NRL Preseason Trials

Tries to Jake Clifford and Jirah Momoisea set up a 12-0 lead for the Knights early before Bulldogs recruit Matt Dufty made his mark on the game with a long-range try against the run of play minutes after an assist for winger Jayden Okunbor.

Newcastle halfback Adam Clune also gave a strong first impression in his first appearance in red and blue, linking well with Clifford, before putting Dominic Young over the line late in the first half.

The Raiders had to overcome the late withdrawal of halfback Sam Williams after he failed a COVID test before the match and hooker Matt Frawley was ruled out as he was deemed a close contact.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was thrust into the playmaking role, while rookie Adrian Trevilyan got his chance to start at hooker and showed the class that made him a schoolboy star.

While Lachlan Ilias has been given first shot at the vacant Rabbitohs No.7 jersey and the Cowboys have named Olympic gold medallist Iosefo Baleiwairiki.

The four clubs were the first to name squads for the opening round of pre-season matches, which start with Friday night’s Roosters-Raiders, Tigers-Sea Eagles double-header at Leichhardt Oval.

Melbourne host the Warriors at Casey Fields on Saturday and Storm coach Craig Bellamy has chosen a mixture of big name stars and promising rookies.