NRL Late Mail Round 3: Robson on track; Reynolds set to start
Star Roosters recruit Reece Robson is on track to make an early return from a thumb injury on Friday night.
The representative hooker is set for his first appearance for the club in a Multicultural Round clash with Penrith at Allianz Stadium.
Robson is one of multiple players pushing to return this weekend, with Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle and Gold Coast playmaker Jayden Campbell also set to complete comebacks from injury.
Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett is also in the mix to play his first game since tearing his ACL last June and is in the extended squad for Saturday's clash with Newcastle.
See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 3 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.
NRL Late Mail Round 3
Raiders v Bulldogs, Thursday 8.00pm (AEDT) at GIO Stadium
Raiders: Veteran prop Josh Papalii is on track to take his place in the starting side after progressing through the concussion protocols. The Samoan international missed last week's loss to the Warriors. Morgan Smithies is set to come off the interchange as a result. The match is Ricky Stuart's 300th game as Raiders coach as his side looks to defend an impressive home record against the Bulldogs. One minor change in Wednesday's 24-hour team update, with Jed Stuart replacing Matt Timoko as the sixth player on the Raiders bench. Owen Pattie remains in the extended squad.
Bulldogs: Enari Tuala is set for his first game of the year and comes into the centres in place of Bronson Xerri. The Bulldogs are otherwise settled as they prepare to play their first game since a golden point win over the Dragons in Las Vegas. Canterbury have struggled in Canberra in recent years but skipper Stephen Crichton has scored 10 tries in eight games against the Raiders. No changes for the Bulldogs in the 24-hour update.
Roosters v Panthers, Friday 6.00pm (AEDT) at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: Star hooker Reece Robson is on track to play his first game as a Rooster after making a rapid recovery from pre-season thumb surgery. Benaiah Ioelu reverts to the six-man bench as a result in the only change to the squad that defeated the Rabbitohs on a historic night last week.
Panthers: Liam Martin is set to play his first game of the season after overcoming a calf complaint that he has battled for the past month. The representative back-rower's return will see Luke Garner shift to the bench. Utility Jack Cogger is set to miss the match after suffering a head knock last week, with Freddy Lussick the new man on the interchange.
Storm v Broncos, Friday 8.00pm (AEDT) at AAMI Park
Storm: Alec MacDonald is pushing to return from a concussion for Friday's grand final rematch and will be given every chance to line up at AAMI Park. The lock has been listed on the bench, alongside Trent Loiero, who has served a suspension incurred in last year's grand final loss.
Broncos: Cook Islands star Brendan Piakura is also in the mix for his first appearance of the year after recovering from off-season knee injury and has been listed in jumper No.18. Former Storm flyer Grant Anderson comes on to the wing for his Broncos debut, with Deine Mariner shifting to the centres and Gehamat Shibasaki moving to the interchange. Adam Reynolds is on track to take his place despite leaving last week's loss to Parramatta with a rib injury.
Knights v Warriors, Saturday 3.00pm (AEDT) at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Fletcher Sharpe is on track to return from a knee injury suffered in Las Vegas in a timely boost following the loss of both Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga. Fletcher Hunt is set to start at fullback, with Sharpe to partner Sandon Smith in the halves.
Warriors: Star prop Mitch Barnett is pushing to make his comeback from an ACL injury suffered last June and remains in an extended squad also featuring Jett Cleary. Kurt Capewell (calf), Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (both head knock) have all been ruled out, prompting a minor reshuffle for coach Andrew Webster. Taine Tuaupiki is the new fullback, Luke Hanson makes his NRL debut at five-eighth and Marata Niukore joins the bench in his return from a calf injury.
Sharks v Dolphins, Saturday 5.30pm (AEDT) at Ocean Protect Stadium
Sharks: Teig Wilton is pushing for his first footy of the year as he completes his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery. The punishing back-rower has been named in the extended squad for Saturday's match. No other changes expected for coach Craig Fitzgibbon from the team that lost to Penrith last week.
Dolphins: Max Plath retains his place in the starting side after making a successful return from an ACL injury last weekend. No changes to the starting line up for coach Kristian Woolf, with Sebastian Su'a replacing Brian Pouniu the only difference to the interchange.
Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers, Saturday 7.35pm (AEDT) at Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Rabbitohs: Jamie Humphreys is set for his first appearance of 2026, having served a suspension throughout the last fortnight. It marks the third halves partner in three weeks for five-eighth Cody Walker but Humphreys' return should bring some stability to the side. Tallis Duncan is set to start on Saturday night, with Euan Aitken shifting to the bench.
Wests Tigers: Jeral Skelton will start at centre after Taylan May was ruled out with a shoulder injury, with Patrick Herbert coming on to the six-man bench and in line for his first NRL match since 2022. Perth-bound winger Luke Laulilii retains his place in the starting side and has scored five tries in his last six NRL games.
Eels v Dragons, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Eels: J'maine Hopgood is set to step straight back into the starting side in his return from suspension, prompting a minor reshuffle. Jack Williams shifts to lock and Jack de Belin moves to the six-man bench as he prepares to face his former club. Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in his last four games at CommBank Stadium, while Parramatta have won their past four games against the Dragons at the venue.
Dragons: Jacob Liddle is on track to make his return from a hamstring injury and will form a one-two punch with starting hooker Damien Cook. The co-captain left the field late in last week's loss to Melbourne but passed his HIA and is set to play on Sunday. Also cleared to line up are halves Kyle Flanagan and Daniel Atkinson, who have avoided serious ankle injuries.
Cowboys v Titans, Sunday 6.15pm (AEDT) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: Inspirational skipper Reuben Cotter is straight back into the starting side after missing last week's loss to the Tigers due to family reasons. Cotter's return will see Kai O'Donnell shift to the bench and Matt Lodge to the reserves. Zac Laybutt is also in the mix for his first game of the season after serving a suspension picked up in the Pre-Season Challenge.
Titans: Jayden Campbell is set to return from a hamstring injury in a major boost for new coach Josh Hannay. The playmaker has been named on the six-man bench but could come into the starting side closer to kick off. AJ Brimson and Lachlan Ilias are currently listed in the halves, but Campbell's return could prompt a reshuffle.
