Following the completion of the second round of the 2025 NRL season, several teams will look to change up their team, while others will enter Round 3 with the exact same line-up.
Nelson Asofoa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys), Jack Bostock (The Dolphins) and Josh Addo-Carr (Parramatta Eels) are just a few players that are set to be available for selection heading into Round 3.
However, while some return, the Rabbitohs' injury woes have continued, a Penrith Panthers star will be unavailable and so will a key member of the Canberra Raiders forward pack, among others.
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys
Despite losing 32-22 last week against the Raiders, the Brisbane Broncos are set to remain unchanged this week with Blake Mozer (shoulder), Ezra Mam (suspension) and Kotoni Staggs (quad) still on the sidelines.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura
Conceding its most points (78) in the opening two rounds since 2002, coach Todd Payten has hinted that several changes are set to be made to the team ahead of Round 3.
The Courier-Mail has reported that young halfback Tom Duffy has been axed after only two games with Jake Clifford entering the line-up in his place.
Representative duo Jason Taumalolo and Jeremiah Nanai are set to return to the side after spending last weekend in the QLD Cup. At the same time, winger Braidon Burns will be absent with a hamstring injury.
Looking dejected in the dressing room sheds after he was taken from the field, Burns has a long history of hamstring injuries throughout his career.
While the severity has yet to be determined, Todd Payten confirmed he is next to no chance of playing in next week's derby match against the Brisbane Broncos.
“Hamstring, I don't know how bad it is but he's very, very long odds to play next week,” he said.
Predicted Round 3 Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Kyle Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Jason Taumalolo 15. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess
