Broncos, Cowboys, Titans coaches confront agonising choices as 2013 NRL season looms

QUEENSLAND'S NRL club coaches Anthony Griffin, John Cartwright and Neil Henry must unravel several mysteries before launching into another season.

Scott Prince

WILL Josh Hoffman hold off the challenge of superstar Broncos teammateJustin Hodges for the No.1 jumper?

Can the Titans find an adequate replacement for halfback Scott Prince?

And how do the Cowboys fit a truckload of star backrowers into three spots?

These are just some of the mysteries Queensland's NRL club coaches Anthony Griffin, John Cartwright and Neil Henry must unravel before launching into another season.

With trials now less than a month away, the race is on for a spot in each club's 17 for round 1.

Hoffman is the Broncos' incumbent custodian but Hodges and young guns Jordan Kahu and Corey Norman have been mooted as replacements as Brisbane search for an attacking spark from the back.

"We have got most positions covered," Griffin said.

"But that's the purpose of the trials, to trial the players. Josh Hoffman is going well at fullback but we've also got Justin Hodges who can play there and Jordan Kahu.

"But if Josh plays well the position is likely to be his."

Brisbane's halves are shaping as another riddle, with Scott Prince's arrival further muddying an already congested field containing Norman, bench utility Ben Hunt and former NSW halfback Peter Wallace.

Griffin will have his hands full deciding on his front-row, with a plethora of quality backrowers possibly prompting hard-running Test star Sam Thaiday to reprise his role as a bookend in the absence of Petero Civoniceva.

"That's an option. Sam did very well there at the start of last season," Griffin said. "David Hala is not back to full fitness yet ... but we'll try and give him some game time in a trial.

"Scott Anderson, Mitchell Dodds and Dunamis Lui should be right to go so we'll have a close look at them."

Cowboys boss Henry labelled his squad's depth the best during his five years at the club.

But he also conceded he is still "a fair way off" selecting his 17, with star pivot Johnathan Thurston one of few certainties.

"In the halves, Michael Morgan finished the year (at halfback) but we've got Ray Thompson and Robert Lui who can do a good job," Henry said. "That's one of a few positions to be sorted."

Bulging stocks have left a tight race for a start in the backrow. Tariq Sims has returned to a list including brother Ashton, a raft of reliable veterans and nimble giant Jason Taumalolo.

"There's a bit of jostling in that backrow ... and they're all good quality so it will be tough," Henry said.

The retirement of loyal No.9 Aaron Payne and the exit of understudy James Segeyaro (Penrith) has left a question mark surrounding North Queensland's hooking spot for the first time in years.

"With Aaron and James gone, we've got Scott Moore from England and Rory Kostjasyn from the Storm," said Henry, who also used Anthony Mitchell and Ray Thompson in the role last year.

"We have got great depth there but it's something we need to sort out. The trials will hopefully help us."

The Titans' biggest headache will no doubt be making two fledgling halves gel in the absence of former chief Prince.

"We had a few shake-ups in the off-season with Scott Prince going and now Beau Champion, but that's opened the door for a few people," Titans football manager Scott Clark said.

"The halves and centres are probably the two biggest areas we'll be looking at in the trials.

"Carty is not going into the trials with any preconceived ideas for the halves."

ON TRIAL

BRONCOS

February 9 v North Queensland at Mount Isa

February 16 v Gold Coast at Redcliffe

February 23 v New Zealand at Dunedin, New Zealand

FULLBACK: Josh Hoffman, Corey Norman, Justin Hodges, Jordan Kahu

HALVES: Ben Hunt, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Scott Prince

PROPS: Sam Thaiday, Mitchell Dodds, Dunamis Lui, Josh McGuire, Scott Anderson, David Hala, Ben Hannant

TITANS

February 9 v Warriors at Gold Coast

February 16 v Broncos at Redcliffe

February 23 v Cowboys at Mackay

CENTRES: Jamal Idris, Steve Michaels, Luke O'Dwyer, Anthony Don, Hymel Hunt, David Mead, Jordan Atkins

HALVES: Aidan Sezer, Jordan Rankin, Albert Kelly, Beau Henry, Greg Bird

BACKROW: Dave Taylor, Greg Bird, Ashley Harrison, Mark Minichiello, Jamal Idris, Nate Myles, Luke O'Dwyer, Ben Ridge, Cody Nelson, Shane Gray

COWBOYS

February 9 v Broncos at Mt Isa

February 16 v Dragons at Cairns

February 23 v Titans in Mackay

HALFBACK: Michael Morgan, Ray Thompson, Robert Lui, Anthony Mitchell

HOOKER: Anthony Mitchell, Rory Kostjasyn, Scott Moore, Ray Thompson

BACKROW: Jason Taumalolo, Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims, Joel Riethmuller, Dallas Johnson, Glenn Hall, Scott Bolton, Gavin Cooper