With the 2017 NRL pre-season just weeks away, a number of young guns will be hoping to prove themselves against established stars.
From speedy outside backs to big forwards, a number of rookies will be introduced to the spotlight of first grade this coming season.
Gideon Gela-Mosby (North Queensland Cowboys)
Gideon Gela-Mosby has received massive praise over the last two seasons, the winger becoming a try-scoring machine for the Cowboys U20s.
Mosby has played a key part in helping North Queensland to two consecutive preliminary finals.
In his first year for the Cowboys back in 2015, Gela-Mosby scored a massive 39 tries in 25 games. It has led to his name being cemented in the history books for most tries in a season, beating the previous record of 29 tries held by Jake Mullaney of the Wests Tigers in 2009. It resulted in him being name for Queensland U20s and also in the NYC Team of the Year.
Mosby returned in 2016 for a 19-game stint, scoring 14 tries. He again received honours as a member of the NYC Team of the Year, while also representing the Queensland U20s again.
He holds the record for most tries scored by any player for the Cowboys with 53, in front of Wayne Ulugia on 50. This has also led to him being the third highest point scorer for the Cowboys, behind Kyle Feldt and Cooper Bambling. He sits third across the whole NYC for tries, beaten out by Matt Dufty and Drury Low on 54 each.
He isn’t the only try-scoring freak at Townsville with Marcus Jensen also on the rise. The Kingaroy junior played 25 games for the Cowboys U20s in 2016, top scoring with 27 tries.
Both players will be looking to make their NRL debuts when the Origin period rolls around, a number of players in North Queensland’s backline in contention for representative jumpers.
Alex Twal (Parramatta Eels)
The Eels have another big forward coming through the system with Alex Twal adding to the club’s depth up front. The prop has spent the last three years in the Eels’ NYC side, playing 47 games.
He graduates from the U20s system having represented both the Junior Kangaroos and NSW U20s in 2015 and 2016, being named as a member of the NYC Team of the Year in 2016 after a breakout season in 2015, winning the Steve Ella Players’ Player Award.
He isn’t the only strong young forward who will wear the blue and gold in 2017. Jack Morris is another youngster who has been plying his trade for Parramatta the last three seasons, playing in the backrow he alongside Twal will be hoping to break into the Eels’ first grade side.
Oliver Clark (Penrith Panthers)
Anthony Griffin may have invested in veteran forwards Tim Browne and James Tamou ahead of the 2017 season however, there will still be plenty of spots available in the run-on side and rookie Oliver Clark will be hoping he can secure one of those.
Clark has been a revelation over the last three seasons for the Panthers’ U20s, setting the competition alight with his explosive running ability. A local junior from Quakers Hill, Clark has been a gem in Penrith’s stellar junior system since making his NYC debut in 2014, earning selection in the Australian Schoolboys side which played France.
He continued his dominance for the Panthers in 2015 when the side won the NYC, making 18 appearances throughout the season in a team which also gave birth to Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Robert Jennings and Moses Leota among others. Clark’s 2015 season saw him selected for the New South Wales U20s alongside teammates Jennings and Brent Naden.
In 2016, Clark shared his time between the NYC side and NSW Cup team, making 11 appearances in the U20s and once again receiving selection into the New South Wales U20s while being named as one of four Panthers in the NYC Team of the Year.
Clark will have to work hard for a spot in Anthony Griffin’s team however, if his work ethic in the U20s is anything to go by, he will be sure to ruffle the feathers of several established players if given a chance in 2017.
Tyrell Fuimaono (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The Rabbitohs have picked up a handy player with the versatile Tyrell Fuimaono arriving at Redfern after three seasons in the Eels system.
Fuimaono has made the fourth-most appearances for the Parramatta U20s with 57 games to his name. In his last two years, Fuimaono was a star of the representative scene playing for both the Junior Kangaroos and NSW U20s in 2015 and 2016.
A member of the 2016 NYC Team of the Year, Fuimaono will be competing for a spot in Souths’ backline, but could also score an appearance off the bench as a back-rower if injuries strike Michael Maguire’s team.
Roarers, who are you most looking forward to seeing in 2017? Who’s your early tip for the Rookie of the Year Award?
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Only because this Author chooses Turner in the 17 this doesn't mean that Madge will select him. Angus Crichton is in line for the right edge spot.
chump
Guest
Gela Mosby seemed to go backwards last year. Was dropped for missing training early in the season and had a stint out through the middle as well I think.
KingCowboy
Guest
Another young winger Marcus Jensen could be the bigger star. He is going to be a big boy!
ChristopherGrant
Guest
Hahahahah
andrew
Guest
I don't think it speaks well for the strength of your squad if Kyle Turner makes your best starting 17.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
who do you follow? I will bet you $10,000 Souths make the semis.
Jeff milton
Guest
you guys are back where you belong - get used to not playing finals again
Terry
Guest
I`m looking forward to this 19 year old lad play for the West Tigers .. Supposedly he was making 250 run meters and over 20 tackle busts per game in the Toyata cup ..Let`s see if he can do it against the big boys...Supposedly he is the overall biggest dude in the NRL Weight Height etc etc.. Taniela Paseka Date of Birth: 08-10-1997 Height: 199cm Weight: 125kg Position: Prop Rep. Honours: NSW U/20's (2016) Junior Clubs: All Saints Liverpool
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
At Souths in our Full-time squad, there are 7 players yet to debut in the NRL and a further 5 players backing up for their second season who have played less than 10 NRL games plus 2 other second season players with over 10 games. So a very young and energetic squad who's enthusiasm is rubbing off on to the Experienced players. Many of these youngsters will turn out to be fine players. On this subject, Rookies to impress in 2017 or how Riley put it "Your club’s next big thing" there have been several Journos writing about this subject with various media outlets and it is always good reading. Tyrell Fuimaono has been training at centre with Souths and I asked him a few weeks ago what was his motivation in joining the Rabbitohs. His answer may surprise a few people. As listed above he has played some 57 games in the Under-20's and he also has an impressive bio in regards to Junior Reps, Junior Kangaroos (2015-16); NSW under 20's (2015-16); Australian Schoolboys (2014) 2016 Under 20's team of the year yet he has only played 2 games in the NSW Cup/Reserve Grade, how is that so? He told me he didn't think Brad Arthur was ever going to give him a crack so he signed with Souths. Interesting isn't it? Other players at Souths mentioned as exciting Rookies to watch for were Braidon Burns and Angus Crichton who after a late start due to an early season injury managed to play 8 NRL games in 2016. There is a wing spot up for grabs at Souths, there are 4 players contesting for it. All 3 listed above will play plenty of first'grade in 2017, Angus Crichton is fighting it out with Kyle Turner for that right-edge starting spot. MY Bolter for Souths Rookie to watch is the current NSW U18s Captain of 2016 Cameron Murray who incidentally just turned 19, 4-days ago while he is still very young he went from SG Ball to U20s to NSW Cup all in the space of 8 months. He may well get an opportunity to play first-grade in 2017, if not then definitely in 2018. Cameron's Rep Bio, NSW under 18s captain (2016); Australian Schoolboys (2015); Selected for NSW under 18s (2015); NSW under 16s (2014)
Steve Wilson
Guest
Agree Andrew, Watched some Sg ball trials on Saturday where at least 7-10 players in both sides have had a full off season with 20's. The defence was abyssmal. It must be taken with a great deal of caution, under 20's attacking stats that is. Just couldn't believe how poor he first up contact was,unfortunately these kids are products of the catch, hold, lock the elbows and wait for third man in tackling style brought in over the past few years to slow the play the ball down.
souvalis
Guest
Rein and Mckendry... Over at Souths Aaron Gray got himself noticed last year and hopefully will go to the next level as well..looking forward to seeing GGM at the cowboys though...
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
To be fair tho. in 2015 39 tries was massive. I think the second most tries was 21 or something from memory. Thats just an outlier even inn a compition where tonnes of tries are scored. And he has pace, immense pace with a bit of size about him now, should get a good run at the 9s, then perhaps around Origin time.
andrew
Guest
Re: Gela Mosby: Again, as per last week rattling off the try scoring feats of an NYC player is as impressive as telling us how many perfect Big Macs a kid makes working at McDonalds - doesn't mean he will be a Michelin chef though. The names you mentioned him passing, Drury Low, Dufty, Ulugia, Mullaney, none of them became, or are likely to become the next big anything (Dufty still has a chance I guess). I don't mind it being suggested that Gela Mosby could be the next big thing for the Cows, just don't use points scored in a league where everyone scores a lot of points, as the rationale.
Sam
Guest
Where are these "spots in the run on side"? Especially as a forward? 8. RCG 9. Wallace 10. Tamou 11 .JFH 12. Carty 13. Merrin 14. Latu 15. Browne 16.Yeo 17. Peachey.
kk
Roar Pro
Be it 'The Rookie Pool' or 'The Next Best Thing Pool' Martin Gabor (NRL) and Riley Pettigrew are writing about a select and exclusive group of young players. It is only natural that the same names will appear and the timing of both going to print in 3 part form a pure coincidence. I enjoy and respect the work of both authors.
Jeff Milton
Guest
Straight from the pages of NRL.com or has the author been watching extensive under 20 games?