Footy is finally here. We might be three weeks away from the real thing, but trials will give fans their first taste of action for the 2022 season, getting underway this weekend.
It all kicks off on Friday night with a pair of games at Leichhardt, and with every game televised live this year (unlike previous years) it’ll be easier than ever for fans to get answers about their stars, and to get a look at the young guns who will be running around.
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In the grand scheme of things, trials mean nothing to the season itself, but that doesn’t mean certain players won’t be treating the next fortnight as possibly the biggest of their lives with many clubs still confirming their list of top 30 contracted players and development lists for the season ahead.
Most teams have named enormous squads for the opening week of trials, which, in some ways, makes it difficult to know which way to look.
And while a majority of the players on display this weekend will be fringe first graders and youngsters who will be stars of the future, there will still be plenty of storylines that will impact first grade this season.
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Here are the storylines which will be worth following this weekend in our first instalment of The Set Restart for 2022.
4. Melbourne’s centres to push for Round 1 spots as pressure goes on established stars
Melbourne fans will be among the most excited this weekend, with young gun Jack Howarth and rugby convert Will Warbrick to take up starting spots in the centres.
Warbrick has been touted as a possible option for the Storm throughout the season in what will be his first season in the 13-man code.
The strong former rugby sevens star is a monster and could easily make established NRL centres look foolish with his running game.
While expectations need to be kept realistic for the rugby convert, Storm fans will be watching intently as he runs into the Warriors on Saturday.
They will be watching just as intently at the other side of the park as youngster Jack Howarth gets his chance. Rated a chance to be on the Storm's bench in Round 1 with his ability to play in the centres and second-row, he was recently signed to a monstrous five-year deal by the club.
It's rare on the Storm's part to splurge on such a long contract, but when they do, they seldom get it wrong on just how good a player may be.
The former Australian schoolboy and Queensland junior State of Origin representative could well put the pressure on established stars in the Storm roster for spots this year, and a good performance in their opening trial wouldn't hurt his cause.
