Luke Keary is set to sit out his second trial in as many weeks after he was left out of a near full-strength Sydney Roosters side to play Manly on Friday night.
Keary was a late withdrawal from the Roosters squad for their opening trial against Melbourne after apparently copping a knock in training before the game.
Roosters officials confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Keary had copped a hit to the jaw last week and that his absence was purely a precautionary measure after a shocking run of concussions over the past few years.
As Keary prepares to miss his second trial in a row, the Knights are set to welcome back skipper Kalyn Ponga after he endured several head knocks in 2022.
Ponga will partner Jayden Brailey and new recruits Lachie Miller and Jackson Hastings with coach Adam O’Brien keen to see them gel just two weeks out from the start of the season.
The Knights have named a very strong side including the in-demand Dom Young for their game against the Eels who will also unleash their first-choice spine of Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown, Mitch Moses and Josh Hodgson.
It’s set to be a double treat for fans on the Central Coast with the Roosters going with plenty of their big guns for their match against Manly.
The Roosters are on top of the ladder as they chase the $100,000 on offer, and they’re clearly intent on taking out the prize with skipper James Tedesco and Joseph Suaalii both in the side, but Angus Crichton, Joey Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves remain unavailable.
The Sea Eagles will be without Tom Trbojevic whose plan has always been to be available for Round 1, while veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has surprisingly been left out and will miss the chance to get some valuable game time with Josh Schuster.
Schuster is one of the most fascinating players going into the new season, with fans intrigued to see if he can cut it as a five-eighth after the club let Kieran Foran go to the Titans.
It’s set to be an epic battle of the fullbacks in Mudgee with Indigenous All Stars teammates Tyrell Sloan and Latrell Mitchell to clash in the Charity Shield.
The Dragons have brought back the big guns after naming an inexperienced side for last week’s loss to St Helens, with Ben Hunt back on deck to give some early ball to centres Zac Lomax and Moses Suli who were kept quiet.
The Rabbitohs are essentially at full strength for the annual clash with try-scoring machine Alex Johnston named on the wing where he’ll be looking to feast on plenty of good ball from Cody Walker.
The Panthers will head into their World Club Challenge showdown with St Helens without Clive Churchill Medal winner Dylan Edwards, which means Bulldogs-bound Stephen Crichton will get a rare opportunity at the back.
Star halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai have both been named, with new recruits Zac Hosking and Luke Garner both set to start in the back-row as they chase down Viliame Kikau’s spot.
The Broncos have turned to All Stars hero Selwyn Cobbo to replace Reece Walsh at fullback after the former Warrior suffered a facial fracture in last week’s draw against the Titans.
It’s a serious looking Broncos side that welcomes back Adam Reynolds for the game against the Cowboys who have named essentially the same side that took them to last year’s preliminary final.
All eyes will be on boom back-rower Jeremiah Nanai after his incredible try-scoring season, while club legend James Tamou has been named on the bench.
Melbourne fans are resigned to the fact Ryan Papenhuyzen won’t be back until at least Round 6, with Nick Meaney named at fullback in a team that includes rep stars Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant in the spine for the trip to New Zealand.
Eli Katoa and Trent Loiero have been named in the back row for the Storm with new recruit Tariq Sims unavailable but likely to be fit for Round 1.
The Raiders have also been forced to make a change at the back with Jordan Rapana named to replace Xavier Savage, who is out with a jaw injury.
Jack Wighton has been named for the game against the Wests Tigers who will be without Luke Brooks (calf) and new captain Api Koroisau as David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i get ready to make their club debuts.
There will be emotional scenes at Belmore on Sunday afternoon when favourite son Josh Reynolds returns to his spiritual home against the Sharks.
The Bulldogs have also named Matt Burton for the clash, while Hayze Perham gets first crack at fullback against a star-studded Sharks side that features Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes.
And the Dolphins have held no punches with Wayne Bennett naming a vastly experienced squad for their final hit out before they make their NRL debut.
Former Storm trio Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi will all start against a Titans side that could ruffle a few feathers with Foran playing behind a powerful pack.
