NRL 2024: Dragons, Sea Eagles stars clash in closed-door scrimmage

The launch pad for some of the most anticipated players and combinations from the Sea Eagles and Dragons will be unveiled in a serious hit-out behind closed doors.

Tom Trbojevic will have his first serious hit-out in seven months and prized Manly recruit Luke Brooks unveiled in his new colours in a private clash with St George-Illawarra.

The special scrimmage session to be held in 10-days will be the launch pad for some of the most anticipated players and crucial combinations from both clubs prior to the 2024 season.

The 60-minute workout will be held behind closed doors at Narrabeen on Friday, February 2 and follows on from this time last year when both clubs organised a similar hitout against each other.

The contest will also provide new-look Dragons halves Ben Hunt and Kyle Flanagan with their first-look at playing under pressure, while promising fullback Tyrell Sloan will also take part as he chases the St George-Illawarra no.1 jumper.

Manly coach Anthony Seibold and Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said the hitout would be “game simulated” and a “step up from pre-season training.”

“Flanno was the driving force behind it last year when he was here with us as an assistant and we saw some benefits, so we thought it would be a good idea to do it again,” Seibold said.

“It was played in good spirits last year with a focus on the defender, particularly the third man into the tackle looking after the attacking player.

Tom Trbojevic training with Manly Sea Eagles today. Picture supplied

“We don’t want any injuries, but we also want it to have a game-like effort.”

Brooks’ arrival into the halves alongside Daly Cherry-Evans at Manly after 11 seasons at Wests Tigers has led to many pundits predicting the Sea Eagles can return to the finals in 2024.

Seibold agreed the scrimmage session was most important for the Sea Eagles new-look spine.

“For us having a new spine, it will be a good opportunity for Brooksy, Chez (Cherry-Evans) and Turbo (Trbojevic) to do some solid work together,” Seibold said.

“Rather than run against ourselves, we feel like we’ll get something more out of running against the Dragons.

“Obviously with Kyle being in their halves and Brooksy being in our halves, they’re both new to the club, so it will be a level above running against ourselves, albeit without heavy contact.”

The contest will involve almost every major player from both clubs, highlighted by the return of a fully-fit Trbojevic, who hasn’t played NRL since tearing his pectoral muscle in State of Origin II last year.

Seibold said he was eager to run Trbojevic as opposed to wrapping the star fullback in cotton wool.

Manly recruit Luke Brooks. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Jack Bird and Kyle Flanagan. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Turbo’ is going well and he’ll be fine because again, we know the session is played in the right spirit,” Seibold said.

“He’ll be looking forward to running against some different faces as all our guys are.‘’

Flanagan said the bulk of his NRL side, including Zac Lomax, Jack Bird, Moses Suli, Jayd’n Sua, Blake Lawrie and Jacob Liddle will participate in the hit-out.

“The boys have been running plays and calls at each other all year, so to throw these plays at another NRL side, different opposition at this time of the year, it’s really beneficial for everyone,” Flanagan said.

“It’s a good opportunity for combinations in an environment that is as close to a game.

“I’ll use around 21 players and for about 50-minutes we’ll run our best 17 to 20 players.”

The NRL will also provide referees for the clash with the two clubs also planning to practice for the governing body’s newly-appointed rule change.

The NRL announced last week that the game would move to play the balls rather than penalties for failed short dropouts or kick-offs, for both the ball going out on the full or not travelling ten metres.