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.
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Josh Addo-Carr will make his long-awaited debut against his former club after spending the opening rounds on the sidelines due to a suspension which was enforced by the NRL last season.
Speaking after their loss to the Wests Tigers on Sunday, coach Jason Ryles hinted that several changes could be made.
This could see the likes of Dean Hawkins, Wiremu Greig, Joey Lussick, Ryan Matterson, Kelma Tuilagi, Bryce Cartwright, and Charlie Guymer be promoted to the first-grade squad after they all played in the NSW Cup earlier in the day.
Projected Round 3 team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Sam Tuivaiti
The Bulldogs have suffered a double injury blow ahead of Round 3 with Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau set to spend at least a month on the sidelines after sustaining knee injuries.
Injury update @NRL_Bulldogs
Matt Burton
MCL grade 2. Getting a scan at 9pm tonight to confirm. Usually 4 to 5 weeks.
Viliame Kikau
MCL Grade 2+. Probably slightly worse than Burton. Scan tomorrow 7am at Hawkesbury to exclude other injury. About the same time.— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 16, 2025
Burton's absence will see several players contend for the five-eighth jersey, including Drew Hutchison and Joseph O'Neill.
However, it will likely fall to either Stephen Crichton or Bailey Hayward after they both impressed Cameron Ciraldo when Burton left the field on Sunday.
"That's what we trained for all pre-season, if one of our halves went down Critta was moving into that spot," Cameron Ciraldo said on Crichton.
"I thought he did a good job when he was there, but I needed him (to go back to the right) and take that challenge on."
Winger Jacob Kiraz is also a chance to return back to the line-up but remains indefinitely sidelined for the time being.
Projected Round 3 Team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Josh Curran 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jaeman Salmon
