Brisbane will start the NRL season with more questions than answers after Billy Walters failed to make a definitive pre-season case to partner Adam Reynolds in the halves.
Without Reynolds, the Broncos were completely outplayed in their final trial, beaten 26-6 in the wet on Saturday night by North Queensland.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has the kind of selection problem out of the game Broncos counterpart Kevin Walters can only dream of.
While both sides arrived in Mackay with questions over their five-eighths, Payten watched both Tom Dearden and Scott Drinkwater star in the battle to partner new halfback Chad Townsend.
At Brisbane, the cupboard seems bare.
Walters' son Billy has had the best opportunity in all trials, but he couldn't seize his chance with rival option Albert Kelly out with COVID-19 on Saturday.
Kelly will spend the majority of the next week out with the virus, but Reynolds indicated on Saturday night he believed he could be the best option at five-eighth against South Sydney in round one.
Tyson Gamble would also loom as an outside chance, setting up Brisbane's only try when he grubbered for Jordan Riki in the third minute.
Otherwise they lacked impact in good ball, with a Walters pass finding the grass in one of their best attacking opportunities.
"We will sit down over the weekend myself and Kev and have a chat (about five-eighth)," Reynolds, who is battling a hamstring injury, said on Fox.
"Albert Kelly is not here tonight, he got COVID during the week. He is another guy who can fill that role.
"He is similar to how Cody Walker plays, he's instinctive and is always the first on the scene. He is obviously in the mix too.
"There are a lot of questions to be answered in the next few days."
Cory Paix, meanwhile, looks the most likely starting hooker for Brisbane, although the temptation of the more experienced Jake Turpin could still loom for coach Walters.
Selwyn Cobbo only showed flashes of promise at fullback but the youngster is still expected to start there with Tesi Niu injured.
Payten has no such issues ahead of their opener against Canterbury.
The switch of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback looks the right move, safe under the high ball and scoring the Cowboys' first try after he grubbered for himself from 20 metres out.
Valentine Holmes' shift to centre also looks on track, running a nice outside-in line to score off Dearden and setting up another try with his quick hands.
Dearden remains favourite for the No.6 jersey after starting alongside Townsend on Saturday night and impressing, but Drinkwater also made a strong case.
He kicked a 40-20, bombed for another try and threw a nice ball in the lead up to another try on the left edge after being one of the Cowboys' best last year.
Winger Murray Taulagi bagged a try double in the win, while young second-rower Heilum Luki looked good starting.
