Flanno reveals a 'surprise packet' in Red V shootout; Broncos recruit to give Dogs a headache: Talking Points
The Australian Open has concluded, and the English cricketers have returned home, leaving us just weeks away from the NRL season's start in Las Vegas on March 1 (AEDT).
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While the kick-off times have been announced, the Dragons, Bulldogs, Cowboys, and Knights must first prepare for the trials starting this Saturday.
Round 1
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All four teams have burning questions hanging over them in 2026, with coaches about to discover if weeks of hard work under the summer sun have paid off.
BULLDOGS
Former Broncos forward leads hopefuls vying for a bench spot
All eyes were on mid-season recruit Lachlan Galvin in 2025, but he'll be locked away in the team hotel in Vegas since he's not old enough to enjoy the city's nightlife.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo faces a simple question in the halves: who to pick alongside Galvin?
Matt Burton gets the first crack, but Mitchell Woods, a young gun with promise, will likely feature in the NRL side this season. Unfortunately, he'll have to wait at least another week to showcase his skills after club boss Phil Gould revealed on X that he picked up an injury, 'nothing major,' but would set him back a couple of weeks.
While youngsters Joseph Teaupa and Alex Conti have been named in the halves to face the Cowboys, all focus will be on the forwards over the next few weeks.
Despite key signing Leo Thompson's absence from the clash this Saturday, the opening trial match will offer Alekolasimi Jones, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Fletcher Baker, Lipoi Hopoi, and Samuel Hughes a chance to make their case for Vegas.
Hughes and Suluka-Fifita appeared multiple times for the Bulldogs last year and will aim to secure a spot on the interchange bench by Round 1, while Baker, fresh from winning the QLD Cup premiership, has played 60 matches since his debut in 2021 and has signed a development contract, making him available for selection from the season's opening match.
COWBOYS
A significant halves question... and its implications for the rest of the team
The Cowboys were one of the biggest disappointments in 2025, facing pressure to perform this season. Only the Titans conceded more points than them last year, but the focus is on the halves.
Representative star Tom Dearden has one starting spot locked up, with coach Todd Payten choosing between Jake Clifford and Jaxon Purdue.
Purdue, electric at left centre but struggling at five-eighth, is a free agent who will attract interest from rivals. Meanwhile, Clifford played 14 matches in the halves last season and rejected interest from the Super League to stay in Townsville, hoping to secure a spot alongside Dearden.
Club legend Michael Morgan said last week, 'I have a feeling Tom Dearden will be there, but who partners him, I’m not too sure.'
If Payten chooses Clifford for the halves in Round 1, Purdue will return to the centres, creating a four-way battle for the right centre spot between Liam Sutton, Tom Chester, Viliami Vailea, and Zac Laybutt.
Payten praised Sutton, saying, 'I’ve been very impressed as have the players and the rest of the coaching staff. He’s a big athletic half, good kicking game, strong running game, and great catch-and-pass skill set.'
DRAGONS
The 'surprise packet' to watch in a three-way backline shootout
While the focus has been on new recruit Daniel Atkinson adding an attacking spark, the Dragons could surprise with emerging talents Setu Tu and David Fale vying for starting spots on the wings.
Fale got a chance with Penrith last year when they rested their stars and impressed coach Shane Flanagan in his first pre-season with the club.
More experienced than Fale, Tu arrives after winning the State Championship and NSW Cup title with the Warriors and has spent time in various NRL systems, including the New Zealand side where he was on a Top 30 contract and the Dolphins.
Flanagan told his players they'll get picked if they 'train well, trial well, play well.'
Christian Tuipulotu is also in the mix to play on the wing for Round 1 and has been named to start for their first trial match against the Knights alongside Tu.
Fale has been shifted into the centres with Mathew Feagai, possibly hinting at Flanagan's plans for their opening round clash against the Bulldogs in Vegas.
Flanagan praised Fale, saying, 'David Fale... he’s a surprise packet for us. He’s had a really good off-season, put on a lot of muscle mass, and hasn’t missed a beat at training.'
KNIGHTS
The ultimate 'conundrum' on where 'electrifying' breakout talent fits
New coach Justin Holbrook said last week that he was 'sick of looking at training vision' and just wanted the games to start.
He'll get his wish this weekend but will be without his international stars and the injured brigade, led by Kalyn Ponga.
Holbrook, perfect for fixing the league's worst attack in 2025, faces a massive decision in the halves that could determine the Knights' success this season.
Dylan Brown arrives on the richest deal in NRL history ($12m), but three-time premiership winner Luke Keary wants to see the Kiwis star play five-eighth, where he excels.
Keary also wants Sandon Smith to control the team at halfback, with speedster Fletcher Sharpe, the other man vying for a halves spot, set to start alongside Smith on Saturday night.
Holbrook said, 'It’s not so much a shootout between Sandon and Sharpy [Fletcher Sharpe] because they can play other positions.'
Originally a fullback, Sharpe transitioned into the halves last season and was earmarked to partner Brown before Sandon Smith's arrival from the Sydney Roosters.
Smith, who wants to play in the No.7 jersey, a position he excelled in, was Player of the Match in last year's ANZAC Day clash against the Dragons.
'He’s the obvious choice. He deserves to get his shot starting at seven,' said Smith's ex-teammate Chad Townsend.
'The conundrum is around where someone like Fletcher Sharpe plays. We know Kalyn Ponga will start at fullback and then Dylan Brown will wear the six jersey. It’s either Fletcher Sharpe or Sandon Smith at seven, and I don’t think Sharpe is a seven.'
