Fans were given a first impression of their team for 2024 following the first round of the NRL’s pre-season challenge.
The Wests Tigers, Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons all began life under new coaches whilst the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and The Dolphins showed off their impressive list of player acquisitions.
SEN’s Greg Alexander and Andrew Voss shared their initial thoughts of the performances of some of the teams.
Greg Alexander
Future looks bright for the Bulldogs
“I’ve read so much about the Bulldogs over the off-season,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I (couldn’t believe) how impressive the Dogs were.
“There are some selection headaches for Cameron Ciraldo.
“There are questions about who he will play in the halves but the youngsters gave us a picture for the future.
“A whole host of them were impressive such as Joseph O’Neill and Joash Papalii.
“They are very good and all the chat about the juniors was confirmed on Thursday night.”
Broncos haven’t lost their spark
“They lost a host of players and some big names too with Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth moving on,” Alexander said.
“Kurt Capewell also moved to the Warriors (which allows) Brendan Piakura to be an absolute star in the back row for the Broncos this year.
“The left side now looks like Ezra Mam, Selwyn Cobbo at centre and Jesse Arthars or Corey Oates on the wing.
“Piakura in the back row with Reece Walsh involved, they are going to be a handful.
“That left edge of the Broncos will be talked about for most of the season.”
Newcastle finally has some quality depth
“Adam O’Brien has got a lot of selection headaches,” Alexander remarked.
“(Do you have) Jack Cogger in the halves over Jackson Hastings?
“Based on what I saw, Cogger is a starting first-grader and I don’t know if it’s Jackson Hastings or Tyson Gamble who makes way.
“I’m not sure which is the best combination and I don’t know if Adam O’Brien knows.
“He’s also got some decisions to make around the nine.
“Jayden Brailey, Phoenix Crossland and Riley Jones who was very good.
“They’ve got options and I’m not sure what their best 13 is at the moment.”
Andrew Voss
South Sydney have built an elite forward pack
“The front row rotation (was excellent),” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Tom Burgess, Tavita Tatloa and Sean Keppie who looks like a really good signing. He looks really fit and has some size.
“Then you throw in Davvy Moale off the bench who looks much improved. He’s obviously had another really good off season.
“The Rabbitohs now have a very good front row rotation and the key to South Sydney’s best football is…Damien Cook running off quick play-the-balls and getting over the advantage line.
“The front wor rotation is now the foundation of some really good success.
“I had a question mark on them (but) you would think they bounce back from a very disappointing last year.”
Brisbane’s attack is the best in the competition
“Brisbane’s stars are quality,” Voss declared.
“There’s no complacency and I think they’ll rip (apart) a lot of teams this year when they are switched on.
“That was reinforced by a very first glimpse at them this year.”
The second round of NRL pre-season fixtures begins on Friday with the Rabbitohs hosting the Sydney Roosters in Belmore.