Fri: Eels v Rabbitohs
Serious doubts over a string of Parramatta players including Will Hopoate (shoulder), Brad Takairangi (ankle), Nathan Peats (concussion) and Isaac De Gois (concussion). Hopoate is considered the most doubtful with Reece Robinson set to deputise at fullback if young Hoppa is a late withdrawal.
The Bunnies have their issues too. Still no John Sutton with Tim Grant named at lock, while 30-year-old Daryl Millard, who last played in the NRL in 2009, will start in the centres for the injured Dylan Walker (hand).
Fri: Tigers v Bulldogs
The loss of goalkicking winger Pat Richards to suspension for one week will see rookie Delousie Hoeter start on the Tigers flank, so expect an aerial raid from the Bulldogs. NSW Origin prop Aaron Woods will be absent with a knee injury suffered last weekend. 18th man Kyle Lovett will come onto the bench with Jack Buchanan to start.
Still no Josh Reynolds for the Bulldogs with Moses Mbye continuing to impress in the no.6 jumper. Not surprisingly, coach Des Hasler has stuck with the same 17 that took care of Manly last week. Aiden Tolman plays his 100th first grade game for the Bulldogs.
Sat: Knights v Panthers
The Knights forwards stocks could be in for a massive shock with Korbin Sims (suspended), starting prop Kade Snowden (knee), Beau Scott (ankle) and Robbie Rochow (back) all in serious doubt. Unbeaten in their first three matches, it's been the Newcastle pack who have overshadowed the star-studded backline with their performance. Adding to their injury woe is rookie Chanel Mata'utia, who suffered a serious facial injury when colliding heavily with James McManus at training on Wednesday. While McManus isn't in doubt for Saturday's match, Mata'utia will be sidelined for at least a fortnight.
Still no Jamie Soward for the Panthers, whose omission last Monday against the Sydney Roosters was a contributing factor to the Penrith's loss. Interestingly, don't expect to see Adam Docker in the NRL to soon either - he has been suspended for three weeks for a shoulder charge in the NSW Cup.
Sat: Sharks v Titans
A host of changes by coach Shane Flanagan in a bid to record the club's first win of the season against the also winless Titans. Into five-eighth goes Wade Graham, following the suspension of Ben Barba. Anthony Tupou takes Graham's backrow position, while in his 250th first grade game Chris Heighington has been named to start in the front row. But perhaps the most significant inclusion is young Jack Bird, a talented centre-winger who Sharks fans have been longing to see in the top grade.
Injury has saved coach Neil Henry from making the call to drop halfback Daniel Mortimer, who has struggled for form over the past fortnight. Mortimer will be out of action for next three to four weeks with a wrist injury. Mortimer's omission will see the NRL debut of promising halfback Kane Elgey, last year's Holden Cup player of the year.
Sat: Dragons v Sea Eagles
For the first time this season, Dragons coach Paul McGregor is preparing to stick with the same 17 that recorded their two-point win over Canberra. McGregor only has one decision to make with George Rose, who has been added to the bench after missing last week's win following the birth of his baby boy. That decision will be made at the club's final run on Friday.
The Sea Eagles have named Test half Kieran Foran to return from his hamstring injury, but the whisper out of the Manly sheds is that he could be saved for next week, out of precaution. Jamie Lyon (leg) is a certain starter while Steve Matai (shoulder) is rated less than a 50 per cent chance of playing.
Sun: Warriors v Broncos
A big out for the Warriors with fullback Sam Tomkins (knee) unavailable for the next six weeks after scans revealed a partial tear of his medial ligament. Tuimoala Lolohea will wear the no 1 jersey in Tomkins' absence.
The Broncos are reporting no late changes with the return of Corey Oates (calf), however Supercoach players shouldn't rule out Mitchell Dodds (calf) as a late inclusion on the bench.
Sun: Roosters v Raiders
Sam Moa will retain his starting spot up front for the Roosters after beating a dangerous contact charge while Blake Ferguson has found form just as he's about to take on his former club Canberra. Given the club's short turnaround from Monday night football, there is some suggestion coach Trent Robinson will blood second-string forwards Willie Manu and Lagi Setu.
A big win also for the Raiders on Wednesday at League HQ with tyro Shaun Fensom cleared of dangerous head contact by the NRL judiciary. Coach Ricky Stuart has dropped Josh McCrone to the NSW Cup with Glen Buttriss earning a promotion to the bench, while the earlier than expected return of Jack Wighton from injury sees Jordan Rapana shift to the wing.
Mon: Cowboys v Storm
Chasing their first win of the season, the Cowboys will welcome back winger Antonio Winterstein after he was given time off to grieve from the passing of his brother. Winterstein’s wing partner Matthew Wright also rejoins the team after being a late withdrawal from last week's flogging by the Brisbane Broncos. Justin O’Neill and Kyle Feldt make way for the duo. The only other change Green has made to his line-up was to promote prop forward James Tamou to the starting side, while off-season recruit Ben Hannant shifts back to the bench.
Craig Bellamy will make a final call on his side following their Sunday field session, but providing there are no training mishaps, the Storm are expected to field the same 17 that easily took care of Cronulla last Saturday night. On the contract front, star fullback Billy Slater is close to re-signing a new two-year deal.
