The Knights have kept faith in their halves with a star recruit on the bench for their Round 1 clash with the Raiders.
Meanwhile, the Eels have made a call on the key No.9 spot, with Joey Lussick edging out Brendan Hands, who settles for a bench role.
And the Utility Dogs take shape, with Blake Taaffe named at fullback and Connor Tracey is amongst the reserves as he returns from injury.
Read on for the NRL Teams Talking Points for Round 1.
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Souths showing worrying second half fade | 02:05
KNIGHTS’ HALVES HEADACHE SOLVED… FOR NOW
The big question all off-season was would new Knights recruit Jack Cogger shake up the incumbent halves pairing of Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings.
Adam O’Brien has opted to keep faith in the playmakers that helped the Knights to an 11-game winning streak and a semi-final finish last season for Round 1.
Cogger will be used in the utility role that saw him win a grand final for the Panthers last year.
However, that selection was made easier with hooker and co-captain Jayden Brailey ruled out with a hamstring injury, with Phoenix Crossland starting at No.9.
Crossland played 25 games last season and started most of them in a breakout season at dummyhalf, but when Brailey is fit he may have to settle for a bench spot.
That means when Brailey returns Cogger could struggle to make the 17 unless he unseats either Gamble at five-eighth or Hastings at halfback.
Depth is a good problem to have, but given what Cogger produced in the halves for the Panthers last year and even on the bench in the title match, it would be tough to leave him out of the 17.
If the Knights don’t get off to a winning start and the halves struggle to ignite their attack, Cogger may come into consideration for a starting role at No.6 or No.7, with Gamble or Hastings to make way.
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‘The player deserves natural justice’ | 00:35
THE STORM ROOKIE WHO CAME FROM THE CLOUDS
The biggest selection surprise for the Storm in Round 1 sees young gun Joe Chan start in the back row against the Panthers.
The 21-year-old debuted for the Storm last season, but has just one NRL game to his name heading into the season opener against the defending premiers.
Given the depth the Storm have in the forwards it is a massier vote of confidence for Chan to start alongside Eliesa Katoa in the second row.
The fact that Josh King was picked in the front row, with Trent Loiero shifting to lock no doubt worked in Chan’s favour.
However, given the Storm have never lost a Round 1 game under Craig Bellamy and the fact they face a Panthers team still smarting from the World Club Challenge loss means no jerseys will be given away.
Chan comes up against arguably the best pack in the competition for just his second game in the big time and there is no bigger challenge than mixing it with the physical Panthers forwards.
The fact that he kept recruit and former Tigers player Shawn Blore out of the 17 is a massive nod to Chan’s pre-season and he can make a statement for his selection going forward with a big game at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Blore has been battling niggling injuries in pre-season but was expected to take up a spot in Melbourne’s side, while a further nod to Chan is Christian Welch’s inclusion on the bench.
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Kevvie addresses hotel corridor incident | 01:31
ARTHUR’S HOOKER DEBACLE SOLVED
The biggest question mark over the Eels’ starting side heading into 2024 was who would get the nod at dummyhalf.
Eels coach Brad Arthur stressed during the pre-season that his preference was to go with one hooker in 17.
However, Arthur has relented with Joey Lussick named to start at No.9 and Brendan Hands named on the bench in jersey No.14.
The Eels have struggled to replace Reed Mahoney since he joined the Bulldogs after the 2022 Grand Final loss to the Panthers.
Josh Hodgson came to the club, but was eventually medically retired, while Hands came over from Penrith and Lussick returned from the Super League late last year.
Lussick is a tough and reliable defender, but probably lacks speed and creativity out of dummyhalf, while Hands arguably has better service, so it is an interesting first up call by Arthur.
The Eels are bidding to return to the finals after missing the top eight altogether last year and they need a dummyhalf capable of giving their star halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown plenty of early ball.
However, a running game and the ability to get the forwards rolling with a short passing game would undoubtedly give the Eels another dimension with ball in hand.
Time will tell if Lussick starting and Hands coming off the bench can ease the pressure on Moses and Brown having to do everything in attack.
‘Out of character’: Ivan speaks on Leniu | 00:26
BULLDOGS POTENTIAL BACKLINE HEADACHE
Cameron Ciraldo has a backline headache looming.
Stephen Crichton and Jacob Kiraz have made up his centre pairing, while Blake Wilson and Josh Addo-Carr have been named on the wings.
But Connor Tracey and Bronson Xerri are both banging on the door, and Tracey was only left out due to an ankle injury.
Phil Gould revealed he would be returning via NSW Cup in Round 2 but was named on the extended bench for the Dogs’ clash against the Eels.
Meanwhile, Kiraz was battling a back injury all pre-season and will take the field for the first time Round 1.
Wilson could be the man to make way once Tracey returns, potentially pushing Kiraz to the wing.
Kiraz’s kick returns are the best aspect of his game and moving back to the wing would see him boost his running metres and carry tallies.
Meanwhile, Xerri was impressive in the pre-season after spending four years out of the game due a doping ban.
He will be pushing his case to return to the NRL via reserve grade and will be desperate to take a spot of one of his rivals in weeks to come.
Munster reveals career turning point | 02:53
BENNETT’S BIG DOLPHINS CALLS
Wayne Bennett dropped some big names when he announced his team on Tuesday.
Kodi Nikorima edged out Isaiya Katoa for the five-eighth spot meaning the young gun will have to bide even more time before he becomes a regular NRL starter.
At only 20-years of age, he has many seasons ahead of him and he could also find his way onto the bench as a utility this season.
Euan Aitken was also left out, with Connelly Lemuelu favoured on the left edge in another shock move.
Aitken was widely tipped to be on the bench, but instead Bennett favoured three middle forwards, with Kenny Bromwich who can also play on an edge.
But the biggest surprise of all was the omission of Jake Averillo.
The former Bulldogs outside back had a great back-end to the season in 2023 and was considering an inspired signing for the Dolphins.
But instead, after an impressive pre-season campaign, he was beaten out by former Bronco Tesi Niu.
Averillo will undoubtedly be desperate to fight his way into the team and his utility value could see him feature off the bench or on the wing in the future.
However, early indications are he’s not favoured by Bennett and it could be a long three years.
Munster reveals career turning point | 02:53
WHAT DOES MIKAELE HAVE TO DO?
Eagle-eyed pundits were almost certain Tom Mikaele had done enough in pre-season to win a bench spot.
Following a season-ending injury to Coen Hess, the race was on to win the final spot and Luciano Leilua’s departure to the Dragons made the equation even simpler.
It was between Sam McIntyre and Tom Mikaele and Todd Payten made up his mind on Tuesday afternoon.
Mikaele, 26, has bounced around the world playing rugby league over the past two years.
He was with the Tigers in 2022, before playing 18 games for the Warrington Wolves in the Super League.
He earnt and NRL lifeline with the Titans, playing a singular game in 2023 before he once again moved back to the Wolves.
Then ahead of the 2024 season it was announced he’d joined the Cowboys and made a big impression against the Raiders.
He scored twice, ran for 54 metres with three tackle breaks and record four offloads during his stint off the bench.
Mikaele was clearly pick of the forwards in the game and earnt an elevation into the club’s top 30 off the back of the performance.
Payten could be pulling a late switch, but it remains to be seen what more Mikaele can do to earn a place on the bench.
Souths showing worrying second half fade | 02:05
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