NRL pre-season challenge Week 3: 43 players to watch

Sua Fa'alogo (Storm)
The livewire fullback will take over the reins of retired star Ryan Papenhuyzen to start their 2026 campaign. Struggling with injuries last year, Fa'alogo gets his chance to flex his muscle and showcase why many have large wraps on him.

With speed, agility and elite footwork, the Titans cannot give him any space or he will capitalise off of it.

Moses Leo (Storm)
One last chance for Moses Leo to push his way into first-grade.

The chance of that happening has taken a significant uplife in recent days too, with Xavier Coates needing surgery and set to miss more than two months of footy.

Leo, who played centre last weekend, is back on the wing this go around and can rubber stamp his spot in the side with a big performance.

Trent Toelau (Storm)
Trent Toelau has found himself on another premiership contender, leaving the Penrith Panthers after last season.

In the Māori side for the All-Stars game, Toelau impressed with his involvement in his team's middle third when they had the ball in their hands.

Known for his ability to cover different positions, Toelau could find a spot on the interchange bench of the Storm with good performances in the pre-season, given the club's backline injury history, as well as provide cover for the halves and dummy half position if needed.

Cooper Clarke (Storm)
Despite the loss to the Raiders, Cooper Clarke was one of the best for the Storm in that match.

Clarke had 45 tackles, which was the most in the game and had a 91.8% tackle efficiency, playing in the back-row and the middle.

Against the Titans, it will be the battle of the forwards that will determine the outcome of this game, and with another quality performance from Clarke, it would certainly help make a case he could make his first grade debut this year.

Gabriel Satrick (Storm)
Gabriel Satrick showed some potential in the game against the Canberra Raiders, offering creative play from the dummy-half position.

With the interchange size increasing, Satrick could be a specialist play at the end of the six man bench, who could go onto the field and continue off the back of Harry Grant's play around the ruck and give the Storm the spark plug they need.

It will be important to use ruck speed to the Storm's advantage and if Satrick can improve the number of runs he has from dummy half in a game, Satrick's off the cuff play could open up Melbourne's attack to their edges.

Sialetili Faeamani (Titans)
Faeamani looked every bit the first grade player last weekend, and it's not difficult to see where he got his raps coming out of the Penrith system.

Compared to Brian To'o, he could well be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Titans, and will further his case for a Round 1 starting role with a big performance here.

Cooper Bai (Titans)
The recently re-signed lock forward is earmarked for a big rookie year, a big engine and bends the line in contact. It's a case of we want to see as much of Bai as possible.

He comes up against a strong Melbourne Storm side this weekend, so we will really see where he is at in terms of week-in, week-out in the top grade. It also happens to be the side that had many attempts at poaching him last year, so the Storm will be knowing what to expect.

Bai has already represented PNG in last year's Pacific Championships, and will only benefit the Titans with more game-time with the NRL side.

Jett Liu (Titans)
Sniped from the Dragons' pathways, Jett Liu will be looking to do more than just make his NRL debut this season

A big, mobile forward, Liu may be on a developmental contract this season, but will be aiming to lock down a place on the extended bench.

A powerful ball runner, Liu averaged 94 run metres and over 40 post-contact metres per game in the NSW Cup last season.

His size alone draws defenders in, combined with a capable offload, it will help unlock the Titans' spine.