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.
Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights
The Gold Coast Titans are sweating on the availability of winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira after he suffered a calf strain on Sunday but coach Des Hasler was confident that he will be available.
The livewire flyer will be sent for scans to determine the severity of the injury, and if unavailable, cross-code recruit Carter Gordon could be called upon as his replacement after recovering from a back injury.
Forward Josiah Pahulu (concussion) will also return to the side and will push Brock Gray off the interchange bench.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Josiah Pahulu
Playmaker Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with injury meaning Jack Cogger will keep his spot in the team as he looks to continue to impress in the opening matches of the season and keep his spot in the side once Gamble returns.
However, Adam O'Brien will need to make two changes to his forward pack with Kai Pearce-Paul (suspension) and Leo Thompson (knee) unavailable for this week - the latter set to spend at least the next four weeks on the sidelines.
Brodie Jones is likely to be one of the players called up after spending last week as the 18th man.
Meanwhile, Zero Tackle understands that youngsters Cody Hopwood and Jermaine McEwen have emerged as frontrunners to come off the interchange bench after starting in the NSW Cup.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Adam Elliott 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Mat Croker
