NRL pre-season games have arrived and every year a new crop of emerging stars stamp their mark and push for higher honours with trail blazing performances.
The 2023 pre-season challenge unearthed a number of regular first graders including J’maine Hopgood, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Isaiya Katoa.
Hopgood went on to become an integral figure in the middle of the park for the Eels after making the cross-town switch from the Panthers.
Watch sport this summer live with no ad breaks in play on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
Meanwhile, Khan-Pereira and Katoa started the season for both the Titans and Dolphins but were left out at different stages by their respective coaches.
Ahead of the 2024 season, the reigning premiers have a bench spot up for grabs due to the departure of barnstorming prop Spencer Leniu.
Meanwhile, the Broncos also have a four-way hooker battle on their hands with a young gun ready to explode onto the scene after a single NRL game in 2023.
The Raiders look set to invest in youth with young guns Ethan Strange and Chevy Stewart likely to feature in first grade at some point should they deliver in pre-season.
Ahead of the 2024 NRL trials, foxsports.com.au takes a look at the players to watch at every club!
PANTHERS
The Panthers have lost two key players in Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu ahead of the 2024 season and will be desperate to lock in their replacements in pre-season. Leniu’s impact off the bench can’t be understated and Ivan Cleary has several options to fill that gap. Outside of veteran Matt Eisenhuth, young gun Liam Henry is a strong chance of filling the final bench spot. The 22-year-old prop joined the club in 2019, making his way through Penrith’s Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup team before making his NRL debut in 2022. Henry added two more games to his tally in 2023 and the country boy who hails from Blayney in Central West NSW will be pushing his case this pre-season. Ativalu Lisati is another option and the 22-year-old from New Zealand has made a big impression, having moved to the Panthers after a stint at Ipswich State High School. Meanwhile, Taylan May is the likely replacement in the centres, however both Jack Cole and Jesse McLean could also be outside chances with impressive pre-season campaigns. Cole is considered the heir to Jarome Luai’s throne but has previously played off the bench in his single NRL appearance in Round 25 of the 2022 season. Meanwhile, McLean has also made a single appearance, making his debut in Round 26 of the Panthers’ 2023 campaign. Both Cole and McLean possess dangerous speed and are two of the club’s most highly rated juniors.
BRONCOS
The Broncos have an interesting situation unfolding regarding the make-up of their hooker duo. Kevin Walters has traditionally played two rakes in his teams, with Billy Walters and Tyson Smoothy the duo to take the field in last year’s grand final. Cory Paix is also in the mix, having fallen out of favour in 2023 but one young gun has been making noise. Blake Mozer is one of the Broncos’ prized juniors and one of the most highly-touted players in the country. The 19-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 27 of the 2023 season against the Storm and captained Queensland’s under 19s side earlier last year. Mozer, albeit young, will undoubtedly be pushing for further first grade appearances and it seems a matter of when, not if, he will earn a spot on the bench or in the No.9 jersey. The young gun could benefit from putting on more muscle so Broncos fans will be eager to see how he turns out in pre-season. Meanwhile, Deine Mariner is also pushing for a spot in the backline following Herbie Farnworth’s departure. The 20-year-old has shown in his six NRL games he’s the real deal and he will almost certainly feature under Walters in 2024 and could even start if he sets the pre-season challenge alight. Elsewhere, Walters told News Corp Ben Te Kura will likely get minutes this season and the 19-year-old hulking prop is one to watch ahead of the 2024 season.
Graham out for six months with injury | 00:31
STORM
There’s an obvious player almost everyone in the NRL will be desperate to watch once again for the Storm — Sualauvi Fa’alogo. The 20-year-old scored a double in his NRL debut in Round 27 last year, remarkably recording the pair of tries off the bench. He then showed he’s the real deal for Samoa in the Pacific Championships, wearing the No.1 jersey and consistently looking dangerous against a red hot Kangaroos outfit. Storm assistant coach Ryan Hinchcliffe told foxsports.com.au that the pacy fullback is set to start on the bench under Craig Bellamy, likely beginning his career in similar fashion to Ryan Papenhuyzen. Papenhuyzen himself could wear the No.1 jersey come Round 1 and the combination between the duo could be forged in pre-season, promising unmissable viewing. Elsewhere Jack Howarth, who was handed a mammoth deal until the end of 2027 in 2022, will be desperate to break into the starting 17. He made his NRL debut in Round 27 last season and was impressive, having previously played Queensland under 19s and Australian Schoolboys. Howarth played in the backrow in his first taste of NRL, but he can also ply his trade in the centres if called upon by Bellamy. He will be hoping his pre-season performances hold him in good sted to earn a spot in the starting 17. Lazarus Vaalepu is another who could shine in pre-season, but he is on a development deal for 2024 meaning he wouldn’t be able to play first grade until Round 11. The 24-year-old has been a solid performer for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, mainly coming off the bench but will be hoping to impress Bellamy in pre-season.
WARRIORS
The Warriors had a campaign to remember in 2023 and have one of the most settled teams in the competition barring spots on the bench. Jackson Ford is set to lose his backrow spot to Kurt Capewell, meaning he will join Dylan Walker on the pine. Tom Ale, Bunty Afoa and Jazz Tevaga are obvious remaining options. However a trio of rising stars could force their way into the equation in pre-season. Demitric Sifakula played three NRL games in 2023 and the 19-year-old is an impressive backrower, weighing in at 104kg. Sifakula is highly rated at the New Zealand club and has been signed until the end of 2025, first joining the Warriors as a 15-year-old. He caught the eye in last year’s pre-season challenge, starting in a 48-12 win over the Tigers. His season was cut short in 2023 due to an ACL injury, meaning he will be hungry to return to the NRL side this season. Jacob Laban is another backrower who could push for selection and played 17 games for the Warriors’ NSW Cup side. At only 19-years of age and standing at 189cm, weighing in at 110kg, he will almost certainly earn a first grade debut in the future if he continues to improve. Laban will also likely feature in the pre-season challenge, giving Andrew Webster a good chance to take a look at his talents. Selumiela Halasima is yet another forward who is highly rated at the Warriors and he played 18 NSW Cup games in 2023 at only 18-years of age. He forced his way into the starting team, starting off the bench before finishing the year with seven 80-minute stints in the backrow and one in the centres. Webster certainly isn’t short of talent in his forwards and fans of ‘Wahs’ will get a good glimpse of the next gen ahead of the 2024 season.
KNIGHTS
David Armstrong has risen through the Knights junior system to earn a top 30 spot in 2024. The speedster who hails from Moree in country NSW scored an impressive 15 tries in 18 games at both wing and fullback for Newcastle’s NSW cup side in 2023. He also broke 65 tackles and Knights coaching staff told foxsports.com.au that he is working on building muscle and bulking up his frame. Armstrong has done just that this pre-season and is set to be the fullback replacement should Kalyn Ponga be sidelined. The 22-year-old is set to showcase his skills in the pre-season challenge this year and don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the breakout players across the Knights’ pair of games. Elsewhere, Krystian Mapapalangi will be desperate to bounce back from a shoulder injury which required several surgeries and hampered his year, playing only a single NSW Cup game. The 21-year-old played two NRL games in 2022 and assisted an Edrick Lee try with his very first touch in the top grade against the Raiders. It was clear Mapapalangi had what it took to cut it in the NRL and now with a vacant wing spot up for grabs he will be hoping to make a splash in pre-season. English recruit Kai Pearce-Paul is also one to watch and will be pushing for a backrow spot or a place on the pine. The 22-year-old is two centimetres short of being two metres tall and also weighs 108 kilograms. He made his debut for Wigan in the Super League at only 19 and also won the title in his final season in England. Myles Martin also could be one to watch, not just for his footballing ability, but for the flowing blonde mullet he sported throughout the 2023 season. The 19-year-old was handed a top 30 contract ahead of the 2024 season and was captain of Newcastle’s SG Ball side that went all the way to the grand final. Expect him to tally some minutes in pre-season.
Benji’s Tigers prepare for big 2024 | 02:01
MORE NRL NEWS
TEAM TIPS RD 1: Taaffe gets first crack at Bulldogs’ No.1; Schuster’s Manly return
‘WAS A LAUGH’: Luai has no regrets over social post amid toll of torrid of abuse
WHISPERS: Roosters set to lose third star to rugby union amid Crichton code switch
BULLDOGS: Club in legal battle with player who walked out over training punishment
SHARKS
The Sharks allowed a crucial member of their first grade squad to depart in Connor Tracey to secure the services of Michael Gabrael. The 19-year-old was highly rated at the Bulldogs but was moved on during Phil Gould’s rebuild. Craig Fitzgibbon was happy to welcome the talented centre to his squad, signing him on a deal until the end of 2026 in Cronulla’s top 30. Gabrael was an Eels junior prior to the 2023 season and will likely be unleashed in the pre-season challenge, with Siosifa Talakai potentially shifting out of the centres after falling out of favour last season. Kayal Iro is another outside back who could push for a spot, having already made his first grade debut, playing a single game in the 2022 season. Iro has been a regular for the Cook Islands since 2019 and also was named NSW Cup Player of the Year in 2022, but is yet to fully break into the NRL starting 17. His current contract with the Cronulla club expires at the end of the 2024 season and he will likely get a strong chance to showcase his skills in pre-season. A potential move could also be on the cards for him next season should he not find first grade minutes in 2024. Liam Ison is another young gun set for big things in the future, having signed a development deal out of the Panthers system. The gun fullback is one to watch and at only 19 he could be running out onto the field in a Sharks jersey in pre-season. He made his NSW Cup debut last season and eagle-eyed rugby league fans will remember his impressive run in the 2022 Jersey Flegg final that proved to be crucial to the Panthers’ win. Max Bradbury is also a highly rated forward and moved from the Knights to the Sharks in 2022 in a swap deal that saw fullback Lachie Miller arrive in the Hunter.
ROOSTERS
The Roosters have an experienced first grade squad that could be incredibly difficult to break into in 2024. Outside of Spencer Leniu and Dom Young, who will both feature regularly in first grade, Englishmen Lewis Murphy also arrived at the club on a development contract. He could find himself in a Roosters jersey this pre-season but wouldn’t be able to play first grade until Round 11. The 21-year-old is a hulking winger and in his debut season scored 19 tries in 21 games for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League. He suffered an ACL injury which kept him sidelined for the majority of the 2023 season but his try-scoring prowess was enough for Trent Robinson to hand him a contract. Robert Toia, 19, is another young outside back to look out for this pre-season. He is widely considered one of the Roosters best up and coming stars and represent Queensland in the Under 19s Origin. It remains to be seen whether he can take part in any pre-season games after suffering an ACL injury late last season. It was a horror blow for the young gun who had dealt with the same injury on the opposite knee only a year prior. Toia will be desperate to stay fit in 2024 and he could be a long-term member of the club’s outside backs once Joseph Suaalii departs for rugby union atr the season’s end. Ethan Roberts is also a promising young forward who turned down rival club’s advances during the 2022 season to remain at the Tricolours. Interestingly it was the Rabbitohs who wanted him to make the cross-town switch, but Robinson blocked that move and welcomed him into the club’s pre-season camp ahead of the 2023 season. Roberts is another who won’t be able to feature in the NRL until Round 11 but will likely get a crack in the pre-season challenge.
RAIDERS
Ethan Strange could be one of the most hyped rookies coming into the 2024 season. The 19-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 24 last season and was solid, backing up his performance in last year’s Under 19’s State of Origin. Strange scored a hat-trick in that game and earned man of the match honours, marking him as one for the future which Ricky Stuart will almost certainly unleash this season. The young gun played in the centres on debut but also can slot into the five-eight role, having played in the No.6 in 11 of his 16 NSW Cup appearances last year. Strange runs a strong line and is touted for big things in 2024, beginning with a strong pre-season challenge. Hohepa Puru is another player to watch after bursting onto the scene late in the 2023 season, starting in the Raiders’ finals appearance in only his second NRL game. He filled in for the suspended Corey Horsburgh and was solid, earning him an extension for the 2024 season and a mutual option for the following year. The 21-year-old former Panthers junior could be a long-term middle forward in the nation’s capital alongside a new English recruit ready to make a splash. Morgan Smithies arrived ahead of the 2024 season and instantly made his intentions clear, declaring he “won’t be making up the numbers” to News Corp. Smithies signed until the end of 2026 after a 114-game stint for Wigan and the 23-year-old will likely begin life under Stuart on the bench. However, he is another player who is tipped for a successful career in Australia. Chevy Stewart also has a big future ahead of him and was almost certainly showcase his skills in the pre-season challenge after keeping Xavier Savage out of the fullback spot in NSW last season. Stewart is considered a long-term prospect for the Raiders and was handed a contract until at least the end of 2026 during pre-season. The 18-year-old’s lengthy deal is a showing of faith from Raiders bosses who believe they have a gem on their hands, poached from the Sharks who he represented in 2022. Such is his talent he quickly moved from SG Ball, to Jersey Flegg all the way to NSW Cup last season.
Oates speaks out after Grand Final axing | 01:00
RABBITOHS
Tyrone Munro delivered in his first three NRL games, scoring three tries after making his debut against the Warriors in Round 18. The 19-year-old has speed to burn and finishing ability to match, causing a real headache for coach Jason Demetriou. With Jack Wighton also joining South Sydney’s backline, Munro will be fighting it out for the final wing spot with Isaiah Tass and Izack Thompson to start the year. Munro signed a contract until the end of 2025 and with a strong pre-season Munro could force Demetriou to invest in the youth and partner him with centre Isaiah Tass on the right wing after Campbell Graham was ruled out for up to six months due to an ongoing sternum injury. Outside of Munro, fellow outside back Leon Te Hau should be another who bursts onto the scene this pre-season. The 21-year-old has pace to burn and is contracted until the end of 2024, meaning he will be desperate to show what he’s made of and secure an extension. He played for Queensland Under 18s and only has two NSW Cup games to date but could add to that figure in 2024. Jye Gray is another exciting Rabbitohs prospect with an impressive 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 another player who is contracted until the end of 2024, but will be hoping to extend his stay and potentially become the heir to Cody Walker’s throne in the No.6 jersey. “We identified Jye as an outstanding running No.6,” Rabbitohs Pathways manager Joe O’Callaghan said at 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 sit out the pre-season due to a calf injury, Gray could be unleashed before the Vegas season opener.
EELS
While the Eels have Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown and Daejarn Asi in their playmaking stocks, Parramatta fans are desperate to see if one young gun has what it takes to be the club’s future No.7. Ethan Sanders was linked to a move to the Raiders in 2023, but that switch is yet to eventuate and he remains contracted with the Eels until the end of 2024. Sanders led the Eels to their first SG Ball premiership in six years in 2023, earning him player of the season honours. He also featured for NSW under 19s and went on to feature 12 times for the Eels Jersey Flegg side, also making the finals at only 19-years of age. Sanders already has an impressive resume under his belt and will likely take the next step to NSW Cup in 2024 and could wear the No.7 in NRL pre-season if Brad Arthur opts to put Mitchell Moses on ice. Unfortunately for Richard Penisini, the young outside back will sit out for the 2024 season after suffering an ACL injury. The brother of regular first grader Will, Richard will likely be an NRL player in years to come. Luca Moretti, 24, is another Eels player who could be set for a huge 2024 campaign, having played 10 NRL games to date after making his debut in Round 13. The middle forward has also played three games for Italy and found himself a regular off the bench for Arthur to close out the season. Moretti will be hoping several big pre-season performances can lock in his bench spot for this coming NRL campaign.
COWBOYS
The Cowboys weren’t afraid to hand Kaiden Lahrs a first grade contract straight out of high school. The son of former Bronco Tom Learoyd-Lahrs signed a development deal in North Queensland at only 17 years of age, shunning an offer to remain in the Brisbane system. He spent three years in the Broncos academy, but after plying his trade for both Queensland and Australian schoolboys team, he decided the Cowboys was the club for him. As it stands, Lahrs is on a development deal for the 2024 but joins the top 30 for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Lahrs has been highly touted since coming through the rugby league system at Kirwan State High School but it remains to be seen whether he will feature in the pre-season challenge after suffered a shoulder injury last year. Elsewhere, the club’s every-growing list of talented backrowers has another member in the shape of D’Jazirhae Pua’avase. The 20-year-old played 10 games in Queensland Cup across the 2022 and 2023 seasons but has been handed a top 30 contract, with Todd Payten hoping he can emerge as a regular reserve grader this season. Pua’avase is contracted until the end of 2025 and will have to build his resume before earning an NRL debut. But being handed a two-year deal at such a young age proves you’ve got the talent to cut it, so expect to see him in the pre-season challenge at some stage for the Cowboys. In the outside backs Robert Derby has been handed his first top 30 contract and will be desperate to get NRL minutes in 2024. The Papua New Guinea international is a natural tryscorer on the wing and made his first grade debut in Round 13 last year in a loss to the Eels. The 21-year-old could be a long-term member of North Queensland’s first grade side and could replace Kyle Feldt in the future.
Walsh & Smith cleared to play in Vegas | 00:31
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
SEA EAGLES
Jamie Humphreys could be the heir to Daly Cherry-Evans throne in Brookvale. The current Maroons halfback is showing no signs of slowing down at 34 years of age and is signed until the end of the 2025 season. It remains to be seen whether he will continue on beyond his current deal, but expect to see Jamie Humphreys in the spine in the pre-season challenge with Anthony Seibold set to put his star halfback on ice. Interestingly, Humphreys transitioned to the hooker role in 2023 and spent shared minutes behind the ruck with Gordon Chan Kum Tong in NSW Cup. However he still did feature at halfback at different stages and could be a long-term option in the No.7 jersey for the Sea Eagles. Chan Kum Tong is another man Manly fans would love to see more of in pre-season after bursting onto the NRL scene in 2023. The 22-year-old is contracted until the end of 2024 and played two games to close out the Sea Eagles’ season last year. Chan Kum Tong boasts an attitude every rugby league player should 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 said. Prop Aitasi James is another forward who could be one to watch in pre-season and could push for a first grade spot off the bench. The 23-year-old was recruited by Seibold last season, having played five games in his debut NRL season for the Tigers. Seibold likened the middle forward to Rabbitohs gun Junior Tatola when his signing was announced and the former Broncos coach is cleary a fan of the 110kg prop.
DOLPHINS
It took only eight months for the Dolphins to upgrade the contract of 22-year-old Max Plath. After originally handing him a three-year deal in April 2023 they then extended and upgraded his deal in December, keeping him at the Dolphins until the end of 2026. The gun utility made his NRL debut in Round 14 of the 2023 season, featuring against the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium. Plath can play at both lock and in the halves, having featured in both positions in Queensland Cup. He also shone in the club’s pre-season training, having won the 1.2 kilometre time trial after winnings the club’s reserve grade player of the year award. Bennett could have plans to inject the utility into the first grade side off the bench this year so he will likely showcase his skills come pre-season trials. Valynce Te Whare is another player NRL fans can’t wait to see take the park after his fitness was put under the microscope by Bennett in pre-season. The cult hero’s career was hanging by a thread at one point and he was banished from pre-season training by Wayne Bennett after returning in poor shape. He was given an ultimatum to get in shape or lose his career before going on a personal boot camp with Mark ‘Chopper’ Burgess. Te Whare has since returned to Dolphins training but will be fighting for a spot in the backline or on the bench in the club’s NRL side in this year’s trials. Oryn Keeley is also a player to look out for after joining the Dolphins from the Knights. The 21-year-old has played two NRL games to date but could push for regular first grade minutes in the backrow this season. Keeley representing NSW Under 19s in 2022 and signed a three-year contract with the Redcliffe-based club.
TITANS
Winger Tony Francis scored a double for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup grand final and was quickly handed a two-year contract with the Titans in the top 30. Francis had previously been signed to a development deal, but the 21-year-old’s try-scoring abilities caught the eye of Gold Coast bosses. Francis has speed to burn on the wing and also has the ability to play centre plying his trade in both positions over the last two reserve grade seasons. Titans fans got to enjoy the emergence of Alofiana Khan-Pereira in 2023 and Francis could be the man who breaks into the first grade side in 2024, although he faces stiff competition with AJ Brimson moving out wide. Francis will likely feature heavily in the pre-season and interestingly could line up alongside Brimson who is also a player to watch for Gold Coast faithful. He is making the full time switch to the centres which will accommodate one of Jayden Campbell or Keano Kini at fullback. Brimson is a quality footballer and will undoubtedly succeed in the centres, but he may face some teething issues in defence to start the year and will likely get pre-season game time to get used to his new position. Keenan Palasia is another player Titans fans will be desperate to see don their colours after a mammoth end to his 2023 campaign with the Broncos. The hulking middle forward is an impressive addition to an already solid forward pack and his grand final experiences will have only made him hungrier to succeed at his new club. Palasia’s combination with his new forward pack could be crucial for the Titans this season and he could be set to get extended minutes in pre-season to improve his fitness, having come off the bench during his time at Red Hill.
New recruits ready to thrive at Tigers | 01:46
BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs handed Bronson Xerri an NRL lifeline following his four year ban after testing positive for performance enhancing substances. The former Sharks flyer was one of rugby league’s most exciting talents during his breakout year and he was even labelled a future Immortal by Andrew Johns. However, now Xerri is facing a new test and will be desperate to show he still has what it takes to cut it in the NRL. The 23-year-old will likely be unleashed in pre-season, having not been on the field in several years. Xerri could form a dangerous partnership with new recruit Stephen Crichton in Belmore, who is one of the game’s best centres. All eyes will be on Xerri this pre-season as he continues his journey to a first grade return. Elsewhere Josh Curran’s arrival at the Bulldogs was a huge boost for Cameron Ciraldo’s side. After falling down the pecking order at the Warriors, Curran was seeking a fresh start and could become a key figure for the Dogs. He is set to start in the No.13 jersey and shapes as a crucial recruit ahead of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Mitchell Woods is a young gun that Dogs fans will be desperate to see on the field. He may not feature if Ciraldo uses pre-season to build halves combinations, but Woods is one of Australia’s most highly-touted juniors. The 17-year-old signed a contract until the end of 2027 in January, joining the club’s top 30 in 2025. Phil Gould fended off advances from both AFL and rugby union to lock in his services, with the cross-code gun choosing rugby league as his preferred sport. When his signing was announced Gould made it clear that the Bulldogs will allow 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 said.
DRAGONS
Following the departure of Jayden Sullivan and Junior Amone’s contract being terminated, the Dragons have lost key halves. Kyle Flanagan has arrived alongside his father and coach and looks set to get first crack in the No.6 jersey. However one fellow recruit is set to push for the five-eighth spot, having signed a one-year deal for the 2024 season. Jesse Marschke was rewarded for a huge NSW Cup campaign for the North Sydney Bears with an NRL contract, having featured in all 27 games in 2023. He was an instrumental figure in their finals run and scored in a grand final loss against the Rabbitohs. The 26-year-old is a playmaker by trade but could also feature as a utility, having played at hooker in the past. It looks likely Flanagan will put Ben Hunt on ice in pre-season to ensure he is fit and firing come Round 1, meaning Kyle Flanagan and Marschke could go head to head for the No.6 jersey in a tasty match-up for Dragons fans. Elsewhere young gun Sione Finau will be desperate to put forward his case for NRL selection, having endured a tough debut in 2023. The winger played just 26 minutes against the Warriors in Round 26 before suffering an ankle injury that forced him off the field. While he may find it tough to break into the Red V backline due to Jack Bird’s move to the centres, Finau is highly rated by Dragons bosses and could be one to watch for the future. Zac Lomax is another player sitting in an interesting spot this year and it looks likely he will shift out of the centres and feature on the wing. That is to allow him to freely switch with fullback Tyrell Sloan should Flanagan opt for the duo to swap positions. It remains to be seen how that combination will fare, but Dragons fans have been crying out for Lomax to return to the form that earnt him a call up to the NSW squad in 2020.
TIGERS
Benji Marshall has an interesting headache to solve in pre-season. Three players arriving at the club and one junior will all contest for the halves spots ahead of Round 1, with Tigers fans desperate to see who will wear the No.6 and No.7 jerseys this year. Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer are the most likely pairing, with both players arriving from the Dragons and the Super League respectively. Sullivan is desperate to become a chief playmaker, having sat behind Ben Hunt at the Red V for several years. Meanwhile, Sezer hasn’t played in the NRL for four years, having previously represented the Raiders and Titans. The 32-year-old has experience on his side but it remains to be seen if he still has what it takes to keep up with the pace of the modern game and question marks have lingered over his signing. Outside of that pair both Latu Fainu and Lachlan Galvin could push for selection and will likely get their chance to shine in pre-season. Fainu, 18, joined the Tigers from the Sea Eagles in a high-profile coup, with his brother Samuela also making the move. Fainu is reportedly earning $500,000 a season across his four-year deal, showing how highly rated the young halfback is. He played for NSW Under 19s in 2023 and the Bulldogs and Dolphins were also keen on his services. Meanwhile, Galvin joined the club’s top 30 squad in 2024 and has put pen to paper on a three-year contract. The 18-year-old played Australian Schoolboys last year and reports emerged he has impressed Marshall to the point he’s considering handing him a starting spot in Round 1. The teenager will get his chance to stamp his claims for selection in pre-season in this four-way shootout. Last year the Tigers were scraping for playmakers by the season’s end, with Api Koroisau shifting out of hooker to close out the year. But now Marshall has several combinations to play with and it will be crucial for his side’s success to find the right one.
