NRL.com takes a look at the biggest talking points for your team with the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership season less than a week away.
From predicted Round 1 lists to the latest on the injury front, here is everything you need to know about your team ahead of season 2023 kick-off.
Brisbane Broncos
Kevin Walters has a relatively settled 17 for the club's season opener against the Panthers with only Reece Walsh the main concern as he looks to recover from a facial fracture. If Walsh is unavailable, expect Selwyn Cobbo to switch to fullback with Jordan Pereira coming onto the wing. Cory Paix has all but won a spot on the bench after an impressive start to the year that saw him earn a contract extension.
- Reece Walsh
- Corey Oates
- Kotoni Staggs
- Herbie Farnworth
- Selwyn Cobbo
- Ezra Mam
- Adam Reynolds
- Tom Flegler
- Billy Walters
- Payne Haas
- Kurt Capewell
- Jordan Riki
- Patrick Carrigan
- Cory Paix
- Martin Taupau
- Keenan Palasia
- Corey Jensen
Canberra Raiders
Jordan Rapana is likely to start at fullback despite Seb Kris doing so in the final Pre-season Challenge match while Danny Levi appears to have won the race to start at dummy half. Jarrod Croker missed the final trial game and appears unlikely for the opening round with Matt Timoko set to join Kris in the centres.
- Jordan Rapana
- Nick Cotric
- Matt Timoko
- Seb Kris
- Harley Smith-Shields
- Jack Wighton
- Jamal Fogarty
- Josh Papalii
- Danny Levi
- Emre Guler
- Hudson Young
- Elliott Whitehead
- Joseph Tapine
- Tom Starling
- Trey Mooney
- Corey Harawira-Naera
- Corey Horsburgh
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Cameron Ciraldo has a final decision to make at fullback and with his utility given the Bulldogs' performance against the Sharks last week. Hayze Perham wasn't at his best but Ciraldo is likely to stick with him in the early rounds.
Josh Reynolds was electric in his return to Belmore and now appears to have the front running on the bench. Tevita Pangai Junior is out for at least the first three weeks due to a calf injury.
There are also reports young back-rower Jacob Preston will make his NRL debut.
- Hayze Perham
- Jacob Kiraz
- Jake Averillo
- Paul Alamoti
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Matt Burton
- Kyle Flanagan
- Max King
- Reed Mahoney
- Ryan Sutton
- Raymond Faitala-Mariner
- Viliame Kikau
- Luke Thompson
- Josh Reynolds
- Corey Waddell
- Franklin Pele
- Jacob Preston
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks are one of the most settled teams in the competition to start the year with only a question mark over Royce Hunt after he missed the final Pre-season Challenge match due to an elbow concern.
- Will Kennedy
- Sione Katoa
- Jesse Ramien
- Siosifa Talakai
- Ronaldo Mulitalo
- Matt Moylan
- Nicho Hynes
- Toby Rudolf
- Blayke Brailey
- Royce Hunt
- Briton Nikora
- Teig Wilton
- Dale Finucane
- Cameron McInnes
- Wade Graham
- Braden Hamlin-Uele
- Oregon Kaufusi
Dolphins
Wayne Bennett has some final decisions to make after a big loss to the Titans in the Pre-season Challenge. The final make-up of the backline and bench are the biggest areas to watch with his starting forward pack all but settled.
There were reports on Friday that Isaiya Katoa will start at five-eighth with Anthony Milford set to be overlooked for Round 1.
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Jamayne Isaako
- Tesi Niu
- Euan Aitken
- Robert Jennings
- Isaiya Katoa
- Sean O’Sullivan
- Jesse Bromwich
- Jeremy Marshall-King
- Tom Gilbert
- Felise Kaufusi
- Kenny Bromwich
- Ray Stone
- Kodi Nikorima
- Herman Ese'ese
- Mark Nicholls
- Jarrod Wallace
Gold Coast Titans
Justin Holbrook needed some answers following the Pre-season Challenge matches and appears to have found them with Tanah Boyd winning the race to partner Kieran Foran in the halves. Jayden Campbell will be a handy bench utility with Erin Clark also capable of relieving Sam Verrills at dummy half if required.
- AJ Brimson
- Jojo Fifita
- Aaron Schoupp
- Phil Sami
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Kieran Foran
- Tanah Boyd
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Sam Verrills
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- David Fifita
- Beau Fermor
- Erin Clark
- Jayden Campbell
- Jaimin Jolliffe
- Isaac Liu
- Joe Stimson
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The loss of Josh Schuster for at least a fortnight on the eve of the 2023 season is an early blow but not a major one with the five-eighth to only miss one game given the club's bye in Round 2.
All eyes will be on Tom Trbojevic, who has been declared fit to take his place in Round 1. Brad Parker (broken nose) should be available while Jake Trbojevic has played prop in recent weeks and regardless will be in the middle and starting should he go back to lock.
Kaeo Weekes has been impressive in the Pre-season Challenge and with the Sea Eagles lacking a utility off the bench he would be a suitable option.
- Tom Trbojevic
- Reuben Garrick
- Tolu Koula
- Brad Parker
- Christian Tuipulotu
- Cooper Johns
- Daly Cherry-Evans
- Josh Aloiai
- Lachlan Croker
- Taniela Paseka
- Haumole Ola'kauatu
- Kelma Tuilagi
- Jake Trbojevic
- Kaeo Weekes
- Sean Keppie
- Toafofoa Sipley
- Ethan Bullemor
Melbourne Storm
Plenty of changes for Craig Bellamy's side this year with Ryan Papenhuyzen unavailable for at least six weeks of the competition and several key departures. Will Warbrick was sensational in the Pre-season Challenge and should start on the wing, particularly after confirmation Dean Ieremia suffered a season-ending knee injury. Tariq Sims is touch and go for Round 1 due to a calf problem with Trent Loiero a good chance to start in the back row after his impressive pre-season. Tui Kamikamica is also out for at least six weeks.
- Nick Meaney
- Will Warbrick
- Reimis Smith
- Grant Anderson
- Xavier Coates
- Cameron Munster
- Jahrome Hughes
- Nelson Asofa-Solomona
- Harry Grant
- Christian Welch
- Eliesa Katoa
- Trent Loiero
- Josh King
- Tyran Wishart
- Tom Eisenhuth
- Alec MacDonald
- Aaron Pene
Newcastle Knights
One of the only concerns for Adam O'Brien is veteran Dane Gagai, who picked up a hamstring injury in the Pre-season Challange. If Gagai is out then Krystian Mapapalangi is likely to come in. Kurt Mann and Tyson Gamble will battle it out for the utility spot while Jack Johns and Brodie Jones are chasing a final spot on the bench.
- Lachlan Miller
- Dom Young
- Dane Gagai
- Bradman Best
- Greg Marzhew
- Kalyn Ponga
- Jackson Hastings
- Jacob Saifiti
- Jayden Brailey
- Daniel Saifiti
- Tyson Frizell
- Lachlan Fitzgibbon
- Adam Elliott
- Kurt Mann
- Jack Hetherington
- Leo Thompson
- Jack Johns
North Queensland Cowboys
Todd Payten has one of the easiest rosters to choose from in 2023 with no injury concerns in the Pre-season Challenge. Mitch Dunn and Heilum Luki are due back in the early rounds.
- Scott Drinkwater
- Kyle Feldt
- Peta Hiku
- Valentine Holmes
- Murray Taulagi
- Tom Dearden
- Chad Townsend
- Jordan McLean
- Reece Robson
- Reuben Cotter
- Coen Hess
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Jason Taumalolo
- Jake Granville
- Griffin Neame
- Jack Gosiewski
- James Tamou
Parramatta Eels
There are several concerns for the Eels going into Round 1 with Shaun Lane (broken jaw), Ryan Matterson (suspension) and Bailey Simonsson (shoulder), Sean Russell (suspension) unavailable. Nathan Brown (hamstring), Waqa Blake (broken arm) and Bryce Cartwright (broken jaw) did not trial but are on track to be available.
- Clint Gutherson
- Maika Sivo
- Will Penisini
- Waqa Blake
- Haze Dunster
- Dylan Brown
- Mitchell Moses
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard
- Josh Hodgson
- Junior Paulo
- Matt Doorey
- Jack Murchie
- J'maine Hopgood
- Jakob Arthur
- Nathan Brown
- Bryce Cartwright
- Makahesi Makatoa
Penrith Panthers
A season-ending injury to Taylan May has the Panthers light on in the outside backs with Sunia Turuva likely to start on the wing in Round 1 and permanently if he can cement the spot in the early rounds. Soni Luke is a logical choice for the bench utility spot to partner Mitch Kenny at hooker while Tyrone Peachey is also an option.
- Dylan Edwards
- Brian To'o
- Stephen Crichton
- Izack Tago
- Sunia Turuva
- Jarome Luai
- Nathan Cleary
- Moses Leota
- Mitch Kenny
- James Fisher-Harris
- Luke Garner
- Liam Martin
- Isaah Yeo
- Soni Luke
- Scott Sorensen
- Spencer Leniu
- Jaeman Salmon
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Bunnies are relatively settled after getting through the Charity Shield unscathed with their final bench make-up the biggest dilemma for Jason Demetriou.
- Latrell Mitchell
- Alex Johnston
- Campbell Graham
- Isaiah Tass
- Izaac Thompson
- Cody Walker
- Lachlan Ilias
- Tevita Tatola
- Damien Cook
- Thomas Burgess
- Keaon Koloamatangi
- Jai Arrow
- Cameron Murray
- Blake Taaffe
- Shaquai Mitchell
- Jacob Host
- Davvy Moale
St George Illawarra Dragons
The Red V have a bye in Round 1, giving them the luxury of having another week to get some of their players back on the field. Jack Bird (knee) is racing the clock while Jack de Belin (calf) is also expected to be available.
- Tyrell Sloan
- Mat Feagai
- Zac Lomax
- Moses Suli
- Mikaele Ravalawa
- Jayden Sullivan
- Ben Hunt
- Francis Molo
- Jacob Liddle
- Blake Lawrie
- Jack Bird
- Jaydn Su’A
- Jack de Belin
- Moses Mbye
- Zane Musgrove
- Ben Murdoch-Masila
- Aaron Woods
Sydney Roosters
Trent Robinson's main concern is Joey Manu, who is touch and go for the season opener due to a facial fracture. Brandon Smith is unlikely to play a full 80 minutes at hooker with Jake Turpin a genuine option off the bench as per their last game. Angus Crichton (personal reasons) has taken indefinite leave with no timeframe on his return.
- James Tedesco
- Daniel Tupou
- Joey Manu
- Joseph Suaali'i
- Jaxson Paulo
- Luke Keary
- Sam Walker
- Matt Lodge
- Brandon Smith
- Lindsay Collins
- Egan Butcher
- Nat Butcher
- Victor Radley
- Jake Turpin
- Terrell May
- Fletcher Baker
- Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Warriors
Several new recruits are expected to start for Andrew Webster at the Warriors while Dylan Walker and Jackson Ford are tipped to come off the bench given the depth of talent in the back row of Josh Curran, Marata Niukore and Tohu Harris.
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Viliami Vailea
- Adam Pompey
- Marcelo Montoya
- Te Maire Martin
- Shaun Johnson
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Wayde Egan
- Mitch Barnett
- Josh Curran
- Marata Niukore
- Tohu Harris
- Dylan Walker
- Bunty Afoa
- Jackson Ford
- Bayley Sironen
Wests Tigers
Tim Sheens' biggest dilemmas is his fullback selection and what to do with John Bateman with the England star due to fly into Australia a week out from the competition's kick off. Bateman could come off the bench to start the year and be eased into the season while Ken Maumalo's knee injury should open the door for Charlie Staines to start on the wing after playing in both pre-season games.
- Daine Laurie
- David Nofoaluma
- Tommy Talau
- Brent Naden
- Charlie Staines
- Adam Doueihi
- Luke Brooks
- Stefano Utoikamanu
- Api Koroisau
- David Klemmer
- Isaiah Papali’i
- Shawn Blore
- Joe Ofahengaue
- Jake Simpkin
- Alex Twal
- Fonua Pole
- John Bateman
