NRL Trials Week 1: Every club’s standout player
With the NRL season fast approaching, many youngsters and new recruits looked to prove a point in the first week of the weekend’s Test games.
Reece Walsh and Luke Metcalf tore their opponents apart in their first hit-out in new colors, while Jacob Preston and Siua Wong drew the attention of many fans and pundits alike.
The sports news below provides an overview of who starred for your club during the NRL Trials week.
MORE: NRL Trials Results Week 1 | Every NRL club’s rookie to watch in 2023
Brisbane Broncos – Reece Walsh
In his first game back in Broncos colors, Reece Walsh absolutely electrified in a 24-a-side tie against the Titans on Sunday night.
The 20-year-old finished with one try, two linebreaks, six tackle breaks and 114 yards, which drew attention from the competition and gave Brisbane fans some hope for the season.
Walsh also produced a stunning side hustle that has to be seen to be believed.
Canberra Raiders – Ata Mariota
With a little glimpse of first class last year, Ata Mariota is now in the mix for a place on the bench for Round 1 – and his performance on Sunday afternoon certainly didn’t hurt his chances.
The rookie front rower finished with an impressive 11 streaks for 103 yards and 26 one-miss tackles against the Bulldogs.
Mariota started the game up front and will likely have another chance to impress Ricky Stuart next weekend.
Canterbury Bulldogs-Jacob Preston
He’s been the talk of the town this preseason and Jacob Preston hasn’t hurt his chances of a place in the Canterbury line-up with a stunning display against the Raiders.
The 21-year-old started in the last row and ended the game with one try, two linebreaks, 126 running meters and 15 tackles without a miss in the dogs’ victory.
Preston has been lauded by the coaching staff and Phil Gould for his efforts in training and given the club’s complete makeover it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him off the bench earlier this year.
Franklin Pele and Paul Alamoti have both had strong games for Canterbury and will be pushing for a place in the squad.
Cronulla Sharks – Thomas Hazelton
In a solid opener for the Sharks, it was Thomas Hazelton who got up and helped them defeat the Knights on Friday night.
The forward finished the game with 128 yards a team level, hit two line breaks and crossed for a try to throw his hat in the ring to end on the bench in Round 1 at Cronulla.
Rookie center Kayal Iro also impressed, while new signing Niwhai Puru performed admirably in the halves.
Dolphins – Herman Ese’ese
All eyes were on the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon and although a few talented young guns showed a glimpse of their potential, it was actually journeyman forward Herman Ese’ese who drew a few looks.
The 28-year-old, who is now at his fifth club in just eight years, has been tremendous in the front row for the Redcliffe-based franchise and has certainly raised his hand for a Round 1 spot.
Ese’ese ran 145 yards, broke four tackles and made 31 clean shots in a quality midfield display.
Gold Coast Titans – Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Many believe Alofiana Khan-Pereira will start on the wing for the Titans this season and he showed exactly why on Sunday night.
The rookie speedster electrified for the Gold Coast in the 24-all draw, cruising for a double and hitting three linebreaks in a magnificent display of his talent.
Front rower Jaimin Jolliffe deserves a special mention as he ran 213 meters in a dominant performance down the middle.
Male White-tailed Eagle – Cooper Johns
After getting out of the storm and returning closer to home, Cooper Johns impressed many people in the halves for Manly on Friday night.
The son of Matty Johns, the great Knights has been keen to break first grade but hasn’t squandered his chances in an entertaining win over the Rabbitohs.
Johns ended with two try assists in a very solid game and immediately put pressure on young gun Josh Schuster in the five-eighth position before the season begins in early March.
Melbourne Storm – Bronson Garlic
At 27, storm utility Bronson Garlick still hasn’t given up hope of a first-grade debut – and his efforts in Sunday’s loss to the Roosters will do him no harm.
Garlick started the game at Hooker and opened the Roosters early like a hot knife through butter and set up Melbourne’s first meat pie of the afternoon with a stylish run through the middle of the field.
Garlick finished the tournament with 100+ yards and 36 tackles, which he hasn’t missed in one game, which will no doubt put him in Craig Bellamy’s favor ahead of the season.
Newcastle Knights – Phoenix Crossland
Newcastle may have come up short in their first try but Phoenix Crossland’s performance off the bench was definitely a promising sign.
The utility scored a try and ran for 100 yards in the 12-point loss to the Sharks and made 28 tackles during his time on the field.
Crossland is expected to wear the No 14 sweater and come off the bench for the club at the start of the season.
New Zealand Warriors – Luke Metcalf
The surprise packages from the first weekend of auditions came in the opening contest, when the Warriors ran away with a 48-12 win over the new-look Tigers.
And at the forefront of their points hunt was new recruit Luke Metcalf, who had his fingerprints on almost everything the Warriors did.
The playmaker ended the first half with four tackle breaks and 150 yards and a stunning one-on-one try.
North Queensland Cowboys – Robert Derby
All the hype revolved around the Dolphins going into Sunday night’s game, but the performance of uncapped Cowboys winger Robert Derby was something to watch.
The 20-year-old PNG international ran nearly 300 yards and crossed for a brace that included a stellar full-field intercept that got crowds on their feet in Cairns.
Derby has been in the lower tier QLD competitions for the past few years and will be pushing for an NRL debut this season.
Parramatta Eels – Toni Mataele
With so many departures from the Eels forward line-up, players like Toni Mataele need to step up this season.
And if the first test game is any indication, the rookie second-rower is more than ready to take the plunge into the NRL.
Mataele came off the bench for Parramatta in Saturday’s loss to Penrith, running 142 meters and making plenty of forays on the edge in a striking performance.
Penrith Panthers – Lindsay Smith
Much like her trials opponents and local rivals, Penrith is looking to replace a number of key players this season and Lindsay Smith is certainly one player who could be pushing for a place in the squad.
The 23-year-old has had limited NRL experience so far but has always been a key member of the club, helping the Panthers to a NSW Cup debut at midfield last year.
Smith was impressive against the Eels, finishing with over 120 yards and with just one miss, a game height of 38 tackles in a quality performance as a workhorse.
St George Illawarra Dragons – Blake Lawrie
There’s been a lot of talk about the Dragons’ Forward Pack in 2023 – but their leader, Blake Lawrie, shouldn’t be overlooked.
The 26-year-old, who had just signed a new deal with the club, was fantastic in the 30-18 loss to St Helens, finishing with 118 yards and 29 tackles in an energetic and hard-hitting shift.
Lawrie isn’t the flashiest or most exciting player, but his work rate and aggression are not to be underestimated and he will be a key factor for the Red V this season.
South Sydney Rabbitohs – Dion Teaupa
Perhaps the least known player on this list, young playmaker Dion Teaupa caught the attention of the rugby league world with a stunning performance against the Sea Eagles.
The five-eight, still qualified for Jersey Flegg, scored two tries and set up another, anointing himself as the player of the future for the famed Cardinal and Myrtle.
Teaupa wasn’t the only standout player for the Bunnies. Young forward Tallis Duncan lives up to the hype and shows why he is a player the club have invested in for the long term.
Sydney Roosters – Siua Wong
While his stats don’t exactly jump off the page, Siua Wong impressed many in the weekend’s friendly win over Melbourne.
The rookie forward was close to making an NRL debut last year and if the hype passes around him, his time in the top grade is inevitable.
Wong finished Sunday’s game with just under 100 yards, four tackles and 24 tackles and he seems to be the caliber of forward any club could be happy with in the long run.
West Tigers – Stefano Utoikamanu
Though the new season didn’t start exactly as the Tigers had hoped, it’s hard to quell the efforts of returning front rower Stefano Utoikamanu.
The 22-year-old wrecking ball started the game up front and finished with one try, 128 yards and 20 tackles in a barnstorming stint.
With some big name new players at his side in 2023, Utoikamanu is certainly a player to watch if he can stay fit.