The NRL Rookie wrapped up last week, with 24-year-old Lou Goodwin winning a contract with the Canberra Raiders.
While it was good to see a number of talented footballers pushing hard to achieve a second chance, the 2016 season has been playing out its own reality show, with a number of first-season stunenrs.
Here’s a look at some of this season’s shining first-years, some who are so good, you will have forgotten they are rookies.
Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
At the start of the year, if you were told Souths would unearth a player who would push Greg Inglis out of his fullback spot and Luke Keary out of the starting team altogether, you wouldn’t have believed it.
Sure, circumstance and poor form of other players presented Walker with an opportunity, but since coming into the team he has been sparkling in attack and tenacious in defence.
In a team where attitudes have been questioned, this is one player who has consistently put in 100 per cent effort.
Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm)
Vunivalu has 17 tries from 13 games. What else do you need to know? And these haven’t been scored by catching the ball and falling over the line, either.
He’s great in the air, has blistering speed, and the ability to break a tackle before going on a long-range score.
Melbourne are known for turning rocks to diamonds, but Vunivalu has been a gem right from the start.
Ash Taylor (Gold Coast Titans)
When last year’s boom rookie Kane Elgey went down with an ACL injury in preseason, many were chalking the Titans up for the spoon by a long way.
Enter Ash Taylor.
Yes, I know he played ten minutes of a game last year before busting his hand, but I’m choosing to ignore that. In his first proper season, Taylor has shown game management skills beyond his years. An excellent short kicking game and a willingness to take on the line has seen this No.7 steer his team into finals contention.
No wonder the Broncos were sorry to see him go.
Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters)
When Roger Tuivasa-Sheck departed for the Warriors, the Roosters pinned their fullback hopes on this teen sensation. He lasted one game on the wing (RTS had a whole season getting used to first grade on the flank) then into fullback.
Mitchell is a damaging back-field runner and devastating if presented with a broken defensive line. While his positional play needs some polish, and he’s now back on the wing, he remains a dangerous attacking prospect.
Imagine how hard he will be to stop when his body matures a little more.
James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers)
While most of the rookie wraps have gone the way of his teen teammate Nathan Cleary, Fisher-Harris has been quietly becoming a gun second-rower.
Hard hitting in defence, he has also scored four tries this year due to an ability to run a good line and showing fearlessness when meeting the defence.
In a game where forwards develop more slowly, Fisher-Harris has looked the goods from the start.
Other notable debutants include Nathan Cleary getting plenty of wraps at Pentrith, John Aloiai becoming a fixture in the pack for the Tigers, and you could name half the Knights side, starting with the Saifiti brothers.
2016 has unearthed some fabulous first-year footballers. So Roarers, who are your favourite NRL rookies?
steveng
Roar Rookie
Cody Walker has been the only shining light at Souths this year, he has been outstanding at either fullback and/or 5/8 whenever Madge has put him in the team. We as Souths fans have been 'SCREEMING' for Cody Walker to be put into the team last year when Adam Reynolds was injured which was the same as this year. Hopefully Souths will regroup for 2017 (with Farah, Mao and whoever they buy) and they will show a better effort for their fans, 2016 has been a shocker that we rather forget!!!
Dutski
Roar Guru
Jordan Rapana for mine. From NZ rep to unknown in rugby to fringe first grader to backline star this season.
andrew
Guest
Inthe NFL they have an award for "comeback of the year"... I wonder who might win that award if it were given in the NRL.....
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Nathan cleary at 18 years of age,after watching him once again last night,has to be in line for rookie of the year.His maturity ,ability ,far beyond his years,He is a footballer,can read a game,has speed to burn,and is deceptive in attack. He is a future SOO and Kangaroo IMO even watching him at this early stage.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Pretty poor that the rules aren't out there... Best I found was that a player can't have played more than three games the previous season and can't win ROTY more than one year after his debut.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
The criteria was up to 3 games the previous season -- don't know if that's still the case.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Well they must have changed it since 2014 for that to be the case, because Luke Brooks played his first game in 2013 and won Rookie of the Year in 2014.
Kingcowboy
Guest
I think Ash Taylor will be the best player in the comp within three years, i think he is that good. IMO the Titans must upgrade and extend the young man now because I can see the Donkeys getting rid of Hunt and taking Taylor back.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Its if you play a full 80 minutes of football combined within 7 matches. because Taylor has played neither 80 minutes of Football or 7 matches he's qualified to win the award. Not like he'd have any competition though, it;s him first daylight second for mine, no other rookie comes close.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Oh, boo! I don't like that! Just as well I ignored it when writing the list above.
Jacko
Guest
I cant find any definative rules but it would appear that if you came on in 1 game last year you cannot win this years Rookie award. That means Taylor from Titans not qualified.
Jacko
Guest
Ash Taylor not a rookie same as Fusitua
Parrafan
Guest
I assume it has to do with 2nd tier salary cap, rather than ability. French was thrown into fullback on Friday evening in the 2nd half so I think he may get first crack at the fullback spot next season. Would be better than continuing on the wing where his defensive frailties are being found out, albeit with a constant makeshift centre pairing.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Yeah, that's pretty much it. I'm not sure what other people including the NRL use as their criteria. Tom Trbojevic is all class. He certainly doesn't play like a rookie.
pete bloor
Guest
I think because he played too much last year. The author gets around for Taylor because he played less than one game.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He played nine games last year. I don't what the cutoff is but nine seems like his rookie year was last season.
planko
Guest
Why is TT not being considered ? really... Those brothers are pretty special and are looking like the future of Manly. Cant wait for next season when TT can play without carrying an injury for at least a few games. Out of the players listed Taylor by the length of the straight. So mature so valuable. At the end of the day the best forward is barely worth half what the best Half is worth. While money does not grow on trees and the clubs have a cap value and resign value should be considered. IMO of course
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ash Taylor for mine...he's been so composed all year and has a complete skill set. Running a team as a half is a tougher gig than an outside back or forward. Nathan Cleary has done well too but Taylor has delivered over a full season I think he could very well leapfrog Ben Hunt when the Qld 7 jersey comes up for grabs, given their current career trajectories. Cody Walker has been very good and super consistent in a struggling Souths outfit. French scores some spectacular tries but not a lot of work otherwise. Mitchell probably has more raw talent than any of them but pete bloor's post above is pretty accurate. Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic have probably played a similar number of first grade games, play the same position, similar ages and both dominated the U20's. Both have a similar knack for the spectacular play, but compare the work that Trbojevic does off the ball compared to Mitchell. I know Turbo isn't in the running for rookie of the year, but its why Mitchell shouldn't be either.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! Well I am biased as a Panther fan, but I haven't been this excited about a couple of future Panther stars since Brad Fitler laced up his boots at Penrith Park in 1989. Nathan Cleary looks a massive standout as the future general of the team ! And James Fisher-Harris too is an outstanding prospect who will improve significantly once the Panthers get a proper number 6 on that right hand edge to better use his attacking gifts.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Nathan Cleary massive standout