Newcastle go into their 2021 season opener against the Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium with star recruit Tyson Frizell in their pack and a finals campaign under their belts but lacking all-important momentum.
The Knights suffered a third successive defeat in their only 2021 trial against Melbourne, capping a sequence stretching back to their round 20 loss to the Titans which features heavy losing margins of 20 (Storm), 26 (Rabbitohs) and 30 points (Titans).
To add injury to insult Newcastle look certain to be without gun fullback Kalyn Ponga until possibly round four.
Canterbury, on the other hand, may have avoided another wooden spoon thanks to points difference in 2020 but look capable of flipping the script on their more heralded opponents after a gritty come-from-behind win in their trial against Cronulla.
New players integrating into a system, returning stars hoping to put injury-plagued 2020 campaigns behind them and incoming coaches seeking pre-season vindication of the work they ve put their players through.
They are just three of the many things cubs will be looking to glean from this weekend s full slate of trials.
Each of the 16 teams has particular areas of focus, with the scoreboard not being of great importance. Avoiding injuries will be key.
Here are the important factors for each team this weekend.
Tedesco ready to captain Roosters, if called upon
NRL Trials - Week 3
Raiders: All eyes on that right edge with
Broncos
This unit was on a hiding-to-nothing for almost all of 2020, but can they show some signs of development this year? Getting consistency out of the inconsistent Anthony Milford would be a great start. Just behind that in terms of importance is finding a No.7. When Kotoni Staggs returns mid-season, they will at least have some strikepower out wide in both he and Xavier Coates.
Raiders
Finding a replacement for Nic Cotric is the only problem. Jack Wighton is as good as there is in the No.6 jersey and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad continues to improve. The wildcard player on the Raiders’ list is Curtis Scott. Ricky Stuart will be hoping the potential he showed while with Melbourne can be realised. Halfback George Williams should be able to improve on an impressive debut NRL season.
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