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Brent Read, Michael Carayannis and Travis Meyn break down who’s on a train-and-trial deal with your club during this pre-season
Parramatta Eels
Bulldogs signing Jordan Samrani is among the group of Eels players joining their more established players in the pre-season. Samrani, a centre, joined the ‘Dogs in the off-season and will get the chance to make an immediate impression on coach Jason Ryles. Ethyn Martin is another exciting outside back who made an impact last season - the former rugby union player scored eight tries in eight appearances in the NSW Cup.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Ethyn Martin, Jordan Samrani, Ryley Smith, Apa Twidle, Dom Farrugia, Josh Lynn, Will Latu, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, Brock Parker
Brisbane Broncos
New Broncos coach Michael Maguire has some genuine NRL talent trialling for contracts this pre-season. Journeyman Gehamat Shibasaki is back in Brisbane along with Melbourne Rebels flyer Glen Vaihu. The Broncos have picked up Hostplus Cup rookie of the year Latrell Siegwalt and he is a real excitement machine.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Gehamat Shibasaki (Wynnum Manly), Luke Gayle (Wynnum Manly), Latrell Siegwalt (Souths Logan), Callum Eggerling (Souths Logan), Ronald Philitoga (Souths Logan), Glen Vaihu (Souths Logan), Tristan Powell (Burleigh), Ewan Moore (Burleigh), Lachlan West (Burleigh), Matt Koellener (Burleigh)
Dolphins
The Dolphins have given some NRL experienced players a second shot. Towering prop Peter Hola was once a highly-rated prospect at the Cowboys who also had a crack at the Raiders, while Ethan Quai-Ward made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs. The Dolphins also have a couple of Central Queensland prospects joining them for the pre-season.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Josh Allen (Redcliffe), Will Patridge (Redcliffe), Ethan Quai-Ward (Redcliffe), Ben Stevanovic (Norths), Peter Hola (Norths), Cooper Marshall (CQ), Larson Dale-Doyle (CQ), Tane Kiriona (CQ)
North Queensland Cowboys
Todd Payten will run his eye over a host of potential NRL prospects under the searing Townsville heat this summer. Under their contracting system, the Cowboys have handed more than 15 opportunities to players chasing their NRL dream. A host of young guns are pushing their way through the grades along with some Hostplus Cup club affiliates. Northern Pride duo Adrian Trevilyan and Jarrett Subloo have NRL experience from their days at Canberra and have returned to their local region.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD:
Contract: Xavier Kerrisk, Mutua Brown, Mason Barber, Henry Teutau, Jeremiah Mata’utia, Matt Watts, Kai Simon, Morea Morea, Assiriah Lenoy
Affiliate clubs: Adrian Treviliyan (Northern Pride), Jarrett Subloo (Northern Pride), Esom Ioka (Northern Pride), Campbell Duffy, Ricco Falaniko (Northern Pride), John Radel (Mackay Cutters), Temple Kalepo (Mackay Cutters)
Gold Coast Titans
Des Hasler has given the son of a gun a shot, with Cooper Bai joining. The son of PNG great Marcus Bai, Cooper has shown promising signs at schoolboys level and is now taking the next step. The Titans have also picked up Josh Patston from Ipswich after he starred for Burleigh this year.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Cooper Bai, Brock Gray, Sean Mullany, Josh Patston (Ipswich), Luke Burton (Tweed Heads), Jayden Wright (Tweed Heads), Kieran Hayman (Tweed Heads), Ethan Clark-Wood (Tweed Heads)
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have given some of their young players a chance to shine in the pre-season, chief among them Jersey Flegg captain Luke Smith, halfback Cassius Tia, and Queensland prop Jack Underhill, who was the star of their Jersey Flegg grand final win. Smith is a back rower while Tia joined the ‘Dogs from the Sydney Roosters.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Jack Underhill, Luke Smith, Reuben Moyle, Cassius Tia, Danny Gabreal, AJ Jones
St George Dragons
The son of former Dragon turned Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon will get his first taste of NRL exposure. Aaymon, a halfback who has impressed playing for the Illawarra Steelers, will hope to be a third generation first grade player following in the footsteps of his dad and grandfather Allan. The Dragons have a stack of rising stars doing a summer of training including the nephew of ex-Dragons Kyle and Chase Stanley - Cyrus Stanley-Traill who has a four-year deal with the club.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Hayden Buchanan (centre), Jacob Halangahu (backrower), Kyan Hjaltason (hooker), Jett Liu (prop), Kade Reed (halfback), Ben Rumble (outside back), Jarrah Treweek (backrower), Leeroy Weatherall (prop)
Newcastle Knights
The Knights have gone with youth as they give opportunities to some of the club’s brightest stars. None shine brighter than prop Cody Hopwood, who was a star at this year’s Australian schoolboys titles and finished the tournament as the No.1 ranked schoolboy in the nation. Connor Votano is another flying fullback emerging through the Knights system who has a nose for the tryline.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Connor Votano, Kyle McCarthy, Cody Hopwood, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Jack Hillier, Haami Herbert-Lozza, Bailey Carmichael, Liam Sutton, Brock Greacen
Penrith Panthers
Trent Toelau is the most recognisable name among the Panthers train-and-triallists after making 12 appearances in the NRL in 2024. He was also named in the New Zealand squad for the Pacific Championships. Prop Austin Dias also has first grade experience, having made seven appearances for the Wests Tigers in 2022. The most exciting of the group is fullback Jaxen Edgar, who was ranked in the top 10 Australian schoolboys by this masthead two years ago.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Trent Toelau, Billy Scott, Austin Dias, David Fale, Jaxen Edgar
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have handed former South Sydney winger Izaac Thompson - scorer of six tries in 13 games over the past two seasons - a chance to resuscitate his career. They have also given some of their most promising youngsters a chance to shine, led by a pair of front-rowers - Caleb Garvie and Jayze Tuigamala. Garvie hails from the same junior club as Andrew and Matthew Johns - the Cessnock Goannas - while Tuigamala has joined from the Sharks.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Izaac Thompson, Regan Carr, Caleb Garvie, Shaun Packer, Jaxon Lavender, Jensen Taumoepeau, Jayze Tuigamala
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters have some of the best young players in the game and a host of them have been given the chance to impress. Rex Bassingthwaite recently signed a long-term deal amid strong interest from rugby union while Jake Elliott has been on a rapid rise of late - he started this year in SG Ball, played NSW Cup, was outstanding for NSW in the under 19 State of Origin game, and was under consideration to be 18th man for the NRL side. Reece Foley is another teenager to keep an eye on - he played under 19s for Queensland and has been earmarked for big things.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Taylor Losalu, Max McCathie, Toby Rodwell, Lachlan Dooner, Rex Bassingthwaite, Cohen Dittman, Mikey Nassar, Zac Sarfati, Tyreece Tait, Benaiah Ioelu, Jake Elliott, Hugo Savala, Reece Foley
Manly Sea Eagles
Two emerging teenage halves and a former Canterbury forward headline the list at Manly. The Sea Eagles had to fend off NRL and rugby union rivals to land Onitoni Large, who was one of the most highly-prized emerging talents in either code. The Wests Tigers were disappointed to lose the Junior Wallabies skipper. Queensland teenager Tyler Melrose has also been given a chance to shine in the pre-season while Bulldogs forward Chris Patolo has played 28 games in the NRL over the past three seasons with the Bulldogs.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Zane Dunford, Navren Willett, Chris Patolo, Onitoni Large, Jacob Sykes, Tyler Melrose, Kylan Mafoa, Hugo Hart, Devante Mihinui, Max Haley, Broden Konz
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks have a handful of players from their feeder club Newtown who will spend time with them during the pre-season. Some of the club’s emerging stars will also get the chance to taste life as a first grader - Riley Pollard was an Australian schoolboys halfback last year, prop Alex Challenor was a member of the national schoolboys side this year, and lock Sam McCulloch captained the club’s Jersey Flegg side.
TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Kyle Pickering, Kristian Dixon, Blake Hosking, Brad Fearnley, Lachlan Crouch (Newtown), Riley Pollard, Taj Ford, Sam McCulloch, Alex Challenor
New Zealand Warriors
Jett Cleary will get a chance to step away from his brother’s shadow after making a switch to the Warriors which will include stepping into a full-time pre-season. He will be joined by winger Moala Graham-Taufa, who played four games for the Warriors this year. Former Panther Daeon Amituanai will ask be given a chance to stake his claims for a permanent spot with the winger, who scored eight tries in 19 NSW Cup games for the Panthers this year. Kahu Capper, an outside back, has also joined the club from the Roosters.
TRAIN AND TRIAL: Jett Cleary (halfback), Moala Graham-Taufa (winger), Daeon Amituanai (winger), Kahu Capper (outside back), Jaydee Auloa (hooker), Makaia Tafua (hooker), Rodney Vea (prop), Augustino Filipo (backrow), Etuate f**kof**ka (hooker), Jason Salalilo (prop), Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (backrow), Motu Pasikala (fullback), )
