Vegas Vision: Who impressed in opening week of Pre-Season Challenge

The opening week of the Pre-Season Challenge is in the books and the Las Vegas puzzle is starting to take shape for the four clubs heading abroad. 

Saturday's double-header at Jubilee Oval provided the first chance for players to punch their ticket to the US and a number of youngsters did their best to impress their coaches. 

From rampaging forwards returning from injury to teenaged playmakers, these are the men who stood out in Week 1 of the Pre-Season Challenge. 

Heilum Luki – Cowboys

The punishing edge forward missed all of 2025 after tearing his ACL at pre-season training but he hit the ground running on Saturday night. It took Luki just five minutes to crash over for the first try of the year, running a superb line to burst through the Bulldogs’ defence. The Samoan international was put in cotton wool midway through the first half but is set for more playing time against the Panthers in Mackay next week. Get through that game unscathed and Luki is set to play a key role for North Queensland in Las Vegas, particularly with Jeremiah Nanai ruled out with injury.

Jake Clifford – Cowboys

With Tom Dearden locking up one place in the Cowboys’ halves, Clifford and Jaxon Purdue are in a battle for the other position for the season opener. Both players were impressive on Saturday night but it was Clifford who was the star of the show in a dominant 40-minute display. The halfback finished with three try assists, kicked superbly and controlled his side’s attack to send a message to coach Todd Payten.

Sandon Smith – Knights

Another playmaker locked in a fight for one starting spot, Smith was composed in the Knights No.7 jumper on Saturday night. The off-season recruit steered his team around the park and conducted the majority of the kicking in a showcase of his traditional halfback skills. Five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe played a more free-flowing style, leaving Justin Holbrook with plenty of questions to ponder before deciding who partners Dylan Brown in the halves.

Kyle McCarthy – Knights

With an injury cloud looming over experienced centre Dane Gagai, outside back coverage will be crucial when the Knights travel to Las Vegas later this month. McCarthy received limited opportunities throughout 2025 but he hit the ground running at Jubilee Oval. The 21-year-old scored his side’s first try and ran for 199 metres in a performance that saw him fill multiple positions.

Kade Reed – Dragons

The biggest smoky to emerge from Saturday’s double-header, Reed was the most influential player on the ground as he steered St George Illawarra to victory. A try and two try assists only tell part of the story, as the 19-year-old made try-saving tackles, kept the ball alive and kicked well. Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan remain the first-choice starting halves but Reed could have played his way into a spot on the Dragons’ six-man bench for their season opener at Allegiant Stadium.