Roosters v Broncos (Thursday, 8:00pm AEDT)
The Roosters were boosted by the inclusion of Mark Nawaqanitawase as he takes up a new position to form a centres partnership with debutant Rob Toia. He'll be out to make it his own as a permanent replacement for Joseph Sua'ali'i, who defected to union where Nawaqanitawase started!
Cleared to play: Mark Nawaqanitawase (calf)
Out until at least Round 3: Spencer Leniu (suspended)
TBD: Egan Butcher (knee), Brandon Smith (knee), Sam Walker (ACL), Billy Smith (TBC)
Shivers were sent up the spines of Broncos fans last week when star full-back Reece Walsh had ice wrapped around his leg in a trial game last week, but he has been named to start.
Cleared to play: Reece Walsh
1 week: Jock Madden (hamstring)
3-4 weeks: Kotoni Staggs (quadricep)
Out until at least Round 10: Ezra Mam (suspended)
TBD: Blake Mozer (shoulder), Hayze Perham (knee)
Tigers v Knights (Friday, 6:00pm AEDT)
Wests Tigers are expecting both Starford To'a and Jahream Bula to be available next week, with the latter recovering slower than expected from shoulder surgery. Jarome Luai missed a trial match last week but has been named to play.
Cleared to play: Jarome Luai
1 week: Jahream Bula (shoulder), Starford To'a (soreness)
TBD: Brent Naden (knee), Justin Olam (knee)
Tyson Gamble has undergone surgery on a back injury and "will commence rehabilitation immediately" according to the Knights. He is the only absence from their side this week.
TBD: Tyson Gamble (back)
Dolphins v Rabbitohs (Friday, 8:05pm AEDT)
The sudden shift of the Dolphins' 'home' game from Brisbane to Sydney has resulted in two more absences than was initially expected, with Kodi Nikorima and Mark Nicholls getting clearance from the club to withdraw from Round 1 and stay home with their families and ride out tropical cyclone Alfred.
Cleared to play: Daniel Saifiti
1 week: Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls (both personal reasons)
2 weeks: Jack Bostock (knee)
TBD: Trai Fuller (ACL), Blake Lawrie (hand)
Cody Walker managed to recover from his pre-season calf issue, whilst there were also successful recoveries for Rabbitohs pair Campbell Graham and Jai Arrow.
Back in Round 2: Lewis Dodd (suspended)
3-4 weeks: Alex Johnston (achilles)
5-6 weeks: Latrell Mitchell (hamstring)
TBD: Euan Aitken (pec), Cameron Murray (achilles)
Dragons v Bulldogs (Saturday, 5:30pm AEDT)
The Dragons are keen to see Corey Allan make his first appearance of 2025 after missing much of last year, but his return is still uncertain, whilst Sione Finau suffered a high tackle in a trial game.
Cleared to play: Christian Tuipulotu
TBD: Sione Finau (head knock), Blake Lawrie (hand), Corey Allan (knee)
Bulldogs player Josh Curran received a one-game ban for a high tackle on Jack Gosiewski in a trial game last week.
Cleared to play: Jaeman Salmon, Sitili Tupouniua
Back in Round 2: Josh Curran (suspended)
6-7 weeks: Enari Tuala (foot)
TBD: Jacob Kira (back), Ryan Sutton (knee)
Sea Eagles v Cowboys (Saturday, 7:35pm AEDT)
The Sea Eagles have been blessed with a bit of luck this week! Tom Trbojevic suffered a shoulder injury on national duty but didn't need surgery, whilst Taniela Paseka made a quick recovery from an AC joint complaint suffered in a trial game.
Cleared to play: Taniela Paseka, Jason Saab, Tom Trbojevic
3-4 weeks: Lachlan Croker (knee)
TBD: Tommy Talau (ankle)
Jason Taumalolo suffered a foot injury representing Tonga in last year's Pacific Championships but he's back in just time to make the trip to Sydney for the Cowboys.
Cleared to play: Jason Taumalolo, Jake Clifford
1-3 weeks: Zac Laybutt (ACL)
Out until 2026: Tom Chester (ACL), Helium Luki (ACL)
Storm v Eels (Sunday, 4:05pm AEDT)
Sua Fa'alogo and Xavier Coates both got over minor injuries they picked up during the pre-season whilst Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen successfully got over longer-term ailments. Nelson Asofa-Solomona was able to serve four of his five-game ban in the Pacific Championships and will therefore miss just one Storm outing.
Cleared to play: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sua Fa'alogo, Xavier Coates, Jahrome Hughes
Out until at least Round 2: Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspended)
TBD: Dean Ieremia (achilles)
The Eels have a swathe of players that are not too far away from making their 2025 debuts. Josh Addo-Carr is two weeks away from beginning his new life at Parramatta as he finishes his ban for a positive roadside drug test.
1 week: Haze Dunster (hamstring), Dean Hawkins (calf), Shaun Lane (knee)
2 weeks: Josh Addo-Carr (suspended)
3-4 weeks: Kitione Kautoga (ankle), Bailey Simonsson (knee)
Out for at least 6 weeks: Mitch Moses (foot)