NRL Pre-Season Challenge: Every club’s positional battle ahead of Round 1

Young guns staking their claim, new recruits making a statement, veterans under pressure to retain their spots. These are every NRL club’s key positional battles.

Who will win the key positional battle at your club?

They are the missing pieces to each team’s 2024 season puzzle. A veteran trying to retain his place. Young guns in battles to take the next step in their careers. Recruits bidding to earn their spot at their new NRL clubs.

Coaches will use the NRL Pre-Season Challenge to make a final decision on the positional battles that have been waged all summer.

PANTHERS

Centre (Paul Alamoti and Taylan May)

Coming off the back of a third premiership, the Panthers have a big spot to fill after the departure of Stephen Crichton.

Incumbent centre Izack Tago is expected to retain his spot on the left edge but his partner is locked in a two-horse race between Paul Alamoti and Taylan May.

Alamoti has the world at his feet but could be seen as inexperienced.

Former Bulldog Paul Alamoti has found a new home at Penrith. Picture: Justin Lloyd

May hasn’t played since coming suffering an ACL injury in last year’s World Club Challenge. Both players will be on the plane to England.

Key quote: “I have set myself some goals, and that is obviously one with Critta gone. The opportunity is there but it’s not going to be given to me. I have to work for it.” – Paul Alamoti

Verdict: Taylan May

BRONCOS

Prop (Corey Jensen, Fletcher Baker, Kobe Hetherington, Martin Taupau)

The Broncos must pair Payne Haas with another barnstorming prop if they plan on replicating their success in 2024.

Corey Jensen and Kobe Hetherington have mainly been relied upon off the bench, but can either hold down a starting role?

Baker, who had groin surgery over Christmas, is a new signing who was only scratching the surface at the Roosters.

Taupau was once one of the most feared men in the competition but his time as a starting prop may be over.

Fletcher Baker is in the race to replace Tom Flegler at the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Key quote: “(There is a great opportunity), they had Keenan (Palasia) who left and he was a benchie, then Flegler up top and they’re good players and I think the team that they were last year and then this year as well, I think their football complements me as well.” – Fletcher Baker

Verdict: Fletcher Baker

STORM

Utility (Bronson Garlick, Tyran Wishart, Sua Fa'alogo)

All three have valid arguments for wearing the No. 14 off the bench.

Garlick has proven his reliability as a back-up hooker and Wishart is arguably the most versatile player in their squad, but Fa’alago lit the league alight on debut last year and is almost a must-have on the bench despite his small frame.

Key quote: “There is a fair bit of hype around (Fa’alogo) – hopefully he can live up to that. We will do what is right for the team and especially what is right for him.” – Craig Bellamy

Verdict: Sua Fa'alogo

WARRIORS

Centre (Rocco Berry, Adam Pompey)

Berry and Pompey have been solid incumbents for the Warriors but there is only room for one after the return of former captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Pompey is not far off 100 games and has been a mainstay for the last three years.

However Berry was one of the Warriors best last year and is ready to lock down the other edge and become one of the best centres in the game.

Key quote:

Verdict: Rocco Berry

KNIGHTS

Five-eighth (Tyson Gamble, Jack Cogger)

Coach Adam O’Brien built something special towards the back end of last year and will look to capitalise on the momentum rolling into 2023.

But Cogger is now a grand-final winner and has been around a Panthers system.

Hastings and Gamble have built a good combination with fullback Kalyn Ponga and developed a strong dynamic within the team.

Key quote: “But Jack (Cogger) has played seven and six at Penrith and filled in for Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. He’s versatile and it’s the same for Jackson, he can play a number of roles as well.” – Adam O’Brien

Verdict: Tyson Gamble

Tyson Gamble is trying to retain his halves spot. Picture: NRL Photos

SHARKS

Lock (Dale Finucane, Cameron McInnes)

The Sharks face a decision of choosing what type of lock they want to hold down the middle of the field.

On one hand Finucane is one of the most experienced players in the game who is renowned for his toughness and leadership.

On the other, McInnes’ ball playing and defence is some of the best in the competition.

Either way it is a win for the Sharks, with both players more than capable of doing the job and one bound to get a bench spot.

Verdict: Dale Finucane

ROOSTERS

Centre (Billy Smith, Joseph Suaalii, Robert Toia, Fetalaiga Pauga)

Joey Manu is all but a lock for the Roosters, but his partner will need good trial form to secure their spot.

The Roosters are spoiled for choice and cant really go wrong with their pick.

Suaalii’s centre experiment failed after the first half of the year, but Dominic Young’s arrival means Suaalii will likely be vying for a centre spot with Billy Smith.

Both Pauga and Toia have a lot of potential, but are probably still on the fringe and need a few injuries to bust their way in.

Verdict: Joseph Suaalii

RAIDERS

Fullback (Sebastian Kris, Jordan Rapana, Chevy Stewart)

Not having a specialist fullback for the last couple of years has hurt the Raiders, but their luck could be about to change.

Ricky Stuart has confirmed Chevy Stewart is ready he will get a crack in the NRL this year.

However, Sebastian Kris and Jordan Rapana have proven time and time again that they can fill in and will put some pressure on the young kid.

Key quote: “Chevy is progressing well and is well and truly in the mix to play NRL this season.” – Ricky Stuart

Verdict: Chevy Stewart

Souths back Taane Milne. Picture: NRL Photos

RABBITOHS

Winger (Tyrone Munro, Richard Kennar, Taane Milne, Izaac Thompson, Jacob Gagai)

The partner of long-time winger Alex Johnston is still undecided.

Munro got his first taste in the NRL last year but was unable to hold down a position for the remainder of the year but he will miss the start of the season after breaking his collarbone.

Thompson is also unavailable, opening the door for Gagai to make his debut.

Key quote: “I’ve been looking for a winger who can score tries as well as Alex can, and is fast.” – Jason Demetriou

Verdict: Jacob Gagai

EELS

Hooker (Joey Lussick, Brendan Hands)

Since losing Reed Mahoney the Eels have struggled to land on a long-term hooker option.

Arthur will need to decide if he is after an 80 minute hooker or a shared role, with the latter leaning towards a Lussick start.

If Hands is selected to start he will most likely be the team’s outright hooker, which gives him the potential to finally make his mark on the competition.

Joey Lussick finished 2023 as first-choice No. 9 at Parramatta. Picture: NRL Photos

Key quote: “Handsie has done a good job with some of his opportunities that he got in ’23. And Joey Lussick finished the season there. At the end of the day I have never been real keen at just picking a specialist hooker on the bench.” – Brad Arthur

Verdict: Brendan Hands

COWBOYS

Second row (Heilum Luki, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Coen Hess)

On paper Todd Payten will have one of the best teams in 2024, however he may have a little bit too much talent in the second row position.

Luciano Leilua’s decision to request a release to return to the Dragons has instantly created a battle for the starting spot.

Jeremiah Nanai will start on one edge, Luki and Hess to battle it out for the other spot along with young gun Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

Hess started the year in the second row before being pushed into the middle, while Finefeuiaki is also seen as the long-term answer in the second row.

But Luki’s tryscoring record should make him the frontrunner for the position.

Verdict: Heilum Luki

Impressive young Manly hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong. Picture: NRL Photos

SEA EAGLES

Utility (Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Jamie Humphries)

Kum Tong managed to snag a few games in the end of last year and could be a dynamic option as a back-up hooker.

But there is also talk a beefed-up Humphries could also vie for a spot on the bench as a back-up playmaker, with the possibility of spotting Lachlan Croker as a dummy-half.

Key Quote: “I want to make by debut. I just don’t want to make my debut, I want to stay in that team and I want to make an impact. I want to be able to bring my point of difference to the team.” – Jamie Humphries

Verdict: Gordon Chan Kum Tong

DOLPHINS

Wing (Jack Bostock, Tesi Niu, Valence Te Whare, Edrick Lee)

Having the Dally M winger of the year in Jamayne Isaako is a huge boon, but who will hold the other side of the field is a different story.

Lee is an NRL veteran who has played at the highest level but only played one game last year. Bostock managed to get four games last year but coach Wayne Bennett may want a bit more experience.

Flying Dolphin Jack Bostock is a player on the rise. Picture: NRL Photos

Niu started the year on the wing last year and is considered a frontrunner, while Te Whare’s body transformation over the summer has been well-documented.

Key quote: “The difference between this year and last year is just trying to stay in that first grade squad.” – Jack Bostock

Verdict: Jack Bostock

TITANS

Fullback (Jaylan De Groot, Keano Kini, AJ Brimson)

Jayden Campbell was set to start the year at fullback and lock down the Titans number 1 jersey for 2024, but after an injury that will keep him out for till round five, it’s open slather on the Gold Coast.

Coach Des Hasler is blooding young De Groot for the side’s first trial, but Kini is also in hot contention to start the year.

The Titans also have former Queensland fullback Brimson who could change plans and move back to his preferred position.

Key quote: “Us young boys don’t really get an opportunity to put that jersey on, so when we do, we know we’re going to cherish it and give it our best when we go out there.” – Jaylan De Groot

Verdict: Keano Kini

BULLDOGS

Fullback (Blake Taaffe, Hayze Perham, Connor Tracey, Stephen Crichton)

Although scrutinised for some of their signing decisions, the Bulldogs have put themselves in a great spot to have some of, if not the best fullback depth in the game.

Taaffe has played in a grand final and if he was not stuck behind Latrell Mitchell he would’ve been the Rabbitohs No.1.

Perham and Tracey both proved last year that at their best can mix it with the NRL’s elite.

Crichton came to the Bulldogs for an opportunity at fullback but it seems he may be more suited to their centre pairing.

Key quote: “I’m probably more experienced now (at fullback) than the first time I played. Just learning how to play the position properly and being alongside one of the best fullbacks in Dylan – I picked his brains. ”- Stephen Crichton

Verdict: Blake Taaffe

DRAGONS

Prop (Francis Molo, Hame Sele, Toby Couchman, Raymond Faitala-Mariner)

The Dragons front row stock looked slim at the start of the pre-season, but after the signing of Faitala-Mariner they have added experience and another big body.

He wont have an easy run to the starting spot however with Molo and Sele also vying to start next to Blake Lawrie.

Dark horse Couchman could also sneak his way in, but it is more than likely he will find himself as an impact player.

Key quote: “Being around a place I’m not so familiar with is bringing the best out of me. Being under Shane Flanagan, an experienced premiership-winning coach, with the conversations we’ve already had, gives me a lot of confidence. – Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Verdict: Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Blake Taaffe got first crack at Canterbury’s fullback spot in their opening trial. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

TIGERS

Centre (Starford Toa, Josh Feledy, Asu Kepoa, Junior Tupou, Brent Naden, Adam Doueihi)

For years the Tigers have lacked a genuine centre, now their stocks are one of the largest in the NRL.

On their 2024 roster the Tigers have seven players who have played in the centres, leaving coach Benji Marshall a massive selection headache.

New signing Justin Olam will look to take out one side of the field, with the other up for grabs by the other squad members.

Toa is the incumbent but will need to ensure performances are consistent to stay in the side.

Feledy had an impressive debut at last years game but is still finding his feet.

Tupou, Kepoa and Naden will probably be used in alternate positions to start the year but are genuine options

Key quote: “When I looked at our roster, there was probably a gaping hole in our outside backs – a real strike centre who can add spark to our team.” – Benji Marshall

Verdict: Starford Toa

Originally published as NRL Pre-Season Challenge: Every club’s positional battle ahead of Round 1