Cronulla's Ben Barba and Roosters' Blake Ferguson starred, while injuries to Dragons' Josh Dugan and Titans' Ben Ridge was the big news from NRL trials played across Australia on Saturday night.
NRL.com recaps all the action from a busy night of NRL Trials.
St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs
With an almost unbelievable 51 players and 10 referees playing their part, St George Illawarra held on for a 12-all draw against South Sydney, as Dragons fullback Josh Dugan failed to finish his second consecutive Charity Shield game.
While the draw meant the Rabbitohs lifted the shield for the third consecutive pre-season thanks to two late tries, Dugan's injury remained a lowlight as the fullback's awkward footing saw him hyperextend his knee, leading to him promptly leaving the field of play early in the second half.
St George Illawarra Dragons 12 (Benji Marshall, Charly Runciman tries; Gareth Widdop 2 goals)
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 (Sam Manuleleua, Chris Grevsmuhl tries; Issac Luke 2 goals)
at ANZ Stadium. Crowd: 16, 821.
Manly Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks
Star Cronulla recruit Ben Barba made his return to Sydney on Saturday at the inauspicious venue of Pittwater Park as the Sharks went down 42-22 in their NRL trial match against Manly.
In his unofficial Sharks debut, Barba created a try for winger Jacob Gagan with a pinpoint cross-field kick and combined with Anthony Tupou to put on a four-pointer for Michael Gordon.
Find out more about Barba's debut
Sea Eagles 42 (Tony Satini, Dom Reardon, Jayden Hodges 2, Willie Mason, Ligi Sao, David Williams tries; Manaia Rudolph 5,David Williams 2 goals).
Sharks 22 (Feiloakitau, Gagan 2, Gordon tries; Gordon 2, Murphy goals)
Gold Coast Titans v Warriors
The Titans may have paid a heavy price in their trial win over the Warriors in Toowoomba with lock forward Ben Ridge leaving the field in the 14th minute with a recurrence of a pectoral injury, scans to confirm the extent of the damage in coming days.
With both teams taking large squads with very little NRL experience to Toowoomba, the respective attacks were disjointed with the Titans scoring the only two tries of the second half to finish the night as 22-12 victors.
Hala shapes as replacement for injured Ben Ridge
Titans 22 (Leva Li, Brad Tighe, Shaun Hudson, Christian Hazard tries; Kane Elgey 2, Jamal Fogarty goals)
Warriors 12 (Dominique Peyroux, Nathaniel Peteru tries; Api Pewhairangi 2 goals)
at Clive Berghofer Oval, Toowoomba. Crowd: 6,827.
North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos
North Queensland left it late to record an 18-6 win over Brisbane in their NRL trial match in Mackay. The game was Wayne Bennett's first trial back as head coach of the Broncos.
More information on the Cowboys win
COWBOYS 18 (Robert Lui, Jake Granville, Kyle Feldt tries; Feldt 3 goals)
BRISBANE 6 (Joe Ofahengaue try; Anthony Milford goal).
Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm
Young gun Mitch Cornish is one step closer to securing the halfback spot for Canberra following the Green Machine's 32-20 NRL trial win over Melbourne in sweltering conditions at Griffith in the NSW Riverina.
Cornish, who was dangerous every time he touched the ball, showcased his judicious attacking kicking game and created a try for centre Hayden Hodge following a mazy cross-field run.
Raiders 32 (Jeremy Hawkins 2, Haydon Hodge, Sam Williams, Luke Page, Patrick Mago tries; Jordan Rapana 4 goals)
Storm 20 (Young Tonumaipea 2, Richie Kennar, Tim Glasby tries; Shaun Nona, Cameron Munster goals)
Penrith Panthers v Wyong Roos
Blake Ferguson has starred in his return to rugby league, scoring both of the Wyong Roos' tries in their 36-8 trial loss to Penrith in Wyong.
Ferguson crossed twice in the first half for the Sydney Roosters' NSW Cup side at Morry Breen Oval on the NSW Central Coast before being rested for the second half.
Panthers 36 (Ratu Luke Nadurutalo, Eddie Aiono 2, Wellinton Albert, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Nu’u Akeripa, Christian Crichton tries; Adrian Davis 4 goals)
Wyong Roos 8 (Blake Ferguson 2 tries)
at Morrie Breen Oval.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights NSW Cup
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have dominated the Newcastle Knights 56-8 in their trial match at Belmore Sportsground.
The match saw and understrength Newcastle side take to the field, but it was also an opportunity for Bulldogs Coach Des Hasler to give a number of his established first graders some game time.
Find out more about the Bulldogs big win
Bulldogs 56
Knights 8
