We’ve garnered some valuable insight and a nice bit of value across the opening two weeks of the 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge.
With one round left to go before we kick off the season proper in Las Vegas, here’s what I’ve got my eye on this weekend:
Manly adopt an expansive approach to their yardage game and that looks set to continue in 2025. They play to their strengths on the edges where the speed of their outside backs allows the Sea Eagles to attack from anywhere on the field.
In the trials last week though there was evidence of a plan to play for a shot down their right edge in good ball. They’re missing some key personnel down that corridor here but I’m still expecting that’s where we’ll see most of Manly’s shape. Keep an eye on Clayton Faulolo; he could prove a handy squad player for the Sea Eagles this year.
Aside from that, there’s value in a few big bodies to crash through the middle of a smaller, reserve grade Penrith pack here.
One of the biggest criticisms of Parramatta in recent years has been their tendency to play too sideways in attack. A shift-happy approach often saw the Eels play coast-to-coast multiple times throughout a set, failing to engage the line before moving the ball to the edges.
In last weekend’s trial however, the main takeaway for the Eels was how direct they looked in attack. Dylan Brown crashed over himself on the left edge while Ronald Volkman repeatedly stripped Newcastle for numbers down the right, squaring up and engaging defenders before passing into space like a genuine halfback.
The sample size is small, but it’s a major vote of confidence for Jason Ryles in his debut Head Coaching year. Neither Brown nor Mitchel Moses will feature here but we can still get an initial idea of how Ryles intends to utilise Zac Lomax in the centres. I’m tipping Volkman to put him into a few one-on-one’s and play for the offload to his winger.
The Tigers meanwhile produced a few highlight reel moments against Canterbury but they were hardly repeatable attacking actions. I’m looking for more purposeful or planned attacking movements in this one.
Lewis Dodd was criticised for an underwhelming NRL debut last week but he doesn’t need to feature prominently in the best version of South Sydney’s attack. That being said, I’m keen to see what he can do with Keaon Koloamatangi pushing off his hip in this one.
The bigger question for Souths is what happens at dummy-half. Pete Mamouzelos was spotted in defence last week while Siliva Havili sits this one out under HIA protocols. Can Jamie Humphrey’s be that guy for the Bunnies this season?
It’s a far more settled spine in St George-Illawarra. Kyle Flanagan, Luciano Leilua and Clint Gutherson played with nice variation down their left edge this week and I’m expecting that’s where the Dragons will send most of their traffic.
Look for them to generate a tip option through Luciana Leilua in yardage or set up for a shot around Valentine Holmes in good ball. I’m tipping that’s where most of the Dragons points will come from this season.
Corey Paix appears to have won the Broncos hooking role and I think Brisbane will look all the better for it. His subtle pre-pass movements adds another element to their ruck shapes and his wide service can help get Adam Reynolds, Ben Hunt and Reece Walsh quickly at the edges.
It all starts with their discipline and defence, though. Brisbane were superb for a February trial last week but we need to see it consistently before we lock them into finals contention.
For Canterbury, I’m looking for what strings the Dogs might have added over the summer. We know they favour their right edge in good-ball, usually setting it up through a Viliame Kikau carry on the preceding play.
Blake Wilson can be the beneficiary on that right wing but I still like the thought of Matt Burton or Connor Tracey down that short left side…
We simply need to see a response from the Titans pack in this one. Completely dominated through the middle last week against Brisbane, there is no excuses here given the quality they boast on paper. Des Hasler has assembled one of the biggest packs in the NRL but that size will work against them if they continue to put themselves under defensive pressure.
Keano Kini at fullback obviously adds to Gold Coast’s attack but his defensive organisation is now under the microscope. Defence has to be the focus for the Titans here and it all starts with how well Kini organises their line from the back.
Redcliffe were very polished last week despite deploying reserve players in key playmaking positions. They made the most of a passive Cowboys middle to roll the ruck and strip the edges in good-ball; a warning sign for the Titans given what happened last week.
Tyson Frizell’s move to lock is a positive one for this Newcastle pack. So too Fletcher Sharpe at five-eighth, although the latter will take time to get right. I liked the Knights attack with Jack Cogger at pivot last week and am keen to see how Ponga and Sharpe share the field; neither of them need to touch the ball to influence the defence.
Easts are another side who will expect growing pains to begin the regular season. A new look halves pairing of Chad Townsend and Sandon Smith played fairly conservative in attack last week; kicking to corners and hitting to spots for a conventional shift through Mark Nawaqanitawase on the left edge.
I’m looking for more of the same here.
Like the Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland need a response from their middles this week. Reuben Cotter and Sam McIntyre are key inclusions here; their linespeed and mobility can immediately improve what was a leaky and passive ruck against The Dolphins.
North Queensland’s left edge was left on an island a few times in that loss – how much can John Bateman improve their defensive movements on the tram lines?
We can expect marked improvement from a bolstered Storm side here following their shock loss last week. Cam Munster is the big watch for me; there will be a few points between he, Shawn Blore and Jack Howarth this season.