They’re rookies, youngsters and new arrivals, but this bunch could make a big impact on the NRL this season.
We know about the ability and influence of Cameron Smith, Jonathan Thurston and Paul Gallen, but every year in the NRL a few new and unlikely players emerge and announce themselves on the rugby league stage.
Some come from nowhere while some are a little more expected and mainstream.
Here’s my pick of five outside figures who may end up playing surprise roles for their teams in 2011.
Clinton Gutherson, Sea Eagles
This local junior made his first-grade debut in the last round of the 2013 NRL season and scored a try.
Able to play fullback, wing and centre, Gutherson has been impressive in the Under-20s for the Sea Eagles over the past two years.
Still only 19, he is one of a couple of players pushing to fill in for injured flyers David Williams and Jorge Tafua.
Already an Australian Schoolboy, NSW Under 16s and Under 18s rep, Gutherson has a big future ahead of him and if injury strikes Manly’s backline, he will there to swoop.
Mike Cooper, Dragons
He’s not well known in Australia but Mike Cooper has been a star in Super League.
The Pommy forward has racked up more than 130 appearances in the UK for Warrington since 2006.
Tough, experienced and versatile – he can play prop, second-row and lock – Cooper adds some starch to the Dragons forward pack. He is likely to be used in the front-row, where his 1.88m and 101kg frame can be put to good use.
A diehard rugby league fan, the 25-year old is eager to make a name for himself in the NRL.
Michael Dobson, Knights
Another arrival from Super League, but this one has prior form in the NRL.
Michael Dobson broke into Canberra’s first-grade side in 2007 and played 20 games for the Raiders, finishing his first season as the club’s top points-scorer, before heading to the UK.
In Super League Dobson has played for Catalan, Wigan and Hull KR, but it was in Yorkshire where he really found his feet. In was in the halfback role at Hull KR where Dobson was most comfortable and became the Robins most important figure and skipper.
Able to play at both 7, 6 and 9, Dobson is a brilliant goalkicker and a smart organiser.
Heading home at the age of 27, he returns a better player from when he left and with a point to prove. Dobson will offer quality cover for Tyrone Roberts, Jarrod Mullen and Kurt Gidley at the Knights, and with Mullen suffering a hamstring tear he will have a few chances to cement his spot.
Joe Ofahengaue, Broncos
An Ipswich Jets junior, Joe Ofahengaue is a dark horse to break into Brisbane’s first-grade side this season.
The bustling prop, who is still eligible for the Under-20s, comes from rugby union royalty.
He shares a famous surname – his uncle is Wallaby great Willie Ofahengaue – and has great potential. Ofahengaue made the Broncos squad for the Auckland Nines and is knocking on the door of the top 17.
The former Roosters players has featured for Queensland’s Under-16s and turned heads with his displays in Brisbane’s brutal pre-season training regime. If Joe is half as good as his uncle was, the Broncos have some player on their hands.
Willis Meehan, Roosters
The next Sonny Bill Williams? Not exactly, but this gigantic Roosters forward is like the Kiwi superstar in that he ability in more than one sport.
Willis Meehan is the son of former professional heavyweight boxer Kali Meehan, and will be on his way to the Commonwealth Games later this year to fight in the super heavyweight division.
The pugilist is also a handy footy player with size and speed, able to play in the backline or up front for the Chooks’ Under-20s team.
Meehan is still available for the Under-20s but has been training with the Roosters NRL squad and insiders say he’s line for a crack at first-grade this year.
Considering the grand final winner’s forward pack – Williams, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Aidan Guerra, Sam Moa, Jared Warea-Hargreaves, Napa and the rest – if he does make his way in it will be some effort.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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