With the pre-season trials in the rearview mirror, here are the predicted 16 line-ups for the opening round of the Telstra Premiership season.
The teams will be announced on NRL.com at 4pm on Tuesday but there are plenty of talking points heading into the first squads being posted.
Jump to your team: Broncos Raiders Bulldogs Sharks Titans Sea Eagles Storm Knights Cowboys Eels Panthers Rabbitohs Dragons Roosters Warriors Wests Tigers
Broncos
Tevita Pangai jnr is racing the clock for round one with a hamstring injury, which could mean Matt Gillett begins the season at lock with David Fifita to start and one of Shaun Fensom of Sam Tagataese joining the bench. Payne Haas is suspended until round five.
- Darius Boyd
- Corey Oates
- James Roberts
- Jack Bird
- Jamayne Isaako
- Anthony Milford
- Kodi Nikorima
- Matthew Lodge
- Andrew McCullough
- Joe Ofahengaue
- Alex Glenn
- Jaydn Su'A
- Matt Gillett
Interchange:
Raiders
Ex-Warrior Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has the inside running on the No.1 jersey after Jack Wighton's move to the halves. There is a logjam in the forwards with both English recruits set for spots in the 17 but a host of up-and-comers keeping the pressure on. Ryan Sutton and Royce Hunt are among those vying to replace Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo in the front row. Bailey Simonsson and Brad Abbey are in the frame with Michael Oldfield to take Jordan Rapana's wing spot until he returns from injury.
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Nick Cotric
- Jarrod Croker
- Joseph Leilua
- Michael Oldfield
- Jack Wighton
- Aidan Sezer
- Josh Papalii
- Josh Hodgson
- Royce Hunt
- Joseph Tapine
- Elliott Whitehead
- Sia Soliola
Interchange:
- Siliva Havilii
- Ryan Sutton
- Luke Bateman
- John Bateman
Hodgson questioned Wighton's move to five-eighth right for Wighton
Bulldogs
Recruit Nick Meaney presents an exciting option at fullback but it is still possible Will Hopoate retains the position to start the season with plenty of quality options at centre. Popular point-scoring back-rower Rhyse Martin is a chance of a surprising demotion for round one after being asked to play the reserve grade trial on March 2 while the top squad had the weekend off.
- Nick Meaney
- Reimis Smith
- Will Hopoate
- Kerrod Holland
- Marcelo Montoya
- Lachlan Lewis
- Kieran Foran
- Aiden Tolman
- Michael Lichaa
- Dylan Napa
- Josh Jackson
- Raymond Faitala-Mariner
- Adam Elliott
Interchange:
- Jeremy Marshall-King
- Corey Harawira-Naera
- Sauaso Sue
- Danny Fualalo
Sharks
Boom centre Bronson Xerri could yet displace one of the wingers but is likely to have to bide his time for a debut. With two back row spots to be decided, Kurt Capewell looks to have one sewn up while Briton Nikora is making a late charge at the other ahead of Scott Sorensen after starting in the final trial match. Blayke Brailey and Ava Seumanufagai will miss the early rounds through injury.
- Matt Moylan
- Sione Katoa
- Josh Dugan
- Josh Morris
- Sosaia Feki
- Shaun Johnson
- Chad Townsend
- Andrew Fifita
- Jayden Brailey
- Matt Prior
- Briton Nikora
- Kurt Capewell
- Paul Gallen
Interchange:
- James Segeyaro
- Jayson Bukuya
- Aaron Woods
- Scott Sorensen
Fifita happy to lead from the front
Titans
The recruitment of Shannon Boyd into a stacked middle-forward rotation could push Ryan James to an edge. Tyrone Roberts has emerged as the best foil for halfback Ash Taylor. Veteran Michael Gordon is set to keep breakout star AJ Brimson out of the No.1 jersey at least in the short term, with Brimson to replace Mitch Rein as bench utility. Maligned ex-Panther Bryce Cartwright appears to have done enough in the trials to warrant another NRL chance from coach Garth Brennan. Keegan Hipgrave is racing the clock to be fit, with Max King on standby. Brenko Lee is a genuine chance of tipping fan favourite Anthony Don out of a wing spot.
- Michael Gordon
- Anthony Don
- Tyrone Peachey
- Brian Kelly
- Phillip Sami
- Tyrone Roberts
- Ash Taylor
- Jarrod Wallace
- Nathan Peats
- Shannon Boyd
- Kevin Proctor
- Ryan James
- Jai Arrow
Interchange:
- AJ Brimson
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Keegan Hipgrave/Max King
- Bryce Cartwright
Match Highlights: Titans v Broncos
Sea Eagles
A hamstring strain to Tom Trbojevic and the standing down of Dylan Walker leave backline stocks thin on the ground, with Brendan Elliott the likely fullback and Tevita Funa pressing for a wing spot. If Trent Hodkinson beats Kane Elgey in the race to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves Manase Fainu would be the likely new bench utility. Taniela Paseka and Kelepi Tanginoa are struggling with knee injuries.
- Brendan Elliott
- Jorge Taufua
- Moses Suli
- Brad Parker
- Reuben Garrick
- Kane Elgey
- Daly Cherry-Evans
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Apisai Koroisau
- Martin Taupau
- Joel Thompson
- Curtis Sironen
- Jake Trbojevic
Interchange:
- Trent Hodkinson
- Lloyd Perrett
- Jack Gosiewski
- Frank Winterstein
Storm
A devastating pec injury to Scott Drinkwater leaves Jahrome Hughes as the fullback. Joe Stimson was named outside the 17 in the final trial and may be under pressure to keep his starting spot. Tom Eisenhuth is a chance of displacing Tui Kamikamica – who picked up a minor knee injury in that game – on the bench.
- Jahrome Hughes
- Suliasi Vunivalu
- Will Chambers
- Curtis Scott
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Cameron Munster
- Brodie Croft
- Jesse Bromwich
- Cameron Smith
- Nelson Asofa-Solomona
- Felise Kaufusi
- Kenny Bromwich
- Dale Finucane
Interchange:
- Brandon Smith
- Christian Welch
- Patrick Kaufusi
- Tui Kamikamica
Knights
Injuries to Hymel Hunt (hamstring) and Tautau Moga (knee) could yet see Sione Mata'utia return to the three-quarter line, which would mean a temporary reprieve for one of Mitch Barnett or Herman Ese'ese. Nathan Ross (finger) will miss the early rounds while Shaun Kenny-Dowall (ankle) is likely to be fit.
- Connor Watson
- Edrick Lee
- Jesse Ramien
- Hymel Hunt
- Shaun Kenny-Dowall
- Kalyn Ponga
- Mitchell Pearce
- David Klemmer
- Danny Levi
- James Gavet
- Lachlan Fitzgibbon
- Sione Mata'utia
- Tim Glasby
Interchange:
- Kurt Mann
- Aidan Guerra
- Herman Ese'ese/Mitch Barnett
- Daniel Saifiti
Ponga keen to forge on at five-eighth
Cowboys
Ex-Bronco Jordan Kahu appears to have locked down the starting fullback role. The race to partner Michael Morgan between Te Maire Martin and Jake Clifford remains close after Clifford's strong trial form. Jason Taumalolo could spend time at second row this season following the signing of Josh McGuire, particularly once Scott Bolton returns from a five-game suspension. Francis Molo or Corey Jensen will be the short term beneficiary of the vacated bench spot.
- Jordan Kahu
- Kyle Feldt
- Justin O'Neill
- Ben Hampton
- Nene Macdonald
- Te Maire Martin
- Michael Morgan
- Josh McGuire
- Jake Granville
- Jordan McLean
- Coen Hess
- Gavin Cooper
- Jason Taumalolo
Interchange:
- John Asiata
- Matt Scott
- Mitchell Dunn/Corey Jensen
- Francis Molo
Cowboys season preview - NRL Teams
Eels
The Eels' new spine has taken shape through the trials with Dylan Brown to partner Mitch Moses in the halves and Reed Mahoney the number one hooker at the club after Kaysa Pritchard was granted time away from the game. A knee injury to Manu Ma'u is a huge blow and will put him out until about round six, but is alleviated slightly by the strong trial form of Shaun Lane and Marata Niukore. Jaeman Salmon (disciplinary) is available from round two and will push for a centre or utility spot.
- Clint Gutherson
- George Jennings
- Michael Jennings
- Brad Takairangi
- Blake Ferguson
- Dylan Brown
- Mitch Moses
- Daniel Alvaro
- Reed Mahoney
- Junior Paulo
- Shaun Lane
- Marata Niukore
- Nathan Brown
Interchange:
- Will Smith
- Tim Mannah
- Peni Terepo
- Tepai Moeroa
Brad Arthur's praise for Dylan Brown
Panthers
Viliame Kikau (knee) is a huge loss but will return in the early rounds with Jack Hetherington favoured to start on the left edge in the meantime. Sione Katoa looks to have survived a challenge from Wayde Egan for the starting hooker role. Tyrone May was set for a bench utility role but is now in major doubt for the start of the season after being charged by police.
- Dylan Edwards
- Josh Mansour
- Waqa Blake
- Dean Whare
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- James Maloney
- Nathan Cleary
- James Tamou
- Sione Katoa
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard
- Jack Hetherington
- Isaah Yeo
- James Fisher-Harris
Interchange:
- Wayde Egan
- Tim Grant
- Kaide Ellis
- Hame Sele
Rabbitohs
Fullback Corey Allan is stuck behind Alex Johnston and Greg Inglis but is champing at the bit for an opportunity following a Charity Shield hat-trick from the wing. George Burgess is unavailable through suspension meaning one of Mark Nicholls, Tevita Tatola, Dean Britt, Kurt Dillon or Liam Knight will need to start up front. Sam Burgess is an edge forward now and ex-Cowboy Ethan Lowe is straight into the side on the interchange. Tom Amone was excellent in the trials but cannot play NRL until June 30 because he is outside the top 30.
- Alex Johnston
- Campbell Graham
- Dane Gagai
- Greg Inglis
- Braidon Burns
- Cody Walker
- Adam Reynolds
- Thomas Burgess
- Damien Cook
- Tevita Tatola
- John Sutton
- Sam Burgess
- Cameron Murray
Interchange:
- Matt McIlwrick
- Ethan Lowe
- Mark Nicholls
- Dean Britt
Can Bennett improve Rabbitohs?
Dragons
Coach Paul McGregor has outlined a plan to inject Matt Dufty from the bench at fullback despite Gareth Widdop shifting to the back. Jack De Belin is stood down leaving Tyson Frizell to fill in at lock – at least until Korbin Sims returns from suspension – with Jacob Host edging Luciano Leilua for the starting role in the Charity Shield. Centre Zac Lomax will likely start on the wing but with flanker Mikaele Ravalawa trialling well Euan Aitken could find himself under pressure to retain a spot.
- Gareth Widdop
- Jordan Pereira
- Euan Aitken
- Tim Lafai
- Zac Lomax
- Corey Norman
- Ben Hunt
- James Graham
- Cameron McInnes
- Paul Vaughan
- Jacob Host
- Tariq Sims
- Tyson Frizell
Interchange:
- Matt Dufty
- Blake Lawrie
- Luciano Leilua
- Josh Kerr
Roosters
There is very little debate around the Roosters' likely line-up, with recruits Brett Morris and Angus Crichton slotting straight into the spots vacated by Blake Ferguson and Ryan Matterson. Nat Butcher could stake a claim for Lindsay Collins' bench spot. The likes of Brock Lamb, Lachlan Lam or Craig Garvey could get the odd chance as a bench utility but will be otherwise waiting for injuries.
- James Tedesco
- Daniel Tupou
- Latrell Mitchell
- Joseph Manu
- Brett Morris
- Luke Keary
- Cooper Cronk
- Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
- Jake Friend
- Sio Siua Taukeiaho
- Boyd Cordner
- Angus Crichton
- Victor Radley
Interchange:
- Mitch Aubusson
- Isaac Liu
- Lindsay Collins
- Zane Tetevano
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Warriors
Adam Keighran appears to have his nose in front of Chanel Harris-Tavita in the race to replace Shaun Johnson in the halves. Leeson Ah Mau will likely go from Dragons bench weapon to Warriors starting prop. Issac Luke (shoulder) and Adam Blair (hamstring) are each on track for round one.
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
- David Fusitu'a
- Peta Hiku
- Solomone Kata
- Ken Maumalo
- Adam Keighran
- Blake Green
- Agnatius Paasi
- Issac Luke
- Leeson Ah Mau
- Isaiah Papali'i
- Tohu Harris
- Adam Blair
Interchange:
- Jazz Tevaga
- Sam Lisone
- Bunty Afoa
- Leivaha Pulu
Match Highlights: Warriors v Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers
In a backline logjam it appears recent recruit Robert Jennings has edged out Paul Momirovski in the centres and Corey Thompson will keep Mahe Fonua out of a full-strength 17 on the wing. A broken jaw to Chris Lawrence hands a starting chance to another second-rower – possibly Luke Garner – while the big question over how three fits into two in the halves looks likely to mean an early-season bench utility role for Josh Reynolds.
- Moses Mbye (c)
- Corey Thompson
- Robert Jennings
- Esan Marsters
- David Nofoaluma
- Benji Marshall
- Luke Brooks
- Russell Packer
- Robbie Farah
- Ben Matulino
- Luke Garner
- Ryan Matterson
- Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
- Josh Reynolds
- Alex Twal
- Matt Eisenhuth
- Michael Chee Kam
Moses Mbye joins Inside The NRL