THE TIGERS' pre-season Grand Final re-match against GWS in Wagga Wagga looms as their dress rehearsal for round one, with three premiership players expected to return from injury.

Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Graham and Toby Nankervis have slated the Tigers' second Marsh Community Series clash on Sunday, March 8 as their first hitouts for the year. 

PRE-SEASON FIXTURE Check out your team's Marsh Community Series games

And, with six key Tigers set to play in the State of Origin Bushfire Relief match on Friday, February 28, it's unlikely they'll field an experience-laden team in their first Marsh Community Series game on Sunday, March 1 against Collingwood in Wangaratta. 

McIntosh suffered an ankle syndesmosis injury during the Tigers' Gold Coast training camp and initially looked like being sidelined for a lengthy period.

But the 25-year-old has turned a corner in his recovery and is back running at 90-95 per cent with a return to skills training scheduled for next week. 

"He has had previous surgery on that same ankle which has probably saved him this time, and a longer-term injury has turned into hopefully a four to five-week injury," physical performance manager Peter Burge told the club's website. 

"The second game in Wagga is a real possibility for him."

Graham (shoulder) famously missed the Grand Final after dislocating his shoulder in the preliminary final win over Collingwood, and had it reconstructed in October after the Tigers' premiership win.

Graham and Nankervis, who had off-season groin surgery, will ramp up their training in the next few weeks in a bid to face the Giants. 

All three are considered unlikely for the Tigers' clash with the Pies.  

In the State of Origin match, Trent Cotchin, Tom Lynch, Dustin Martin and Bachar Houli will line up for Victoria, coached by Damien Hardwick, while Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards will play for John Longmire's All-Stars.

STATE OF ORIGIN TEAMS Check out the star-laden Vic v All-Stars squads

It's hard to see any of the six backing up two days later for 500km round trip to Wangaratta, leaving it more likely they'll face the Giants a week later. 

Meanwhile, Shai Bolton (shoulder) has resumed contact training after off-season surgery and will be available for selection for the Magpies' game. 

Jake Aarts (groin/hip) is close to full training and will get into match practice in the next fortnight.