that challenge on."
Winger Jacob Kiraz is also a chance to return back to the line-up but remains indefinitely sidelined for the time being.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Josh Curran 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jaeman Salmon
Heading into this week's match, the Sea Eagles were sweating on the availability of four players as they prepare to host the Canberra Raiders at 4 Pines Park.
Losing 36-16 to the New Zealand Warriors on Friday night, the Manly Sea Eagles suffered a significant injury blow with star representative fullback Tom Trbojevic and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans exiting the field before full-time.
Two of the club's best players, their potential loss would have had significant ramifications on the side heading into the next couple of weeks if they were sidelined for an extended period of time.
However, Manly coach Anthony Seibold confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday that scans came back positive, and the duo are set to be available for next week's match against the Canberra Raiders.
It is understood that centre Tolutau Koula and front-rower Siosiua Taukeiaho will also be available after missing the Round 2 match with a thigh and knee injury.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley
After another emphatic win last week against the Brisbane Broncos, most of the team will remain the same, but Xavier Savage will return from suspension.
Savage's inclusion will see either rookie Savelio Tamale or veteran Albert Hopoate make their way out of the team.
Unfortunately, back-rower Zac Hosking (hand) has been ruled out of the match and will meet with a specialist on Monday to determine if he will require surgery and how long he will spend on the sidelines.
Captain Joseph Tapine will remain on the sidelines after being handed a two-week suspension last week.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Josh Papalii 11. Hudson Young 12. Matty Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota
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