Welcome to the first instalment in this series on players to watch in the 2021 NRL season.
Brisbane Broncos – Jordan Riki
We all know season 2020 was a disappointing year for the Broncos. The one highlight I could find in their season was the blooding of Jordan Riki.
One of many highly rated forwards in the Broncos’ squad, a Round 1 injury suffered meant Riki had to wait until Round 14 before he debuted from the bench. He played three more games from the bench, showing the ability to handle playing both on an edge and in the middle.
Finally in Round 20 Riki was given a starting position in the Broncos’ back row and put in a strong 80-minute performance.
In his limited opportunities to date, Riki has shown talent on both sides of the ball with tackle-breaking ability and a high tackle efficiency. He has been endorsed by both then-coach Peter Gentle and captain Alex Glenn as a player able to fill the void left by the departing David Fifita.
Back row is one position where the Broncos’ depth could be questioned. I’d be surprised if Riki isn’t starting in the back row in Round 1, but if not, it won’t be long until he earns his place in the run-on team.
The emergence of Jordan Riki was a rare highlight for the Broncos. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Canberra Raiders – Matt Timoko
With a mostly settled line-up, it was difficult to choose a break-out contender from the Canberra Raiders. A back-line spot exists after the departure of Nick Cotric. This is tipped to be taken by Bailey Simonsson, whose 2020 season was limited to just seven games after a shoulder injury in Round 9.
So Matt Timoko will again have to bide his time for a chance in 2021. Timoko is a 100-kilogram centre who best uses his frame with ball in hand.
In his two games in 2020 (which includes one 35-minute game from the bench) he ran for 200 metres and broke four tackles. If the opportunity presents itself early in the season for Matt Timoko, given the strong team he will be playing in, he is every chance of taking out the rookie of the year in 2021.
Canterbury Bulldogs – Jack Hetherington
Hetherington has played 23 games across three years to date. This includes playing six of his eight games last year as a loan player from the Panthers for the Warriors. This six-week period saw Hetherington make the run-on side four times – the only times he has started a game so far in his short career.
He joins Canterbury in 2021. With the departure of Aiden Tolman, a starting position is likely for Hetherington. The big front rower has already shown he has the ability, toughness and motor to handle first grade.
However he will need to control his aggression to not only stay on the field in 2021 but to secure his starting position.
Cronulla Sharks – Teig Wilton
Although he is a chance of starting Round 1 from the bench, Teig Wilton may need to bide his time before playing a significant role in 2021.
Coming through the Sharks’ systems, success followed Wilton, having captained the victorious NSW under-20s in 2018 and playing a vital role in Newtown’s 2019 premiership.
Wilton debuted off the bench in 2020 for the Sharks and didn’t look out of place in first grade. He went on to play four more games, and he was given a run-on role in Round 20.
He is an absolute workhorse back rower that runs a good line. Wilton has the type of game that fans of fantasy games will take note of should he get minutes in 2021.
Larry1950
Guest
BB & Bruce, I get you hope Scott gets a go & lives up to his early potential for the raider's sake but from what I saw in several Intrust Cup games when he'd been relegated, he was a hothead prone to losing the plot. Maybe it's another player Storm have released who fails to live up to expectations. Few ex-Storm players with big reputations have excelled elsewhere as the Broncos learned last season. Will watch Tino with interest.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Before Reimis signed I had thought Jack would be a wing possibility. He is still young and has a ton of speed as well as height. I think if he gets a run this year it will be in the backs. For Tui I think it will be similar to Tinos breakout year last year with the same pack.
Greg
Roar Pro
My mistake, but correct you are.
Greg
Roar Pro
I'm a huge fan of Kamikamica. I think he will be a top 10 front rower over the next decade. But given the rise of Welch and the presence of Bromwich, NAS, Finucane and Smith I don't think 2021 will be a so much a breakout year but more so a slightly better copy of his 2019 season. Storm were a hard team. The guy I think is by far their most promising young forward, Jack Howarth, I don't really expect to see anything more than a couple games off the bench around origin time. Ive 2 players in mind haven't settled yet on which one I'll choose.
Larry1950
Guest
Not to be a pedant but Qld won the 2018 series 30-12. You might mean Wilton captained NSW 2019.
Phil
Roar Rookie
We shouldn't try to pre-empt Greg's predictions in this series, but Joe could be spot on here with big Tui. He is one massive unit with a bucket load of talent and a ready made replacement for big Tino.
Tony
Roar Guru
:shocked:
Joe
Roar Rookie
He only got to play 2 games last year before being injured but showed enough for me to think that Tui Kamikamica is going to have a big year stepping in for Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. The Storm are once again going to be spoilt for choice with their big men next season.
Paul
Roar Guru
Maybe it will be about that emerging talent at the Dragons - Corey Norman! :laughing:
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Phil. Danny Weedler is just as annoying with his “breaking news”. Both should seek employment with Bureau of Meteorology where accuracy is unimportant.
Phil
Roar Rookie
My post was a reply to John.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Your last sentence absolutely nails it with the media, especially that scandalmonger Rothfield.
Phil
Roar Rookie
It's nice to read stories about young blokes with potential. I was aware of Hetherington but Wilton and Timoko hadn't caught my attention until now. It will be interesting to follow their progress next season. Looking forward to the next instalments in the series, especially when it gets to Saints.
Harry
Guest
Nevermind, I just realised I misread the title of the article - I thought it was about breakout stars of 2020, not 2021. Hence my confusion at some of the selections! My fault entirely.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yeah - you're right and hopefully Scott and Starling learn from it - but some of the over reaction by police is pretty concerning
Big Daddy
Guest
Geoff, trouble is footballers from any code shouldn't put themselves in awkward positions wether their guilty or not guilty. It's public perception and the media that normally blow it out of proportion. Simple answer is Don't put yourself in that position.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yep - as soon as the story breaks on some incident readers immediately assume they are guilty - and the poor buggers are dragged through the mud via social media and news media - many of them as you suggest don't recover. If Scott has a big season it will be a bigger redemption story than Dugan, Carney etc. Ricky has at least stuck loyal to Scott and Starling.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Agree Geoff. Shaun Kenny Dowell & Brett Stewart we’re hung, drawn & quartered from the moment their stories broke. Their careers were obviously impacted even though the so called evidence was proven to be fabricated. The media should tread very warily with their reporting however it’s the old adage “bad news receives more attention than good news”.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
True - we only get to hear and see these sorts of incidents due to social media, new technology such as mobile police cameras etc. I'd hate to be a young bloke going out on the town these days. Thank God I lived in a different era where your every movement wasn't scrutinised. But what amazes me the most was the camera footage from the NSW police showed the extreme measures they used to subdue Scott - the poor bugger was just lying there sleeping it off hurting nobody. Why did they even proceed to court?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Jack Wighton’s circumstance was similar. They are young men & are not expected to stay home & play Scrabble (although some would struggle) however they have to be so careful off field because of the scrutiny & the existence of mobile phone cameras. Bit similar to politicians however they have the ability to utter” I’m doing a good job & won’t stand down” & the problem seems to disappear.