Following the completion of the third round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 4 with the exact same line-up.
Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), Daine Laurie (Penrith Panthers), Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles) and Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs) are just a few players that are set to be available for selective heading into Round 4.
However, while some return, the likes of Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm), Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters), Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Taniela Paseka (Manly Sea Eagles) and Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers) have been ruled out for this week.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders
With Braidon Burns (hamstring) still sidelined, Robert Derby is likely to keep his spot on the team, but Jaxson Paulo is another option if coach Todd Payten decides to shake things up.
After suffering an eye injury last round, the Cowboys are hopeful that centre Viliami Vailea will be available for Round 4, per The Courier-Mail.
If he is unavailable, Zac Laybutt will slot straight into the centres after an impressive showing in the QLD Cup competition for the Northern Pride over the weekend.
“Not good. He's gone to hospital. Copped a scratch, had blurred vision, it sort of came good and he went back out there, it went blurry again and it's not good,” Payten said after their match against the Broncos.
Predicted Round 4 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Kai O'Donnell 15. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess
Suspended for the previous two rounds, Canberra Raiders skipper Joseph Tapine will make his way back into the squad.
His return will see him make his way into the starting line-up, pushing veteran Josh Papalii to lock after the club confirmed that Morgan Smithies will miss Round 4 due to the NRL's mandatory concussion protocols.
Projected Round 4 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. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matty Nicholson 13. Josh Papalii14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota
