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Croker’s return, two new spines and a rugby convert: The set restart – NRL trials Week 1

There will be plenty to watch this weekend as trials get underway. 👇

Published by
Scott Pryde

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.

RELATED: NRL trials - full fixtures

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.

RELATED: NRL trials Week 1 - every squad in full

Here are the storylines which will be worth following this weekend in our first instalment of The Set Restart for 2022.

The Titans and Bulldogs new look spines

The Gold Coast Titans and Canterbury Bulldogs could be two of the more exciting teams to watch go around this season, and that is getting underway from the opening week of trials, with both teams just a single player away from what could be considered their “full strength” spine.

At the Titans, the question which has followed them around all season has been "who is going to play at hooker?"

Erin Clark has reportedly had an excellent pre-season and could well be the man to run out for them come Round 1, however, leading light AJ Brimson has previously mentioned Tanah Boyd has been training excellently at hooker.

And that's exactly who is there this weekend.

The excitement is unreal around the Titans though, with Toby Sexton and Jayden Campbell both set to have a run this weekend, while former Warrior Paul Turner, who could push for a spot throughout the season, has also been named.

Just quietly, the Titans and Broncos clash will also see the return of Patrick Carrigan, who missed most of 2021 with an ACL injury.

At the Bulldogs, it'll be the first run for Matt Dufty.

The attacking excitement machine is on a one-year deal at the Bulldogs and, with the exception of the player option for Kalyn Ponga, is currently the best fullback available on the open market for 2023.

His defence will come under the microscope this year given it's the reason he was let go by the Dragons, but his opening instalment alongside Jake Averillo and Brandon Wakeham, who are battling for a single spot in the halves means there is plenty to keep an eye on at the Bulldogs.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Matt Dufty of the Dragons is tackled by Jake Clifford of the Cowboys during the round 17 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the St George Illawarra Dragons at QCB Stadium on September 06, 2020 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Ramsey, Sloan and the Dragons battle at the back

One of the stranger calls during the final team lists to be named on Thursday afternoon was that from the newly re-signed Anthony Griffin at the St George Illawarra Dragons, who has taken the option to name Cody Ramsey at fullback and Tyrell Sloan on the wing.

Sloan played a handful of games at the back end of the year and didn't fail to score in any of them, impressing immensely on his debut performances at the top grade.

He might have played on the wing in a stacked Indigenous All Stars team last Saturday, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be taking the number one jersey at club level.

The Dragons need a spark in 2022, and following the re-signing of Anthony Griffin, the pressure will be on more than ever.

Given Ramsey's noted struggles during his time at fullback, but also his excellent performances on the wing, the decision to name him at the back ahead of Sloan makes little sense.

It could be that the duo will switch between fullback and the wing during the game, but concerning would be the only word that could be used to describe Dragons' fans general reaction to the selection.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: In this handout image provided by NRL Photos Tyrell Sloan of the Dragons scores a try during the round 20 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Browne Park, on August 01, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by NRL Photos via Getty Images )

Jarrod Croker back on the park, but will he find a way in for Round 1?

Jarrod Croker has had an absolute horror run with injury over the past couple of years.

Once touted as a possible option to represent the New South Wales Blues in the State of Origin arena, Croker has battled with his knee.

There had been some talk that he may have been medically retired, however, with another two seasons - as well as a player option in 2024 - to run on his contract - Croker elected to have potentially career-saving stem cell surgery.

He opened up on it during the week, saying at one point he "couldn't even walk up the stairs."

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Jarrod Croker of the Raiders looks on during the round eight NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Canberra Raiders at 1300SMILES Stadium on April 28, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

It was something of a surprise to see him fit enough to be named for the opening trial, but the heroic Raider has a role to play in his team from Round 1.

With Jordan Rapana's suspension and Harley Smith-Shield's injury, backline depth at the green machine looks thin, with only Xavier Savage, Nick Cotric, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Sebastian Kris and Matthew Timoko realistically in contention for the Round 1 spots.

It means the veteran Croker could well be needed in Round 1, and while he mentioned he wasn't even looking ahead to next week, his performance on dodgy knees will be intriguing to watch as the Raiders open the official trial period against the Roosters at Leichhardt on Friday.

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.

SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA - MAY 24: Jack Howarth in action during a Melbourne Storm NRL training session at Sunshine Coast Stadium on May 24, 2021 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Jaxson Paulo’s transition to the centres as Lachlan Ilias takes control

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have only named a handful of players for this Saturday's trial with the North Queensland Cowboys who might be considered a chance of being in their best 17 come Round 1 when they take on the Brisbane Broncos.

But two to keep a keen eye on are Jaxson Paulo and Lachlan Ilias.

Paulo has reportedly spent most of the off-season training in the centres ahead of a potential move there under new coach Demetriou.

As it would happen, Paulo appears to be the club's answer to replacing Dane Gagai, who has shipped off to Newcastle on a long-term deal. That comes with the Rabbitohs having both Alex Johnston and Josh Mansour in the side, who deserve to be playing first-grade on the wing.

It means Paulo's training and performances in the centres are now critical, with it being one of the most important positions on the football field in defence, but also attack. There is no understating just how big Gagai's loss is to the Rabbitohs.

Ilias, on the other hand, gets his first crack as the team's general. He won't be playing with most of the spine who will run out alongside him for most of the year, but it's his chance to stand up, direct traffic and prove he has the kicking game to be Adam Reynolds' replacement.

He played a single game in Round 25 last year and while there were some bright spots, there were also some moments that were a cause for concern.

He and Paulo will be intriguing to watch against the Cowboys.

Madden’s chance to shine in Tigers’ critical hit out

It’s not often the word “critical” can be uttered when talking about trials, but that’s the way it feels for one of the wooden spoon favourites in the Wests Tigers.

Coming off a disastrous 2021 campaign that ended with coach Michael Maguire narrowly avoiding the sack, this is a team who need to be ready and at the top of their game the moment the flag drops on the new season, with a clash against the Melbourne Storm to welcome them into their action.

While Jackson Hastings is out with a reported knee injury, they have named a team which features plenty of first 17 players including David Nofoaluma, Luke Brooks, James Tamou, Jacob Liddle, Stefano Utoikamanu, Luciano Leilua, Alex Twal, Thomas Mikaele, Joe Ofahengaue and recruits Tyrone Peachey and Oliver Gildart.

And while plenty of attention will be on the form of Brooks every time he walks onto the field this year given the show of faith from the club after a constant off-season of speculation over his possible departure from Concord, it’s Jock Madden who will want to stand up and steal the spotlight on Friday evening.

Maguire has already publically stated that Jackson Hastings will be the five-eighth in Round 1 alongside Brooks, which will frustrate Madden.

The young gun had limited opportunities in 2021, but impressed and has been touted as a star of the future for the joint venture, who will risk losing him if he isn't afforded first-grade time this year given he is off-contract at the end of 2022.

His performance on Friday evening is imperative.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: Jock Madden passes during a Wests Tigers NRL training session at St Luke's Parrk North on March 09, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Touch wood: The big stars who will have fans sweating

Week 1 of the pre-season usually sees coaches wrap their biggest stars in cotton wool.

But not this year. Some teams have stuck true to the method - the Rabbitohs, for example.

But with Tom Trbojevic, Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, Daly Cherry-Evans and Reed Mahoney among the biggest names who will run onto the park this weekend, fans (and coaches) will be sweating bullets that they make it through unscathed.

Injuries in trials happen every year, and while they could happen on the training paddock, in Round 1, or during the warm-up (or sprinting up the Manly promenade), the merit of playing big names in trials will continue to be debated until the cows come home.

It's intriguing that the Rabbitohs have left Latrell Mitchell out despite the fact he will miss the opening two rounds of the season, and while every player needs a different amount of time to prepare, injuries could, unfortunately, be a key discussion point at the end of the weekend.

Published by
Scott Pryde