What we learned: Takeaways from Pre-season Challenge Round 1

• Recap: Bulldogs begin Ciraldo era with impressive win over Raiders
  
• Injuries: Xavier Savage (jaw), Ryan Sutton (head knock)
• On report: Josh Allen (shoulder charge), Loghan Lewis (dangerous tackle)

The main takeaways

• Reed Mahoney required just 25 minutes to show his worth and make an immediate impact to Canterbury's attack, setting up two tries in the win.
• Raiders captain Jarrod Croker made a successful return for the Green Machine after almost 18 months out of the game through luckless injuries.
• Franklin Pele put his hand up to be picked by Cameron Ciraldo for Round 1 with a stirring effort that included over 120 metres and two try causes off the bench. 

Roosters 32 def Storm 24 at GMHBA Stadium

• Recap: Olam injured as Roosters edge past Storm
  
• Injuries: Justin Olam (arm)
  
• On report: Nil.

The main takeaways 

• Storm centre Justin Olam is in doubt for Round 1 after suffering a suspected broken arm in the first six minutes of the match.
• New recruit Brandon Smith has left Roosters fans excited for 2023 after a solid stint for his new club, including setting up Victor Radley for a try.
• The Roosters picked up 12 points for the win and activated all three of their bonus points, jumping to top of the Pre-Season ladder.

St Helens 30 def Dragons 18 at WIN Stadium

• Recap: St Helens warm up for WCC with win over Dragons
• Injuries: Nil
• On report: Treigh Stewart (dangerous tackle)

The main takeaways

• St Helens picked up 12 points for the win and two bonus points for scoring five tries and making six line breaks.
• St Helens will now prepare for a chance to become just the second English team to win the WCC in Australia when they meet the Panthers next Saturday night.
• With new hooker Jacob Liddle the only member of the likely Dragons spine for their 2023 season, fullback Treigh Stewart and five-eighth Connor Muhleisen made the most of their opportunity in the World Club Challenge.

Panthers 22 def Eels 16, Saturday at BlueBet Stadium

• Recap: Panther cubs shine in first-up win over Eels
• Injuries: Isaiah Iongi (concussion), Mitch Rein (head knock)
• On report: Nil

The main takeaways

• A huge positive for the Eels with Englishman Josh Hodgson getting through a 25-minute stint at the start of the match and looking sharp in his first game for a year after a knee reconstruction.
• The Panthers picked up 12 points for the win and a bonus point for having 10 offloads.
• Outside backs Jesse McLean and Tom Jenkins made 335 metres between them from 25 runs to further highlight the remarkable depth at Penrith. McLean was an Australian Schoolboy in 2022 and looks to have a huge future in the game.

Sea Eagles 30 def Rabbitohs 28, Friday at Industree Group Stadium

• Recap: Sea Eagles scrape past Bunnies to launch Seibold era in style
• Injuries: Hame Sele (calf), Fletcher Myers (head knock)
• On report: Leon Te Hau (dangerous throw)

The main takeaways

• Both sides showed good ball control in the steamy conditions. The Sea Eagles completed 27 of 37 sets at 72 per cent, the Rabbitohs 28 of 37 at 75 per cent.
• Anthony Seibold has plenty of depth at his disposal judging by the performances of Fletcher Myers (10 runs for 119m and three tackle breaks), Viliami Fifita (10 runs for 108m and four tackle breaks), Jake Toby (two tries, 152 running metres) and Cooper Johns (two try assists, one line break assist).
• Both sides picked up a bonus point for scoring five or more tries while the Sea Eagles made six line breaks to grab a second bonus point and were just one offload short of the 10 needed for a third bonus point.

Sharks 28 def Knights 16, Friday at Industree Group Stadium

• Recap: Young and old alike on song as Sharks edge Knights
• Injuries: Tony Tupouniua (head knock)
• On report: Adam Clune (Knights)

The main takeaways

• Tom Hazelton played one game for the Sharks in the NRL last year and looks certain to add to that in 2023 on the strength of his 128 metres from 14 powerful runs.
• Cronulla's back five all ran for more than 100 metres, with Daniel Atkinson, Thomas Rodwell, Mawene Hiroti, Kayal Iro and Sam Stonestreet all impressive in their first hit-out of the year.
• The Knights' completion rate of 64 per cent (29 of 45) will be a concern for coach Adam O'Brien as will the 33 missed tackles.

Warriors 48 def Wests Tigers 12, Thursday at Mt Smart Stadium

• Recap: Montoya hat-trick helps Warriors to big win over Wests Tigers
• Injuries: Nil
• On report: Nil

The main takeaways

• New recruits Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin impress in the halves to cause a selection headache for Andrew Webster going into Round 1.
• Wests Tigers struggle without big names but Stefano Utoikamanu and Fonua Pole stand tall with a combined 250 metres in loss.
• Warriors earn two bonus Pre-season Challenge points for scoring more than five tries and recording more than five linebreaks in victory.