A four-game slate on Saturday in the second week of pre-season injury has thrown up plenty of questions, and some answers, for the eight coaches involved.
While some teams will be concerned about their standing ahead of the campaign, others will be thrilled with young talent on display as the Manly Sea Eagles, Wests Tigers, Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs all claimed victories over the New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons respectively.
Here are all the big talking points out of the four games.
Large and Walsh looked comfortable
In what was the biggest headline heading into this game was whether Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh would gel against NRL-level talent. To the great relief of Manly fans, they did.
Touted as the long-term six and seven for the Sea Eagles for the next 10 years, there has been great speculation of the duo together for some time.
Walsh controlled the flow of the game well with his long and short kicking game, eyeing up a 40/20 kick and deft touches into corners. Finished the game off with a silky field goal to cap off a great performance.
Large looked dangerous, and the Warriors knew it, with plenty of rushing defence at him just as he received the ball. When he did get early ball, he created half-gaps and left defenders grabbing for air with his strength and acceleration at the line. His running game draws similarities to a player like Israel Folau or Joseph Sua'ali'i. Expect him to be pushing for a spot in the side's 19 by the end of the year.
Kyle Flanagan will have a charmed life, while his old man is coaching the team. It’s only natural. Shane won’t give him the bullet unless he is diabolically bad.
Reed may potentially be the best 7 and Atkinson may potentially the best 6, but I can’t see the fans finding out unless Shane is prepared to write off the pre-season and try that combination, with Kyle at 14.