Parramatta dominated their trial against the Dragons 28-6 with some of their rookie backs showing plenty of promise while veteran playmakers Will Smith and Jordan Rankin controlled proceedings expertly.
Teenage Dragons halfback Jayden Sullivan enhanced his NRL claims but Braydon Trindall and Luke Metcalf inspired the Sharks to a 36-28 trial win on Friday night.
In the opening pre-season match, limited to those who played 12 or fewer first-grade games last year, Cronulla overcame a 22-20 half-time deficit to run out seven-tries-to-five winners at PointsBet Stadium.
Uncapped former Sea Eagle Metcalf, a Sharks junior who spent the game at fullback but can also play in the halves, produced three sublime try assists with pinpoint passing selection.
Halfback Trindall, with five NRL appearances to his name, displayed his skill set as he set up multiple tries and scored one himself.