The final week of the NRL's pre-season challenge has arrived, with stars returning, and plenty set to push their chance for selection in Round 1.
The Las Vegas-bound teams are out, but the other 12 will have a final hitout before their seasons kick-off.
Here are all the players to watch across the course of the weekend. You can use the drop down menu below to cycle between games.
Written by Zero Tackle's Kye Ferreira, Adan McGovern, Magdalena Murdoch, Scott Pryde and Leo Twemlow
Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers
Heamasi Makasini (Tigers)
Heamasi Makasini was a shining light in the Tigers win over the Sydney Roosters, scoring three tries in a sixteen-minute period.
Competing for a starting spot in the backline, all eyes will be on the youngster to perform once again and with an injury to Jeral Skelton, the chance is now to earn a spot in the lineup.
Makasini has great speed and ability to break through the line.
When there is a lot of space in the red zone on his edge, the Panthers this weekend cannot invite Makasini to the tryline.
Bunty Afoa (Tigers)
Most of his 2025 season was spent in reserve grade, but that won't be the case at the Tigers.
Signed to fill holes in both depth and experience, Bunty Afoa's signature was an important one for Benji Marshall to secure.
Departing the Warriors after nine seasons, Afoa will have an immediate impact on the club's middle rotation.
Afoa dropped around eight kilograms in pre-season, slimming down to play an important role for Marshall, who, in turn, will be hoping he can help the 29-year-old find his damaging form and set an example for the younger members of the Tigers' forward pack.
Jack Attard (Tigers)
After an impressive injection of attack and energy in his last match, Attard will be wearing the number 15 jersey again this week against his old club, the Panthers.
With the injection of veteran first graders into this week's team, coach Benji Marshall will be looking to see if the rookie can make the same impact on the field amongst his top-tier side.
If Attard continues to impress, his NRL debut could be on the horizon if Jahreme Bula were to become unavailable.
Jared Haywood (Tigers)
Coming off the bench against the Roosters, Haywood made an outstanding contribution to his team with his energy, creating speed around the ruck and support play.
The 21-year-old also scored a try in the comeback win over the tri-colours, showing he can put a side-step on his defender and play through traffic.
The dummy half will look to impress Benji again as he aims to prove he could be the number 9 of the club's future.
Kalani Going (Panthers)
A long-term NSW Cup player, most recently at the Warriors, Going can line up on the edge or in the middle and will be pushing his case for minutes at the foot of the mountains in 2026.
That starts here.
He runs the ball hard, hits hard in defence and has a strong rugby league IQ. Real chance to impress here with some questions around the bench make up for Penrith once the campaign gets underway.
Jaxen Edgar (Panthers)
A young fullback who debuted at the end of 2025, Edgar has the rugby league world at his feet.
Will need to bide his time behind Dylan Edwards, but will have more game time to impress here before returning to the NSW Cup to work on his craft.
