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Melbourne's Ryley Jacks says he's been amazed by the improvement in youngster Cooper Johns, who he will partner in the halves in the Storm's NRL trial.

Ryley Jacks admits he will have some stiff competition to wear the Melbourne No.7 jersey, saying he's been stunned by NRL youngster Cooper Johns' improvement.

Jacks and Johns will play in the halves in Melbourne's pre-season trial on Saturday against the Warriors at Palmerston North, with the Storm leaving their stars at home.

Jahrome Hughes, who is playing in the Maori All Stars team, has the front-running after finishing there in 2019, but Jacks says he faces a big challenge from the 20-year-old Johns to be next man up.

The youngster is the son of former Newcastle star turned TV host Matthew Johns and nephew of legendary halfback Andrew.

Jacks, having returned to the Storm after spending last season with the struggling Gold Coast, noticed a big change in Johns.

"Cooper was here before I left and then when I got back so, in that year, I was quite amazed in how he's really grown as a player," the 27-year-old Jacks said.

"The thing with Coops is his knowledge - he's really smart and I guess his old man has something to do with that.

"I was blown away by the amount of improvement in him in just one year."

Jacks, to wear the No.6 against the Warriors, felt he'd also improved despite the Titans picking up the wooden spoon and his attacking game was better.

"Although we didn't win a lot, I felt I learnt a lot just with the way I had more influence on the game when I did play NRL," he said.

"I got to control the game, and also learning a different system and some new thoughts and a different playing group and I think I'm a better player for that."