Roosters make massive ruling on Walker; Penrith’s Cleary call — NRL Preliminary Final Team Lists

The third week of finals football has arrived with the two winners advancing to the 2026 NRL Grand Final.

After spending the past month without superstar halfback Sam Walker, the Queensland Maroons representative will make his return to the field, equalling NRL history.

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Elsewhere, the Panthers have received a welcoming boost with multiple players making their returns to the side while a call has been made on status of star halfback Nathan Cleary.

Read below for the full NRL Team Lists ahead of finals week three.

Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters @ Suncorp Stadium, 7:50pm AEST

Dolphins Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Francis Molo 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Felise Kaufusi 19. Brad Schneider 20. Jake Averillo 21. Brian Pouniu 22. Tevita Naufahu

Analysis: The Dolphins will once again be at full-strength this week with coach Kristian Woolf only deciding to make one change to his 19-man squad. Woolf has opted to bring in Felise Kaufusi - has been played QLD Cup in recent weeks - for some much-need experience off the interchange bench. Having already tasted premiership success, the former Origin forward is one of a dozen players from the club’s Top 30 roster in their foundation season who remain at the club. His inclusion sees outside back Tevita Naufahu drop to the reserves.

Roosters Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Angus Crichton 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Cody Ramsey 20. Egan Butcher 21. Tommy Talau 22. Benaiah Ioelu

Analysis: Superstar halfback Sam Walker (ankle) has been named to return to the field from injury, equalling the fastest comeback - four weeks - in NRL history from syndesmosis surgery. Returning to running a fortnight ago and kicking a soccer ball before the club’s match last week against the Sharks, Walker’s inclusion will see Hugo Savala drop to the extended six-man interchange bench.

The return of the Queensland Maroons star comes after he passed multiple fitness tests in the lead-up to Tuesday afternoon. “I’m pretty confident from what we’ve seen,” coach Trent Robinson said on Saturday. “He hasn’t trained with us yet, but he’s had really good progressions so on Monday (or) Tuesday we’ll get a good gauge on where he’s at when it comes to sort of more uncontrolled footy stuff.”

Meanwhile, star duo James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans have both been named in the starting team despite dealing with illness over the past couple of days. It is understood the pair were told to stay away from the club as the Tricolous prepare for the preliminary final against the Dolphins.

Billy Smith has also kept his spot in the centres. Smith was in a two-way battle with Savala for a backline spot. However, speaking on Finals Footy with Matty Johns, Jared Waerea-Hargraves hinted that Savala may have the upper hand, so Robinson could decide to switch things in the lead-up to the contest. “I think (Walker) comes straight back in, I think this is his moment... he’s your halfback and you back him,” Waerea-Hargreaves said. “A guy like Hugo, I believe you have to find somewhere for him. Whether he comes off the bench, I believe Hugo, deserves to be there. “He has been so consistent, a hell of a player this year.”

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Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights @ Accor Stadium, 4pm AEST

Panthers Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Blaize Talagi 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Luke Garner 19. Billy Scott 20. Luron Patea 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Izack Tago

Analysis: As expected, superstar playmaker Nathan Cleary has been named in the No. 7 jersey despite battling a stress-related bone injury in his foot. Despite being names to play, Cleary is expected to hand most of the kicking duties to Jack Cole and Jack Cogger who has been named on the bench after returning from a three-match suspension for a high tackle. Paul Alamoti (hamstring) hasn’t recovered in time for the match and Ivan Cleary has kept BlaizeTalagi in the centres after he played well against the Roosters in the qualifying final win two Sundays ago. He replaced LukeGarner that day who was a late omission with a groin strain but he’s recovered to take his place on the bench for the preliminary final. Isaah Yeo has been named in the No. 13 jersey again but he was last time out too before shifting to the bench while Lindsay Smith moved to the back of the scrum. Izack Tago has been named in the squad after missing the past few weeks with a knee injury.

Knights Team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Thomas Cant 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Toby Winter

Analysis: Entering the preliminary with victories over the South Sydney Rabbitohs and New Zealand Warriors, coach Justin Holbrook had decided to stick with the same 19-man squad from last week. This means, NSW Blues back-rower Dylan Lucas, who played 14 minutes in his return from injury will remain on the interchange bench. However, he is likely to play more minutes this time in the middle of the field.

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