Every year a host of good players are lost to the NRL. However, 2018 was an extraordinary exodus of talent and 300 game veterans.
Notable retirees include Luke Lewis, Sam Thaiday, Simon Mannering, Chris Heighington, Billy Slater and of course Johnathan Thurston. In this list alone over 1900 NRL games, 114 Origins and 168 International games.
Their on-field achievements have been well documented and celebrated and players like Sammy Thaiday have left us with mental images we shall keep for a long time.
I will not attempt to add more to their illustrious careers than what has already been written.
It is the next cream of the crop that has piqued my interest this year and I believe we have seen a sensational group of young players come through this year in greater numbers than I have seen in recent memory.
In this team list is a group of players that have lit up the NRL in 2018 and have the potential to be the next superstars.
1. AJ Brimson
The Titans have uncovered a real footy player here. He played both 5/8 and fullback for the Titans this year and racked up the highlights in doing so. This nuggetty (now) 20-year-old has an instinctive nature about his play and sniffed out seven tries and ran for 197m against the Storm.
He is also a rock in defence, something the Titans have lacked in that role.
2. Jamayne Issako
The NRL’s rookie of the year. Issako came on to the scene n Brisbane as an electric try scorer and deadeye goal kicker.
His ISP coach will tell of the hours he spends practising his goal kicking long after the sun goes down because it will “perfect my technique without worrying about accuracy.”
3. Jesse Ramien
This young bloke is a true centre. He runs great lines at top speed and very strong with ten tries this season and runs for over 110m each game.
The Knights are building a formidable three-quarter line with his inclusion for 2019.
4. Zac Lomax
It was only a brief introduction for Lomax late this season but he impressed with his size, speed and goal kicking.
He is a U18 NSW and Australian rep and has a bright future at NRL level.
5. Campbell Graham
One of those rare players who debuted while still at high school. He has terrific game awareness and an ability to find the line. He can get down low or, as we saw against Sosaia Feki, fly high to score from a pinpoint Adam Reynolds kick.
6. Lachlan Lewis
There is a lot to like about this young gun. Nearly without a contract for 2018, he was given an opportunity with the Bulldogs late in the season.
In nine games he is credited with six try assists, four LBAs and kicking the winning field goal to sink the Warriors.
(AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
7. Jake Clifford
Again, another player with just a few NRL games in 2018 but this kid will be a star.
In the Cowboys routing of Parramatta, it was Clifford who stole the show with his bullet passing and deft kicking game. Make no mistake he is the next best halfback coming through.
8. Jack Hetherington
Is there a more intimidating position than prop to take in your NRL debut? His most memorable performance this year was against the Warriors where minutes he amassed 154m and five offloads in 40 minutes.
There are no backward steps for this firebrand but don’t we love that in a young prop.
9. Brandon Smith
Smith gave Craig Bellamy a perfect foil in the Storm’s tilt for back-to-back titles. His service from dunny half allowed Cam Smith to play at halfback role.
Understand that? He shifted the best player in the game to another role even with even with Croft and Jacks in the team. Don’t be fooled by his size, he hits as hard as any player in the game – just ask Jack DeBelin.
10. Blake Lawrie
A U20s junior Kangaroo and a tough country boy, he’s not the biggest but he takes the collision personally – in a good way.
In the quarterfinal against the Broncos, Korbin Sims dropped him on his proverbial on his first run off the bench. He took 11 more runs for 116m and said, “he got me good in that first run but I had to let him know that wasn’t going to be the way…”
11. David Fifita
Wayne Bennett wasn’t going to play Fifita this year because he just 18 and has to develop his game playing against men in the ISP.
After running for 218m and 190m respectively for Souths Logan an injury to Payne Haas, Bennett couldn’t hold him back any longer.
In his last three games, he ran for over 100m peaking at 164m against the Roosters and carrying John Sutton and Sam Burgess for his debut try against Souths.
12. Rhyse Martin
Martin can score a try and kick the goal with 95 per cent accuracy. This is a tough Papua New Guinea rep who has made all sorts of positive headlines in 2018 including scoring from his very first touch and the most individual points in a losing side.
Couple that with 37 tackles per game and it’s no wonder Bulldogs fans have been wondering why he’s been in the ISP until now.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
13. Victor Radley
I’ve loved watching this guy in 2018. His coming of age was against Manly where he achieved two hits very few other NRL players could have – stopping Dylan Walker from one meter out from the line and putting a shot against Martin Taupou.
He can score them, set them up or stop them – and it’s a pleasure to watch a young bloke play with such enthusiasm.
Randy
Roar Rookie
i dunno, SKD, Moga and Ross aren't exactly players being chased by other clubs.... I think the knights are still a year off making top 8.
3 R M
Guest
Never mentioned nene because he will probably start on the wing .I was talking about the 2 centres from the brisbane comp Larry. with nene we could play him at centre as we already have 2 very good young wingers in tulagi and Ggm as well as a host of young outside backs that can play wing .to me it's another carney recruitment anomaly where we recruit in a position that we have an abundance of talent already . Not that he's not a good buy but we really need a young big mobile forward as we seem to have misplaced a couple in the last 2 years . I actually don't think any of the young Cowboys players will start at the beginning of next year including Clifford if I know green! it's reserve grade for them and a ticket to Newcastle.
Larry1950
Guest
So I take it you guys don't think Nene McDonald makes the top 13?
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah, good team Albo. There are so many quality young fellas stand up this year. The one fella we both left out was Kikau.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Nice team of budding stars you have assembled there Nat ! But there are so many good young players lining up to become the next bunch of NRL elites. Here is another completely different list of 13 that I might throw up for consideration : 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Remis Smith 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Jerome Luai 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Payne Haas 9. Wayde Egan 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11.Scott Sorensen 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Cameron Murray
BA Sports
Roar Guru
I like Mata'utia. I think he will have to end up an edge back rower with Fitzgibbon with Barnett playing lock.
3 R M
Guest
I was hoping Hampton would play 14 or 9 Nat .though he goes all right at centre he brings a lot of speed out of dummy half. . Young Kirt Wiltshire is a smokey for centre next year as well as mitch dunn (ex 5/8) .GGM had some outstanding games at the backend of the season he really stood up when he got his chance on the wing, you forget how young he is . I think all these players offer more in the long run than the 2 new recruits in the centres.
Nat
Roar Guru
If Barba brings his ESL form to NQ it will be a brilliant spine. I'm a fan of Hampton but he has to make way for Barba at FB. However, there is already Tuala and Opacic fighting for their spots too. Good to have options.
Nat
Roar Guru
In hindsight I'd swap Marsters with Lomax. These aren't necessarily rookies but all have less than 10 previous NRL games.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Luke Garner at Tigers. Estan Marsters (Was his 2nd year) at Tigers.
3 R M
Guest
Nat I like the read, the whole side is stacked with raw talent . With Clifford im on the bus as well, I think he's a great 7 and he really has performed excellently in every grade he's played in .For him to show his full skill set which he hasnt so far he needs to be at first receiver. But just at the moment he will be OK doing a pretty good 6 until origin. Then when he gets a crack at the 7 and we will see how much he wants it.I'd like the Cowboys to split possession between Morgan and Clifford to get the best out of their running and kicking games what ever their numbers so they can work together at the line and combine with Barber and Hampton up the middle . Look out!
Nat
Roar Guru
Add Mata'utia to that backline list, he let no one down in 2018. Reports about Michael Jennings going there as well. Put Mago on the wing in place of Sio because he can finish as good as anyone, not so good at positioning though. That's a cracking backline. I've been watching Clifford for a while in the lower grades and he's very good. In his 1st showing for NQ, he seemed a little unsure playing with JT for obvious reasons. 2nd, 3rd game he was over calling JT when there was an opportunity. You'd imagine it would be Clifford/Morgan combo where Clifford controls play and GP kicking.
Nat
Roar Guru
I'm glad you caught on. If it was a List it would be Broncos 1-5 then... but then BJ would be all over me on behalf of his, umm, uncle/cousin/step dad?? My initial thought was to have Smith on the wing, the way he burned Dufty twice was amazing. I would bet they've played each other before both being inner south juniors. Smith was totally confident he was going to beat Dufty which makes me think he's done it before. Graham got the nod due to consistency against top line wingers more than anything. I would hope Brisbane keeps the majority. They've locked him up witrh Haas and Su'A (both were going to on the bench) plus Joey O. Indications are Lodge and TPJ will resign but they also resigned Gillett too. Glenn has 1 year to go which will free some cash up but I like the fact Glenn, Maguire and Gillett are old heads (at 30) for guidance. They still have Savelio (English gun who done an ACL preseason) and another young prop in Pat Carrigan. He Captained Qld u20s and 2018 junior Kangaroo. However, the more successful they/the team is the more they will want. I'm with you re Gordon at FB for the Titans for his experience, professionalism and goal kicking. Roberts coming back will be good for both Brimson and Taylor. Their team, on paper, has to be competitive at least considering they still have Cartwright and Latu in ISP for depth. By 2020, top 8 would have to be the minimum expectation.
Nat
Roar Guru
Thanks Paul. I battled between Clifford, Lino and Luai for the half position. Laui was great against the Warriors but mixed form when not at #7. Similar with Lino, strong and can find the line but also can be found out in D. Plus Mason has a bit more experience so the bar is slightly higher than the other two.
Nat
Roar Guru
Very true, I completely missed him because I didn't know how young he was. He is a strong fella with great leg drive. Looking at his stats, he's not too big but he's heavy which helps his cause.
Nat
Roar Guru
For those reasons I think a mentor/older half would benefit them both. Before Hayne arrived in 2016, Taylor had Tyronne Roberts and (IMO) played with freedom and ran as good as he ever has. Coincidentally, that's the last time they made the finals.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Good list. And when you build in a couple of the young guys who have just grown into themselves this year like Pengai, there is a lot of positives to look forward to. I actually think Clifford is just about the pick of the list but it will be interesting to see how he goes without JT on the field. I think if you had a reserve bench you could put Lindsay Collins on that list. 22 year old Prop from the Roosters. And there are a few Panthers back/front rowers like Martin and Ellis along with Egan who will only get better if given a shot. And just to confirm - Are we looking at a first choice Knights backline that has Ponga SKD Moga Remien Ross Watson Pearce Yikes! Only one International in that list but he is potetnially the one under the most pressure to keep his job... That is a far cry; from Denniss, Feeney and the corpse of Uate a couple of years ago...
Randy
Roar Rookie
yeah taylor was far too inconsistent in 2018. I see what you mean by looking too comfortable. His body language can be a bit carefree at times.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Great article Nat. I’ve got to admit it took me a while to realise you were making a team rather than a list. “Brimson at one - fair enough. Isaako 2? Well he is a Broncos fans and Isaako was rookie of the year. Ramien ok. Lomax and Graham, he’s off his head...I’m going to have fun with this response. Lewis, we’re back on track. Clifford. Hethering....? Ohhhhh...I see what he’s done. Ok let’s start again” Almost Big J like. My only change would be Reimis Smith for Graham. He’d been good each week but that game against the Dragons where he scorched Dufty on the outside, then inside was next level. I really like the look of Blake Lawrie. In one of those twists of fate I’d traded him into my super coach team as a late season cheapie not expecting him to get game time and then he started getting named. So I was watching him a bit closer than you would the average rookie bench prop getting limited minutes. Big barrel chested powerful lump. Seems pretty mobile too. Wouldn’t look out of place on a Scanlens footy card from the early 80s. Fifita continues the Broncos young forward assembly line. I wonder how long Bennett will keep turning them over though rather than building a club around a few of them. Maybe now Thaiday has retired? I didn’t think much of Brimson early on but he really grew into his spot. I’m not sure whether 6 or 1 is his best position. The Titans have Gordon as a potential fullback and have brought Roberts back so it will be interesting to see what happens there. Titans looking stronger and stronger on paper. At what stage does missing the 8 become a poor result as opposed to what is expected of them?
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I believe the plan is to play Brimson at fullback? I think the Titans biggest problem is Ash Taylor. Talented player but looking a bit too comfortable for me. Carrying some extra kilos and playing like he is happy to go through the motions safe in the knowledge that he is the star in a team that isn't expected to challenge. A bad influence for a player like Brimson.