The Rabbitohs are facing the prospect of losing a key forward for the whole season as they await the verdict of a surgeon’s analysis.

The blow comes after star centre Campbell Graham was ruled out with a sternum injury until Round 22.

Jason Demetriou has also been without star recruit Jack Wighton to start the year due to suspension.

Meanwhile, the Tigers could have a debutant in the halves for their first game of the season.

chance of winning a spot on the bench to join the middle rotation.

The Rabbitohs went down against the Sea Eagles and they will have to wait another week to get their star recruit back.

Jack Wighton is set to return in Round 3 while Campbell Graham will sit out for an extended period with a sternum injury.

The Rabbitohs are unlikely to see any changes to their forward pack.

William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15.

Jack Williams 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Kayal Iro

Team Tips: The Sharks were excellent in front of a sold out Warriors crowd in Auckland.

However, they are set for a forward pack reshuffle with Braden Hamlin-Uele set to return from a knee injury.

It’s a tough call to make considering the performance his pack put in, but Craig Fitzgibbon will have to drop either Jack Williams, Oregon Kaufusi or Tom Hazelton out of the 17.

Siosifa Talakai also suffered an ankle injury but Craig Fitzgibbon was confident he will be fit to take the field.

If ruled out Round 1 replacement player Kayal Iro is in the box seat to replace him in the centres.

Last week’s Bulldogs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Poasa Faamausili 11.

Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin

Team Tips: The Bulldogs avoided disaster when Josh Addo-Carr’s shoulder injury was cleared of any fracture, instead suffering an AC joint injury.

He will be sidelined for two to four weeks, meaning the return of Bronson Xerri could be on the cards.

Jacob Kiraz could make a switch to the wing, bringing Xerri into the centres. Jeral Skelton is another option to take Addo-Carr’s wing spot.

Meanwhile, Connor Tracey has also been battling an ankle injury but could return at centre or on the wing.

Jaeman Salmon played 80 minutes against the Eels and will likely remain in the No.13.

Starting prop Poasa Faamausili only featured for 19 minutes and could lose his starting spot to Josh Curran who played 63 off the bench.