NRL Early Mail round 1 2025: Top Titans back, Campbell Graham’s quick recovery

The Gold Coast Titans have received a twin boost on two marquee forwards, while Campbell Graham is set to return ahead of schedule for the Rabbitohs.

The Titans have received a twin boost with marquee recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard and blockbusting back-rower David Fifita set to be cleared for Gold Coast’s premiership opener.

The Coast have a round 1 bye and the extra week off has given the former Eels prop time to be fit for his Titans debut in their round 2 clash against the Bulldogs on Sunday week.

The Titans suffered a setback a fortnight ago when veteran playmaker Kieran Foran tore his bicep in the Gold Coast’s final pre-season trial against the Dolphins.

Foran will be sidelined for eight weeks, but the Titans have been boosted by the impending return of Campbell-Gillard.

The 31-year-old injured his shoulder at Titans training in January and was racing the clock to be fit for Gold Coast’s 2025 opener.

But Titans medicos are confident ‘RCG’ will be on deck for the trip to Belmore Sports Ground as part of a formidable middle rotation featuring Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Mo Fotuaika.

Queensland Origin hopeful Fifita is still managing an ankle operation he had in pre-season but insists he is in no danger of missing the Bulldogs clash.

“Injuries can be frustrating and this one has been my toughest,” Fifita said. “It’s been tough for myself. I had a hiccup at the end of last year, I had ankle surgery.

“Usually I overcome it pretty easy but this one has been hanging around. It (his ankle) is coming along good now.

“I have some more tough sessions coming up and I will rip in next week against the Bulldogs.”

—Peter Badel

David Fifita is set to play the Titans’ first game in round 2. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

THREE SOUTHS STARS RETURN

South Sydney will start the season without two of their most important players, but there should be some good news ahead of their round 1 clash with Cody Walker, Campbell Graham and Jai Arrow all set to face the Dolphins.

The Rabbitohs were set to fly out to Queensland after Thursday’s captain’s run, but that might be brought forward by 24 hours depending on when Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes landfall.

While it’s unclear when they fly out, Walker is expected to be on the plane after the veteran five-eighth trained strongly on Monday despite missing the trials with a calf issue.

Walker is set to captain the side with Cameron Murray (Achilles) unlikely to play again this year, and he is set to partner Jamie Humphreys on Friday night with recruit Lewis Dodd suspended.

Cody Walker is on track to play the Dolphins on Friday night. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Graham trained on Monday with strapping around his wrist after he broke his hand last month. The strike centre missed the entire 2024 season with a sternum injury but is set to be a huge inclusion for Wayne Bennett.

Bennett still has some big calls to make with his final squad, but Arrow confirmed he would start in the back row, with Tallis Duncan and Lachlan Hubner fighting it out to replace Murray at lock.

Jye Gray will start at fullback for the injured Latrell Mitchell, with Arrow not worried about external criticism suggesting Souths will struggle to compete without two of their biggest stars.

The Rabbitohs on Sunday confirmed prop Shaq Mitchell will be out for between eight to 12 weeks with a hamstring injury.

The Rabbitohs will also be missing Alex Johnston (Achilles) and Euan Aitken (pectoral) for round one.

—Martin Gabor and Dean Ritchie

Latrell Mitchell will miss the opening six rounds of the season with a hamstring injury. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

KNIGHTS NO.7 STILL UP FOR GRABS

Newcastle’s Fletcher Sharpe has nailed down the five-eighth spot for round one but there is less certainty over who will be the Knights’ halfback.

Sharpe will play number six - with Phoenix Crossland to start at hooker - but three candidates are vying for the halfback position.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien will announce his side on Tuesday afternoon with Jack Cogger, Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings being halfback candidates.

Gamble and Cogger appear to be ahead of Hastings in the pecking order.

—Dean Ritchie

There is still uncertainty over who will partner Fletcher Sharpe in the halves. Picture: NRL Photos

ROOSTERS ‘WRECKING BALL’ SET TO START

The Sydney Roosters have lost ‘fireball’ Spencer Leniu but skipper James Tedesco believes his side have gained a wrecking ball for Thursday night’s season opening blockbuster against the Brisbane Broncos in Naufahu Whyte.

Leniu’s two week suspension for a high shot on Phoenix Crossland in the final week of the trials is likely to see Whyte start at prop alongside Lindsay Collins at Allianz Stadium on March 6.

With both veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Terrell May exiting the club at the end of last season, Leniu was expected to transform from an impact bench forward into a starting role.

But his untimely ban has now opened the door for Whyte to not only start at prop against Brisbane and Penrith but to cement a spot in the run-on side even when Leniu is back from suspension.

Sydney Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte. Picture: NRL Photos

“He’s (Whyte) such a big strong, physical forward. He just needs to play with that confidence because when he is running like that, he’s bloody hard to stop,” Tedesco said.

“He’s been playing lock and in the front row for the trials, he’s been training there throughout the pre-season as well.

NSW Origin forward Angus Crichton has also backed rookie Salesi Foketi, who played in both trial matches, as a round 1 bolter for a bench spot against the Broncos.

Victor Radley is also expected to make a more permanent move into the backrow in 2025 after starting 12 games on the edge last year but Connor Watson is confident that Siua Wong can get the job done in the middle, where he is expected to start in round 1.

Spencer Leniu will miss the start of the season due to suspension. Picture: NRL Photos

MANLY HIT WITH FURTHER INJURIES

—Dean Ritchie

Manly’s Tommy Talau has hamstring tightness and will be ruled out of the club’s round one game against North Queensland.

Talau’s injury comes after he recovered from an ankle injury.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold revealed Lehi Hopoate and Jason Saab will be chosen as round one wingers when the team is announced this Tuesday afternoon.

Saab has endured a difficult off-season after sustaining a syndesmosis injury late last season.

He will definitely be named but will be required to complete a fitness session to play.

Raymond Tuaimalo-Vaega and Clayton Faulalo would be wing candidates should Saab be ruled out.

Saab, who underwent two off-season operations on his injured ankle, has been back in full training for the past two weeks.

Talau’s injury isn’t serious – no tear was detected – and Seibold hopes he may be available for round two.

Manly hooker Lachlan Croker will miss the opening three rounds with a knee injury.

Seibold has three replacement dummy options – Jazz Tevaga, Jake Simpkin and Gordon Chan Kum Tong.

Two of those three will be named to face the Cowboys at 4 Pines Park.

Lehi Hopoate is locked in for round one. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

BRONCOS’ 17 ALL-BUT LOCKED IN

Broncos grand-final hooker Billy Walters is fighting to save his spot with forgotten rival Cory Paix rocketing into the mix to win the No.9 jumper for Brisbane’s premiership opener.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire held a training session at Red Hill on Saturday which gave the strongest indication yet of the Broncos’ top 17 for Thursday night’s round 1 clash against the Roosters.

Walters, Brisbane’s No.1 rake for the past two years, was seen running with the reserves, while Paix spent most of the session with the main team at hooker in a sign he is ready to end his 526-day NRL exile.

Cory Paix looks to be in the lead for the No.9 jersey. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Billy Walters is fighting for his spot in the Broncos side. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

In other key selection news ahead of Brisbane’s 2025 opener at Allianz Stadium:

* Superstar prop Payne Haas trained well and appears a certain starter against the Roosters after injuring his ankle in last week’s trial win over the Bulldogs;

* Deine Mariner ran at right centre and is in line to replace Kotoni Staggs, who injured his quad against the Bulldogs;

* Maguire is set to resist the temptation to move Selwyn Cobbo to centre, with the Indigenous ace training on the right wing outside Mariner; and

* NRL journeyman Gehamat Shibasaki is set for a stunning debut in his second coming at the Broncos, running at left centre inside Jesse Arthars.

TURUVA BOOSTED

Wests Tigers recruit Sunia Turuva is expected to be fit to play Newcastle in Round 1 after undergoing emergency appendix surgery last month.

The former Penrith flyer has returned to training and is firming to start the season with the Tigers in Campbelltown on March 7, which would be just over five weeks post-operation.

Fullback Jahream Bula also missed both of the club’s trials as he recovers from shoulder surgery in August last year and is pushing to play round 1, with Turuva to come into consideration as a replacement if needed.

Centre Brent Naden is expected to be sidelined for between six to eight weeks after suffering a painful dislocated kneecap in the club’s trial win over Parramatta over the weekend, with Adam Doueihi expected to replace him on the right edge.

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinean representative centre Justin Olam’s immediate playing future remains uncertain as he weighs up retirement.

Sunia Turuva is set to play round one. Picture: Richard Dobson

BULLDOGS CONFIRM KIRAZ REPLACEMENT

—Dean Ritchie

Recruit Marcelo Montoya and Blake Wilson are certain to claim the two Canterbury wing spots vacated by Josh Addo-Carr and Jacob Kiraz.

Addo-Carr split with the club last year for Parramatta while Kiraz is unavailable through a back injury.

Connor Tracey is expected to retain the fullback spot from Blake Taaffe.

Matt Burton and Toby Sexton will team-up again in the halves with Roosters recruit Sitili Tupouniua hoping to be an interchange player, perhaps on an extended bench.

Sam Hughes and Max King would be frontrunners to be Canterbury’s starting props.

New buy Enari Tuala is recovering from a foot injury with Josh Curran unavailable through suspension.

Jacob Kiraz. Picture: NRL Photos

EELS IN WING STING

—Dean Ritchie

Plenty of spots are up for grabs at Parramatta.

A wing position remains unresolved, as does starting front-row and back-row spots along with a bench place with star players Josh Addo-Carr, Shaun Lane and Bailey Simonsson unavailable.

Sean Russell and Jake Tago are favourites to play wing with Jack Williams and Joe Ofahengaue battling for a starting front-row spot alongside Junior Paulo.

Kelma Tuilagi, Ryan Matterson and J’maine Hopgood are backrow contenders along with Bryce Cartwright, who could come off the bench with Charlie Guymer and Wiremu Greig also interchange options.

The Eels have four spots up for grabs, with a host of stars unavailable for Round One, including Josh Addo-Carr. Picture: Getty Images

PAP A CHANCE AS STORM GUNS EYE COMEBACKS

—Pamela Whaley

Melbourne gun Su’a Fa’alogo is set to be available to face Parramatta in round 1 as a host of stars are expected to return for the season opener.

Scans have ruled out a hamstring injury for Fa’alogo after he was pulled from the field in Sunday’s trial loss to North Queensland with tightness in his leg.

Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick also started full training on Wednesday and are set to play the season opener, while Ryan Papenhuyzen will be given every chance to face the Eels.

Ryan Papenhuyzen will be given every chance to face the Eels. Picture: Getty Images

FULL EARLY MAIL VIA MAX BRYDEN

ROOSTERS v BRONCOS

Thursday, 8pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Dominic Young 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Daniel Tupou 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Siua Wong 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Nat Butcher 16. Egan Butcher 17. De La Salle Va’a

Some big names have left, and there’s opportunity aplenty at the Roosters.

Chad Townsend and young gun Sandon Smith will form the halves pairing with Smith favoured to kick goals.

In the centres, 20-year-old Robert Toia looks set to earn a much anticipated debut. With Billy Smith battling injury, union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase and Junior Pauga will compete for the final spot.

The biggest change in the Roosters lineup will no doubt be the loss of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Spencer Leniu was expected to get the nod to start until picking up a two-week suspension during trials. Wrecking ball Naufuha Whyte is tipped to start.

The Chooks are also without Brandon Smith until at least Round 10. Connor Watson will be first choice hooker, leaving the lock jersey vacant.

Youngster Suia Wong and Nat Butcher seem likely to split minutes in the role with Victor Radley still preferred on an edge.

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Gehamat Shibasaki 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Payne Haas 9. Cory Paix 10. Patrick Carrigan 11. Brendan Piakura/Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Ben Te Kura

Pat Carrigan will shift to prop in 2025, allowing workhorse Kobe Hethrington into the starting side at lock.

Maguire has spoken fondly of Jack Gosiewski who may have jumped incumbent Brendan Piakura for a starting spot in the second row.

If that is the case, Gosiewski will line-up outside the returning Ben Hunt who will wear the No. 6.

At hooker Cory Paix is pressing hard for the starting job after impressing in trials. He seems likely to have pushed incumbent Billy Walters to the bench.

The other contentious positions are the centres. Selwyn Cobbo will move back to the right wing and a hamstring injury to Kotoni Staggs should now see Deine Mariner and veteran Gehamat Shibasaki get first crack.

The tallest man in the NRL, Ben Te Kura, should earn a spot on the bench.

TIGERS v KNIGHTS

Friday, 7pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula/Heath Mason 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Starford To’a 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. David Klemmer 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Terrell May 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Jack Bird 14. Latu Fainu 15. Fonua Pole 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Twal

Tigertown is full of new faces, but just how they come together remains shrouded in mystery.

Prized recruit Jarome Luai is expected to be past fit to play halfback after offseason shoulder surgery. Fellow Panthers recruit Sunia Turuva missed trials due to appendix surgery but is firming for a spot on the wing in Round 1.

Terrell May meets a huge need in the engine room for the Tigers. He’ll start while fellow recruits Royce Hunt and Jack Bird join the middle rotation.

Jeral Skelton should earn one wing spot. With Justin Olam contemplating medical retirement due to on-going knee issues, the centre spots inside him are up in the air.

Adam Doueihi, Starford To’a and Solomona Fa’ata’ape are the three contenders for two spots. Doueihi will goal-kick with Api Koroisau unavailable through suspension until Round 2.

Tallyn da Silva will get the start at hooker. The versatile Latu Fainu will back him up in jersey 14.

Fullback Jahream Bula remains in some doubt as he continues his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery. If he isn’t passed fit, Heath Mason or Turuva would get the nod.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger/Tyson Gamble 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Adam Elliott

He debuted at fullback, earned a starting spot on the wing and now 20-year-old Fletcher Sharpe is the new five-eighth for the Knights in 2025.

Raiders recruit James Schiller will take Sharpe’s spot on the right flank. And with Tyson Frizell looking to have moved into the middle rotation this year, the second-row pairing will be Dylan Lucas and Kai Pearce-Paul.

Jack Cogger looks to have earned first crack in the halfback jersey, while Phoenix Crossland starts at hooker, forcing former club captain Jayden Brailey to the bench.

Thomas Cant, another debutant from the 2024 season, could earn some time through the middle off the bench.

And with the whole back five fit, this could be one of the most exciting attacking sides in the comp.

DOLPHINS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Ray Stone 15.

Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Kenny Bromwich

After just missing finals in 2024, there are three big questions on how the Dolphins will line-up this season, and preseason has given us some hints.

The first was how they would fit in the returning Tom Gilbert alongside rising star Max Plath. Plath was named in the second row in the trials, giving strong indication Gilbert will start in the 13.

The second was who would pair young halfback Isiaya Katoa in the five-eighth jersey. A battle in two between Kodi Nikorima and Jake Averillo seems to have fallen the way of Nikorima, which ties directly into the third question.

Where will new backline recruit Junior Tupou fit into the side? With Jack Bostock injured and expected back around Round 3, Tupou will be named to start on the wing and Averillo to slot into the centres.

Elsewhere, early reports suggest Cowboys recruit Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will start on the one edge. Connelly Lemuelu will share minutes with him off the bench.

Felise Kaufusi has also moved into the front-row. He will partner Knights recruit Daniel Saifiti who needs to overcome a hamstring injury to be named.

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Campbell Graham 4. Jack Wighton 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 14. Lachlan Hubner 15. Siliva Havili 16. Jayden Sullivan 17. Sean Keppie

Jye Gray will deputise for Latrell Mitchell who is aiming for a Round 7 return from injury.

After missing the entire 2024 season, Campbell Graham will be fit for Round 1 after an unrelated hand injury.

Excitement machine Tyrone Munro will start on the left wing with veteran Alex Johnston aiming for a return in Round 4 from an Achilles injury suffered in 2024.

In the halves, Cody Walker is set to play despite an off-season calf injury, partnered by Jamie Humphreys in the halves, with Lewis Dodd suspended.

After Cameron Murray’s Achilles rupture at training, Tallis Duncan and Lachie Hubner will split minutes at lock.

Hubner followed Bennett down from the Dolphins, as did fellow forward Euan Aitken, who is aiming for a Round 5 return after off-season surgery on his shoulder.

DRAGONS v BULLDOGS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mat Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Tom Eisenhuth

We know where the new veterans will line-up, it’s the other impacts that are most interesting.

Replacing Ben Hunt at right half is Souths recruit Lachlan Ilias. Replacing Zac Lomax isn’t quite as simple.

The Dragons have four quality wingers trying to fit into two spots. Matt Feagai, Christian Tuipulotu, rookie Siona Finau and converted winger Tyrell Sloan are all pressing claims.

Feagai appears locked into one of the spots. Beyond that it will come down to a mixture of fitness and form.

Exciting 21-year-old Toby Couchman looks set to win a starting role at prop. This will see Jack de Belin return to the lock jersey.

Damien Cook’s arrival will relegate Jacob Liddle back to the bench. We expect to see a strategy to utilise both of them on the field together later in games.

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Jaeman Salmon 15. Tom Amone 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Bailey Hayward

Jacob Kiraz’s injury issues are keeping him out of Round 1 and with no time frame given by the club it’s certainly one to monitor.

With Josh Addo-Carr also let go it means we’ve got two open spots on the wings at the Dogs.

Marcelo Montoya has come across from the Warriors and is expected to start on the left. Blake Wilson is no stranger to filling gaps in the backline and will start on the right.

Sitili Tupouniua was the club’s big offseason recruit. He’s expected to start off the bench and play between the edge and middle. Josh Curran is suspended until Round 2.

SEA EAGLES v COWBOYS

Saturday, 7:35pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolu Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 17. Ethan Bullemor

Anthony Siebold delivered some early scoops revealing last week that Lehi Hopoate, Tolu Koula and Reuben Garrick had sewn up three of four spots in the centre wings.

It’s Jason Saab’s wing spot, but after a slower than expected recovery from offseason surgery he will have to pass a fitness test to be named.

Tommy Talau was expected to challenge for the final vacancy before suffering hamstring tightness. Clayton Faulolo and Ray Tuaimolo-Vaega could be called upon should Saab be unavailable.

Hooker Lachlan Croker is out until Round 4 with Jake Simpkin or Jazz Tevaga set to earn the start. Whoever doesn’t start will come off the bench.

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford/Tom Duffy 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Coen Hess

All eyes are on the No. 7 jersey and rookie Tom Duffy. After a solid preseason he looks set to debut in Round 1, joining Tom Dearden in the halves.

Fellow youngster Jaxon Purdue is also primed to take over the big void of Valentine Holmes at left-centre. Braidon Burns will also be named at right-wing, taking over from Kyle Feldt.

Former Tiger and Raider John Bateman has found a new home in Townsville. And with the unfortunate preseason ACL rupture to Heilum Luki has walked into a starting spot.

STORM v EELS

Sunday, 4:05pm, AAMI Park

Storm: 1. Sua Fa’alogo/Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Tui Kamikamica

Ryan Papenhuyzen remains a fifty-fifty chance of playing due to knee soreness, a side effect of previous surgeries. Sua Fa’alogo will start should Papenhuyzen miss the game.

Elsewhere, Cameron Munster is fit and raring to go following off-season hip surgery. Jahrome Hughes looks set to overcome a calf issue to be named. And new recruit Stefano Utoikamanu will also make his debut.

Wingers Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick are both racing the clock for Round 1 but expected to play. Should he be unavailable it could open the door for Kiwi Rugby Sevens recruit Moses Leo to debut.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona is suspended until Round 3.

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Bailey Simonsson/Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Joey Lussick 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Ryan Matterson

Mitch Moses is experiencing foot soreness following on from his 2024 injury. He is on track to be named but will have to manage the issue relating to his ‘Jones’ fracture.

His Origin teammate Zac Lomax will line up in Parramatta colours for the first time alongside him. Lomax’s arrival will see Will Penisini shift to the left centre position.

With Josh Addo-Carr suspended until Round 3 and Bailey Simonsson still returning from injury, Jake Tago and Sean Russell are expected to start on the wings.

There’s starting positions and minutes available in the second row. Kelma Tuilagi, Charlie Guymer, Kitione Kautoga will all compete with veterans Bryce Cartwright, Jack Williams and Ryan Matterson for the spots.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 1 2025: Top Titans back, Campbell Graham’s quick recovery