NRL Trials 2023 Week 2: Every club's standout player

Liam O'Loughlin

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NRL Trials 2023 Week 2: Every club's standout player image

The NRL trials are officially over and done with for another season, with all 17 clubs getting in two crucial hit-outs prior to the season beginning on March 2nd.

In the second week of the pre-season, it was the Tigers, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs who produced some eye-catching performances, while there will be plenty of question marks over multiple clubs. 

Representative stars Patrick Carrigan and Damien Cook both had strong showings for their respective clubs, while young guns Will Warbick and Tolutau Koula gained plenty of attention. 

The Sporting News compiled a list of each club's standout player from Week 2 of the trials below.

MORE: Round 1 NRL Predicted Team Lists | NRL Pre-Season Injury List

Brisbane Broncos - Patrick Carrigan

In a solid two-point victory over local rivals North Queensland, it was no surprise to see lock-forward Patrick Carrigan at the forefront.

One-third of the best middle-forward rotation in the NRL, Carrigan finished with 21 runs for a game-high 193 metres, as well as 3 tackle breaks and 35 tackles.

The QLD Origin representative was brilliant for the Broncos last season and if his trial form is anything to go by, he looks to be in for another massive campaign as the club look to return to the finals. 

Canberra Raiders - Nick Cotric

It was a poor afternoon for the Raiders - and truth be told, trying to find a 'standout player' is quite a tough task.

That being said, Nick Cotric certainly tried his best and was able to make a linebreak and set up a try, finishing with 98 run metres for the afternoon.

Canberra were humiliated 36-4 by the Tigers and will need a massive turnaround prior to their Round 1 fixture. 

Canterbury Bulldogs - Jake Averillo

Finding a standout performer from Canterbury's loss to the Sharks on Sunday afternoon isn't the easiest thing in the world, but Jake Averillo did his best to spark his side in a new role.

Shifting to the centres over the off-season despite impressing many in the No.1 jumper last year, the local junior was the only Bulldogs player to crack 100 run metres during the clash at Belmore Oval.

Averillo remains an important part of the side's attack and his ability to cover multiple positions could prove valuable throughout the course of the season. 

Cronulla Sharks - Matt Moylan

In a great afternoon for the Sharks, experienced playmaker Matt Moylan wound back the clock with a classy display.

The five-eighth was highly impressive, finishing with two try assists and 78 run metres for Cronulla as they proved far too strong for the Bulldogs in a 36-16 victory. 

Moylan's combination with emerging forward Teig Wilton is looking very promising heading into Round 1 and could offer plenty of points for Craig Fitzgibbon's side. 

Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Just a fortnight out from their official entry to the NRL, Wayne Bennett's Dolphins had a tough night against one of the competition's weaker outfits in an alarming sign for their prospects.

If there was a standout to be picked from the side after a 40-16 loss, fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow proved why he could be a revelation in the position after leaving the Cowboys for the new franchise.

The 21-year-old finished with 110 run metres, four tackle breaks and a linebreak, showing off his pace and footwork in a solid outing. 

Gold Coast Titans - Aaron Schoupp

After being let go by his former club, Aaron Schoupp is more than finding his feet at the Titans if his performance on Sunday night is any indication.

The explosive centre crossed for a try against the Dolphins in a comprehensive win, as well as running for over 170 metres, making three linebreaks and 11 tackle breaks.

Schoupp's aggression and power make him a massive threat out wide for the Gold Coast this season and he will continue to prove a handful for opposition defences. 

Young wingers Alofiana Khan-Pereira (four) and Sosefo Fifita (two) combined for six tries in a point-scoring extravaganza from the Titans against a hapless Dolphins outfit. 

Manly Sea Eagles - Tolutau Koula

In a fantastic night for Manly in the 28-16 win over the Roosters, it was electric centre Tolutau Koula who lit up Gosford with a scintillating display. 

Heading into his second year in the NRL, the 20-year-old tore apart the Tricolours down the right-edge, crossing for a try and running for a game high 154 metres.

Koula also made three linebreaks and produced a linebreak assist in a brilliant individual display, combining nicely with Haumole Olakau'atu as well. 

Manly's victory came without superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, who are both expected back for the opening round of the season. 

Melbourne Storm - Will Warbrick

There are some vacant spots in the Storm backline heading into the opening round, and Kiwi speedster Will Warbrick is doing everything in his power to impress the coaching staff.

The 24-year-old finished off the victory over the Warriors with a try, two linebreaks, seven tackle breaks and a game-high 206 run metres for his side.

Warbrick is tipped to earn the starting wing role, with Nick Meaney expected to shift to fullback due to the ongoing absence of Ryan Papenhuyzen. 

Newcastle Knights - Greg Marzhew

While it was a tough night overall for the Knights in their 36-14 loss to the Eels, the display from barnstorming winger Greg Marzhew would have put a smile on a few faces.

The former Titan is expected to start the year out wide for Newcastle in his first year at the club and showed exactly what he is capable of on Friday night, running for over 160 metres and making three linebreaks and nine tackle breaks, as well as crossing for a try in the second-half. 

Marzhew's size and power will add plenty to the Knights out of the backfield and give the side a very formidable wing duo, with rising star Dom Young also crossing for a try against Parramatta and attracting plenty of interest from rival clubs in recent weeks. 

New Zealand Warriors - Wayde Egan

Despite a hot start, the new-look Warriors struggled to hang with the Storm for the full 80 minutes on Sunday afternoon, going down 24-6 in their second trial game.

Wayde Egan put in a solid effort out of dummy-half however, coming up with a try assist and making 28 tackles during the defeat.

The 24-year-old has received plenty of praise from new coach Andrew Webster and will be a vital part of any potential success for the side this season. 

North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater

In an entertaining clash with local rivals Brisbane, last year's surprise packets fell short by two points just a fortnight out from the season proper.

But out of the Cowboys' three tries on Saturday night, star fullback Scott Drinkwater produced two try assists, made one linebreak, ran for 96 metres and was solid in cover defence, making eight tackles without a miss.

The 25-year-old is coming off a stellar campaign for North Queensland and has signed a mega contract extension, making him our pick for the Dally M in 2023.

Drinkwater also pulled off an extremely cheeky play from a goal-line dropout in a move that other clubs will no doubt be looking at this year.

Parramatta Eels - J'maine Hopgood

It was a stellar night for the Eels in their second trial, with all their big guns back on deck and performing well - but it was the performance of new recruit J'maine Hopgood that certainly caught the eye.

The lock-forward has come across from the Panthers and is tipped to start the year in the No.13 jumper, with his hard-nosed running game, rock-hard defence and offloading ability making him an extremely valuable commodity.

Hopgood finished Friday night's trial with a game-high 38 tackles, as well as an impressive 120 run metres, one try assist and three offloads.

Sean Russell was also a star for Parramatta, crossing for a double and putting himself in the frame for Round 1 selection on the wing. 

Penrith Panthers - Spencer Leniu

In wet and wild conditions at the foot of the Mountains, the reigning NRL premiers were humbled by Super League club St Helens in a golden-point thriller.

In a tough night for the Panthers, Spencer Leniu took to a rampant Saints pack and finished his stint off the bench with 23 tackles without a miss and 11 runs for 123 metres. 

The 22-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season and told The Sporting News post-game that he is in no rush to sort out his future, instead focusing on Penrith's title defence. 

St George Illawarra Dragons - Jaydn Su'A

It was a tough afternoon for the Red V in the annual Charity Shield, falling to old rivals South Sydney after a horror first-half display.

But one man who didn't let the scoreboard dictate his performance was Jaydn Su'A, who added plenty of punch on the edge against his former side.

Su'A finished with nine runs for 109 metres, as well as producing a linebreak assist and breaking five tackles in a promising showing prior to the season. 

South Sydney Rabbitohs - Damien Cook

It was a dominant day out for the Bunnies in Mudgee and it was star hooker Damien Cook who was clearly enjoying himself against the disappointing Dragons.

Cook finished with three linebreak assists, two try assists and 21 tackles, exploiting the Saints around the ruck and causing plenty of havoc with ball in hand. 

The 31-year-old will remain a focal part of the South Sydney attack this year and with such a strong forward pack, Cook is always going to create opportunities with his classy running game. 

Sydney Roosters - Terrell May

It was a tough outing across the board for the Roosters on Friday night, but the efforts from front-rower Terrell May can't be discounted.

The 23-year-old was solid for the side last year in his rookie campaign and looks set to establish himself in their best 17 heading into the new season.

May finished with an impressive 120 run metres and 21 tackles with just one miss, punching out better numbers than a lot of the Roosters' more experienced big men. 

Wests Tigers - Adam Doueihi

Fresh off a contract extension with the Tigers, five-eighth Adam Doueihi overcame a shaky start to help his side to a convincing win over Canberra.

The 24-year-old finished with over 100 run metres and two try assists in a classy display, especially due to the absence of key spine members Api Koroisau and Luke Brooks.

Doueihi has received faith from the new coaching staff at Concord and looks primed for a solid campaign. 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.