What to look out for in the final week of NRL trials

WHAT to watch out for in this final week of NRL trials as preparations for the 2017 season reach their peak.

Roosters Latrell Mitchell during the Round 23 NRL game between the Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium . Picture : Gregg Porteous

WHAT to watch out for in this final week of NRL trials as preparations for the 2017 season reach their peak.

Cheapies are in short supply right now, so if you want to get the edge you need to start the SuperCoach season at your best keep an eye out on all these matches.

Wests Tigers v North Queensland, Friday, 7pm (AEDT) at Campbelltown Stadium

* Paul Green hasn’t named Kalyn Ponga but Kyle Feldt and Antonio Winterstein will have to perform to retain their spot for the Cowboys.

* With Matt Ballin (knee) missing, Matt McIlwrick will assume the Tigers’ hooking role. Also keep an eye on youngster Moses Suli.

TRAP: Watch out for the Warriors

CRISIS: Where have all the cheapies gone?

Canterbury v Melbourne, Saturday, 4.30pm (AEDT) at North Hobart Oval

* Kerrod Holland and Brenko Lee look set to start in the Dogs’ back line this year but Marcelo Montoya has been named on the bench.

* With no Billy Slater, Young Tonumaipea starts at fullback for the Storm. Curtis Scott, who has been named in the centres, is tipped for a boom year.

Manly v Sydney Roosters, Saturday, 6.30pm (AEDT) at Central Coast Stadium

* With Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai retired, Jono Wright and Akuila Uate come into the Manly backline.

* Latrell Mitchell switches to the Roosters centres, Michael Gordon will start No. 1 at while Blake Ferguson makes his expected move to the centres.

Bryce Cartwright will play lock for Penrith.

Penrith v Parramatta, Saturday, 7.10pm (AEDT) at Pepper Stadium

* With Dallin Watene-Zelezniak expected to miss the start of the Panthers’ season, Tyrone Peachey comes in at centre. Te Maire Martin will start at No. 6, pushing Bryce Cartwright to lock.

* Semi Radradra makes his return to the pitch for the Eels after a tumultuous off-season. Corey Norman (hamstring) is out with Troy Dargan in his place.

Canberra v Newcastle, Saturday, 7.30pm (AEDT) at Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan.

* This is journeyman Dave Taylor’s last chance to prove to the Raiders he is deserving of a contract. Big things are expected of centre Nick Cotric.

* Unheralded rookie Dylan Phythian has seemingly sewn up the Knights’ No. 1 spot while Brock Lamb will have first shot at the No. 6 jumper.

Could Dylan Phythian start the season at fullback?

Warriors v Gold Coast, Sunday, noon (AEDT) at Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

* With Kieran Foran not yet allowed to play, Ata Hingano is set to start the first two games of the year at No. 6 for the Warriors.

* We will get our first look at the fancied Ash Taylor-Kane Elgey halves partnership for the Titans.

South Sydney v St George-Illawarra, Sunday, 4pm (AEDT) at ANZ Stadium

* Monster centre Siosifa Talakai gets a starting spot for the Rabbitohs while Alex Johnston gets the nod at No. 1 with Greg Inglis missing. All eyes, of course, will be on new boy Robbie Farah.

* Josh McCrone and Jai Field are both vying for a halves spot at the Dragons.

Originally published as What to look out for in the final week of NRL trials