The opening two games of the NRL pre-season challenge are in the books, with juniors impressing, players stamping their authority over Round 1 spots, and questions still looming.
Here are all the talking points from the double-header at Kogarah, where the North Queensland Cowboys beat the Canterbury Bulldogs by four points, and the St George Illawarra Dragons to the better of the Newcastle Knights by ten points.
Kade Reed could debut for the Dragons this year
Some will argue this has limited to no chance of happening, and they would probably be right.
Kade Reed is still 19 years of age and just dipping his toe into senior footy.
But his first proper hit out at it on Saturday night against a mixed Knights side was superb.
His vision at both ends of the park was well above his years. The opening to the game in particular saw him peel off a number of huge defensive plays, including an intercept and a dive on a loose ball, before he scored the Dragons' first try.
That in itself showed maturity beyond his years. He was rushed, pivoted from a kick to a perfect pass, then backed up on the inside with eyes up footy paving the rest of the way for him to dot down.
He will not be on the plane to Las Vegas, there is no doubt about that. He isn't ready for that.
But Reed is a big part of the Dragons' future. Signed until 2028, Shane Flanagan can afford to take his time with the rising talent, but if there are issues in the halves, form or injury wise, then Reed could well jump ahead of Lyhkan King-Togia at some point this season to crack a debut.
