The Pre-Season Challenge is officially in the books and the focus now shifts to the 2026 season, but it’s worth noting some unheralded players around the league who have made a strong impression on teammates over the past two to three months.
For each team, we’ve named a player (or two) who is either inexperienced, a young gun or perhaps has flown under the radar during his career, accompanied by quotes from a teammate.
Read on for foxsports.com.au’s unheralded pre-season training stars!
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BRONCOS – AUBLIX TAWHA
Tawha has hit the ground running since arriving from the Dolphins and won a spot on the plane to the UK for the World Club Challenge. After a unique journey to get to the NRL, Tawha debuted in Round 16 of last year and played out the rest of the season before landing at the Broncos.
Broncos hooker Billy Walters: “He’s been ripping in. He’s been back very early (first week of November) because he came from the Dolphins but his training hasn’t dropped at all. He’s been ripping in the whole off-season and pre-season. The other boys tell me he’s M.A.D. mad on the field so I can’t wait to watch him rip in on the field. I’ve been making sure I’m not too cheeky to him because I know he can probably manhandle me but yeah the boys have been telling me that he’s been ripping in a lot and they are exciting to see him on the field.”
BULLDOGS – MITCHELL WOODS
A teenage prodigy, Woods is regarded as the best rookie prospect that has yet to play in the NRL. One of the most talked about rookies in quite some time, the halfback has been earmarked as a key piece of the club’s future and has slowly been making a name for himself through the ranks, such as the NSW Cup and Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup competitions.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton: “I probably can’t single out one of them, but he is a star of the future.”
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COWBOYS – LIAM SUTTON/WIREMU GREIG
Sutton is a little-known halfback with utility value who joined the Cowboys on a development deal this pre-season after spending time with the Knights. Sutton played under former Newcastle assistant Blake Green and Green is now up in Townsville working under Todd Payten. Sutton started at centre in the club’s first trial against the Dogs, making 20 tackles (no misses) and running for 40m from six carries. He was solid in limited action against Penrith last week.
Meanwhile, Greig played sparingly at the top level for the Eels since debuting in 2021. He was let go at the end of the season and signed with QLD Cup team Townsville Blackhawks. Greig quickly impressed the right people up north though, earning a developmental contract with the Cowboys. He might be on the outside looking in to start the season, but he did impress in the club’s opening trial game, running for 138 metres.
Cowboys back rower Jeremiah Nanai: “Liam Sutton has been going well for us. He’s been training hard with us in pre-season and I’m keen to see what he can do. He’s a big halfback but he’s been playing everywhere in different positions.”
“He (Greig) has come from the Eels and has been a much-needed big body. He’s a big powerful forward. He had a great game the other night (trial match against the Bulldogs) so I’m really excited to see what he can do this year.”
DOLPHINS – TEVITA NAUFAHU
The 20-year-old burst onto the scene last season with six tries in his first seven NRL games, collecting the Dolphins’ Rookie of the Year Award. The speedy winger is currently on the outside looking in of the club’s predicted 19 for Round 1, behind Jamayne Isaako and Selwyn Cobbo, but according to his skipper, he’s constantly giving coach Kristian Woolf something to consider.
Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert: “I’ve been really impressed with Tevita Naufahu. He only got nine games last year but what was impressive was how he came back to pre-season training. He’s been behind some really classy players but that didn’t faze him as he wanted to get fit and wanted to get better. He’s found a way to compete for a spot, for Round 1 even. He’s done a really good job to come back and not only be the player he was last season but being even better and that’s a hard thing to do as you can fall in the trap of falling in love with yourself but he’s definitely not one of those people.”
DRAGONS – DYLAN EGAN
Debuting last season with the Dragons in Round 4, Egan showed that he is set to play a major role in the club’s forward pack over the next decade. However, his season was cut short after just eight matches having ruptured his ACL against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 10. Returning to training, the 21-year-old has been one of the more impressive squad members as he attempts to cement a regular spot in the line-up.
Dragons co-captain Damien Cook: “We’ve got some younger players that sort of debuted last year and I’m looking forward to them having a full season. The likes of Dylan Egan. I see how hard he works at training and obviously the injury last year wasn’t the best timing. He was playing some good footy and for such a young kid last year he was a big loss for us. He deserves a really good year of footy and I’m looking forward to seeing his game grow.”
EELS – MATT DOOREY
One of the more experienced players on this list, Matt Doorey, has returned to pre-season training with authority. The 25-year-old has spent six seasons in the NRL – three with the Eels – but has continually been plagued by injuries throughout the course of his playing career. Recently extending with the side on a long-term contract, he will look to become a mainstay of Jason Ryles’ forward rotation this season and notch up more matches under his belt.
Eels captain Mitch Moses: “Matt Doorey’s been unreal for us. He’s been on the fringe of first grade and played a fair bit of first grade but in and out of the team. He’s come straight in and he’s been really good. He’s come back in great nick and hopefully he’s in for a big year for us.”
KNIGHTS – CODY HOPWOOD
After making his NRL debut last season in Round 27, Cody Hopwood has been tipped for a bright future in Newcastle and is still only 19 years of age. A two-time Under-19s NSW Blues representative, Australian Schoolboy and 2024 Player of the Tournament at the ASSRL National Championships, his ceiling has made him one of the brightest young forwards in rugby league and he will only get better as time progresses.
Knights coach Justin Holbrook:“His couple of weeks leading into the first trial were enormous, he was training so well.”
PANTHERS – BILLY PHILLIPS
Compared to Isaah Yeo, due to his stature and upbringing from Lithgow, Phillips has been earmarked as the potential successor of the Penrith Panthers skipper once he eventually hangs up the boots on his playing career. An Under-19s Queensland Maroons representative, he made his debut at the end of last season and will look to become a regular at the foot of the mountains during this year’s campaign.
Panthers captain Isaah Yeo: “He has been knocking on the door for probably two years now and he’s had another wonderful pre-season. He is fit as a fiddle at the moment, strong and he’s only going to get better. He is still growing into his frame but he has been really impressive.”
RABBITOHS – SALESI ATAATA
The 23-year-old prop has yet to make his debut but it appears that’ll be a case of when not if this season, especially with Davvy Moale leaving for Melbourne. Ataata was on the extended bench a handful of times last season so is knocking on the door of a NRL debut.
Rabbitohs insider:“He made his mark in reserve-grade last season so don’t be surprised for him to continue his form heading into this season. He’s massive and been really impressive. I think he’s about 120kg but such a workhorse.”
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RAIDERS – MATTY NICHOLSON AND NOAH MARTIN
The young Englishman’s form to start last season was a pleasant surprise for Canberra fans. The club have had raging success luring UK talent in the past and while Nicholson came over to Australia well regarded, many wouldn’t have envisaged him scoring five tries in his first 11 games for the Green Machine. Unfortunately, injury ended his season prematurely but it appears he’s come back even better and looks set for a huge year if he can stay healthy.
Meanwhile, another promising forward prospect is Noah Martin, who like Nicholson debuted last year, playing in six games for the Raiders. With Canberra letting a couple of first grade forwards walk in free agency, Martin is being asked to step up in 2026 with the 20-year-old a strong contender to be in Canberra’s squad of 19 for their season opener against Manly. Both Martin and Nicholson will start in the back row for this weekend’s trial clash with Cronulla.
Raiders back rower Hudson Young: “Obviously we’ve seen what Matty Nicholson at the start of last year. He’s still only 22 years old. I think he’s a great player but Noah Martin as well. We’ve seen a little bit of Noah Martin already but he’s started the pre-season really well but I think you’ll see a lot more of them two.”
ROOSTERS – REX BASSINGTHWAIGHTE
Earmarked as James Tedesco’s successor at the Roosters, Bassingthwaighte showed plenty of promise during the two trial matches and is already contracted until the end of the 2028 season – he was promoted to the Top 30 roster for this season. A standout in the lower grades, he was equally impressive in the 15-man code, which saw him represent the Under-18s Australian Wallabies and lead SHORE School to the GPS Championship in 2024.
Roosters captain James Tedesco told News Corp: “I love passing my experience and knowledge onto some of these young guns, especially Rexy. He’s a very raw talent, fast, agile, with a bit of hands. He’s gonna be a special talent in the next coming years.”
SEA EAGLES – JOEY WALSH
Earmarked as the long-term halfback of the Sea Eagles, Walsh has already amassed a highlight reel in the lower grades and will look to add on to his one NRL appearance, which he made in the final round of the 2025 season. A former captain of the Under-18s Australian Wallabies side, the youngster was highly sought after from the 15-man code before deciding to switch all his attention to rugby league. He impressed mightily in both trial games and could be putting some early pressure on Luke Brooks to start the season.
Manly captain Tom Trbojevic: “He’s been training really well. We’ll definitely see him at some stage this year.”
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SHARKS – MICHAEL GABRAEL
Extremely similar to a prime Michael Jennings, Gabrael is known for his lethal speed to get past defenders and his terrific attacking ability and strength to fend off opposing tackles. An Under-19s NSW Blues representative and member of the 2025 NSW Cup Team of the Year, the young centre is next in line in the club’s outside back stocks and is likely to be used as a replacement for the likes of Jesse Ramien and KL Iro before making the transition to a permanent role in the starting team in 2027.
Sharks captain Cameron McInnes:“A kid who impresses me and whether it’s in footy or anything he’s going to do is Michael Gabrael. He comes from such a good family, so mature in his ways for such a young guy and so talented. I just like him as a person so obviously want him to do well and I hope he gets an opportunity at some point.”
STORM – COOPER CLARKE
The teen sensation is tipped to help replenish the Storm’s depth following Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s sudden exit from the club. A NSW under-19s representative last year, Clarke looks close to winning an NRL debut. He ran for 130 metres from 17 hit-ups in two Pre-Season Challenge games.
Storm forward Josh King told NewsWire: “Coops is only young and has been in the first grade system for a year, but he’s been a standout this pre-season. He’s a lot fitter, he’s lost a bit of weight and he’s moving really well for a big fella. He’s got a fair bit of skill and physical attributes for someone so young who still has a couple of years of junior footy in him. I think he’s certainly someone to watch, and it could be sooner rather than later that he gets his opportunity.”
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TITANS – ZANE HARRISON
The Blues Under-19s rep has yet to taste first grade, but the sense around the Titans is that it won’t be long before he does. The crafty halfback was one of the Gold Coast’s best in their upset trial win over the Dolphins last week. At the moment, he is behind Jayden Campbell and Lachlan Ilias on the depth chart, but given the versatility of Campbell and halves partner Brimson, if the Titans struggle early, Josh Hannay could promote Harrison to create a spark. Hannay has labelled Harrison a “complete package” while teammates have also gushed about the young gun’s potential.
Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui: “I don’t want to say his name too loudly because there’s other clubs around here that could be listening but Zane Harrison is very good. Not to put pressure on him because he’s still a young kid but when you look at a kid and see they have something, he’s that sort of player. I don’t want to put pressure on him though, he’s just got to keep enjoying his footy, keep learning under the new coach and everyone around him but yeah he’s one person who has really impressed me this pre-season. He’s impressed me since he arrived to the club to be honest so I hope we can secure him long-term because he’s a special kid.
WARRIORS – TANNER STOWERS-SMITH
After making his debut in Round 11 last season and racking up a total of 13 appearances for the Warriors, Tanner Stowers-Smith has been tipped to make an even bigger impact during this year’s campaign. Still only 21 years of age, the young front-rower has been with the club since the backend of 2022 and was a member of the club’s NSW Cup team that defeated the Dragons in the 2025 Grand Final and won the State Championships.
Warriors centre Rocco Berry: “Tanner Stowers played a few games last year in the middle. He’s had a good pre-season and is a good trainer. I think he will blend into the spot well now and is really getting his confidence.”
WESTS TIGERS – JARED HAYWOOD
The young dummy-half just underwent his first full NRL pre-season and looks to be a player to watch in the coming seasons. Keen to learn as much as possible in training with the club’s NRL stars, Haywood has already made a strong impression on skipper Api Koroisau.
Wests Tigers co-captain Api Koroisau: “He’s a special character, Jared. He’s one of those guys who’s real quiet and goes about his work but he is honestly one of the biggest competitors in our squad and coming from an 18-year-old kid it’s pretty impressive. He’s definitely picked my brain this pre-season and I love going up against him too. He really knows what he’s doing and I think he’s got a big future ahead of him.”
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