The Wests Tigers and Dolphins have completed their pre-seasons with wins on Friday evening, while the Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors will head into the season proper on the back of losses.
The four sides all showed plenty during the double-header at Leichhardt, but there will be plenty of questions and talking points to be answered over the fortnight leading into their respective Round 1 encounters.
The Tigers have an even longer wait with the Round 1 bye.
Here are all the talking points from Friday evening's action at Leichhardt.
2. Heamasi Makasini locks up starting spot
Speaking of the man Cleary got in that tackle, and there is now surely no doubt. Makasini must be in the Tigers' starting side come the opening round of the season.
After an impressive debut in the final round last season, and a good game against the Sydney Roosters last weekend, Makasini backed it up with a barnstorming try against the Panthers last night.
Brushing off multiple defenders including Blues fullback Dylan Edwards, Makasini had the four-pointer as the headline of his efforts.
Certainly, the injury to Jeral Skelton helps his cause, and makes the decision a rather straightforward one for Benji Marshall, but even if he was fit, Makasini is the future of the club, and more importantly, ready to go now.
Not in a few rounds time, not next year, but now. His pre-season is testament to that fact, as is the fact that at just 18 years old, his debut last year didn't look out of place for even a moment.
He will probably eventually get into the centres, but it'll be the wing where he starts.
