1. John Sutton returns as captain: The week from hell for the sacked South Sydney skipper will culminate in his first match for the club since the grand final when it takes on Queensland Cup side Northern Pride at Redfern Oval on Saturday evening. All eyes will be on Sutton, who missed the Charity Shield through injury, after the events that transpired in Arizona during the preseason came to light last Sunday afternoon. Sutton will lead an inexperienced Souths team before it departs for the World Club Challenge.
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2. The Jennings brothers: The Panthers are on the dawn of a new Jennings era at the club, with the younger brothers of former star centre Michael Jennings on the verge of NRL selection. Robert, 18, and George, 21, have both been selected on the wing for the Panthers for Saturday's trial against the New Zealand Warriors in Rotorua. With Jamal Idris and Josh Mansour set to miss the start of the season through injury, there's a golden opportunity for one, if not both, of the Jennings boys to feature in Ivan Cleary's team for the round-one clash against Canterbury.
3. Glenn Stewart in cardinal and myrtle: The former Manly back-rower will play his first match in South Sydney colours in Saturday night's trial against Northern Pride in the Return to Redfern match. Stewart played just six matches in an injury and drama-plagued final season at the Sea Eagles. The 31-year-old is a key signing for South Sydney, and given the departures of Ben Te'o and Sam Burgess, a lot of expectation falls on his shoulders to ensure the Rabbitohs pack remains as formidable as it has been the past few seasons.
4. How will Ivan Cleary use his two hookers?: When Apisai Koroisau signed his deal to join the Panthers from South Sydney last year, James Segeyaro was only a bench player. But over the course of the year Segeyaro transformed into an 80-minute player, leaving Cleary with a big decision in regards to the way he plays the two hookers. Segeyaro was named to start at hooker against the Warriors in the trial on Saturday, while Koroisau has been included on an extended bench.
5. Richie Fa'aoso's miraculous recovery: The former Manly forward was forced into retirement after breaking his neck in 2013. However 18 months later he returned - albeit in different colours - to complete an inspiring comeback from what appeared a career-ending injury. He was part of Brad Arthur's Eels squad that lined up against the Wests Tigers in Alice Springs on Friday night.
6. Jason Taylor's first big test: They travelled to Alice Springs for a trial match against the Eels on Friday night for what was new coach Jason Taylor's maiden hit-out with his young side. Despite missing Luke Brooks and James Tedesco, skipper Robbie Farah led the Tigers in the first steps of life after Mick Potter. The result doesn't matter, but you'll get a fair indication of what Taylor has been able to instil in the players in such a short time.
