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.

  1. Reece Walsh
  2. Corey Oates
  3. Kotoni Staggs
  4. Herbie Farnworth
  5. Selwyn Cobbo
  6. Ezra Mam
  7. Adam Reynolds
  8. Tom Flegler
  9. Billy Walters
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Kurt Capewell
  12. Jordan Riki
  13. Patrick Carrigan
  14. Cory Paix
  15. Martin Taupau
  16. Keenan Palasia
  17. 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.

  1. Jordan Rapana
  2. Nick Cotric
  3. Matt Timoko
  4. Seb Kris
  5. Harley Smith-Shields
  6. Jack Wighton
  7. Jamal Fogarty
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Danny Levi
  10. Emre Guler
  11. Hudson Young
  12. Elliott Whitehead
  13. Joseph Tapine
  14. Tom Starling
  15. Trey Mooney
  16. Corey Harawira-Naera
  17. 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.

  1. Hayze Perham
  2. Jacob Kiraz
  3. Jake Averillo
  4. Paul Alamoti
  5. Josh Addo-Carr
  6. Matt Burton
  7. Kyle Flanagan
  8. Max King
  9. Reed Mahoney
  10. Ryan Sutton
  11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
  12. Viliame Kikau
  13. Luke Thompson
  14. Josh Reynolds
  15. Corey Waddell
  16. Franklin Pele
  17. 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. 

  1. Will Kennedy
  2. Sione Katoa
  3. Jesse Ramien
  4. Siosifa Talakai
  5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
  6. Matt Moylan
  7. Nicho Hynes
  8. Toby Rudolf
  9. Blayke Brailey
  10. Royce Hunt
  11. Briton Nikora
  12. Teig Wilton
  13. Dale Finucane
  14. Cameron McInnes
  15. Wade Graham
  16. Braden Hamlin-Uele
  17. 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.

  1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 
  2. Jamayne Isaako 
  3. Tesi Niu
  4. Euan Aitken
  5. Robert Jennings
  6. Isaiya Katoa
  7. Sean O’Sullivan 
  8. Jesse Bromwich 
  9. Jeremy Marshall-King
  10. Tom Gilbert 
  11. Felise Kaufusi 
  12. Kenny Bromwich
  13. Ray Stone
  14. Kodi Nikorima
  15. Herman Ese'ese
  16. Mark Nicholls
  17. 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. 

  1. AJ Brimson
  2. Jojo Fifita
  3. Aaron Schoupp
  4. Phil Sami
  5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
  6. Kieran Foran
  7. Tanah Boyd
  8. Moeaki Fotuaika
  9. Sam Verrills
  10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
  11. David Fifita
  12. Beau Fermor
  13. Erin Clark
  14. Jayden Campbell 
  15. Jaimin Jolliffe
  16. Isaac Liu
  17. 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. 

  1. Tom Trbojevic
  2. Reuben Garrick
  3. Tolu Koula
  4. Brad Parker
  5. Christian Tuipulotu
  6. Cooper Johns
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans
  8. Josh Aloiai
  9. Lachlan Croker
  10. Taniela Paseka
  11. Haumole Ola'kauatu
  12. Kelma Tuilagi
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Kaeo Weekes
  15. Sean Keppie
  16. Toafofoa Sipley
  17. 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.

  1. Nick Meaney
  2. Will Warbrick
  3. Reimis Smith
  4. Grant Anderson
  5. Xavier Coates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Jahrome Hughes
  8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
  9. Harry Grant
  10. Christian Welch
  11. Eliesa Katoa
  12. Trent Loiero 
  13. Josh King
  14. Tyran Wishart
  15. Tom Eisenhuth
  16. Alec MacDonald
  17. 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. 

  1. Lachlan Miller
  2. Dom Young
  3. Dane Gagai
  4. Bradman Best
  5. Greg Marzhew
  6. Kalyn Ponga
  7. Jackson Hastings
  8. Jacob Saifiti
  9. Jayden Brailey
  10. Daniel Saifiti
  11. Tyson Frizell
  12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
  13. Adam Elliott
  14. Kurt Mann
  15. Jack Hetherington
  16. Leo Thompson
  17. 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. 

  1. Scott Drinkwater
  2. Kyle Feldt
  3. Peta Hiku
  4. Valentine Holmes
  5. Murray Taulagi
  6. Tom Dearden
  7. Chad Townsend
  8. Jordan McLean
  9. Reece Robson
  10. Reuben Cotter
  11. Coen Hess
  12. Jeremiah Nanai
  13. Jason Taumalolo
  14. Jake Granville
  15. Griffin Neame
  16. Jack Gosiewski
  17. 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. 

  1. Clint Gutherson
  2. Maika Sivo
  3. Will Penisini
  4. Waqa Blake
  5. Haze Dunster
  6. Dylan Brown
  7. Mitchell Moses
  8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
  9. Josh Hodgson
  10. Junior Paulo
  11. Matt Doorey
  12. Jack Murchie
  13. J'maine Hopgood
  14. Jakob Arthur
  15. Nathan Brown
  16. Bryce Cartwright
  17. 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. 

  1. Dylan Edwards
  2. Brian To'o
  3. Stephen Crichton
  4. Izack Tago
  5. Sunia Turuva
  6. Jarome Luai
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. Moses Leota
  9. Mitch Kenny
  10. James Fisher-Harris
  11. Luke Garner
  12. Liam Martin
  13. Isaah Yeo
  14. Soni Luke
  15. Scott Sorensen
  16. Spencer Leniu
  17. 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. 

  1. Latrell Mitchell
  2. Alex Johnston
  3. Campbell Graham
  4. Isaiah Tass
  5. Izaac Thompson
  6. Cody Walker
  7. Lachlan Ilias
  8. Tevita Tatola
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Thomas Burgess
  11. Keaon Koloamatangi
  12. Jai Arrow 
  13. Cameron Murray
  14. Blake Taaffe
  15. Shaquai Mitchell
  16. Jacob Host 
  17. 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. 

  1. Tyrell Sloan
  2. Mat Feagai
  3. Zac Lomax
  4. Moses Suli
  5. Mikaele Ravalawa
  6. Jayden Sullivan
  7. Ben Hunt 
  8. Francis Molo
  9. Jacob Liddle
  10. Blake Lawrie
  11. Jack Bird
  12. Jaydn Su’A
  13. Jack de Belin
  14. Moses Mbye
  15. Zane Musgrove
  16. Ben Murdoch-Masila
  17. 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.

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Daniel Tupou
  3. Joey Manu
  4. Joseph Suaali'i
  5. Jaxson Paulo
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Sam Walker
  8. Matt Lodge
  9. Brandon Smith
  10. Lindsay Collins
  11. Egan Butcher
  12. Nat Butcher
  13. Victor Radley
  14. Jake Turpin
  15. Terrell May 
  16. Fletcher Baker
  17. 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.

  1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
  2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
  3. Viliami Vailea
  4. Adam Pompey
  5. Marcelo Montoya
  6. Te Maire Martin
  7. Shaun Johnson
  8. Addin Fonua-Blake
  9. Wayde Egan
  10. Mitch Barnett 
  11. Josh Curran
  12. Marata Niukore
  13. Tohu Harris
  14. Dylan Walker
  15. Bunty Afoa
  16. Jackson Ford
  17. 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.

  1. Daine Laurie
  2. David Nofoaluma
  3. Tommy Talau
  4. Brent Naden
  5. Charlie Staines
  6. Adam Doueihi
  7. Luke Brooks
  8. Stefano Utoikamanu
  9. Api Koroisau
  10. David Klemmer
  11. Isaiah Papali’i
  12. Shawn Blore
  13. Joe Ofahengaue
  14. Jake Simpkin
  15. Alex Twal
  16. Fonua Pole
  17. John Bateman