It's been a long, long four months but finally, the NRL returns to our screens on Thursday night as the pre-season challenge gets the season underway.
While there's $100,000 on the line for the victor of the 18 clubs competing, the key focus for head coaches lies on the budding combinations and individual form within his side, and easing the selection of their Round 1 team.
All 17 NRL clubs will be participating in the challenge, as well as St Helens from the Super League, who'll play the Dragons in the first week before facing Penrith in the second, which doubles as the World Club Challenge.
While the majority of Round 1 sides are all but selected in a coaches mind already, trials always throw spanners in the works as injuries lurk their ugly head while young guns and fringe first-graders put their hand up for a spot in the 17.
While we'll likely see close to 400 players feature across the pre-season challenge, some deserve more attention than others, specifically these ten youngsters.
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10. Thomas Jenkins (Penrith Panthers)
While his chances of securing a consistent first-grade role in 2023 are slim to none, Thomas Jenkinsย is arguably the most exciting kid off the Penrith production line, with his eyes firmly on a 2024 starting spot.
Jenkins has been named to start for Penrith on Saturday night against the Parramatta Eels, and the outside back will be licking his lips as he looks to leave an impact, and put his hand up as next in line for a three-quarter spot.
Jenkins made his NRL debut in the centres in the final regular season game last year, with the 21 year-old set to square off against Sunia Turuva and Jack Coleย for the vacant right centre spot next season following Stephen Crichton's departure.
While his opportunities in the NRL will be limited this season, expect Jenkins to really make a fist of the trials, and enjoy cameo stints for the remainder of 2023 before a starring role next season.
