The Dragons have been handed a huge backline boost with a star flyer declaring he will be fit for his side’s season-opening Las Vegas clash.
Elsewhere, the Knights may have given a big hint regarding their halves make-up in their last trial, while the Cowboys and Bulldogs could unveil strong outfits.
Read below for all your latest team news ahead of Round 1.
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Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium, 1:15pm AEST
Predicted Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Bradman Best 4. Dane Gagai 5. Dom Young 6. Dylan Brown 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Thomas Cant 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Tyson Gamble 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Matthew Croker 18. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana 19. Pasami Saulo
Team Tips: Kalyn Ponga hasn’t stepped foot on the playing field in pre-season, but he looks set to wear the No.1 jersey in Las Vegas, creating a backline headache for Justin Holbrook. Fletcher Sharpe was pulled from Newcastle’s last trial due to hamstring tightness, but according to the Newcastle Herald, Holbrook gave a big hint. Marquee recruit Dylan Brown spent his time on the right side of the field against the Bulldogs, with Sharpe previously playing on the left during his time in the halves last season. Brown’s switch could be viewed as a method of accommodating Sharpe, although that decision still remains up in the air. Holbrook could be set to make a mammoth selection call, but for now the logical move considering their pre-season time spent together is that Sandon Smith starts alongside Brown, with Sharpe on the pine. Elsewhere, Thomas Cant and Jermain McEwen are locked in a back row battle for Kai Pearce-Paul’s vacant spot, with Cant earning the spot in their last trial against the Bulldogs. Trey Mooney is set to partner Jacob Saifiti in the front row, with Tyson Frizell at lock. On the bench, both Sharpe and Tyson Gamble could provide utility value on the six-man bench, with forwards making up the rest of the reserves.
Predicted Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Tom Chester 4. Jaxon Purdue 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jason Taumalolo 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Matt Lodge 16. John Bateman 17. Kai O’Donnell 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Mason Barber
Team Tips: Zac Laybutt earned himself a suspension in the Cowboys’ last trial against the Panthers, with Tom Chester set to take his centre spot. Elsewhere, the biggest question for Todd Payten looks to have answered itself in pre-season, with Jake Clifford delivering two impressive displays to win the halves battle with young gun Jaxon Purdue. Purdue will shift back to the centres in a move that undoubtedly strengthens the Cowboys’ backline. John Bateman has been battling with a wrist injury but should be fit for Round 1, while Griffin Neame could be touch and go due to a shoulder injury. Heilum Luki and Sam McIntyre could start in the back row with Jeremiah Nanai sidelined due to a shoulder injury, while Soni Luke will win a spot on the pine to partner new recruit Reed Mahoney at hooker. The backline utility slot could be taken by Mason Barber, who wore the No.19 jersey in their final trial over the Cowboys. Ethan King could be another contender given her versatility.
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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons at Allegiant Stadium, 3:30pm AEST
Predicted Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Enari Tuala 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jacob Kiraz 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Harry Hayes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Sitili Tupouniua 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Sebastian Su’A
Team Tips: The Bulldogs were handed a huge boost with Matt Burton declared fit to take the field in Vegas after a hamstring scare and he will partner Lachlan Galvin. Elsewhere, in the absence of Leo Thompson, either Harry Hayes and Sam Hughes will partner Max King in the front row but both look to be included in the team after featuring in their trial win over the Knights. Both Jacob Kiraz and Marcelo Montoya are battling soft tissue injuries, meaning Enari Tuala could get a starting spot with Sebastian Su’A included on the extended bench. Elsewhere the Bulldogs look largely unchanged from last season with Jason Preston and Viliame Kikau once again partnering in the back row and Jaeman Salmon at lock, with a host of regular faces on the bench. Sean O’Sullivan, meanwhile, could be included to provide cover in the halves, with Kurt Mann able to slot into hooker if Bailey Hayward goes down.
Predicted Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Dan Atkinson 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Hame Sele 14. Hamish Stewart 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Josh Kerr 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Loko Pasifiki Tonga
Team Tips: Valentine Holmes declared he will be fit for Round 1 after landing in America, saying: “shoulder is sweet, it has been good since December. But the (hamstring) has been good, could have played last week but Flanno wanted to park the car in the garage I think the saying was.” The wing positions have also been of big interest in the pre-season, but Setu Tu and Christian Tuipulotu look to have won those spots after featuring against the Rabbitohs in their last trial. Elsewhere, Kyle Flanagan will partner Daniel Atkinson in the halces, while Luciano Leilua will slot into the back row alongside Jaydn Su’A. Toby Couchman and Emre Guler will be the front rowers, while Shane Flanagan could pack his bench full of forwards alongside the versatile Tyrell Sloan.
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park, 8:00pm AEST
New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium, 6:00pm AEST
Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, 8:00pm AEST
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Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans at Ocean Protect Stadium, 5:30pm AEST
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders at 4 Pines Park, 7:35pm AEST
Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm AEST
