NRL pre-season video games have arrived and yearly a brand new crop of rising stars stamp their mark and push for larger honours with path blazing performances.
The 2023 pre-season problem unearthed numerous common first graders together with J’maine Hopgood, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Isaiya Katoa.
Hopgood went on to grow to be an integral determine in the course of the park for the Eels after making the cross-town change from the Panthers.
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Meanwhile, Khan-Pereira and Katoa began the season for each the Titans and Dolphins however have been ignored at completely different phases by their respective coaches.
Ahead of the 2024 season, the reigning premiers have a bench spot up for grabs as a result of departure of barnstorming prop Spencer Leniu.
Meanwhile, the Broncos even have a four-way hooker battle on their fingers with a younger gun able to explode onto the scene after a single NRL sport in 2023.
The Raiders look set to put money into youth with younger weapons Ethan Strange and Chevy Stewart prone to function in first grade in some unspecified time in the future ought to they ship in pre-season.
Ahead of the 2024 NRL trials, foxsports.com.au takes a take a look at the gamers to observe at each membership!
PANTHERS
The Panthers have misplaced two key gamers in Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu forward of the 2024 season and might be determined to lock of their replacements in pre-season. Leniu’s influence off the bench can’t be understated and Ivan Cleary has a number of choices to fill that hole. Outside of veteran Matt Eisenhuth, younger gun Liam Henry is a robust likelihood of filling the ultimate bench spot. The 22-year-old prop joined the membership in 2019, making his means by means of Penrith’s Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup group earlier than making his NRL debut in 2022. Henry added two extra video games to his tally in 2023 and the nation boy who hails from Blayney in Central West NSW might be pushing his case this pre-season. Ativalu Lisati is another choice and the 22-year-old from New Zealand has made an enormous impression, having moved to the Panthers after a stint at Ipswich State High School. Meanwhile, Taylan May is the possible alternative within the centres, nonetheless each Jack Cole and Jesse McLean is also outdoors possibilities with spectacular pre-season campaigns. Cole is taken into account the inheritor to Jarome Luai’s throne however has beforehand performed off the bench in his single NRL look in Round 25 of the 2022 season. Meanwhile, McLean has additionally made a single look, making his debut in Round 26 of the Panthers’ 2023 marketing campaign. Both Cole and McLean possess harmful velocity and are two of the membership’s most extremely rated juniors.
BRONCOS
The Broncos have an attention-grabbing state of affairs unfolding relating to the make-up of their hooker duo. Kevin Walters has historically performed two rakes in his groups, with Billy Walters and Tyson Smoothy the duo to take the sphere in final 12 months’s grand ultimate. Cory Paix can also be within the combine, having fallen out of favour in 2023 however one younger gun has been making noise. Blake Mozer is among the Broncos’ prized juniors and one of the vital highly-touted gamers within the nation. The 19-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 27 of the 2023 season in opposition to the Storm and captained Queensland’s below 19s aspect earlier final 12 months. Mozer, albeit younger, will undoubtedly be pushing for additional first grade appearances and it appears a matter of when, not if, he’ll earn a spot on the bench or within the No.9 jersey. The younger gun may benefit from placing on extra muscle so Broncos followers might be desperate to see how he seems in pre-season. Meanwhile, Deine Mariner can also be pushing for a spot within the backline following Herbie Farnworth’s departure. The 20-year-old has proven in his six NRL video games he’s the true deal and he’ll virtually definitely function below Walters in 2024 and will even begin if he units the pre-season problem alight. Elsewhere, Walters informed News Corp Ben Te Kura will possible get minutes this season and the 19-year-old hulking prop is one to observe forward of the 2024 season.
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STORM
There’s an apparent participant virtually everybody within the NRL might be determined to observe as soon as once more for the Storm — Sualauvi Fa’alogo. The 20-year-old scored a double in his NRL debut in Round 27 final 12 months, remarkably recording the pair of tries off the bench. He then confirmed he’s the true deal for Samoa within the Pacific Championships, carrying the No.1 jersey and constantly trying harmful in opposition to a purple sizzling Kangaroos outfit. Storm assistant coach Ryan Hinchcliffe informed foxsports.com.au that the pacy fullback is ready to start out on the bench below Craig Bellamy, possible starting his profession in related vogue to Ryan Papenhuyzen. Papenhuyzen himself may put on the No.1 jersey come Round 1 and the mixture between the duo might be cast in pre-season, promising unmissable viewing. Elsewhere Jack Howarth, who was handed a mammoth deal till the tip of 2027 in 2022, might be determined to interrupt into the beginning 17. He made his NRL debut in Round 27 final season and was spectacular, having beforehand performed Queensland below 19s and Australian Schoolboys. Howarth performed within the backrow in his first style of NRL, however he can even ply his commerce within the centres if known as upon by Bellamy. He might be hoping his pre-season performances maintain him in good sted to earn a spot within the beginning 17. Lazarus Vaalepu is one other who may shine in pre-season, however he’s on a improvement deal for 2024 which means he wouldn’t have the ability to play first grade till Round 11. The 24-year-old has been a stable performer for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, primarily coming off the bench however might be hoping to impress Bellamy in pre-season.
WARRIORS
The Warriors had a marketing campaign to recollect in 2023 and have one of the vital settled groups within the competitors barring spots on the bench. Jackson Ford is ready to lose his backrow spot to Kurt Capewell, which means he’ll be a part of Dylan Walker on the pine. Tom Ale, Bunty Afoa and Jazz Tevaga are apparent remaining choices. However a trio of rising stars may drive their means into the equation in pre-season. Demitric Sifakula performed three NRL video games in 2023 and the 19-year-old is a powerful backrower, weighing in at 104kg. Sifakula is very rated on the New Zealand membership and has been signed till the tip of 2025, first becoming a member of the Warriors as a 15-year-old. He caught the attention in final 12 months’s pre-season problem, beginning in a 48-12 win over the Tigers. His season was reduce quick in 2023 attributable to an ACL harm, which means he might be hungry to return to the NRL aspect this season. Jacob Laban is one other backrower who may push for choice and performed 17 video games for the Warriors’ NSW Cup aspect. At solely 19-years of age and standing at 189cm, weighing in at 110kg, he’ll virtually definitely earn a primary grade debut sooner or later if he continues to enhance. Laban will even possible function within the pre-season problem, giving Andrew Webster a very good likelihood to check out his skills. Selumiela Halasima is yet one more ahead who is very rated on the Warriors and he performed 18 NSW Cup video games in 2023 at solely 18-years of age. He compelled his means into the beginning group, beginning off the bench earlier than ending the 12 months with seven 80-minute stints within the backrow and one within the centres. Webster definitely isn’t wanting expertise in his forwards and followers of ‘Wahs’ will get a very good glimpse of the subsequent gen forward of the 2024 season.
KNIGHTS
David Armstrong has risen by means of the Knights junior system to earn a high 30 spot in 2024. The speedster who hails from Moree in nation NSW scored a powerful 15 tries in 18 video games at each wing and fullback for Newcastle’s NSW cup aspect in 2023. He additionally broke 65 tackles and Knights teaching workers informed foxsports.com.au that he’s engaged on constructing muscle and bulking up his body. Armstrong has accomplished simply that this pre-season and is ready to be the fullback alternative ought to Kalyn Ponga be sidelined. The 22-year-old is ready to showcase his expertise within the pre-season problem this 12 months and don’t be shocked if he turns into one of many breakout gamers throughout the Knights’ pair of video games. Elsewhere, Krystian Mapapalangi might be determined to bounce again from a shoulder harm which required a number of surgical procedures and hampered his 12 months, taking part in solely a single NSW Cup sport. The 21-year-old performed two NRL video games in 2022 and assisted an Edrick Lee strive together with his very first contact within the high grade in opposition to the Raiders. It was clear Mapapalangi had what it took to chop it within the NRL and now with a vacant wing spot up for grabs he might be hoping to make a splash in pre-season. English recruit Kai Pearce-Paul can also be one to observe and might be pushing for a backrow spot or a spot on the pine. The 22-year-old is 2 centimetres wanting being two metres tall and likewise weighs 108 kilograms. He made his debut for Wigan within the Super League at solely 19 and likewise received the title in his ultimate season in England. Myles Martin additionally might be one to observe, not only for his footballing capacity, however for the flowing blonde mullet he sported all through the 2023 season. The 19-year-old was handed a high 30 contract forward of the 2024 season and was captain of Newcastle’s SG Ball aspect that went all the way in which to the grand ultimate. Expect him to tally some minutes in pre-season.
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SHARKS
The Sharks allowed a vital member of their first grade squad to depart in Connor Tracey to safe the companies of Michael Gabrael. The 19-year-old was extremely rated on the Bulldogs however was moved on throughout Phil Gould’s rebuild. Craig Fitzgibbon was glad to welcome the proficient centre to his squad, signing him on a deal till the tip of 2026 in Cronulla’s high 30. Gabrael was an Eels junior previous to the 2023 season and can possible be unleashed within the pre-season problem, with Siosifa Talakai probably shifting out of the centres after falling out of favour final season. Kayal Iro is one other outdoors again who may push for a spot, having already made his first grade debut, taking part in a single sport within the 2022 season. Iro has been a daily for the Cook Islands since 2019 and likewise was named NSW Cup Player of the Year in 2022, however is but to completely break into the NRL beginning 17. His present contract with the Cronulla membership expires on the finish of the 2024 season and he’ll possible get a robust likelihood to showcase his expertise in pre-season. A possible transfer is also on the playing cards for him subsequent season ought to he not discover first grade minutes in 2024. Liam Ison is one other younger gun set for giant issues sooner or later, having signed a improvement deal out of the Panthers system. The gun fullback is one to observe and at solely 19 he might be operating out onto the sphere in a Sharks jersey in pre-season. He made his NSW Cup debut final season and eagle-eyed rugby league followers will keep in mind his spectacular run within the 2022 Jersey Flegg ultimate that proved to be essential to the Panthers’ win. Max Bradbury can also be a extremely rated ahead and moved from the Knights to the Sharks in 2022 in a swap deal that noticed fullback Lachie Miller arrive within the Hunter.
ROOSTERS
The Roosters have an skilled first grade squad that might be extremely tough to interrupt into in 2024. Outside of Spencer Leniu and Dom Young, who will each function frequently in first grade, Englishmen Lewis Murphy additionally arrived on the membership on a improvement contract. He may discover himself in a Roosters jersey this pre-season however wouldn’t have the ability to play first grade till Round 11. The 21-year-old is a hulking winger and in his debut season scored 19 tries in 21 video games for Wakefield Trinity within the Super League. He suffered an ACL harm which stored him sidelined for almost all of the 2023 season however his try-scoring prowess was sufficient for Trent Robinson handy him a contract. Robert Toia, 19, is one other younger outdoors again to look out for this pre-season. He is extensively thought of one of many Roosters greatest up and coming stars and characterize Queensland within the Under 19s Origin. It stays to be seen whether or not he can participate in any pre-season video games after struggling an ACL harm late final season. It was a horror blow for the younger gun who had handled the identical harm on the alternative knee solely a 12 months prior. Toia might be determined to remain slot in 2024 and he might be a long-term member of the membership’s outdoors backs as soon as Joseph Suaalii departs for rugby union atr the season’s finish. Ethan Roberts can also be a promising younger ahead who turned down rival membership’s advances throughout the 2022 season to stay on the Tricolours. Interestingly it was the Rabbitohs who needed him to make the cross-town change, however Robinson blocked that transfer and welcomed him into the membership’s pre-season camp forward of the 2023 season. Roberts is one other who received’t have the ability to function within the NRL till Round 11 however will possible get a crack within the pre-season problem.
RAIDERS
Ethan Strange might be one of the vital hyped rookies coming into the 2024 season. The 19-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 24 final season and was stable, backing up his efficiency in final 12 months’s Under 19’s State of Origin. Strange scored a hat-trick in that sport and earned man of the match honours, marking him as one for the longer term which Ricky Stuart will virtually definitely unleash this season. The younger gun performed within the centres on debut but additionally can slot into the five-eight position, having performed within the No.6 in 11 of his 16 NSW Cup appearances final 12 months. Strange runs a robust line and is touted for giant issues in 2024, starting with a robust pre-season problem. Hohepa Puru is one other participant to observe after bursting onto the scene late within the 2023 season, beginning within the Raiders’ finals look in solely his second NRL sport. He stuffed in for the suspended Corey Horsburgh and was stable, incomes him an extension for the 2024 season and a mutual possibility for the next 12 months. The 21-year-old former Panthers junior might be a long-term center ahead within the nation’s capital alongside a brand new English recruit able to make a splash. Morgan Smithies arrived forward of the 2024 season and immediately made his intentions clear, declaring he “won’t be making up the numbers” to News Corp. Smithies signed till the tip of 2026 after a 114-game stint for Wigan and the 23-year-old will possible start life below Stuart on the bench. However, he’s one other participant who’s tipped for a profitable profession in Australia. Chevy Stewart additionally has an enormous future forward of him and was virtually definitely showcase his expertise within the pre-season problem after maintaining Xavier Savage out of the fullback spot in NSW final season. Stewart is taken into account a long-term prospect for the Raiders and was handed a contract till no less than the tip of 2026 throughout pre-season. The 18-year-old’s prolonged deal is a displaying of religion from Raiders bosses who consider they’ve a gem on their fingers, poached from the Sharks who he represented in 2022. Such is his expertise he rapidly moved from SG Ball, to Jersey Flegg all the way in which to NSW Cup final season.
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RABBITOHS
Tyrone Munro delivered in his first three NRL video games, scoring three tries after making his debut in opposition to the Warriors in Round 18. The 19-year-old has velocity to burn and ending capacity to match, inflicting an actual headache for coach Jason Demetriou. With Jack Wighton additionally becoming a member of South Sydney’s backline, Munro might be combating it out for the ultimate wing spot with Isaiah Tass and Izack Thompson to start out the 12 months. Munro signed a contract till the tip of 2025 and with a robust pre-season Munro may drive Demetriou to put money into the youth and companion him with centre Isaiah Tass on the suitable wing after Campbell Graham was dominated out for as much as six months attributable to an ongoing sternum harm. Outside of Munro, fellow outdoors again Leon Te Hau needs to be one other who bursts onto the scene this pre-season. The 21-year-old has tempo to burn and is contracted till the tip of 2024, which means he might be determined to indicate what he’s fabricated from and safe an extension. He performed for Queensland Under 18s and solely has two NSW Cup video games up to now however may add to that determine in 2024. Jye Gray is one other thrilling Rabbitohs prospect with a powerful highlights reel in Jersey Flegg. Gray represented Queensland Under 19s in 2022 at five-eighth and was poached from the Broncos by South Sydney bosses. He is one other participant who’s contracted till the tip of 2024, however might be hoping to increase his keep and probably grow to be the inheritor to Cody Walker’s throne within the No.6 jersey. “We identified Jye as an outstanding running No.6,” Rabbitohs Pathways supervisor Joe O’Callaghan mentioned on the time of his signing. “That was a position the club wanted to target. (Head coach) Jason (Demetriou) wanted a running half/fullback coming through the system.” With Walker set to take a seat out the pre-season attributable to a calf harm, Gray might be unleashed earlier than the Vegas season opener.
EELS
While the Eels have Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown and Daejarn Asi of their playmaking shares, Parramatta followers are determined to see if one younger gun has what it takes to be the membership’s future No.7. Ethan Sanders was linked to a transfer to the Raiders in 2023, however that change is but to eventuate and he stays contracted with the Eels till the tip of 2024. Sanders led the Eels to their first SG Ball premiership in six years in 2023, incomes him participant of the season honours. He additionally featured for NSW below 19s and went on to function 12 occasions for the Eels Jersey Flegg aspect, additionally making the finals at solely 19-years of age. Sanders already has a powerful resume below his belt and can possible take the subsequent step to NSW Cup in 2024 and will put on the No.7 in NRL pre-season if Brad Arthur opts to place Mitchell Moses on ice. Unfortunately for Richard Penisini, the younger outdoors again will sit out for the 2024 season after struggling an ACL harm. The brother of normal first grader Will, Richard will possible be an NRL participant in years to come back. Luca Moretti, 24, is one other Eels participant who might be set for an enormous 2024 marketing campaign, having performed 10 NRL video games up to now after making his debut in Round 13. The center ahead has additionally performed three video games for Italy and located himself a daily off the bench for Arthur to shut out the season. Moretti might be hoping a number of massive pre-season performances can lock in his bench spot for this coming NRL marketing campaign.
COWBOYS
The Cowboys weren’t afraid handy Kaiden Lahrs a primary grade contract straight out of highschool. The son of former Bronco Tom Learoyd-Lahrs signed a improvement deal in North Queensland at solely 17 years of age, shunning a proposal to stay within the Brisbane system. He spent three years within the Broncos academy, however after plying his commerce for each Queensland and Australian schoolboys group, he determined the Cowboys was the membership for him. As it stands, Lahrs is on a improvement deal for the 2024 however joins the highest 30 for each the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Lahrs has been extremely touted since coming by means of the rugby league system at Kirwan State High School but it surely stays to be seen whether or not he’ll function within the pre-season problem after suffered a shoulder harm final 12 months. Elsewhere, the membership’s every-growing checklist of proficient backrowers has one other member within the form of D’Jazirhae Pua’avase. The 20-year-old performed 10 video games in Queensland Cup throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons however has been handed a high 30 contract, with Todd Payten hoping he can emerge as a daily reserve grader this season. Pua’avase is contracted till the tip of 2025 and should construct his resume earlier than incomes an NRL debut. But being handed a two-year deal at such a younger age proves you’ve acquired the expertise to chop it, so anticipate to see him within the pre-season problem at some stage for the Cowboys. In the skin backs Robert Derby has been handed his first high 30 contract and might be determined to get NRL minutes in 2024. The Papua New Guinea worldwide is a pure tryscorer on the wing and made his first grade debut in Round 13 final 12 months in a loss to the Eels. The 21-year-old might be a long-term member of North Queensland’s first grade aspect and will substitute Kyle Feldt sooner or later.
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SEA EAGLES
Jamie Humphreys might be the inheritor to Daly Cherry-Evans throne in Brookvale. The present Maroons halfback is displaying no indicators of slowing down at 34 years of age and is signed till the tip of the 2025 season. It stays to be seen whether or not he’ll proceed on past his present deal, however anticipate to see Jamie Humphreys within the backbone within the pre-season problem with Anthony Seibold set to place his star halfback on ice. Interestingly, Humphreys transitioned to the hooker position in 2023 and spent shared minutes behind the ruck with Gordon Chan Kum Tong in NSW Cup. However he nonetheless did function at halfback at completely different phases and might be a long-term possibility within the No.7 jersey for the Sea Eagles. Chan Kum Tong is one other man Manly followers would like to see extra of in pre-season after bursting onto the NRL scene in 2023. The 22-year-old is contracted till the tip of 2024 and performed two video games to shut out the Sea Eagles’ season final 12 months. Chan Kum Tong boasts an perspective each rugby league participant ought to aspire to have and Cherry-Evans labelled him “infectious with his energy” after his debut. “He’s a big part of our team and while he hasn’t played a lot of first grade, he’s someone everyone in the group loves,” he mentioned. Prop Aitasi James is one other ahead who might be one to observe in pre-season and will push for a primary grade spot off the bench. The 23-year-old was recruited by Seibold final season, having performed 5 video games in his debut NRL season for the Tigers. Seibold likened the center ahead to Rabbitohs gun Junior Tatola when his signing was introduced and the previous Broncos coach is cleary a fan of the 110kg prop.
DOLPHINS
It took solely eight months for the Dolphins to improve the contract of 22-year-old Max Plath. After initially handing him a three-year deal in April 2023 they then prolonged and upgraded his deal in December, maintaining him on the Dolphins till the tip of 2026. The gun utility made his NRL debut in Round 14 of the 2023 season, that includes in opposition to the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium. Plath can play at each lock and within the halves, having featured in each positions in Queensland Cup. He additionally shone within the membership’s pre-season coaching, having received the 1.2 kilometre time trial after winnings the membership’s reserve grade participant of the 12 months award. Bennett may have plans to inject the utility into the primary grade aspect off the bench this 12 months so he’ll possible showcase his expertise come pre-season trials. Valynce Te Whare is one other participant NRL followers can’t wait to see take the park after his health was put below the microscope by Bennett in pre-season. The cult hero’s profession was hanging by a thread at one level and he was banished from pre-season coaching by Wayne Bennett after returning in poor form. He was given an ultimatum to get in form or lose his profession earlier than happening a private boot camp with Mark ‘Chopper’ Burgess. Te Whare has since returned to Dolphins coaching however might be combating for a spot within the backline or on the bench within the membership’s NRL aspect on this 12 months’s trials. Oryn Keeley can also be a participant to look out for after becoming a member of the Dolphins from the Knights. The 21-year-old has performed two NRL video games up to now however may push for normal first grade minutes within the backrow this season. Keeley representing NSW Under 19s in 2022 and signed a three-year contract with the Redcliffe-based membership.
TITANS
Winger Tony Francis scored a double for the Burleigh Bears within the Queensland Cup grand ultimate and was rapidly handed a two-year contract with the Titans within the high 30. Francis had beforehand been signed to a improvement deal, however the 21-year-old’s try-scoring talents caught the attention of Gold Coast bosses. Francis has velocity to burn on the wing and likewise has the power to play centre plying his commerce in each positions during the last two reserve grade seasons. Titans followers acquired to benefit from the emergence of Alofiana Khan-Pereira in 2023 and Francis might be the person who breaks into the primary grade aspect in 2024, though he faces stiff competitors with AJ Brimson shifting out large. Francis will possible function closely within the pre-season and curiously may line up alongside Brimson who can also be a participant to observe for Gold Coast trustworthy. He is making the complete time change to the centres which can accommodate certainly one of Jayden Campbell or Keano Kini at fullback. Brimson is a high quality footballer and can undoubtedly succeed within the centres, however he could face some teething points in defence to start out the 12 months and can possible get pre-season sport time to get used to his new place. Keenan Palasia is one other participant Titans followers might be determined to see don their colors after a mammoth finish to his 2023 marketing campaign with the Broncos. The hulking center ahead is a powerful addition to an already stable ahead pack and his grand ultimate experiences can have solely made him hungrier to succeed at his new membership. Palasia’s mixture together with his new ahead pack might be essential for the Titans this season and he might be set to get prolonged minutes in pre-season to enhance his health, having come off the bench throughout his time at Red Hill.
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BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs handed Bronson Xerri an NRL lifeline following his 4 12 months ban after testing constructive for efficiency enhancing substances. The former Sharks flyer was certainly one of rugby league’s most enjoyable skills throughout his breakout 12 months and he was even labelled a future Immortal by Andrew Johns. However, now Xerri is going through a brand new check and might be determined to indicate he nonetheless has what it takes to chop it within the NRL. The 23-year-old will possible be unleashed in pre-season, having not been on the sphere in a number of years. Xerri may type a harmful partnership with new recruit Stephen Crichton in Belmore, who is among the sport’s greatest centres. All eyes might be on Xerri this pre-season as he continues his journey to a primary grade return. Elsewhere Josh Curran’s arrival on the Bulldogs was an enormous enhance for Cameron Ciraldo’s aspect. After falling down the pecking order on the Warriors, Curran was looking for a recent begin and will grow to be a key determine for the Dogs. He is ready to start out within the No.13 jersey and shapes as a vital recruit forward of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Mitchell Woods is a younger gun that Dogs followers might be determined to see on the sphere. He could not function if Ciraldo makes use of pre-season to construct halves mixtures, however Woods is certainly one of Australia’s most highly-touted juniors. The 17-year-old signed a contract till the tip of 2027 in January, becoming a member of the membership’s high 30 in 2025. Phil Gould fended off advances from each AFL and rugby union to lock in his companies, with the cross-code gun selecting rugby league as his most popular sport. When his signing was introduced Gould made it clear that the Bulldogs will enable him to play first grade if he proves he’s worthy of the No.7 jersey. “He is obviously still young, and has a long way to go, we certainly won’t be rushing him but we won’t be holding him back either,” he mentioned.
DRAGONS
Following the departure of Jayden Sullivan and Junior Amone’s contract being terminated, the Dragons have misplaced key halves. Kyle Flanagan has arrived alongside his father and coach and appears set to get first crack within the No.6 jersey. However one fellow recruit is ready to push for the five-eighth spot, having signed a one-year deal for the 2024 season. Jesse Marschke was rewarded for an enormous NSW Cup marketing campaign for the North Sydney Bears with an NRL contract, having featured in all 27 video games in 2023. He was an instrumental determine of their finals run and scored in a grand ultimate loss in opposition to the Rabbitohs. The 26-year-old is a playmaker by commerce however may additionally function as a utility, having performed at hooker previously. It appears to be like possible Flanagan will put Ben Hunt on ice in pre-season to make sure he’s match and firing come Round 1, which means Kyle Flanagan and Marschke may go face to face for the No.6 jersey in a tasty match-up for Dragons followers. Elsewhere younger gun Sione Finau might be determined to place ahead his case for NRL choice, having endured a troublesome debut in 2023. The winger performed simply 26 minutes in opposition to the Warriors in Round 26 earlier than struggling an ankle harm that compelled him off the sphere. While he could discover it robust to interrupt into the Red V backline attributable to Jack Bird’s transfer to the centres, Finau is very rated by Dragons bosses and might be one to observe for the longer term. Zac Lomax is one other participant sitting in an attention-grabbing spot this 12 months and it appears to be like possible he’ll shift out of the centres and have on the wing. That is to permit him to freely change with fullback Tyrell Sloan ought to Flanagan go for the duo to swap positions. It stays to be seen how that mixture will fare, however Dragons followers have been crying out for Lomax to return to the shape that earnt him a name as much as the NSW squad in 2020.
TIGERS
Benji Marshall has an attention-grabbing headache to resolve in pre-season. Three gamers arriving on the membership and one junior will all contest for the halves spots forward of Round 1, with Tigers followers determined to see who will put on the No.6 and No.7 jerseys this 12 months. Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer are the most probably pairing, with each gamers arriving from the Dragons and the Super League respectively. Sullivan is determined to grow to be a chief playmaker, having sat behind Ben Hunt on the Red V for a number of years. Meanwhile, Sezer hasn’t performed within the NRL for 4 years, having beforehand represented the Raiders and Titans. The 32-year-old has expertise on his aspect but it surely stays to be seen if he nonetheless has what it takes to maintain up with the tempo of the trendy sport and query marks have lingered over his signing. Outside of that pair each Latu Fainu and Lachlan Galvin may push for choice and can possible get their likelihood to shine in pre-season. Fainu, 18, joined the Tigers from the Sea Eagles in a high-profile coup, together with his brother Samuela additionally making the transfer. Fainu is reportedly incomes $500,000 a season throughout his four-year deal, displaying how extremely rated the younger halfback is. He performed for NSW Under 19s in 2023 and the Bulldogs and Dolphins have been additionally eager on his companies. Meanwhile, Galvin joined the membership’s high 30 squad in 2024 and has put pen to paper on a three-year contract. The 18-year-old performed Australian Schoolboys final 12 months and reviews emerged he has impressed Marshall to the purpose he’s contemplating handing him a beginning spot in Round 1. The teenager will get his likelihood to stamp his claims for choice in pre-season on this four-way shootout. Last 12 months the Tigers have been scraping for playmakers by the season’s finish, with Api Koroisau shifting out of hooker to shut out the 12 months. But now Marshall has a number of mixtures to play with and it is going to be essential for his aspect’s success to seek out the suitable one.
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