Jake Trbojevic, Fonua-Blake in; Cordner out in Round 1 shocks

The Sea Eagles have been gifted a 225-kilo round one surprise with Jake Trbojevic and Addin Fonua-Blake both returning early from injury as Roosters captain Boyd Cordner continues to be rested.

Trbojevic and Fonua-Blake loom as unexpected inclusions for Manly's Sunday afternoon blockbuster against Melbourne at Lottoland given both were expected to miss up to another month in their respective recoveries from shoulder surgery.

The Test middle men have both been named to start against the Storm, while Tom Trbojevic and Curtis Sironen are also slated to return from off-season surgery.

Kiwi prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) remains in doubt for the clash and has been named as 18th man for the visitors.

The Roosters will be without Cordner for their season opener against Penrith as the club continues its "load management" of the Australian and NSW Origin skipper.

Cordner can expect to play over 30 top level games this year with a Kangaroos tour in November, and the club insists his absence is purely aimed at preparing him another gruelling campaign.

He was a reluctant spectator for last month's World Club Challenge triumph in the UK despite travelling with the side, with Sitili Tupouniua again taking Cordner's place on the left edge inside manufactured centre Angus Crichton.

Cronulla's Josh Morris, who the premiers remain hopeful of securing as a more viable option out wide, was in turn named by the Sharks after the club shot down reports an early release had been negotiated on Tuesday.

Morris has been named at left centre for Cronulla's clash with the Rabbitohs, with Josh Dugan (knee), Matt Moylan (calf) and Bronson Xerri (shoulder) all high-profile backline absentees.

Will Kennedy starts at fullback for the Sharks opposite Latrell Mitchell, who lines up for his first NRL outing in cardinal and myrtle.

Alex Johnston has been named as a backline utility on Wayne Bennett's bench as a result of Mitchell's arrival at Redfern.

The Raiders, Bulldogs, Titans and Broncos have also named outside men in their interchange ranks, with Michael Oldfield (Canberra), Kerrod Holland (Canterbury), Brian Kelly (Gold Coast) and Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane) all offering backline cover – a pointer to the impact of HIA rulings in the modern game.

Anthony Seibold has named Andrew McCullough and Jamil Hopoate on his bench as well, with Jack Bird at fullback and Darius Boyd at centre in a revamped line-up for the latest Broncos-Cowboys derby.

Brisbane's next gen have been handed the leadership reigns, with new halfback Brodie Croft and lock Patrick Carrigan co-captaining the club in just his 20th game in Alex Glenn's (hamstring) absence.

North Queensland's Scott Drinkwater has claimed the No.6 jumper over Jake Clifford as Valentine Holmes makes his long-awaited return from the NFL at Townsville's new stadium.

On Sunday Wests Tigers will also debut new recruits Joey Leilua and Adam Doueihi in the centres against St George Illawarra.

Billy Walters takes on the hooking duties with Josh Reynolds coming off the bench and Paul Momirovski left out of the starting side.

For the Dragons, Paul McGregor has opted for former Manly outside man Brayden Wiliame over Euan Aitken at left centre, while late summer recruit Billy Brittain is back-up dummy-half to Issac Luke.

Last year's wooden spooners the Gold Coast have copped a triple to start their 2020 campaign with AJ Brimson (back) and prop Moeaki Fotuaika (knee) both expected to miss Friday's clash with Canberra, joining big man Shannon Boyd (shoulder) on the sidelines.

A full-strength Parramatta side kick off the season with Waqa Blake (shoulder) and Maika Sivo (discipline) cleared to play against Canterbury on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs teamsheet was thrown into disarray when winger Jayden Okunbor and back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera were both provisionally suspended over an alleged off-season incident involving high school girls in Port Macquarie, with Christian Crichton and Joe Stimson taking their respective places.

The blue and whites will also have 20-year-old Brandon Wakeham lining up at five-eighth, while fellow youngster Chanel Harris-Tavita has beaten Kodi Nikorima to the Warriors No.6 jersey for their clash with Newcastle.

The Knights have named off-season recruits Enari Tuala (Cowboys) and Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos) as their new centre pairing for Adam O'Brien's first game in charge.