What You’ll Need

Alright, footy fans. Let’s be honest—the off-season is a drag. You’ve watched the highlight reels of last year’s big wins, you’ve refreshed the fixture list a dozen times, and you’re already planning your road trips for the season proper. But before Round 1 kicks off, there’s something we all need to wrap our heads around: the preseason challenge.

Now, if you’re a fan of a club like the Roosters, you know the drill. Teams don’t just show up to these trials to get a run; they use them to build the engine for a proper tilt at the Premiership. But for the casual fan, or even a die-hard who just wants to know who to watch, these games can be a bit of a blur. Who’s playing? What’s the format? Are the big names going to play the full 80 minutes? (Spoiler: probably not).

This isn’t just a guide; it’s your practical checklist for navigating the preseason challenge teams. Whether you’re a grassroots coach looking for drill inspiration, a parent trying to figure out why their kid’s favourite player isn’t on the field, or a fan planning your trip to the ground, we’ve got you covered.

By the end of this, you’ll know exactly what to look for, how to interpret the team lists, and how to get the most out of the footy before the real stuff starts. Let’s get into it.

What You’ll Need

Before we dive into the steps, let’s make sure you’re set up for success. You don’t need a club membership to watch these games (though it may help with priority access), but a few things will make the experience a lot smoother.

• The Official League App or Website: This is your source of truth for team lists, kick-off times, and live scores. Forget the gossip on social media; go straight to the source.
• A Streaming Service (or a Radio): Most preseason challenge games are available on the league’s digital platforms or sports streaming services. If you’re at the ground, a pair of ears for the ground announcer is fine.
• A Basic Understanding of the Rules: We’re not talking about Grand Final rules here—the preseason challenge can sometimes feature experimental laws. Knowing the basics helps, but don’t stress the specifics.
• A Notebook or Notes App: Seriously. You’ll want to jot down who impressed, who looked rusty, and who got a run in a new position. This is gold for your SuperCoach draft or your pub chat.
• Sensible Expectations: This is the most important one. You are not watching a Grand Final. You are watching a dress rehearsal. Players will be managed, rotations will be wild, and the game plan will be basic.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Preseason Challenge Teams

Alright, let’s break this down. Here’s your practical checklist for making sense of the preseason action.

Step 1: Know the Format (Don’t Assume It’s a Normal Game)

First thing’s first: the preseason challenge isn’t just a series of normal trials. The league may use this period to trial rule changes, which means the game you watch might look a little different from the regular season.

• Look for the Interchange Rules: In recent years, unlimited interchanges have been allowed during the preseason. That means you’ll see a lot of fresh legs. Don’t panic if a player you’ve never heard of comes on for a star—it’s by design.
• Watch for “Golden Point” Variations: Sometimes, the preseason challenge uses a different golden point system, or even a penalty shootout (yes, really) to decide draws. Don’t assume a draw is a draw.
• Check the Game Length: Some trials are played in four quarters instead of two halves, or with shorter halves. This is to manage player workload. If you’re at the ground, don’t leave at the 70-minute mark thinking it’s over.

Pro Tip: Before you head to the ground or tune in, check the league website for the specific rule variations for that year’s challenge. It changes every season.

Step 2: Read the Team Lists Like a Scout (Not a Fan)

This is where most people go wrong. You see a big name in the halves and assume you’re getting the full experience. But a preseason team list is a code that needs cracking.

• Look for the “1-17” vs. “Extended Squad”: The starting 13 and the four on the bench are your likely core. The extended squad (players 18-22 or so) are usually development players or guys coming back from injury. They’ll get minutes, but not the full game.
• Watch for Position Changes: This is the biggest clue. If you see a winger listed at lock, or a hooker at five-eighth, the coach is experimenting. Don’t read too much into it—it’s about seeing if a player has versatility.
• Look for “Managed” or “Resting” Tags: If a player is listed as “managed,” they are not injured. They are being preserved. For example, if a club lists a star player as “managed” for the first trial, it means they want them fresh for Round 1. Don’t panic.
• Check the Jersey Numbers: In the preseason, players often wear numbers that don’t match their position. A number 18 might be playing fullback. The team list on the league app will tell you the actual position.

Pro Tip: Don’t just look at your own team’s list. Look at the opposition. Are they fielding a full-strength side or a bunch of rookies? This tells you how seriously they’re taking the game.

Step 3: Identify the Key Objectives (What Is the Coach Trying to Achieve?)

Every coach has a different philosophy for the preseason. For most, it’s rarely about winning the game. It’s about building the machine.

• Defensive Systems: Watch how the defensive line moves. Are they sliding well? Is the line speed good? Are they scrambling? A messy defensive set in the third trial is a red flag. In the first trial, it’s expected.
• Combinations: The most important thing to watch is the spine (fullback, halves, hooker). How do the halves link with the dummy-half? How does the fullback chime into the backline? These are the rhythms that take time to build.
• Set Plays: Don’t expect a lot of fancy backline moves in the first trial. By the second or third trial, you might see a few rehearsed shifts. If a play fails, it’s fine—it’s about getting the timing right.
• Player Fitness: This is the real test. Who is blowing up after 15 minutes? Who is still running hard in the 70th minute? The preseason challenge is a fitness test disguised as a footy game.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to the bench rotations. If a player is pulled off after 10 minutes and comes back on 20 minutes later, it’s a planned rotation. If a player is on the field for 60 minutes straight, they are being tested.

Step 4: Watch the “Bubble” Players (The Future of the Club)

This is the most exciting part for any fan—seeing the next generation. The preseason challenge is where you get your first look at the kids who might wear the club jersey in a Grand Final in three years’ time.

• Identify the Development Players: These are the guys on the fringe of the top 30. They might be local juniors or recruits from other systems. They’ll have big numbers (like 20-30) and will be desperate to impress.
• Look for Physicality: Can they handle the pace of the top grade? A kid who dominates in the lower grades might look lost in the preseason challenge. That’s normal. But if they are making tackles and running hard, that’s a good sign.
• Watch for Errors vs. Effort: A young player will make mistakes. They’ll drop a ball or miss a tackle. That’s fine. What you want to see is if they work to get back into the play. Effort is non-negotiable.
• Don’t Get Too Excited (or Too Depressed): A single preseason game does not make a career. A player who looks like a star in February might be playing reserve grade by April. Conversely, a quiet performance doesn’t mean they’re a dud.

Pro Tip: Make a note of the player’s name and number. Then, during the season, check the club website or the league draw to see if they get a crack in the top grade.

Step 5: Manage Your Own Expectations (The Most Important Step)

This is the step that separates the seasoned fan from the casual observer. You have to adjust your expectations.

• The First Trial is a Slog: It will be clunky. There will be dropped balls. The defence will be slow. This is normal. The players are blowing out the cobwebs.
• The Second Trial is a Dress Rehearsal: By the second game, you should see some structure. The combinations should start to click. This is where you start to form opinions.
• The Third Trial is a Trial by Fire: The final preseason game is usually the closest to a real regular-season game. Players will play longer minutes. The intensity will ramp up. This is your last look before Round 1.
• Injuries Happen: If a player goes down, don’t panic. The club’s medical staff will be cautious. A “minor hamstring” in the preseason can easily become a six-week layoff if they push it. Trust the process.

Pro Tip: If you are a parent of a grassroots player, use this as a teaching moment. Show your kid that even the pros have bad games in the preseason. It’s about the journey, not the result.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most dedicated fans fall into these traps. Here’s what to watch out for.

• Overreacting to a Win or Loss: The scoreboard in the preseason challenge is almost meaningless. A team can win all three trials and then get flogged in Round 1. It’s about the process, not the result.
• Ignoring the Opposition: If your team is playing a side that is fielding a very young squad, a big win doesn’t mean much. Conversely, a narrow loss to a full-strength opponent is a good sign.
• Assuming Everyone is 100% Fit: Just because a player is on the field doesn’t mean they are fully fit. They might be on a minutes restriction. They might be playing through a niggle. The club won’t tell you this.
• Forgetting the “Trials” are for the Coaches: You are watching to be entertained. The coach is watching to see if their systems work. Your priority is different from theirs.
• Confusing the Preseason Challenge with the World Club Challenge: They are different things. The World Club Challenge is a real trophy. The preseason challenge is a development tool.

Your Preseason Challenge Checklist

Here’s your quick-reference list to take to the ground or to the couch.

• Check the format: Are there rule variations? How long are the halves?
• Read the team list carefully: Look for “managed” tags, position changes, and extended squads.
• Identify the objectives: Is the coach working on defence, attack, or fitness?
• Watch the bubble players: Who are the rookies and fringe players? Note their names and numbers.
• Manage your expectations: The first trial will be ugly. The second will be better. The third is the real test.
• Don’t overreact to the scoreboard: The result is secondary to the performance.
• Enjoy the footy: It’s the first taste of the season. Soak it in.

There you have it, footy fans. The preseason challenge isn’t just a warm-up; it’s the first chapter of the story. Head down to the ground, grab a pie, and watch the next generation of talent take their first steps. And remember, if you see a player in a club jersey making a mistake in February, just smile—it means they’re learning. See you at the footy.