Cowboys star John Bateman was left out of the final squad to face the Knights, and Griffin Neame is reportedly expected to play as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will be boosted by the signings of wingers Jacob Kiras, Marcelo Montoya and Matt Barton.
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For the latest team news, read the Late Email below.
Newcastle Knights vs. North Queensland Cowboys, Allegiant Stadium, 1:15pm AEDT
Knights: 1. Karin Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Majew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Sandon Smith 15. Matthew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Pasami Sauro 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Francis Manuleleua 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Cody Hopwood 22. James Schiller
Player cut:
Late email: Knights coach Justin Holbrook has made it clear that he believes Dylan Brown wearing No. 7 “doesn’t change the way he plays.” The club’s leading newcomer has started 10 games at halfback during his NRL career, most recently in matchday 12 of the 2024 season. Brown has won twice as a halfback, including against the Panthers on Game 26 of the 2023 season when many players were rested. Either way, Holbrook is backing the dynamic duo of Brown’s partner Fletcher Sharpe to lead the team to victory in Las Vegas. “Sandon will play a lot as a half all year, but he’ll be coming off the bench in the first round. We’re going to start with Dylan and Sharpie. I think they’re really dangerous threats and that’s going to be the best complement for our team going into the first round,” Holbrook told the Knights’ website. “It doesn’t change where Dylan plays (wearing the seven). Obviously his background at Parramatta, he’s always had a dominant wide-half partner so he hasn’t had to play that role, but he’s completely used to organizing the side. From a playing standpoint, it’s not going to change the way he plays. With him, Sharpie and Kalin all teaming up at different stages, it’s going to be an unpredictable situation for Dylan. “He (Sharpe) reminds me a lot of Curt Guidry. He can play anywhere. In the first round, I think it’s best for the team to have him in the half. If he moves around throughout the year, I think that’s a luxury…and that’s why we trained him in different positions in the preseason.” Elsewhere, Trey Mooney, who was widely expected to come off the bench, will start in the front row.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braydon Barnes 3. Jackson Perdue 4. Thomas Chester 5. Murray Tauragi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Cohen Hess 9. Reid Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Hiram Rooki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Ruben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Michaele 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Kai O’Donnell 18. Griffin Neame 19. John Bateman 20. Liam Sutton 21. Matthew Lodge 22. Robert Darby
Player cut:
Late email: british star John Bateman He reportedly plans to be dropped from the final team. griffin neem According to the Daily Telegraph, he has recovered from his shoulder injury and is ready to play. star winger Murray Tauragi He missed practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury, but reported that he plans to play. daily telegraph. Meanwhile, Todd Payten revealed all his reserve funds[layer is in the mix to join the final 19, but Matt Lodge looms as a likely forward to come into the team in jersey No.21. Heilum Luki will play his first game since the 2024 finals series, having suffered a torn ACL during the 2025 pre-season. Another player who hasn’t featured for an extended period due to injuries, Tom Chester, has also been named in the centres. His path to a starting spot was opened up after Zac Laybutt was handed a two-game ban, having last played in the NRL in Round 17 of the 2024 season. Elsewhere, Panthers recruit Soni Luke could share hooking duties with fellow signing Reed Mahoney.
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‘At home watching movies’ | 04:25
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons at Allegiant Stadium, 3:30pm AEDT
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jake Turpin 21. Enari Tuala 22. Jonathan Sua 23. Alekolasimi Jones
Players cut:
Late Mail: Originally labelled doubtful for Vegas, wingers Jacob Kiraz (calf) and Marcelo Montoya (soft tissue) and Matt Burton (hamstring) are all play. “They are good to go, we wouldn;t have brought them over here if they were not going to play and they are ready,” Bullodgs coach Cameron Ciraldo said. In the absence of Leo Thompson, Sam Hughes will take his place in the front row.
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Hame Sele 15. Josh Kerr 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Ryan Couchman 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. David Fale 20. Jacob Halangahu 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Tyrell Sloan
Players cut:
Late Mail: Announcing their team on Tuesday, the only player under an injury cloud was centre Valentine Holmes. While Holmes will start on Sunday, he has transitioned to the other side of the field and will line-up against Stephen Crichton on the right. The former Cowboy spent the entire 2025 season on the left edge, the side occupied by Christian Tuipulotu on the wing. Therefore, Holmes could forge a partnership with Warriors recruit Setu Tu on the right side of the field.
Burton unleashes 110ft bomb in Vegas! | 00:09
2026 SEASON PREVIEWS
DRAGONS: Flanagan’s big promise… and the huge gamble to make or break season
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