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Unlike rugby union, league appears to have an endless supply of new talent who continue to keep the game fresh and exciting. You only have to look at this year’s key statistics to find new names dominating.
We have a young guy called Matt Dufty who was given the task of replacing Josh Dugan in the St George Illawarra Dragons’ fullback position. He’s currently leading the league for line breaks, ahead of another handy fullback, James Tedesco.
Dufty showed glimpses of class late last year, but now he’s creating havoc from the back and scoring long-range tries just like Billy Slater did when he introduced himself to first grade.
In fact, Dufty’s current form is sure to keep James Tedesco on his toes in the lead up to the selection of the New South Wales Origin fullback.
Then we have another fullback who just turned 20 years old in March, leading the tackle breaks stat. His name is Kalyn Ponga and he’s on the way to becoming the next big thing. This wunderkind not only steps like a young Benji Marshall, he also possesses a passing game with skills akin to that of Johnathan Thurston.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Another impressive up-and-comer is 19-year-old winger Nick Cotric from the Canberra Raiders. He’s not far behind Ponga in the tackle breaks, which is impressive as he’s currently playing behind a losing team. He’s an ex-Australian Schoolboys representative and it’s clear he exudes the ‘X’ factor with ball in hand.
Other relatively new household names include Latrell Mitchell at the struggling Roosters, Manly’s Tom and Jake Trbojevic, Brisbane’s freakish winger Jamayne Isaako, the Titans Ash Taylor, Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards, Souths’ Angus Crichton, the Cowboys’ Coen Hess and Melbourne’s Josh Addo-Carr just to name a few.
These guys are more than ready, willing and able to take over from our current ageing stars like Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen.
I’m not saying the impending retirement of these champions won’t leave a hole, but it’s comforting to know that it will eventually be filled.
We often get caught up in the shock of losing players like Israel Falou and Semi Radradra to other codes, but it doesn’t take long before new stars emerge. This golden production line is what makes rugby league the greatest game of all.
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