The start of the 2025 NRL Premiership is so close you can smell the fresh-cut grass, Deep Heat and hot dogs whispering in the wind.
Rugby league in the Nevada desert is almost upon us to kick off the official season.
Las Vegas, baby.
But the business of rugby league never sleeps.
And so it goes, we have another weekend of NRL trials this weekend, wrapped in shiny cellophane, with the “Pre-Season Challenge” logo slapped on its forehead.
It is a big weekend for several stars.
Here are ten to look out for.
TERRELL MAY – WESTS TIGERS
One of the club’s big-name signings for 2025 after being released by the Sydney Roosters. The hulking 25-year-old has all the potential in the world and one of the most promising big men in the competition. May missed last weekend’s loss to Canterbury but is expected to make an immediate impact in the engine room. Played 53 games for the Roosters between 2022 and 2024 and has represented Samoa on three occasions.
ZAC LOMAX – EELS
One of St George Illawarra’s biggest name players after debuting for the club back in 2018, Lomax was switched to the wing by Shane Flanagan and helped drag the Red V to an unlikely finals appearance last season. Despite agreeing to join the Eels for 2025, Lomax went on to represent Australia and NSW. The Temora-native will play his first game for the Eels this weekend in the centres.
TOM GILBERT – DOLPHINS
The Dolphins desperately missed big Tom Gilbert last year but it’s easy to forget that the Queensland Maroons tyro’s injury woes started back in 2023 when he hurt his shoulder playing State of Origin in Adelaide. The Norths Devils junior suffered an ACL in a trial last year and missed the season due to a blood clot that pushed back his surgery.
REED MAHONEY – BULLDOGS
Canterbury-Bankstown’s first choice hooker returns for his first run of the season after a tumultuous week that forced the club’s General Manager Phil Gould to lambaste media reports the Queensland rake had been shopped around by the club in the off-season.
KALYN PONGA – KNIGHTS
The Knights were flogged in week one of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge and need their superstar back and firing as they prepare for round one against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown. Ponga ran for 116 metres for the Māori All Stars last weekend in their win at Parramatta.
REECE WALSH – BRONCOS
The 22-year-old was one of many Broncos stars in the stands last week in Toowoomba as the Broncos piled on the points against the Gold Coast but the “rockstar” returns this week to begin his 2025 campaign.
KYLE FLANAGAN – DRAGONS
Flanagan was fantastic last weekend in his time on the field in St George Illawarra’s victory over the Roosters. The maligned playmaker scored a try himself and was in everything as the Dragons shot out to an 18-0 lead. The 26-year-old, alongside new halves partner Lachlan Ilias needs to back it up again this weekend against the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield.
TOM DUFFY – COWBOYS
There’s plenty of expectations on the young half who gets his shot this weekend alongside Tom Dearden as the Cowboys travel to Melbourne to play the Storm at Casey Fields. Reports suggest Jake Clifford is still ahead of Duffy but misses the trip to Bleak City but a dominant outing for Duffy may change Todd Payten’s mind on who gets the nod for the opening round.
JOHN BATEMAN – COWBOYS
The polarizing Englishman pulls on the North Queensland jersey for the first time after an ugly split from Wests Tigers where he managed 32 games before being loaned back to the English Super League in 2024.
BEN HUNT – BRONCOS
Hunt will partner fellow veteran Adam Reynolds in his return match for the Broncos after leaving the Dragons. Much has been said about Hunt’s time at St George Illawarra but it’s a fresh start for the 15-time Kangaroo who hasn’t played for Brisbane since 2017.
