State of Origin call ups and injuries have paved the way for three debut captains to lead their NRL sides in round 14 action this weekend.

Adam Blair will become the first Polynesian captain of the Melbourne Storm since Stephen Kearney, who will coach the side in the absence of NSW mentor Craig Bellamy, against Sydney Roosters on Monday.

Central Charlestown product Dan Tolar will realise a dream by leading his beloved Newcastle Knights against the Warriors at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.

Hard-working Manly backrower Glenn Stewart will have the 'c' next to his name for the first time, relieving for Jason King and Jamie Lyon for Friday's clash with the Gold Coast.

Even if they only skipper their sides for this weekend, it's a just reward for three devoted one-club players.

The struggling Knights are desperate for victory, and Tolar is looking forward to the challenge of leading his side into battle.

"It's a great honour, a Newcastle boy growing up always dreaming of playing for the Knights and to get the opportunity to captain them even if it's only for one game is a real honour. I'll definitely savour it for a while," Tolar said.

"I don't think I'll change too much, I'll just go through the same sort of routine and try and inspire the boys and do a job and most of all hopefully get a win."

Newcastle are precariously placed, four points out of the top eight and two points from second last. They must beat the Warriors before the gap between them and the other finals' hopefuls becomes too great.

Adam MacDougall, Jarrod Mullen and James McManus will continue their comeback from injuries after again being named in the Knights side.

"It's make or break the next couple of games. We've got to start winning a few to get the points on the board and put us in good stead for hopefully making the semis," Tolar said.

"It's a pretty tight competition so I think we're probably only three wins out of the eight, so if we can string a few together and a few games go our way then we're definitely looking at a top-eight finish."

Joel Moon returns to the centres for the Warriors to replace Brent Tate who suffered a broken jaw last week against St George Illawarra.

Tate joins a casualty list that still includes Steve Price, Jacob Lillyman, Brett Seymour and Sam Rapira.

"It has been the story of our season so far, not just losing players to injury but losing key members of our squad," said Warriors coach Ivan Cleary.

"While it's another blow to have Brent (Tate) out after losing Brett (Seymour) the week before, all we can do is dig in and work our way through this. The players did that really well against St George Illawarra in a match we probably should have won.

"There was a lot to like about the things we did against the competition's best side so far this season. Our job is to keep working hard and things will turn."

Todd Carney will play halfback for the Roosters in the absence of Mitchell Pearce, with Joseph Leilua to make his run-on debut in the centres.

Grant Rovelli will deputise for Johnathan Thurston as North Queensland halfback against Canberra, while promising Manly youngster Will Hopoate has retained his place on the wing.

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