All the latest team news for Round 3 of the Telstra Premiership, kicking off tonight in Sydney and Brisbane.
Panthers v Bulldogs
Panthers: Isaac John is set to play halfback for the Panthers due to a training injury to Peter Wallace (groin). In-form winger Josh Mansour is also out (hamstring), with David Simmons back from a knee injury to take his place. Prop Tim Grant is back from a calf injury off the bench and giant centre Jamal Idris will look to build on a strong first-up effort for his new team against Melbourne.
Bulldogs: An NRL recall is imminent for Tim Lafai, who will replace Chase Stanley (cork) in the centres, while Drury Low will play on the wing due to an injury to Mitch Brown (ankle).
Sharks v Dragons
Sharks: Gun playmaker Todd Carney has trained strongly this week in preparation for his first game of the season, having shaken off a hamstring injury. Hooker Michael Lichaa has made a well-documented exit from the squad after signing with the Bulldogs and Isaac de Gois has been recalled. Front rower David Fifita will be omitted after being named on an extended bench in the wake of Monday's NRL debut.
Dragons: Forward Jack de Belin (cork) will play, with Jack Stockwell and Bronson Harrison playing for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup.
Dragons: Forward Jack de Belin (cork) will play, with Jack Stockwell and Bronson Harrison playing for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup.
Cowboys v Warriors
Cowboys: Named an unchanged team and are expected to stay 1–17 as they try to bounce back from a Queensland derby defeat against Brisbane.
Cowboys: Named an unchanged team and are expected to stay 1–17 as they try to bounce back from a Queensland derby defeat against Brisbane.
Warriors: It remains to be seen if powerful centre Konrad Hurrell will play after being named on an extended bench in jersey No.20, with Dane Nielsen and Jerome Ropati ahead of him in the starting side. Manu Vatuvei is back on the wing after missing last week, while Sione Lousi returns on the bench.
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Sea Eagles v Eels
Sea Eagles: Should run out a named, with champion lock Glenn Stewart (groin) to make his return. Fullback brother Brett (hamstring) is still out for a few more rounds. Jesse Sene-Lefao will drop off the bench on Sunday.
Eels: Will play as named, minus fiery prop Darcy Lussick thanks to his four-week suspension for an ugly high tackle. Hooker Nathan Peats is back from a one-week ban after a promising Round 1 effort. Prop David Gower will again be omitted after being named in jersey No.18.
Sea Eagles: Should run out a named, with champion lock Glenn Stewart (groin) to make his return. Fullback brother Brett (hamstring) is still out for a few more rounds. Jesse Sene-Lefao will drop off the bench on Sunday.
Eels: Will play as named, minus fiery prop Darcy Lussick thanks to his four-week suspension for an ugly high tackle. Hooker Nathan Peats is back from a one-week ban after a promising Round 1 effort. Prop David Gower will again be omitted after being named in jersey No.18.
Raiders v Titans
Titans: Exciting young prop Ryan James should finally return to the NRL in a team shuffle centred around injured five-eighth Aidan Sezer (quad). Veteran lock Ash Harrison will reprise a role from his younger years, playing No.6, with Nate Myles expected to move into the back-row - opening the door for James to return either in the starting side or off the bench. Hooker Beau Falloon (knee) has not trained this week but is expected to play, while Greg Bird will play despite a shoulder scare last weekend. Ben Ridge will drop off an extended bench, while Brad Takairangi has replaced Maurice Blair in the centres.
Titans: Exciting young prop Ryan James should finally return to the NRL in a team shuffle centred around injured five-eighth Aidan Sezer (quad). Veteran lock Ash Harrison will reprise a role from his younger years, playing No.6, with Nate Myles expected to move into the back-row - opening the door for James to return either in the starting side or off the bench. Hooker Beau Falloon (knee) has not trained this week but is expected to play, while Greg Bird will play despite a shoulder scare last weekend. Ben Ridge will drop off an extended bench, while Brad Takairangi has replaced Maurice Blair in the centres.
Raiders: Should be 1-17, minus top back-rowers Josh Papalii (ankle) and Shaun Fensom (suspension). Jarrad Kennedy and Paul Vaughan will come into the starting side, while former Test prop David Shillington joins the bench with Matt McIlwrick.
Storm v Knights
Storm: Craig Bellamy has stuck with an unchanged line-up after consecutive one-point wins.
Storm: Craig Bellamy has stuck with an unchanged line-up after consecutive one-point wins.
Knights: Should be 1-17, with rookie fullback Matt Minto keeping his spot after some impressive touches on debut last weekend. Veteran forward David Fa'alogo should again drop off the bench.
PLAYED
Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs
Wests Tigers: Expected to run out as named, with young speedster Tim Simona returning to the NRL in the centres after off-season shoulder surgery. Liam Fulton is back after a week out with concussion. Corey Paterson is set to miss out after being named on an extended bench.
Rabbitohs: A pair of late blows for South Sydney, with both Dylan Walker and Chris McQueen set to be ruled out. Captain John Sutton will play five-eighth in Walker's place, Kyle Turner and Nathaniel Neale will come on to the bench, with Ben Lowe or Joe Picker to start in the back-row. Journeyman outside back Joel Reddy will make his South Sydney debut against one of his former clubs. Kirisome Auva'a will drop off the original extended bench. Greg Inglis has not trained this week (ankle) but will play.
Broncos v Roosters
Broncos: Plenty of interest will focus on boom youngster Corey Oates, named to make his return from a knee injury off the bench. Having been named to replace the suspended Josh McGuire in the starting side, prop Ben Hannant is also out with a hamstring injury - which will push Marty Kennedy into the fray from the outset against his old team.
Roosters: The premiers should be unchanged, with Siosiua Taukeiaho to drop off the bench.
Broncos v Roosters
Broncos: Plenty of interest will focus on boom youngster Corey Oates, named to make his return from a knee injury off the bench. Having been named to replace the suspended Josh McGuire in the starting side, prop Ben Hannant is also out with a hamstring injury - which will push Marty Kennedy into the fray from the outset against his old team.
Roosters: The premiers should be unchanged, with Siosiua Taukeiaho to drop off the bench.
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