IT WAS the final chance for NRL teams to give their players a real hitout before round one kicks off on March 8.

Here’s what we learned from the final weekend’s worth of trial matches.

Watch every NRL premiership game live in 2018 on Fox Sports. Sign up here to stream for free on a two week trial >

LISTEN: What we learned from the NRL trials - The Splash Podcast

Round 20

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SPLASH ON iTUNES

JT’S LOST NOTHING

Not that we needed it, but North Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston gave everyone a reminder why he’s still one of the best players in the game.

The Cowboys co-captain was two games back from shoulder surgery when he set up the matchwinning try in his testimonial match against Melbourne on Friday night.

When the game was on the line in the dying stages, Thurston put in a beautiful banana kick which found winger Kyle Feldt who snatched it midair and placed it over the tryline.

It wasn’t the only play which proved Thurston’s still got it, with the playmaker also scoring in vintage fashion right before halftime.

CHOOKS’ WINNING EDGE

The experience of high profile signings Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco is already rubbing off on the Roosters.

The Tricolours were down 16-0 after just nine minutes on Saturday night, but the likes of Cronk and Tedesco stood up to help steer the side to a 28-26 win.

“I thought he put his influence on the team around his control of the game,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said of Cronk.

“It wasn’t going our way right from the start so we needed to. It was good practice there for how you control the way you want to play when you’re behind on the scoreboard.”

Tedesco scored a double, along with Latrell Mitchell who looks set for a big season after putting in his best pre-season to date.

RED V’S BACK ROW CONCERN

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has a back row selection dilemma on his hands.

Both Luciano Leilua and Tariq Sims were both given game time in the Charity Shield to prove they could fill the spot vacated by Joel Thompson.

But neither shone, with Leilua making two bad missed tackles, one directly leading to Angus Crichton’s try.

Another contender for the spot, Jacob Host, ran out for the Red V’s Intrust Super Premiership side on Sunday.

EELS’ WELCOME NO.1 HEADACHE

Parramatta speedster Bevan French has quelled any concerns about his fullback credentials, starring in his side’s 26-6 trial win over Newcastle.

The 22-year-old scored two tries and appears set to start the season in the No.1 jersey.

But with Clint Gutherson to return in the opening rounds from an ACL injury, Eels coach Brad Arthur will no doubt have a nice selection headache on his hands.

DOGS’ IMPRESSIVE DEPTH

Canterbury’s fringe first graders more than proved their worth with an impressive performance against Penrith to run out 24-10 winners at Belmore.

The Bulldogs virtually fielded their Intrust Super Premiership team against a full-strength Panthers outfit boasting the likes of James Maloney, Nathan Cleary, Trent Merrin and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Lachlan Lewis, nephew of Immortal Wally Lewis, was impressive in the backline for the Bulldogs, as was backrower Rhyse Martin who continues to push for an NRL berth.

New signing Fa’amanu Brown bagged himself a try and could jag a bench utility spot for round one.

JOHNSON’S PERFECT FOIL

If Saturday’s performance on the Sunshine Coast was anything to go by, the Warriors have made an astute signing in Blake Green.

The experienced five-eighth showed his class alongside talented halfback Shaun Johnson with the duo having a hand in three of the Warriors’ four tries against Gold Coast.

Johnson has lacked a consistent halves partner for a number of seasons, but the Warriors appear to have found their man in Green.

STORM’S FULLBACK CRISIS

A week after Billy Slater jarred his shoulder in the World Club Challenge, the Melbourne’s fullback stocks took another hit.

Jahrome Hughes, who was filling in for Slater in the No.1 jersey, subluxed his shoulder in the testimonial match and will need scans to determine how long he’s sidelined for.

With Slater racing the clock for round one, Craig Bellamy could look to shift Cameron Munster to the No.1 jersey or opt for someone like Young Tonumaipea to fill the void.

HOLMES IS SHARKS’ NO.1

Cronulla flyer Valentine Holmes insisted coach Shane Flanagan hadn’t guaranteed him the fullback spot for round one, but after two tries against the Wests Tigers, you can safely say he’ll be in the No.1 jersey for the Sharks’ season opener against the Cowboys.

There was plenty of speculation over Holmes’ position in the pre-season following Matt Moylan and Josh Dugan’s arrivals, not to mention his starring performances on the wing for the Kangaroos in the World Cup.

But Holmes put any uncertainty to bed in his side’s 24-12 win.