The second week of the pre-season challenge is in the books, with a host of recruits running out for the first time in their new colours.
The Sharks, Eels, Dolphins, Warriors and Broncos secured big wins, while it wasn’t pretty viewing for the likes of the Titans and Cowboys.
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Read on for the NRL Talking Points for Trials week two.
RECRUIT SHINES AS SHARKS UNLOCK PLAYMAKERS IN OMINOUS WARNING
The Sharks could be a scary proposition this season with star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake setting the platform and Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall forming a potentially devastating halves combination.
Fonua-Blake looked in career best shape running for 92 metres from just eight runs to go with four tackle busts, a linebreak and 12 tackles without a miss in the 40-10 rout of the Raiders.
But it was his barnstorming run and step for a try that was shades of Andrew Fifita in the 2016 Grand Final, that will excite Sharks fans as they aim for their first title in nearly a decade.
Greg Alexander believes Fonua-Blake could end up being the buy of the year despite his massive asking price.
“I think he will be a great signing and he will certainly drag the Sharks forward this year, which is what they need, a platform,” Alexander said.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is excited for the impact Fonua-Blake’s game can have on the rest of his squad, which is largely settled after multiple seasons together.
“He’s a handful, the boys have had some periods at training where he is hard to hang onto,” Fitzgibbon said.
“We are looking forward to seeing the other guys connect and play alongside him and see what he can bring to our team.
“He has been at a consistent level for a number of years now, so we want to get him to that level as quickly as possible and do it our way.”
However, Alexander still believes the true barometer for a premiership winning team is their halves combination.
“The success of a team is based on how well their halves go,” Alexander said.
“Braydon Trindall had a great year, while Nicho Hynes probably finished the season not as the dominant half. Tricky Trindall assumed that role. How do you see your halves playing this year?”
“We would like to get them playing at the same level as they were in the first seven or eight rounds last year,” Fitzgibbon replied.
“Tricky had a lot of time out in the mid-part of the year and then Nicho at the back end of the year, so they hadn’t trained or played a great deal together.
“We want to see them connect and combine and share responsibility, so we are dangerous on both sides of the field, not just one player on the ball.
“It is a developing combination, but we are excited by the level we think they can get to.”
It is early days, but the signs are good that the 2025 Sharks will be a handful and can make a deep run at a second ever title for the club.
AFB stars in Vegas audition | 01:36
PAIX’S HOOKER STATEMENT
Forgotten Broncos hooker Cory Paix has stormed back into selection contention after a standout performance in Brisbane’s demolition of the Gold Coast on Sunday.
Paix earned a late call up for the trial in Toowoomba after Blake Mozer was scratched and he was outstanding in his hometown, scoring two tries in the first half.
Paix fell out of favour with former coach Kevin Walters and the 25-year-old didn’t feature in 2024 after playing 44 NRL games over the previous four seasons.
New Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has five players vying for two hooking spots and Paix has surged into the mix after making four tackle breaks and two line breaks to go with his double in a busy 27-minute shift.
It’s been the most hotly-contested spot at Red Hill this summer and with Round 1 just around the corner Maguire still hasn’t revealed who he’ll play at hooker.
Star recruit Ben Hunt will go to hooker when Ezra Mam returns from suspension which means whoever starts the season opener will put themselves in the box seat.
Incumbent Billy Walters, rising star Mozer, Tyson Smoothy and Paix are all ultimately vying for that No. 14 role in Maguire’s full strength side.
“It felt pretty special today, Toowoomba is a place close to my heart and I’m glad we could keep them to 12 points, Madge will be happy with that,” Paix said on Fox League.
Paix was then asked what the message had been from Maguire to the hookers all battling it out.
“Just for everyone to go hard, there’s nothing set in stone and we’re all competing for the same spot and whoever competes the hardest will get the gig.
“It would mean a lot (to get back playing in the NRL). I went away last year and worked really hard on my game in the Queensland Cup. I’ve just got to keep chipping away. I’m a big believer if you work hard then things will happen for you.”
Walters started at five-eighth against the Titans was superb alongside Jock Madden as the duo shredded a full-strength Gold Coast side to pieces.
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Bronx begin Madge era in dominant style | 01:21
‘TOM DEARDEN-LIKE’ DOG RAISES HAND AS HALVES HOPE
The phrase “Tom Dearden-like” is not to be used lightly these days, with the Cowboys playmaker having starred in State of Origin and been named man of the match for the Kangaroos in last year’s Pacific Championships final.
Yet that was the plaudit that came from champion halfback Cooper Cronk on Sunday for Bulldogs development player Joseph O’Neill, whose budding career thus far takes in just 26 NSW Cup matches.
O’Neill impressed with both his passing and running in Sunday’s win over Wests Tigers, putting his name in the mix for a halves pairing that at this stage features Matt Burton and Toby Sexton as the top picks.
While Burton is a rep star, Sexton remains unsigned for next year after the Bulldogs pursued Ben Hunt in the off-season; the former Titan has impressed at times but his future in blue and white is far from certain.
Mitchell Woods has been earmarked as the club’s long-term halfback but at just 18, has significant development in front of him before being a sure-fire option.
In the meantime, O’Neill will give coach Cameron Ciraldo something to think about; though he is primarily a running half, which may help Sexton given that his organisational skills are a good foil for Burton.
Dogs down Tigers in pre-season clash | 01:36
THE COMEBACK KID
Eels recruit Ronald Volkman capped a whirlwind 14 months with a stellar comeback performance for his new club on Friday night.
Volkman missed the entire 2024 season after a bizarre situation last summer landed the 22-year-old in contract limbo.
The Dragons announced the signing of Volkman from the Warriors last January and he even started training with the side before failing a medical.
The routine medical revealed he required season-ending shoulder surgery and the club released the playmaker before registering his contract with the NRL.
It was later announced that the Warriors would pay for Volkman’s surgery and rehab, while the Dragons were fined $40,000 for their role in the saga.
In December, the Eels signed Volkman – who has played five NRL games and represented Samoa – and the young gun starred in a 44-18 win on his club debut.
Volkman started at halfback in Newcastle on Friday night and had a hand in two tries while guiding his side to victory alongside Dylan Brown.
“Parramatta look different, they look fitter, they look leaner, they look more powerful. I know Mitchell Moses is the gun halfback and nobody is taking the captaincy away from him but Volkman was the standout,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.
“His ability to play nice and square and straight created space for others… I liked what Volkman did at different times.”
Volkman is stuck behind superstar halves Moses and Brown but he could force his way onto the bench this season if his form continues.
Brown’s future is also up in the air, with the five-eighth yet to commit to the club long term, and if he leaves Volkman could claim the No. 6 jersey.
Brown sends statement to Ryles | 01:56
EELS’ GUTHO HEIR NOT YET CEMENTED
When Clint Gutherson’s departure from the Eels was confirmed last November, it was widely believed Isaiah Iongi, nabbed from Penrith earlier in the season, was his heir apparent.
The 21-year-old had already shown what he was capable at NRL level days prior to signing with the Eels, clocking 256 running metres and eight tackle breaks on debut against the Knights.
Since then. there has been mass excitement about the rookie’s potential, which was seemingly guaranteed to be unlocked at the Eels this season.
That may still happen, with Iongi donning the club’s No.1 jersey during their first trial of 2025, a 44-18 thrashing of Newcastle.
However, that contest also showed Iongi’s job isn’t as secure as previously expected, with another Eels recruit impressing in an extended stint at fullback in the Steel City: Joash Papali’i.
Snatched from fierce rivals the Bulldogs at the end of last season, Papali’i has had big wraps on him for many years now, representing the Blues at Under 19s level in 2023 and starring in the lower grades for Canterbury.
Given a taste of first grade, against a Knights side featuring several experienced first graders, Papali’i gave his new coach something to think about, running for 111 metres, creating two tries, and scoring one of his own.
The 20-year-old’s performance has given a selection headache few would’ve anticipated heading into Round 1 to rookie coach Jason Ryles.
A factor which may influence Ryles’ decision making is Papali’i’s utility value, with the youngster previously stating he’d happily feature off the bench as a No.14, the number he wore against the Knights.
Regardless of whether both find their way in Parramatta’s Round 1 side, or one, the reality is the Eels are blessed with a plenty of talent to fill Gutherson’s enormous boots.
Stars applaud as Eels tear apart Knights | 00:46
IS LEWIS DODD THE ANSWER AS SOUTHS NO.7?
All eyes were on Lewis Dodd in Saturday’s Pre-season Challenge match but his lacklustre performance has cast doubt over Wayne Bennett’s plans for 2025.
Dodd is a big-name signing from the Super League and is set to wear the No.7 in Round 1 following the departure of Lachlan Ilias and amid plans for Cody Walker to shift back to five-eighth.
However, other than a nifty ball in the lead up to the Rabbitohs’ last try, the 23-year-old was very quiet.
“I really wanted to see something from him but he’s been outshone by some of the younger guys,” champion halfback Cooper Cronk said during Fox League’s coverage.
Dodd, to his credit, was defensively sound, making 10 tackles with zero misses. But his little-known halves partner Ashton Ward looked more dangerous in attack.
Dodd built an impressive resume during his time in the Super League, playing 88 games for St Helens and winning a premiership in 2021. Dodd was also the man who kicked the matchwinning field goal in the 2023 World Club Challenge against the Panthers.
But the NRL is a different beast – a step up from the Super League and for another champion playmaker, Greg Alexander, the jury is still out on whether Dodd is the answer at halfback for the Rabbitohs.
“Coming into the game I was fascinated to watch Lewis Dodd. He’s a big signing — a halfback from the Super League to be your No.7,” Alexander said.
“Is he up to it? That’s the question. The question mark still hangs, is Lewis Dodd up to it?”
Alexanders’ doubts didn’t stop there though. He questioned throughout the coverage whether the Rabbitohs were “a little short” on hookers following Damien Cook’s exit.
“Question marks for mine over South Sydney coming into the season are seven and nine,” Alexander said.
Cook has joined the Dragons, opening up an opportunity for Peter Mamouzelos to make the No.9 jersey his own.
Mamouzelos has had a taste of first grade, playing 26 games over four seasons. He cemented a spot in the Rabbitohs’ 17 last season but shared the hooking role with Cook.
It’s a big jump to go from playing around 30 minutes a game to potentially 80 — and to do it for 27 rounds.
The versatile Siliva Havili is available to coach Wayne Bennett should he need to give Mamouzelos a spell, but what happens if one of them gets injured? The other will have to carry the sole load of hooker for potentially several weeks.
But if depth at hooker is something that concerns Bennett too — there’s an experienced No.9 looking for a new club in Newcastle’s Jayden Brailey.
Dodd disappointing for Bennett’s Bunnies | 04:54
LEGEND’S HUGE WARRIORS PREDICTION AMID NEW ERA
In a week with plenty of blowouts, the Warriors’ first half against the Storm was probably the most impressive 40 minutes from any team this weekend.
The Warriors scored 36 in the first half while keeping the Storm scoreless.
The Warriors did start a nearly full strength team, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Wayde Egan, Kurt Capewell, Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin all featuring.
Fox League’s Cooper Cronk was effusive in his praise for the Warriors post-game, stating he’s seen enough from them so far in 2025 to put them in his top eight.
“The pre-season form of the Warriors, I think I’m putting them in my top 8. I’m really impressed with the way they’ve gone about it,” Cronk said.
“I think (new recruit) James Fisher-Harris’ leadership and ability to connect, I think they are going to be set up well.
“The Warriors have been super impressive for me, and watch out, they might hit the ground running in Vegas.
“If they get off to a good start, win a majority of their home games which is a fortress, they can be in for a good year.”
Cronk was also impressed from what he saw from Metcalf, who has some massive shoes to fill this season.
Metcalf will be required to step up at halfback with club legend Shaun Johnson now retired.
Generally a five-eighth, the early returns of Metcalf as the Warriors halfback are promising.
In the first half against the Storm, he had two try assists and a 40/20, leading his team around the park with conviction.
“I also like what Luke Metcalf has done, I’m keeping my eye on this kid throughout the season.
“He would have been under a bit of pressure leading into this pre-season game. I would have thought Te Maire Martin would have been the half, but through the pre-season and his performances at training, Andrew Webster thinks this kid has got it.
“You can’t deny his form. He kicked the ball really well, he’s a running threat and some of his ball playing today and the way he created space with his runs was very impressive.”
Warriors crush Storm in dominant fashion | 01:44
CAN WOOLF FINALLY END BENNETT CURSE?
Rookie coach Kristian Woolf enjoyed a dream start to life without Wayne Bennett as the Dolphins piled on 50 points as they thrashed the Cowboys on Friday night.
Woolf is trying to become the first coach in decades to produce sustained success following the departure of Wayne Bennett at a club.
No coach this century has successfully replaced Wayne Bennett but if this performance is any indication then the curse might finally be broken in 2025.
Bennett has been replaced at NRL clubs five times in the past 15 years and all of those coaches were sacked inside three seasons.
Ivan Henjak (Broncos), Steve Price (Dragons), Rick Stone (Knights), Anthony Seibold (Broncos) and Jason Demetriou (Rabbitohs) all failed to step out Bennett’s enormous shadow.
But rugby league legends Cooper Cronk and Mal Meninga believe Woolf is about to finally end the curse.
“The thing that would give me confidence if I was a Dolphins fan is what Kristian Woolf has done at Tonga and St Helens,” Cronk said on Fox League.
“When he arrived at Tonga they were sort of players playing at different countries, representing sometimes. But he’s taken them from where they were to an absolute genuine threat in the international game.
“He’s got a great relationship with Isaiya Katoa who is a gun halfback and the players who have arrived there, Hamiso has improved, Nikorima had the best year of his career.
“So there’s a lot of things that say Kristian Woolf should be able to break that history of guys who have followed after Wayne Bennett.”
The only coach to taste serious success at a club after Bennett left is Tim Sheens, who replaced him at the Raiders in 1988.
Bennett guided Canberra to their first grand final in 1987, but Sheens took the Green Machine to four more grand finals in the next seven years.
Meninga, who played under Sheens and in all of those grand finals, was impressed with what he saw from Woolf’s side on Friday night.
“It was a big tick for Christian Woolf (after) taking over from Wayne,” he said.
“The last couple of years under Wayne and picking up all those good habits around the quality of their work and the effort levels.
“I met Kristian when he was over at St Helens and they’ve got high regard for him and his ability to communicate and how honest he was with players.
“There’s always this aftermath of Wayne being at a club, let’s hope for his sake that he can get the monkey off everyone’s back.”
Remember the name – Phins unleash star | 01:18
TITANS’ DISASTER CLASS SPELLS WARNING FOR HASLER
Des Hasler would have been scratching his head after his side’s 50-12 loss to the Broncos.
The experienced coach rolled out a solid side for their first trial of the season, missing Brian Kelly, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Jayden Campbell, Jacob Alick and Keano Kini due to All Stars commitments.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also sat out, but their forward pack was filled with regular first graders.
The Broncos, meanwhile, fielded a squad that were littered with regular NRL players and reserve graders, and Michael Maguire’s men got the job done in emphatic fashion.
The Titans couldn’t repel the rampaging Brisbane players, missing a staggering 42 tackles to their opposition’s 10.
That was without the likes of Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds, Ben Hunt, Pat Carrigan and Reece Walsh for the Red Hill club.
“The defence of the Gold Coast Titans is the story of the day,” Michael Ennis said.
“They rolled out a forward pack, certainly missing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, but aside from that still world class.
“You’re thinking of guys like Moeaki Fotuaika, David Fifita, Beau Fermor and Chris Randall. Defensively on their edges, there were huge concerns for Des Hasler.”
Lara Pitt also added: “Especially when you consider for Des, the Broncos didn’t have so many of their strike weapons.”
To go with a lopsided missed tackles count, Michael Maguire’s outfit ran the ball for 1589 metres, while the Titans only recorded 1085, a difference of 503 metres.
Brisbane also had 557 post-contact metres compared to the 332 recorded by the Titans and also broke the line nine times to one.
The Gold Coast outfit also conceded a staggering nine line breaks, leading Greg Alexander to say: “I’ve never seen numbers like that”.
Last season under Hasler, the Titans had the fourth worst defensive record conceding a total of 656 points and if their trial effort is anything to go by, they could remain low down on the pecking order.
Brandy disagrees with ‘obstruction call’ | 00:42
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