NRL Pre-Season Challenge: Eels Win Witzer Trophy as Key Signings Debut Across the League

The Parramatta Eels have claimed the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge for the first time. Thirty points to edge the Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers by a single point. The pre-season trophy is a welcome confidence boost, but the broader story has been the parade of high-profile debuts and a significant injury blow that will reshape one club’s season plans.

Eels Take Out the Trophy

Parramatta’s consistent performances throughout the challenge earned them the silverware, with the Eels accumulating 30 competition points to sit atop the final standings. The Titans and Wests Tigers both finished on 29 points in a tightly contested battle for the top spot. For the Eels, the trophy represents a positive start to a season in which they will be aiming to climb back into finals contention.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs also finished the challenge in impressive fashion, completing an undefeated run with a commanding 30-6 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles in their final outing. The Rabbitohs’ form has generated genuine optimism heading into the regular season.

Marquee Debuts Light Up the Challenge

The pre-season challenge provided the first opportunity for several blockbuster off-season signings to pull on their new jerseys. Daly Cherry-Evans made his much-anticipated debut for the Sydney Roosters wearing the number 6 jersey, linking up with Sam Walker in the seven as the club unveiled a halves combination that has already generated enormous excitement among fans and pundits alike.

Latrell Mitchell debuted at centre in a positional shift that could be one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season. Dave Fifita ran out for South Sydney for the first time following his high-profile move, bringing his explosive ball-running to a Rabbitohs forward pack that looks fearsome on paper. Jamal Fogarty also debuted at Manly, adding experience to the Sea Eagles’ spine.

Coates Injury a Major Blow

The pre-season period was marred by confirmation that Xavier Coates requires surgery on his Achilles tendon, ruling the dynamic winger out for a minimum of three months. The injury is a significant setback for Coates and his club, with the timeline meaning he will miss a substantial portion of the opening rounds.

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