The pre-season trials are almost done. The scoreboard tells one story, but the real story is in who looked sharp, who looked lost, and who’s going to be carrying injuries into Round 1.
Let’s break down every game from the opening rounds of the 2026 Pre-Season Challenge.
Week 1
34 — 20
Cowboys def. Bulldogs
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
The Cowboys came out firing and never really let up. Jake Clifford ran the show in the halves — his kicking game was clinical, constantly putting the Bulldogs on the back foot. If Todd Payten was looking for clarity on his spine, Clifford made a compelling case.
The Bulldogs had their moments but looked disjointed in attack. They’d get a chance to bounce back in Week 2.
Clifford has staked a serious claim on the number 7 jersey.
28 — 18
Dragons def. Knights
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
A solid hit-out for the Dragons, who looked organised without being spectacular. Valentine Holmes was involved without setting the world on fire, which is probably exactly what you want from a trial.
The Knights showed some fight but defensive lapses cost them. They’d need to tighten up before the season proper.
Dragons have structure. Knights have work to do.
Week 2
24 — 12
Titans def. Dolphins
Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
The Titans went to Redcliffe and came away with a win that should give them confidence. They looked structured, patient, and willing to grind.
The Dolphins had their moments — Thomas Flegler was impressive in his return from a long injury layoff — but they couldn’t match the Titans’ composure in key moments.
Josh Hannay has this Titans side playing disciplined footy. The Flegler comeback is a genuine positive for the Dolphins, but they need more polish around him.
32 — 6
Raiders def. Storm
Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan
This was a statement from Canberra. They ran in five tries to one against a Storm side that usually prides itself on defence.
The Raiders looked every bit the team that came from nowhere to contend in 2025. Clinical, composed, and aggressive in the right spots.
Melbourne? Uncharacteristically leaked points all over the park. Craig Bellamy won’t have liked what he saw.
The Raiders are the real deal. The Storm have questions to answer.
66 — 24
Cowboys def. Panthers
BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Before anyone panics about Penrith — they played their reserves. This was essentially a Jersey Flegg side against a near full-strength Cowboys outfit.
North Queensland did what they had to do. They piled on points, looked dangerous with every touch, and gave their fans plenty to smile about. Reed Mahoney was excellent at dummy-half, providing two try assists and two line-break assists.
The Panthers? They’ll be fine when the big guns return. This one doesn’t count.
The Cowboys are clicking early. The Panthers’ scoreline is irrelevant.
33 — 18
Sea Eagles def. Warriors
McLean Park, Napier
Manly went across the ditch and handled business. The story here was their young halves — 19-year-old Joey Walsh and 18-year-old Onitoni Large running the show in the post-DCE era.
They didn’t look out of place. That’s huge for Manly’s long-term planning.
The Warriors? Disappointing at home. Too many errors, not enough polish. They’re better than this showing.
Manly’s future halves showed serious promise. The Warriors need to rediscover their defensive steel.
42 — 26
Tigers def. Roosters
McDonald Jones Stadium
The Tigers came to play. They ran in seven tries and looked dangerous every time they went wide. Teenage centre Heamasi Makasini bagged a hat-trick and looked every bit the elite prospect he’s talked up to be.
The Roosters scored points too, but 26 conceded against a Tigers side that’s rebuilding? That’ll concern Trent Robinson.
The Tigers have fight in them. The Roosters’ defence needs work.
28 — 0
Bulldogs def. Knights
McDonald Jones Stadium
A shutout. The Bulldogs’ defence was brutal, and their attack did enough to put the Knights away convincingly.
But the story here is Matt Burton. The star five-eighth left the field clutching his hamstring and didn’t return. Early reports suggest a Grade 1 or 2 strain, which could see him miss the Las Vegas opener.
For the Knights? Two trial games, no wins, and they couldn’t score a point here. Concerning signs.
The Bulldogs are tough, but Burton’s injury is a massive blow. The Knights are in trouble.
28 — 24
Rabbitohs def. Dragons
WIN Stadium (Charity Shield)
The traditional Charity Shield had everything. Souths ground out a win in typical fashion — gritty, determined, just enough to get home.
The loss was a blow, but the bigger blow came in the casualty ward. Jonah Glover, who joined from the Dragons in the off-season, suffered a broken jaw and will miss significant time.
Souths find a way. The Dragons are competitive. The Rabbitohs’ halves depth is being tested already.
40 — 6
Eels def. Sharks
Henson Park
Parramatta fans went home happy. Six tries to one at the suburban ground, and they looked genuinely dangerous. The attack clicked — quick hands, good spacing, support runners in the right places. It’s only a trial, but there were real signs of life here.
The Sharks? They were unrecognisable from the side that played finals last year. 40 points conceded is ugly, no matter what kind of team you put out.
The Eels have some spark. The Sharks need to reset before Round 1.
The pre-season ladder
| Position | Team | Points | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Queensland Cowboys | 27 | 100 | 44 |
| 2 | Canterbury Bulldogs | 16 | 62 | 48 |
| 3 | Parramatta Eels | 15 | 40 | 6 |
| 4 | Canberra Raiders | 15 | 32 | 6 |
| 5 | Wests Tigers | 15 | 42 | 26 |
| 6 | Gold Coast Titans | 15 | 24 | 12 |
| 7 | St George Illawarra Dragons | 15 | 52 | 52 |
| 8 | Manly Sea Eagles | 13 | 33 | 18 |
| 9 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 13 | 28 | 24 |
| 10 | Sydney Roosters | 2 | 26 | 42 |
| 11 | Newcastle Knights | 2 | 18 | 56 |
| 12 | Dolphins | 1 | 12 | 24 |
| 13 | New Zealand Warriors | 0 | 18 | 33 |
| 14 | Melbourne Storm | 0 | 6 | 32 |
| 15 | Cronulla Sharks | 0 | 6 | 40 |
| 16 | Penrith Panthers | 0 | 24 | 66 |
The injury ward
| Player | Club | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Burton | Bulldogs | Hamstring (Grade 1-2) | Doubtful for Las Vegas |
| Jonah Glover | Rabbitohs | Broken jaw | 6-8 weeks |
| Josh Kerr | Dragons | Undisclosed | Under assessment |
| Valentine Holmes | Dragons | Reported concern | Under assessment |
The Burton injury is the biggest storyline. Sean O’Sullivan looks set to partner Lachlan Galvin in the halves when the Bulldogs face the Dragons in Las Vegas.
What it all means
Here’s the thing about trials: they’re not the season. The Panthers got pumped by 42 points and won’t care because Ivan Cleary wasn’t playing his starters. The Broncos weren’t even there — they’re in England for the World Club Challenge.
But some things matter.
The Cowboys look ready. Two games, two wins, 100 points scored. Yes, the opposition wasn’t always full strength, but you can only beat what’s in front of you. Clifford and Dearden in the halves, Mahoney at dummy-half — there’s flow there.
The Raiders are for real. They backed up last season’s surge with a dominant trial performance. Ricky Stuart has them believing.
The Knights are wobbling. Two games, no wins, and they were held to zero against the Bulldogs. Kalyn Ponga’s health is always the story in Newcastle, but there are broader concerns.
The Storm have defensive questions. 32 points conceded to Canberra is un-Bellamy-like. Perhaps they have more transition to work through than anticipated.
The Dolphins are the dark horse. Even though they lost their trial, the pieces are there. Flegler’s return adds genuine firepower, Isaiya Katoa is a star in the making, and their roster depth is as good as anyone’s. Matty Johns and Denan Kemp both tipped them to come from the clouds in 2026.
Week 3 ahead
The final round of trials wraps up this weekend:
- Warriors vs Dolphins — Can the Warriors respond? Are the Dolphins the real deal?
- Tigers vs Panthers — Will Penrith name a stronger side?
- Sharks vs Raiders — Canberra favoured, Cronulla desperate
- Roosters vs Eels — Both sides coming off defensive concerns
- Storm vs Titans — Melbourne needs a response
- Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles — Two 1-0 sides in Mudgee
Then it’s Las Vegas. Then it’s Round 1. Then the real football begins.
Stats and results via NRL.com, Zero Tackle, and Sporting News Australia.
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