The Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos are sweating on the availability of some big names, while the Wests Tigers also face a nervous wait after one of their key players sat out of training.

The club’s star recruit John Bateman was only named in the extended squad for Sunday’s clash — but the Bulldogs are preparing for him to play. However star half Adam Doueihi is also under a cloud after he was rested from training on Wednesday.

Brandon Smith and Pat Carrigan are racing the clock to be fit for Round 3 clashes, meanwhile. Plus — a late change for the Dolphins and debutants galore for the Knights.

Read on for the lastest Round 3 team news.

THURSDAY MARCH 16

Manly Sea Eagles vs Parramatta Eels at 4 Pines Park, 8.00pm AEDT

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie 21. Karl Lawton

Players cut:19. Cooper Johns 20. Morgan Harper 22. Ben Condon 18. Toafofoa Sipley

Late mail: There are no late changes expected for the Sea Eagles, who are coming off the bye last week. Five-eighth Josh Schuster (calf) is ready to go for his first start of the year with Lachlan Croker (head knock) also fit to play.

Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur

Players cut: 19. Haze Dunster 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Isaac Lumelume 20. Ofahiki Ogden

Late mail: The Eels are unchanged from last week’s defeat to the Storm with winger Maika Sivo escaping a ban with an early plea to his dangerous contact charge..

FRIDAY MARCH 17

Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium, 6.00pm AEDT

Knights team: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Ryan Rivett 15. Mathew Croker 17. Dylan Lucas 22. Thomas Cant 19. Greg Marzhew 20. Oryn Keeley

Players cut: 16. Jack Johns 18. Enari Tuala 21. Ben Talty

Late mail: Jack Johns is sidelined with an ankle injury, seeing Thomas Cant replace him on the bench to make his NRL debut along with Ryan Rivett and Dylan Lucas.

Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Kodi Nikorima 14. Connelly Lemuelu 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Mason Teague 24. Poasa Faamausili 22. Robert Jennings

Players cut: 10. Jarrod Wallace 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. JJ Collins 21. Anthony Milford

Late mail: No Jarrod Wallace, with the prop sidelined for “personal reasons” according to Wayne Bennett as Connelly Lemuelu comes into the starting team.

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium, 8.00pm AEDT

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Naufahu Whyte 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Corey Allan 22. Siua Wong

Players cut:

Late mail: Brandon Smith is no certainty to face the Rabbitohs and will need to get through a full session and physio work on Thursday after suffering a muscular injury in last week’s win over the Warriors.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson revealed his star recruit had only managed to get through a portion of training earlier in the week and that the team would make a call on their No.9 on Thursday.

Smith played 24 minutes last weekend before he was forced off after injuring himself while tackling winger Marcelo Montoya.

“He trained a bit the other night, but he hasn’t done a full session yet so we’ll find out more today through physio and through the session,” Robinson said.

“It’s more muscular. We thought it was a rib, but it’s more muscular than that.”

— Martin Gabor, NCA Newswire

Rabbitohs team: 1.. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Players cut:

Late mail: To come.

 

SATURDAY MARCH 18

Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium, 3.00pm AEDT

Titans team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Jo Vuna 17. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Klese Haas 20. Toby Sexton 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry

Players cut:

Late mail: To come.

Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims 17. Jordan Grant 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Bronson Garlick 22. Kane Bradley

Players cut:

Late mail: Four Storm players will have to be passed fit after Friday’s training to take the field. Xavier Coates (AC joint), Justin Olam (fractured forearm), Tui Kamikamica (foot) and Tariq Sims (calf) could all still be ruled out according to The Daily Telegraph.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Warriors at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5.30pm AEDT

Cowboys team: 1. Tomas Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou 18. Heilum Luki 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Taniela Sadrugu 21. Riley Price 22. Mitchell Dunn

Players cut:

Late mail: To come.

Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Jazz Tevaga 23. Rocco Berry

Players cut:

Late mail: To come.

Brisbane Broncos vs St George Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm AEDT

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Delouise Hoeter

Players cut:

Late mail: Newly-re-signed star Pat Carrigan is in danger of being ruled out, with coach Kevin Walters rating one of his best players’ “doubtful” for the clash after surgery on an infected wisdom tooth.

“We’ve named him but he’s in a bit of doubt. We’ll give him until game day to make his decision,” Walters said, per the Courier Mail.

Rising prop Xavier Willison and backrower Brendan Piakura are reportedly on standby to come into the 17 should Carrigan be ruled out.

Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods

Players cut:

Late mail: To come.

SUNDAY MARCH 19

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers at Belmore Sports Ground, 4.05pm AEDT

Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Jayden Okunbor 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Fa’amanu Brown 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Josh Reynolds 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Tanner

Players cut:

Late mail: To come.

Tigers team: 1. Charlie Staines 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Asu Kepaoa 12. Shawn Blore 13. Fonua Pole 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Brandon Tumeth 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. John Bateman 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Jahream Bula

Players cut:

Late mail:Adam Doueihi reportedly sat out of training on Wednesday with foot bruising according to AAP’s Scott Bailey. Tigers medical staff said they were keeping him off his feet as a precaution. According to the NRL Physio, players can usually recover from a bruised foot quickly, granted there is no significant damage with load management the best way to prevent further injury. Meanwhile English recruit John Bateman also reportedly sat next to him and observed training after being named in the extended squad for the first time ahead of Round 3. But the Bulldogs’ general manger of football, Phil Gould believes Bateman will be parachuted into the 17 come Sunday. “Why would you name him if you weren’t going to play him? I fully expect that he will play this weekend,” he said on Six Tackles with Gus. “I can only assume because they’ve named him, he will play, and if he plays he will be ready. He’s an international-class forward so they would love to be playing him.”

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks at GIO Stadium, 6.15pm AEDT

Raiders team: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler 18. Zac Woolford 19. Matt Frawley 20. James Schiller 21. Semi Valemei 22. Peter Hola

Players cut:

Late mail: To come.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jack Williams 18. Connor Tracey 19. Thomas Hazelton 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Daniel Atkinson

Players cut:

Late mail: To come.

Bye: Penrith Panthers