Brett Stewart will look to put a nightmare 18-months firmly behind him on Saturday when he returns to action for Manly against Melbourne at AAMI Park.

Stewart has been named at fullback in the Sea Eagles side, having been sidelined since round one of last season after a serious knee injury.

The 26-year-old, who was cleared of a sexual assault charge last year following the club's 2009 season launch, played 20 minutes of a trial match against the Warriors two weeks ago and was passed fit to play.

The Sea Eagles will be without David Williams, who has a hamstring problem, with William Hopoate named on the wing.

Melbourne have also been given a boost with Billy Slater selected to play after overcoming a shoulder complaint.

The Test fullback had been in doubt for the opening few rounds of the competition after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is confident his halves pairing of Robert Lui and Benji Marshall will not allow off-field issues to affect them ahead of Monday's clash with Canterbury.

Marshall has been cleared to play by the NRL following his assault charge and Lui's partner is due to give birth before the clash with the Bulldogs.

Lui's partner Taleah Backo's water broke on Tuesday meaning there is no danger of him missing the game.

"We've done a lot of work in the off-season with Robert Lui and Benji - they've played trials together - and will be ready to play," Sheens said.

"Your private life is your private life - when they walk in the doors ... their job is to leave that behind and they do that pretty well.

"Robbie's girl has been very compliant by having the girl early - that will be nice - he won't have to stand down.

"I'm confident that Robert and Benji will have their act together by the end of the week."

Sam Thaiday will make only his fifth starting appearance at prop in 127 games for Brisbane when he runs out against North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The last time Thaiday stuck his head in the front-row was round nine last year when the Broncos thumped Melbourne 36-14 at AAMI Park.

It sets up a mouth-watering battle for the hard metres, with new Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott.

Justin Hodges misses out for the Broncos with a hamstring problem as does Ben Hannant with a similar injury.

Off-season recruit Luke Capewell has earned first crack at the Gold Coast Titans' No.6 jersey after being named for Saturday night's NRL season-opener against the Dragons at Skilled Park.

Titans coach John Cartwright named an 18-man squad, including Mark Minichiello, despite the backrower missing the pre-season following groin surgery.

Canberra's new signing Matt Orford remains in doubt for Sunday's home game against Cronulla.

Orford is still suffering from an abductor strain but has been named in the squad as halfback.

Raiders coach David Furner said he wants to give Orford the best possible chance to play and will see how he goes in training over the next few days.

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