After 9 rounds of the 2015 NRL season, I find myself thoroughly enjoying the quality of football that I’ve witnessed so far.
I can only put that extreme delight down to the number of young stars emerging within the NRL ranks. From fast-paced, elusive outside backs to some barnstorming powerhouse forwards, the 2015 season has seen the development of a plethora of young talent.
Some of these players could possibly be the next Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater or Paul Gallen in the not too distant future.
Here is my ode to a number of those young guns who have ignited the NRL season thus far.
Valentine Holmes, 19
Without even mentioning his tremendous efforts at the Auckland Nines earlier this year, 19-year-old Valentine Holmes is already shaping up to become a Cronulla cult hero.
Exploding on to the scene in late 2014 due to an ever-growing Sharks casualty list, Holmes has now cemented his spot as a first pick winger or fullback in a roster full of talented outside backs.
Averaging 118 metres and boasting 5 tries from his 8 games this season, young Valentine has also taken up the role of part-time goal kicker due to an on-going shoulder niggle with regular boot Michael Gordon.
With great speed and a creative playing style, Holmes is sure to have a long bright future ahead of him.
Alex Johnston, 20
Bursting in to the NRL just over one year ago, 20-year-old Alex Johnston made a name for himself instantly after scoring two tries during his NRL debut against the Brisbane Broncos last April.
Despite only leaving his teens in January, Johnston has already won a NRL Premiership with the Rabbitohs in 2014 and recently represented his country in the 2015 Anzac Test against the New Zealand Kiwis.
After his ninth game this season, Johnston has already scored 7 tries, is averaging 110 metres and has managed to break the line on 10 occasions. Measured up to the likes ofteammate Greg Inglis with his on-field flare and try-scoring ability, Johnston will continue to drop jaws and astonish crowds with his ever-growing skill set.
Roger Tuivasa–Sheck, 21
Debuting as a 19 year old in 2012 for the Sydney Roosters, the now 21-year-old Roger Tuivasa–Sheck could almost be confused as one of the great veterans in the modern era.
Biding his time out on the wing for his first two seasons, Tuivasa–Sheck was carefully groomed to replace legendary Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello.
Although the hearts of the Chooks fans have been ripped apart with the recent announcement RTS will join the New Zealand Warriors next season, he is continuing to display exceptional results for the club he will leave behind.
Averaging a phenomenal 232 metres across nine games so far this season, RTS has also managed 31 tackle breaks, defused 24 kicks and scored three tries. He has represented his home country of New Zealand, scoring 8 tries from 8 appearances.
The New Zealand Warriors are in for one of the games’ best young stars in 2016.
Jack Bird, 20
Talked up to be a future star of our game by Cronulla and NSW Captain Paul Gallen, 20-year-old Jack Bird finally got his opportunity to live up to the hype just 6 rounds ago against the Gold Coast Titans.
Although he didn’t get the time or position on the field he would have preferred, it was the following week against premiership favourites Sydney Roosters where Bird lived up to every ounce of expectation.
Playing in the halves, Bird showed great maturity and confidence, scoring two tries including the game decider where he charged to the line in the final minutes of the match.
Managing 23 tackle breaks so far this season and averaging 90 metres per game with the ball, Jack will continue to grow in his role as the favoured half choice.
It will be only a matter of time until this confident Sharks young gun leads his Cronulla side around the field to more memorable victories.
Solomone Kata, 20
Certainly not the tallest player on the field, standing at only 177cm tall, 20-year-old New Zealand Warriors Centre Solomone Kata’s speed and elusive running has him ranking as one of the best in his position after the first nine rounds.
Another player who starred in the 2015 Auckland Nines, Kata has been New Zealand Warriors coach Andrew McFadden’s blessing in a position formally renowned as having a revolving door of Centre’s take the field week to week prior to this season.
Managing 6 line breaks, 7 tries, 27 tackle busts and averaging 110 metres per game in his debut season, Kata is another young player who can only improve the longer he plays first grade.
Euan Aitken, 19
Coming up through the ranks of St George Illawarra’s NYC system, 19-year-old Euan Aitken was named Paul McGregor’s NYC ‘Player of the Year’ for 2014. Aitken gained his start in first grade as a late call up in Round 3 against the Canberra Raiders, a game where he exploded off the mark providing his side with 10 tackle breaks and 194 run metres.
He showcased himself as a talented centre who loves to run the ball. In his 7 games so far this season, Aitkin is averaging 147 run metres and has managed 24 tackle breaks.
Jason Taumalolo, 21
A player who needs no introduction after he debuted all the way back in 2010 as a 17-year-old, it is extremely hard to believe that North Queensland Cowboys and New Zealand International forward Jason Taumalolo is only about to turn 22 at the end of this month.
His size and strength puts him at the forefront of most forwards in the game and it just scary to think where his skill-set will be in a few years’ time. Before injuring his knee in the first few minutes of Round 8’s clash against Newcastle, Taumalolo was averaging 165 run metres, 21 tackles and 4 tackle busts a game.
The Cowboys’ faithful will be very excited after the big forward extended his contract with North Queensland until the end of 2017 earlier this year.
There are plenty more honourable mentions including Dylan Napa, James Tedesco, Michael Lichaa and Sione Mata’utia just to name a few.
It truly does appear that the NRL’s future is in very good hands!
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