The defending premiers Penrith may be fielding a weakened team for the final week of trials, as their first-grade stars will be already US-bound for the bright lights of Vegas come this weekend’s game time.

But that’s definitely not the case for most of the other teams, with plenty of NRL stars getting their first hit-outs for 2025 for their respective sides back on Australian soil; including Reece Walsh, Latrell Mitchell, Kalyn Ponga, Adam Reynolds, James Tedesco and Cameron Munster.

The Titans welcome back injured star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for the Queensland derby against the Dolphins, who themselves welcome Tom Gilbert back after a long spell with injury.

NRL Pre-Season Teams – Week 3

All times in AEDT.

Friday, February 21- 6:00pm: Sea Eagles v Panthers at Leichhardt Oval

Sea Eagles: 1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Lehi Hopoate 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Navren Willett 6. Dean Matterson 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Siosiua Taukeiaho 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Ethan Bullemor 11. Ben Trbojevic 12. Corey Waddell 13. Nathan Brown 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Chris Patolo 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 19. Caleb Navale 20. Aaron Schoupp 21. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 22. Brandon Wakeham 23. Jordan Swann 24. Aitasi James

Anthony Siebold has chosen to rest big names Tom Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans, Haumole Olakau’atu and Luke Brooks until Round 1. But Speedsters Tolu Koula and Reuben Garrick are set to get some game time in this trial.

Panthers: 1. Sione Fonua 2. David Fale 3. Thomas Jenkins 4. Samuel Lane 5. Asu Kepaoa 6. Soni Luke 7. Trent Toelau 8. Preston Riki 9. Billy Scott 10. Austin Dias 11. Zac Lipowicz 12. Harrison Hassett 13. Niko Apelu 14. Zack Lamont 15. John Sagaga 16. Billy Phillips 17. Riley Wake 18. Falefa Letoi 19. Tangata Utiokamanu 20. Jaxen Edgar 21. Nick Murphy 22. Poutoa Hotere-papalii 23. Tylor Bunting 24. Jakeb Vailalo 25. Zakauri Clarke 26. Harry Armstrong

With the NRL squad set to fly out the day before to Vegas, this is pretty much their NSW Cup side. Soni Luke and Trent Toelau to call the shots in the halves. In the pack, Preston Riki, Austin Dias and Harrison Hassett lead the way and Billy Scott gets a shot in the dummy half role.

Friday, February 21- 8:00pm: Wests Tigers v Eels at Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers: 1. Heath Mason 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Starford To’a 4. Brent Naden 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tristan Hope 19. Tony Sukkar 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape

It will be the first time that Tigers fans can see Adam Doueihi and Lachlan Galvin in action, with the halfback called into the starting side against the Eels – but Jarome Luai is being saved for Round 1. Terrell May, Jack Bird and Royce Hunt are set for their first appearances as Tigers.

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Te Hurinui Twidle 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Jack Williams 9. Joey Lussick 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Kitione Kautoga 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryan Matterson 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Toni Mataele 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Bryce Cartwright 21. Dan Keir 22. Ryley Smith 23. Brendan Hands 24. Joash Papali’i

Star recruit Zac Lomax makes his Eels debut in the centres, alongside many regular 2024 first-grade players, while star five-eighth Dylan Brown is being rested.

Saturday, February 22 – 3:00pm: Dragons v Rabbitohs at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Ryan Couchman 17. Hamish Stewart 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Hame Sele 20. Jonah Glover 21. Kade Reed 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 23. Dylan Egan 24. Nathan Lawson

Shane Flanagan has named the same starting side from the trial win against the Roosters, with Clint Gutherson, Val Holmes, Damien Cook and Lachlan Ilias all retaining their spots in the side.

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Declan Casey 4. Jack Wighton 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Jye Gray 16. Thomas Fletcher 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Salesi Ataata 19. Ashton Ward 20. Fletcher Myers 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Luke Webley

Souths fans will get the first look at superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell this year, who will lead the Rabbitohs with Jack Wighton, Tyrone Munro, Tallis Duncan and Jayden Sullivan all returning to the side for the Charity Shield. Wayne Bennett has chosen to hold back Cameron Murray and Cody Walker until the season opener.

Latrell Mitchell. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Saturday, February 22 – 5:30pm: Broncos v Bulldogs at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Latrell Siegwalt 15. Josiah Karapani 16. Delouise Hoeter 17. Jock Madden 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Deine Mariner 20. Billy Walters 21. Corey Jensen 22. Tyson Smoothy 23. Brendan Piakura 24. Benjamin Te Kura

It’s full steam ahead for Michael Maguire. Fresh off the thrashing of the Titans, he is unleashing the big-name stars in search of the $100,000 pre-season prizemoney. Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas have all been named as starters to take to the field. 

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Sam Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Ratu Rinakama 20. Joseph O’Neill 21. Cassius Tia 22. Blake Taaffe 23. Harry Hayes 24. Jonathan Sua

Stephen Crichton has been named to lead a powerful Bulldogs line-up that also includes Connor Tracey, Bronson Xerri, Matt Buron Reed Mahoney, Viliame Kikau and Kurt Mann.

Saturday, February 22 -7:30pm: Dolphins v Titans at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Junior Tupou 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Max Feagai 19. Josh Kerr 20. Connelly Lemuelu 21. Harrison Graham 22. Sean O’Sullivan 23. Aublix Tawha 24. Tevita Naufahu

Tom Gilbert returns his first game since last season’s Round 12 knee injury, while Connelly Lemuelu (shoulder) and Kenny Bromwich (elbow) have both been cleared to play. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Josh Kerr return along with Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Herbie Farnworth, Isaiya Katoa and Felise Kaufusi – with former Knight Daniel Saifiti named as a starter.

Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Allan Fitzgibbon 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Tony Francis 6. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Keano Kini 15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 16. Brian Kelly 17. Klese Haas 18. Jayden Campbell 19. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 20. Josiah Pahulu 21. Thomas Weaver

While Des Hasler has named the same starting 13 that tackled the Broncos, he has named some star power on the bench with the most interest around Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Also, Keano Kini, Jayden Campbell and Alofiana Khan-Pereira have been named.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Sunday, February 23 – 3:15pm: Roosters v Knights at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Siua Wong 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Nat Butcher 17. Naufahu Whyte 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Blake Steep 20. Jake Elliott 21. Ethan King 22. Tom Rodwell 23. Max McCathie 24. Delasalle Vaa

Skipper James Tedesco headlines a star-studded Roosters side and will be joined by Daniel Tupou, Lindsay Collins, Connor Watson, Angus Crichton, Nat Butcher and Victor Radley. Rugby convert, Mark Nawaqanitawase retains his spot alongside Robert Toia in the centres.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker 18. Jack Cogger 19. Thomas Cant 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Logan Aoake 22. Will Pryce 23. Matthew Arthur 24. Jackson Hastings

Star players Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Leo Thompson are back on deck for the Novocastrians after All-Star duty along with Bradman Best, Jacob Saifiti and Phoenix Crossland who also get their first run for the season. Fletcher Sharpe retains his position as starting five-eighth.

Saturday, February 23 – 5:15pm: Storm v Cowboys at Casey Fields, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Kane Bradley 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Joe Chan 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Lazarus Vaalepu 19. Stanley Huen 20. Angus Hinchey 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Cameron Munster has recovered from a groin injury and will return to the Storm side, with Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant, Eli Katoa, Josh King and Trent Loiero all named in the squad to play their first game.

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Matautia 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Karl Lawton 16. Griffin Neame 19. Kai O’Donnell 20. Coen Hess 21. Robert Derby 22. Thomas Mikaele 23. Jaxson Paulo

Todd Payten has also brought some big names back with co-captains Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter leading a side that includes Scott Drinkwater, Murray Taulagi, Reece Robson. John Bateman will get his first game as a Cowboy.