The Dragons have been handed a major reinforcement to their backline with the star flyer declaring himself fit for the team’s season opener against Las Vegas.

Elsewhere, the Knights may have given a big hint regarding half-makes at the final trial, and the Cowboys and Bulldogs could unveil strong outfits.

Read below for the latest team news ahead of Round 1.

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Las Vegas – Sunday, March 1st

Newcastle Knights vs. North Queensland Cowboys, Allegiant Stadium, 1:15pm (AEST)

Predicted Knights team: 1. Karin Ponga 2. Greg Marjou 3. Bradman Best 4. Dane Gagai 5. Dom Young 6. Dylan Brown 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Thomas Cant 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Tyson Gamble 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Matthew Croker 18. Ilya Salesa-Leomoana 19. Pasami Sauro

Team tips: Karin Ponga hasn’t been on the field yet in the preseason, but it looks like he’ll be wearing the No. 1 jersey in Las Vegas, causing headaches for backline Justin Holbrook. Fletcher Sharpe missed Newcastle’s final trial due to a hamstring strain, but newcastle heraldHolbrook gave us a big hint. Marquee rookie Dylan Brown played on the right side against the Bulldogs, and Sharpe was on the left side at halftime last season. Replacing Mr. Brown could be seen as a way to curry favor with Mr. Sharp, but that decision remains up in the air. Holbrook could make a big pick, but given their time together in the preseason, the logical move for now is for Sandon Smith to start alongside Brown, with Sharpe in the pine. Elsewhere, Thomas Cant and Jermaine McEwen are locked in a back-row battle for Kai Pearce-Paul’s vacant spot, with Cant winning the spot in his final trial with the Bulldogs. Trey Mooney will partner Jacob Saifiti in the front row, with Tyson Frizell at lock. On the bench, both Sharpe and Tyson Gamble could be useful on a six-man bench with forwards making up the remaining reserves.

Predicted Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Murray Tauragi 3. Tom Chester 4. Jackson Perdue 5. Braydon Barnes 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jason Taumalolo 9. Reid Mahoney 10. Cohen Hess 11. Hiram Rooki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Ruben Cotter 14. Sonni Luke 15. Matt Lodge 16. John Bateman 17. Kai O’Donnell 18. Thomas Michaele 19. Mason Barber

Team tips: Zach Raybutt was suspended for the Cowboys’ last trial against the Panthers, leaving Tom Chester to take over at center. Otherwise, Todd Payten’s biggest questions seemed automatically answered during the preseason, as Jake Clifford made two impressive plays to win a half-battle against young big guns Jackson Perdue. Purdue will definitely move back to center in a move that strengthens the Cowboys’ back line. John Bateman is battling a wrist injury and should be fit for round one, while Griffin Neame has a shoulder injury that could keep him out for the time being. With Jeremiah Nanay out with a shoulder injury, Hiram Luki and Sam McIntyre are likely to start in the back row, while Soni Luke will take up the pine position at hooker, partnering new signing Reed Mahoney. The utility spot on the backline could be taken by Mason Barber, who wore the No. 19 jersey during his final trial with the Cowboys. Ethan King could be another candidate given her versatility.

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Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v St George Illawarra Dragons, Allegiant Stadium, 3:30pm (AEST)

Predicted Bulldogs Team: 1. Conor Treacy 2. Enali Tuala 3. Bronson Zelli 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jacob Killers 6. Matt Barton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Harry Hayes 11. Viliam Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jayman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Sitiri Tupounia 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Sebastian Suhr

Team tips: The Bulldogs have received a big boost as Matt Barton has been declared fit to take the field in Las Vegas following a hamstring strain, partnering Lachlan Galvin. Elsewhere, in Leo Thompson’s absence, either Harry Hayes or Sam Hughes will partner Max King in the front row, although both look likely to be included in the squad after featuring in the trial win over the Knights. Jacob Kiras and Marcelo Montoya are battling soft tissue injuries, so Enali Tuala could start with Sebastian Sua on the extended bench. Otherwise, the Bulldogs look much the same as last season, with Jason Preston and Viliam Kikau once again partnering in the back row and Jayman Sermon at lock, with plenty of regulars on the bench. Meanwhile, Sean O’Sullivan could be included to provide cover in the halves, with Kurt Mann potentially slotting in at hooker if Bailey Hayward drops.

Predicted Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Setu Too 3. Moses Souri 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Dan Atkinson 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damian Cook 10. Emre Güler 11. Jadon Sua 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Hame Cele 14. Hamish Stewart 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Josh Kerr 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Loko Pasifiki Tonga

Team tips: Valentine Holmes declared after arriving in the US that he was fit for the first leg. “My shoulder is fine. It’s been good since December. But (my hamstring) was feeling good. I could have played last week, but I think Furano wanted to park his car in the garage.” There was also a lot of interest in the wing position in pre-season, with Setu Tu and Christian Tuipulotu appearing to have secured that position after playing against the Rabbitohs in a previous trial. Elsewhere, Kyle Flanagan will partner Daniel Atkinson on Halseth, while Luciano Leirua will take the back row alongside Jadon Sua. Toby Couchman and Emre Guler will fill the front row, but Shane Flanagan could fill the bench with forwards alongside the versatile Tyrell Sloane.

Round 1 Remains

Thursday, March 5th

Melbourne Storm vs. Parramatta Eels, AAMI Park, 8pm (AEST)

Storm Team Tips: Craig Bellamy is suffering a backline headache after winger Xavier Coates is sidelined with an Achilles injury. Young cannon Hugo Peel played a role in a trial with the Titans in Melbourne and could find his way into the starting team after impressing in pre-season. Moses Leo. Manaia Waitele and Marion Sebe are his other options.

Eels team tips: Jordan Samrani impressed in the Eels’ trial win over the Roosters and, given his versatility, looks likely to earn a spot on the six-man bench. Elsewhere, Bailey Simonson and Sean Russell appear to have narrowly edged out Brian Kelly in the final line pecking order.

Friday, March 6th

New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters, Go Media Stadium, 6pm (AEST)

Warriors team tips: Jackson Ford was fined and walked away after being cited during the Warriors’ final preseason Challenge outing. An injury to Te Mer Martin, who broke his foot in the All Stars game, has all but guaranteed Tana Boyd a spot in the half alongside Chanel Harris-Tavita, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Marata Niukole are likely to be available for the first round.

Roosters team tips: With Reece Robson out with a thumb injury, Benaiah Ioel, who played at hooker against the Eels, appears to have taken over the No.9 jersey, with Connor Watson on the bench as a utility player. Blake Steep could also start the season wearing No. 13, which is his namesake.

Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers, Suncorp Stadium, 8pm (AEST)

Broncos team tips: The Broncos unleashed what appears to be a first-string team in the World Club Challenge, and the biggest talking point was Ben Hunt’s position. The veteran will start in the pine, with Corey Peth named to the No. 9 jersey, but for now it looks like that will be Michael Maguire’s spine make-up.

Panthers team tips: Jack Cogger has been deemed fit for the Round 1 game against the Panthers as is and will replace Nathan Cleary. Cleary could be available if he secures a downgrade for a careless high tackle, but in that case he would only receive a fine rather than a two-game suspension. However, if they lose, Penrith will be without their superstar number seven for three games.

2026 Season Preview

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Saturday, March 7th

Cronulla Sharks vs. Gold Coast Titans, Ocean Protect Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)

Sharks Steam Tips: Sione Katoa could be assigned sideline duty, leaving the field due to a possible groin injury and joining Ronaldo Mulitalo in the injured ward. Manager Sam Stonestreet appears to have secured Mulitalo’s spot, with Mawene Hiroti the front-runner to replace Katoa should he be unable to field in round one.

Titans team tips: The Titans’ backline appears to be fixed, with Max Fegai in the center alongside Jojo Fifita and Filip Sami on the wing alongside Siaretiri Faemani. AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell partnered in the first half. Elsewhere, Josh Patston will likely start in the back row alongside Beau Vermor, with Chris Randall likely to start.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders, 4 Pines Park, 7:35pm (AEST)

Sea Eagles Team Tips: The Sea Eagles lineup is expected to be very similar to 2025, with some changes. Jamal Fogarty has agreed to a three-year contract with the Raiders, replacing Daley Cherry-Evans, the club’s longest-serving player, in the half. Meanwhile, Caleb Navarra will miss the entire season due to a torn ACL. Haumor Olakauatu (shoulder), who missed the trial, will be available for the first round. Nathan Brown escaped with a fine for a careless high tackle on Bailey Bentley-Hape, avoiding a sideline stint.

Raiders team tips: Assistant coach Brock Shepard confirmed that Ethan Sanders would wear No. 7 in the first round, and Dane Lowry appealed to be named to the extended bench, although Raiders fans were unable to see either Sanders or Coby Black during the trial. Meanwhile, the Raiders will be keen to sign Englishman Matty Nicholson. According to Canberra Timessuffered a shoulder subluxation in his last trial match, but medical staff remain hopeful that he will be able to return. If he is ruled out, Noah Martin emerges as an obvious replacement on the extended bench.

Sunday, March 8th

Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)

Dolphins team tips: Despite rumors surfacing that the Dolphins are considering a surprise backline change with Trey Fuller, who will wear No. 1, coach Christian Wolff confirmed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be the fullback for Game 1. This will allow Jake Averillo to play in the center and allow Selwyn Cobo to play in the wing position. Manager Francis Moro has been suspended for three games and the club has been forced to replace at least one forward on trial, although Thomas Flegler has returned from a long layoff. Daniel Saifiti revealed on SEN Radio that the first leg is “in doubt” with Jeremy Marshall-King, Jack Bostock and Max Plus all out with injuries.

Rabbitohs team tips: The Rabbitohs opted for a new backline this season, with star player Latrell Mitchell moving from fullback to center full-time, allowing Jay Gray to play number one. In the absence of Jamie Humphries (suspended) and Jonah Glover (jaw) in the first round, youngster Ashton Ward performed well and claimed selection. Jaden Sullivan is another option, but he is still recovering from an injury. Veteran Jay Arrow (shoulder) continues to be sidelined with an injury, and there are concerns that he will be out indefinitely. Elsewhere, the club confirmed that Adam Elliott (calf) and Alex Johnston (hamstring), who missed the final trial match, are both available.