NRL Trial Takeaways: Get rid of the Bunker for the Pre-season Challenge

Despite $100,000 being on line for the winner of the NRL Pre-season Challenge, PAMELA WHALEY wants the bunker shelved for trial games. Do you agree?

It was a triumphant return to the field for Melbourne star Ryan Papenhuyzen in an undermanned Melbourne team, while the Bulldogs toyed with new combinations and key recruits all over the field.

Here are the biggest takeaways out of Thursday night’s Bulldogs v Storm trial match at Belmore Oval.

SUPERCOACH: Check out the scores from Storm vs. Bulldogs trial

HOT TAKE

Get rid of the bunker for the Pre-season Challenge.

I know there’s money on the line, but let’s be real it’s a trial game. Let’s trust the refs to make the right call and move on.

No one needs to be out in the humid summer air longer than necessary.

Ryan Papenhuyzen showed great signs for the Storm. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

COMBINATIONS

Ryan Papenhuyzen was comfortably one of the best players on the field in his return to the game.

The Melbourne fullback will have time to work on his combinations with starting side ahead of round 1, but after just three games last year his connection with his teammates was obvious.

The 25-year-old played just three games last year and 12 in 2022 as he’s battled one of the longest and unluckiest injury streaks.

He played the first half of the 24-12 loss to the Bulldogs, scoring a try on halftime and setting up another to smash any doubt he’s ready to return.

RECRUIT WATCH

The Bulldogs have almost an entirely new squad this season but Drew Hutchison and Blake Taaffe looked very comfortable in their new gear.

It will take time for them to work into their combinations in the spine, but Hutchison and Taaffe in particular got big minutes and time with established stars Matt Burton and Reed Mahoney.

Bronson Xerri crosses for a try. Picture: NRL Photos

Finding consistency there will be crucial for the Bulldogs this year.

Meanwhile, Bronson Xerri held his own in his first rugby league game in four years after serving a doping ban.

The 23-year-old has done the time for his crime, and there’s plenty of years ahead of him to make the most of his second chance.

He never looked out of place on Thursday night, scoring a try and setting up another to push for a starting round 1 spot.

ROOKIE WATCH

Bulldogs prop Samuel Hughes looks like the real deal.

He played most of the first half in an impressive stint, including 129 metres from 14 runs and a barnstorming trot through the middle to score a would-be try.

A replay showed he knocked on over the line, but the effort itself was worthy of celebration.

He’s already played a handful of NRL games but he’s expected to get more time in the pack this season.

Bulldogs V Storm
Statistical Standouts

Bronson Xerri 16 runs 161 metres 57 post contact
Jeral Skelton 14 runs 142 metres 52 post contact 8 tackle busts
Max King 12 runs 102 metres
Samuel Hughes 15 runs 140 metres
Kurtis Morrin 12 runs 117 metres
Jordan Samrani 8 runs 83 metres

— JustBulldogs Podcast (@JustBulldogs_) February 15, 2024

Blake Wilson celebrates a try with Jacob Preston and Blake Taafe. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

FINAL SAY

Melbourne didn’t play many of their big guns, but the most important guy – Ryan Papenhuyzen, did enough to show he’s back on track.

The Bulldogs have plenty of choices to find a spine combination and backline that works, but Taaffe was their standout at fullback and lost no fans with his performance. Xerri is also back where he belongs.

PAPI PUTS RIVALS ON NOTICE, DOGS RECRUITS DAZZLE

Martin Gabor

Ryan Papenhuyzen spent all summer being asked the same questions about whether he could bounce from a second catastrophic leg injury in the space of two years to play the sort of footy that won him the 2020 Clive Churchill Medal.

It took just 40 minutes and one dazzling try on the stroke of halftime for the superstar Storm fullback to answer those concerns as he survived his biggest test of the pre-season to have Melbourne fans dreaming of what might be if he stays fit even if they were beaten 24-12 by the Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Welcome back, Ryan Papenhuyzen! 👏 #NRLBulldogsStormpic.twitter.com/r5u9GuAI3T

— NRL (@NRL) February 15, 2024

Papenhuyzen has played just 30 NRL games since he starred on grand final night against Penrith, with the electrifying speedster enduring a wretched run of injuries that included a shattered patella and then a sickening ankle fracture in last year’s finals.

But he looked as good as ever as he got on the outside of Matt Burton to put Dean Ieremia over for Melbourne’s first try of the night, before the man with the most majestic mullet in rugby league scored a try that only few can.

Ryan Papenhuyzen was back among the tries. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

New Bulldog Blake Taafe on the charge. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“It’s good I’m off the nudie run now. Pezet is a really talented kid and I knew he could pull off that kick, I just had to be on the end of it,” he said, confirming he’ll play in Fiji next week.

Bronson Xerri made an impressive return to the NRL ranks: Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

XERRI RIPE

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo would have been impressed with Bronson Xerri who scored a crucial try in his return from a four-year doping ban.

The former Shark is no certainty to win a starting spot in round one, but he was busy on the left edge and played a part in Jeral Skelton’s try which put them up 14-12 in the second half.

But that was just the entree with Xerri capping a strong night in Belmore when he went over untouched with 14 minutes to go to put the Bulldogs up by eight points.

Jaeman Salmon takes the ball forward. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

SIGNINGS OF THE TIMES

They were accused of signing too many utilities in the off-season, but Canterbury’s recruits all had their moments on Thursday night with Blake Taaffe racking up 123 metres in 45 minutes as he tries to win the fullback spot over Crichton.

Drew Hutchison was kept fairly quiet, with halves partner Matt Burton looking more dangerous with the ball, only to have a long-range effort called back for a knock-on.

Jaeman Salmon had some really nice touches through the middle to create space for his outside men, with Canterbury’s right edge of Eli Clark and Blake Wilson both scoring in the first half.

Originally published as NRL Trial Takeaways: Get rid of the Bunker for the Pre-season Challenge