What we learned from NRL weekend trials

THE hunt for a Dragons half continues, calls for Kalyn Ponga to play first grade grow louder, and Jamal Idris is back. This is what we learned from the weekend NRL trial matches.

THE calls for Kalyn Ponga to be thrust into the Cowboys’ round one side became louder following another strong display.

This and plenty more in our wrap of the weekend NRL trials.

Titans 30 def Eels 18

1. Elgey is back - Kane Elgey is a certainty to be in the Gold Coast’s round one team after starring in his first proper hit-out in nearly 18 months. Starting at halfback, Elgey was among the Titans’ best in the 12-point win against the Eels where he played 60 minutes. He is looking fit after missing the entire 2016 season due to a knee injury.

2. Pulu power - Leivaha Pulu was a good find for the Titans last season and look for him to be even better in 2017. Pulu has had a solid pre-season and is much fitter than last year. His form faded in the back end of 2016 and he spent some time in reserve grade, but he is going to be a real weapon for the Titans in 2017.

3. Cornish on fire - The Titans have a very handy back-up playmaker in their ranks with Tyler Cornish, but it remains to be seen whether he stays on the Gold Coast. Cornish was brought north by the Burleigh Bears and has spent the pre-season training with the Titans. He has been one of their most impressive trialists following strong performances at the Nines and against Parramatta, but with Kane Elgey, Tyrone Roberts and Ashley Taylor on their books there may not be room for Cornish at the Titans.

- Travis Meyn

Kane Elgey made a successful return.

Cowboys 11 def Roosters 10

1. Ping Ponga rally - The calls are getting louder for Kalyn Ponga to feature in North Queensland’s round one team after another solid showing for the Cowboys. Ponga came on at centre against the Roosters before shifting to his preferred position of fullback when Lachlan Coote left the field and did not look out of place. Coach Paul Green says he has no plans to play Ponga in round one, but he may have to find a way to fit the explosive teenager in if he continues this type of form following his Auckland Nines masterclass.

2. Life after Tamou - The Cowboys are looking for a replacement for James Tamou and went a step closer to finding one against the Roosters. Sam Hoare and Patrick Kaufusi were both solid performers for the Cowboys. There are two front row spots up for grabs following the retirement of Tamou and Ben Hannant and they are in the box seat to claim them.

3. Keary cuts it - Luke Keary was impressive in his first hit-out for the tri-colours. Keary left South Sydney for the Roosters in the off-season and looks set to start at five-eighth alongside Mitchell Pearce. He has a strong challenger in Connor Watson for the No. 6 jersey, but showed he should be the first picked against the Cowboys

- Travis Meyn

Kalyn Ponga had another strong game. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Storm 30 def Warriors 18

1. Brodie Croft is a definite star of the future - At only 19 Croft was able to pull a few tricks out of the bag to hand Melbourne the win despite the fact they had been trailing for 70 minutes. And he did it without the help of any big names.

2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be back to his best in no time - The fullback, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last year, played just 40 minutes against the Storm but looked slick in attack and did not appear haunted by his knee. He set up Tuimoala Lolohea for a try and claimed one for himself in a great first half performance from the Warriors.

3. The Warriors need some depth - With RTS and Shaun Johnson rested in the second half, the New Zealand side struggled to hold onto to their lead against what was also a mostly rookie Storm line-up. Coach Steve Kearney admitted afterwards he is looking to do more development with their younger players.

- Rikki-Lee Arnold

Brodie Croft is gunning for a five-eighth spot.

Broncos 36 def Ipswich 24

1. Korbin Sims could be the buy of the season - Sims has been at the Broncos just two weeks but the Newcastle recruit has been outstanding in his opening two trials. Sims terrorised the Ipswich pack in a man-of-the-match display and is just the type of aggressive, dynamic front-rower the Broncos need.

2. Brisbane’s future stocks look good - Several rookie Broncos impressed against a spirited Jets outfit. Fullback Jamayne Isaako is agile and sharp, winger Gehamet Shibasaki runs without fear and Alex Barr is a hulking back-rower with power.

3. Tautau Moga is back - The former Cowboy has had horrendous luck with knee injuries but he is relishing a new start at Red Hill. Moga scored the opening try and is an imposing sight in the backline. With Brisbane lacking depth in the centres, Moga could force his way into the starting side.

- Peter Badel

Dragons 20 def Tigers 10

1. Dragons’ halfback spot still wide open - The Dragons may have won, but the race to replace injured halfback Drew Hutchison remains unclear. Emerging half Jai Field backed up his eye-catching performance at the Auckland Nines with a mixed display. Field dropped his first touch, before finding his confidence to score a classy try on the stroke of halftime. There’s no questioning the Shellharbour junior has bucket loads of potential, but he still has some way to go before he becomes the final polished product. It’s why playing Field in the opening round would be a risk for coach Paul McGregor. Veteran playmaker Josh McCrone is favoured to partner Gareth Widdop in the halves for round one, but he delivered an indifferent display against the Tigers from five-eighth. McCrone failed to take charge in strong attacking positions, while his kicking game didn’t put the Tigers under any pressure.

2. Idris impressive on return – Jamal Idris hadn’t played since early 2015, but it didn’t stop him from producing glimpses of his barnstorming best. He came off the bench in the second half and looked comfortable playing in the centres. Idris made a strong charge with his first touch, carrying multiple Dragons’ defenders as he surged up the field. The former Test and Origin star received limited chances for the remainder of the match, but he was a handful to contain every time he touched the ball. Idris will only get better with more game time.

3. Havili fires - Cameron McInnes has joined the Dragons following the exit of Mitch Rein and the former Rabbitoh is expected to pick up the hooking duties. However, McInnes he has a strong foil in Siliva Havili if McGregor decides to use him. The former Warrior excelled in the No. 9, particularly in the second half when the Dragons dominated field position.

- Matt Logue

Sea Eagles 22 def Rabbitohs 16

1. Walker the new Lyon – Dylan Walker has replaced Jamie Lyon in more ways than one. Not only has Walker slotted into the right centre spot that Lyon made his own for a decade, but the former Rabbitoh has also picked up the goal kicking duties. Walker slotted three from four and also crossed for a try that impressed coach Trent Barrett. “That try he scored, there aren’t too many that can score them,” Barrett said.

2. Green a welcome addition – Blake Green made a strong debut for the Sea Eagles. The former Storm playmaker did the bulk of the kicking and took plenty of pressure off million dollar man Daly Cherry-Evans in what was a promising start for the new-look halves pairing.

3. Farah debuts for Rabbitohs - Robbie Farah was a late addition to the South Sydney side. He played the opening 40 minutes, almost scored a try and showed no ill-effects from a ruptured bicep that disrupted his pre-season and has him fighting for the starting hooker spot with Damien Cook.

- Tom Sangster

Panthers 20 def Bulldogs 10

1. Te Maire Martin is ready to make NRL return - Returning from a shoulder injury, the young five-eighth looked confident and threatening every time he took on the line. Martin revealed post-match he had spent the pre-season training in the halves with fellow rising star Nathan Cleary and the two look set to combine in 2017 to form what will no doubt be one of the most exciting halves combinations in the competition.

2. Dylan Edwards is one to watch - There is an overflow of backline talent at the Panthers but it is becoming harder and harder for coach Anthony Griffin to ignore young gun Dylan Edwards. He had some nice touches and made some menacing runs at fullback but with Matt Moylan ahead of him in the pecking order he may have to settle for a centre or wing spot.

3. Slimmed down Kasiano makes an impact - Bulldogs forward Sam Kasiano may have shed the kilos over the pre-season but he hasn’t shed his ability to bend the defensive line. A slim line Kasiano came off the bench at the 30th minute with immediate impact. He was able to hold off numerous defenders to get pass away for Danny Fualolo to score under the posts.

- Fatima Kdouh

Originally published as What we learned from NRL weekend trials