NRL pre-season trial teams: Tom Flegler named to return from injury, Dylan Brown set for Knights debut

This weekend marks the first full slate of NRL fixtures for the year, with eight games of pre-season action taking place from Thursday to Sunday.

Some clubs will run out with nearly full-strength teams, especially those heading to Las Vegas for the double-header on Sunday, March 1 (AEDT).

All eyes will be on Dylan Brown in his first game for the Knights after signing a monster contract, while Tom Flegler makes his long-awaited return from injury for the Dolphins.

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Here's all the big talking points from this week's NRL trial team lists.

Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans

Dolphins: Tom Flegler will make his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury off the bench, playing his first game since the early rounds of the 2024 season. New recruit Selwyn Cobbo has been named at centre, while regulars including Francis Molo and Isaiya Katoa are both in the starting side. English import Morgan Knowles gets the start at lock, while Tom Gilbert has been named at prop and will captain the team. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow won't play, while Trai Fuller and Kodi Nikorima are away for All Stars.

1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Brian Pouniu 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Brad Schneider 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. John Fineanganofo 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Felise Kaufusi 15. Tom Flegler 16. Matthew Milson 17. Toby Batten 18. Noah Fien 19. Elijah Rasmussen 20. Lauloto Salei 21. Sebastian Su'a 22. Lewis Symonds 23. Callum Bowles 24. Sangstar Figota

Titans: Lachlan Ilias will play his first game for his new club, lining up alongside highly-touted young halfback Zane Harrison. Cooper Bai will start at lock, while Sam Verrills has been named on the bench with Luke Sommerton at hooker. Gold Coast have opted to rest a number of their big stars including AJ Brimson and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Sunny Kama 4. Max Feagai 5. Jenson Taumoepeau 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Klese Haas 11. Arama Hau 12. Adam Christensen 13. Cooper Bai 14. Sam Verrills 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Jett Liu 17. Tuki Simpkins 18. Kyle Pickering 19. Max Bradbury 20. Bodhi Sharpley 21. Tony Francis 22. Dean Ieremia 23. Phoenix Steinwede 24. Brenton Baira

Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm

Raiders: It's certainly far from a full-strength team for the 2025 minor premiers, with Daine Laurie named to partner Jalen Afamasaga in the halves. Young hooker Owen Pattie will start in the No.9 jumper while Chevy Stewart is at fullback.

1. Chevy Stewart 2. Michael Asomua 3. Mark Tuialii 4. Savelio Tamale 5. Jed Stuart 6. Jalen Afamasaga 7. Daine Laurie 8. Samuel Hyne 9. Owen Pattie 10. Vena Patuki-Case 11. Matt Nicholson 12. Jordan Uta 13. Joseph Roddy 14. Malachi Smith 15. Sebastian Kris 16. Sione Finau 17. Jayze Tuigamala 18. Ethan Alaia 19. Kain Anderson 20. Shaun Packer 21. Myles Martin 22. Jake Clydsdale 23. Roman Tuaimau 24. Saxon Innes

Storm: No sign of any of Melbourne's big names, with Trent Loiero and Ativalu Lisati the only players from last year's grand final in the squad. New recruits Davvy Moale and Jack Hetherington will both look to impress after being named to start in the front-row, while young forward Cooper Clarke will start on the edge. Hugo Peel will play at fullback with Sua Faalogo being held back for the club's second trial game.

1. Hugo Peel 2. Luke Cesari 3. Marion Seve 4. Moses Leo 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Eli Morris 7. Jordan Hamlin 8. Davvy Moale 9. Gabriel Satrick 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Ativalu Lisati 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero 14. Amare Milford 15. Zayvian Langkilde 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Angus Hinchey 18. Preston Conn 19. Liam Williams 20. Jesse Rafferty 21. Mitch Jennings 22. Amaziah Murgha 23. Waka Hammond 24. Alan Holten

North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers

Cowboys: A much closer to full-strength outfit as preparations ramp up for Las Vegas, with Jaxon Purdue named at centre and Jake Clifford at five-eighth perhaps giving the best indication yet which way Todd Payten will lean for round one. Reed Mahoney plays his first game for the club at hooker, Jason Taumalolo lines up at prop and Matt Lodge has been named on the bench as he pushes for a spot to start the season.

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Matthew Lodge 17. John Bateman 18. Liam Sutton 19. Mason Barber 20. Kai O'Donnell 21. Harrison Edwards 22. Jaxson Paulo 23. Robert Derby 24. Ethan King

Panthers: Ivan Cleary has taken a conservative approach for the club's first trial game, naming what is essentially a second-string squad. Jesse McLean, Jaxen Edgar and Sione Fonua make up an exciting back five while Kalani Going, who won the NSW Cup Player of the Year award last season, has been named to start in the back-row. Young hooker Billy Scott is another player worth keeping an eye on for Penrith.

1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Jesse McLean 3. Patrick Moimoi 4. Sione Fonua 5. Nick Murphy 6. Keahn Skipps 7. Kurt Falls 8. Delahia Wigmore 9. Billy Scott 10. Tobias Crosby 11. Zakauri Clarke 12. Kalani Going 13. Billy Phillips 14. Jenson Tuaoi 15. Jakeb Vailalo 16. Vea Tapa'atoutai 17. Harry Armstrong 18. Tuaomaliemavaitoelau Patea 19. Isaiah Scanlan 20. Hokafonu Lemoto 21. Jirah Liddiard 22. Braye Porter 23. Haami Loza 24. Josh Ruxton 25. Cameron Kanaan 26. Samuel Curtain 27. Tyson Sangalang

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles

Warriors: There are plenty of big names missing but Andrew Webster has named some experienced stars including Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Kurt Capewell and Erin Clark. New recruit Morgan Gannon has been named in the back-row, while former Rabbitohs flyer Haizyn Mellars is on the wing as he pushes for an NRL debut. Leka Halasima will start at centre despite spending the majority of last season in the forward pack.

1. Geronimo Doyle 2. Haizyn Mellars 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Luke Hanson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Demitric Vaimauga 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Morgan Gannon 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 17. Kayliss Fatialofa 18. Makaia Tafua 20. Motu Pasikala 21. Rodney Tuipulotu Vea 22. Jack Thompson 23. Caelys-paul Putoko 24. Daeon Amituanai 25. Sio Kali 26. Paea Sikuvea 27. Brandon Norris 28. Harrison Inch

Sea Eagles: It will be a glimpse into the future for Manly fans this weekend when young halves Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh line up alongside each other. Brandon Wakeham has been named at hooker, while new recruit Blake Wilson is on the wing.

1. Blake Metcalfe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Clayton Faulalo 4. Josh Feledy 5. Navren Willett 6. Onitoni Large 7. Joey Walsh 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Paul Bryan 11. Jackson-levi Shereb-schmidt 12. Corey Waddell 13. Caleb Navale 14. Zaidas Muagututia 15. Hugo Hart 16. Viliami Fifita 17. Kylan Mafoa 18. Tyler Melrose 19. Andes Johansson 20. Benjamin Keene-o'keefe

Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters

Tigers: Benji Marshall has picked a stack of young guns to play in the club's first trial, with playmaker Javon Andrews and teenage prodigy Heamasi Makasini both named in the backline. Jock Madden will wear the No.7 jumper this weekend, while Sione Fainu is the only NRL regular in the squad. One interesting name on the team sheet is Patrick Herbert, who spent time away from rugby league but is back with the joint venture.

1. Heath Mason 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Faaletino Tavana 6. Javon Andrews 7. Jock Madden 8. Kit Laulilii 9. Tristan Hope 10. Sione Fainu 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Pheonix Godinet 13. Charlie Murray 14. Jared Haywood 15. Jack Attard 16. Solomane Saukuru 17. Christian Taupau-Moors 18. Maxwell Taotua 19. Siotame Havea Jr 20. Lachlan Broederlow 21. Luke Jack 22. Iverson Matai 23. Logan Deininger 24. Mitchell Taotua 25 Josese Lanyon 26. William Craig

Roosters: It will be at least another week until the debut of Daly Cherry-Evans for his new club, with Trent Robinson taking the patient approach by naming Hugo Savala and Toby Rodwell as the starting halves. The forward pack has plenty of experience with both Butcher brothers, Siua Wong and Salesi Foketi all named to start.

1. Rex Bassingthwaighte 2. Junior Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Tommy Talau 5. Tom Rodwell 6. Hugo Savala 7. Toby Rodwell 8. Egan Butcher 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Taylor Losalu 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Nat Butcher 13. Siua Wong 14. De La Salle Va'a 15. Jackson Stewart 16. Jaxson Allen 17. Itula Seve 18. Jake Elliott 19. Lachlan Dooner 20. Zac Sarfati 21. Reece Foley 22. Lui Lee 23. Kanaan Magele 24. Enzo Griffier 25. Aston Warwick

Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs

Knights: There's no sign of Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai this week but the rest of the Newcastle squad appears to be full-strength, with new recruits Dylan Brown and Sandon Smith named together in the halves for the first time. Bradman Best will line up at centre, while Phoenix Crossland gets the nod at hooker and Mat Croker starts at lock.

1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Dylan Brown 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Thomas Cant 13. Mathew Croker 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jermaine McEwen 16. Elijah Leaumoana 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Brodie Jones 19. James Schiller 20. Wilson De Courcey 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Francis Manuleleua 23. Connor Votano

Bulldogs: Cameron Ciraldo has named a much stronger side this week, with Lachlan Galvin and Matt Burton in the halves while captain Stephen Crichton returns at centre. Marcelo Montoya and Jacob Kiraz are both unavailable, which gives Jonathan Sua and Enari Tuala the chance to impress on the wing. The forward pack is almost full-strength, with new recruit Leo Thompson away on All-Stars duties.

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jonathan Sua 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Harry Hayes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Sam Hughes 17. Josh Curran 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Jake Turpin 21. Taye Cochrane 22. Cooper Toy 23. Raymond Puru 24. Jed Reardon 25. Alekolasimi Jones

St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Dragons: Shane Flanagan has named a much stronger team as preparations ramp up for Las Vegas, with co-captains Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook among the inclusions. It will be the first glimpse of new halves pairing Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan in the Charity Shield, while a trimmed-down Luciano Leilua gets a starting back-row spot. Tyrell Sloan has been demoted to the bench with Christian Tuipulotu returning on the wing alongside Setu Tu, who impressed in his first trial.

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Hame Sele 14. Hamish Stewart 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Ryan Couchman 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Mathew Feagai 20. David Fale 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Kade Reed 23. Jacob Halangahu 24. Hayden Buchanan 25. Nick Tsougranis 26. Haele Finau

Rabbitohs: The big talking point will be the halves, with Jonah Glover and Ashton Ward both named to start while Jamie Humphreys is on the bench. Experienced forwards Sean Keppie and Tevita Tatola are on the bench, while recruit Bronson Garlick will captain the side at lock. Talanoa Penitani is one to watch in the centres, while former Dragons speedster Matt Dufty lines up at fullback after joining the club.

1. Matthew Dufty 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Talanoa Penitani 4. Latrell Siegwalt 5. Jordi Mazzone 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jonah Glover 8. Salesi Ataata 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Lachlan Hubner 11. Thomas Fletcher 12. Max Mccarthy 13. Bronson Garlick 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Tevita Tatola 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Matthew Humphries 19. John Radel 20. Tim Johannssen 21. Elijah Keung 22. Jay Kirk 23. Nazareth Taua 24. William Afualo 25. Oliver Lawry 26. Tayson Fakaosi

Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels

Sharks: Craig Fitzgibbon has named plenty of first grade regulars for the club's first trial game with Braden Uele, Toby Rudolf and Siosifa Talakai all in the forward pack. It's a different story in the backline with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall both away on All-Stars duties, with Riley Pollard and Niwhai Puru named in the halves. Michael Gabrael will be looking to impress in the centres, while Liam Ison is keeping the pressure on Will Kennedy heading into the season and will wear the No.1 jumper for this clash.

1. Liam Ison 2. Kristian Dixon 3. Chris Veaila 4. Michael Gabrael 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Riley Pollard 7. Niwhai Puru 8. Braden Uele 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Billy Burns 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Toby Rudolf 14. Riley Jones 15. Bradley Fearnley 16. Felix Faatili 17. Harrison Hassett 18. Samuel McCulloch 19. Jaxon Lavender 20. Taj Ford 21. Xavier Cacciotti 22. Alex Challenor 23. Nikora Williams 24. Jontay Betham-Misa

Eels: Plenty of first grade talent in this squad, with new recruit Jonah Pezet named at halfback in his debut for Parramatta. The outside backs are almost at full-strength with only Josh Addo-Carr unavailable, while the hooking duties will be shared by Ryley Smith and Tallyn Da Silva. No sign of Jack de Belin and Dylan Walker in the first trial game, while captain Mitchell Moses and veteran prop Junior Paulo have been put on ice.

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Jake Tago 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Joash Papali'i 7. Jonah Pezet 8. J'maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Sam Tuivaiti 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Matt Doorey 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Teancum Brown 18. Apa Twidle 19. Mohamed Alameddine 20. Richard Penisini 21. Araz Nanva 22. Lorenzo Talataina 23. Ronald Volkman 24. Ryda Talagi 25. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta 26. Will Latu 27. Meni Luke 28. Lincoln Fletcher

Maori All-Stars vs Indigenous All-Stars

Maori: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jojo Fifita 3. Casey McLean 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Trey Mooney 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Leo Thompson 11. Briton Nikora 12. Jacob Laban 13. James Fisher-Harris 14. Trent Toelau 15. Royce Hunt 16. Preston Riki 17. Joe Chan 18. Manaia Waitere 19. Adam Pompey 20. Jesse Arthars

Indigenous: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Jack Wighton 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Josh Kerr 9. Connor Watson 10. Shaquai Mitchell 11. Tallis Duncan 12. Josh Patston 13. Hohepa Puru 14. Jamal Fogarty 15. Jayden Campbell 16. Kaiden Lahrs 17. Blake Steep 18. Oliver Pascoe 19. Caleb Tohi 20. Brent Woolf