We have seen a lot of rookies this season like Joseph Suaalii, Jakob Arthur, Sebastian Kris and plenty more, but I will be rating my top five in 2021 in this article and I won’t be basing them off the hype they get, but their statistics and how well they play.
5. Charlie Staines
Starting at number five is Charlie Staines or the Forbes Ferrari from Penrith, who scored five tries in his debut game and two tries in his second. I’m classifying him as a rookie because this is his first full-time NRL season.
Staines has played 12 games this season, has scored ten tries and is currently averaging 91 run metres but I feel he goes unmentioned because he is in basically an NRL All-Stars team as the Panthers currently sit undefeated this season.
4. Daine Laurie
Sitting in the fourth position is Daine Laurie, who has been great for the Tigers but it’s a shame the rest of his teammates can’t play with the same energy because the Tigers currently sit 11th on the ladder.
The Wests Tigers fullback has played every game this year and has scored four tries, forced two goal-line dropouts, has five try assists, has assisted in six linebreaks and is currently averaging 146 run metres with a total of 1757 run metres. Laurie has been fairly consistent in a consistently losing side.
Daine Laurie is the Tigers’ most promising young talent. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
3. Reece Walsh
Sitting in third place is New Zealand Warriors player Reece Walsh and I know he is good looking, but unfortunately this isn’t a model competition otherwise he would be first. The 19-year-old has such a bright future that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has given up his fullback position so that Walsh can get a full-time starting spot.
Walsh has scored four tries, forced one goal-line dropout, has an excellent eight try assists with seven linebreak assists and is averaging 123 running metres in just six games he has played this season, which is off the charts.
2. Josh Schuster
Next is Josh Schuster from the Manly Sea Eagles who has spent most of his time out of his original position, five-eighth, and has been playing as an edge forward. The 20-year-old has played ten games and has scored two tries, set up five tries, assisted in four linebreaks and has a 91 per cent tackle efficiency rate.
1. Sam Walker
Sam Walker is in first place and well, if you’ve been watching his highlights, it’s understandable why he’s first not only in my rookie list but others as well. The 19-year-old has played eight games this year and has scored four tries, forced two goal-line dropouts, set up ten tries and has assisted in 11 linebreaks with an 81 per cent tackle efficiency rate which is great for a halfback of his size.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Good afternoon John Allen, This season certainly has had a good share of rookies debuting. Fletcher Baker is another kid who seems to have a good future. Only 21 y.o. and a big unit. Very excited to see what Suaallii can do. First 2 games have been promising.
Albo
Roar Rookie
They are a great bunch of exciting "NRL rookies" , but if I had my choice of one rookie appearing this year, it would have to be Joseph Suaalii. He is a superstar in the making, if ever I have seen one.
Joey
Guest
I guess you should know.
Phil
Roar Rookie
That is true Joey but they didn't become regular 1st graders until this year.
Joey
Guest
Staines, Laurie, and Schuster all played in 2020. Maybe struggling for 2021 debutants?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree with all those nominated but one guy i will mention has only had two games off the bench for the Cows. I haven’t been as excited by a young Cows forward since JT 13 debuted in rd 24 2010. Hes incredibly athletic. Everyone was marvelling at Walsh’s long range try but Luki gave him a start and caught him easily with a stride longer than Kingston Town. Watch the replay if you can. He was incredibly unlucky not to stop him scoring. Walsh bounced off Lukis body and was propelled forwards. Not only is he a real athlete, he’s footy smart and unlike a lot of our recent youngsters he is not in the least lazy. As Big Kev would say’ I’m excited’.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Walsh for me once Brownie gets his defensive coaches working with him, the miss on the Cowboy 6 was really poor.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Pretty good choices Interested to see how Walker goes for the rest of the season and how the Roosters manage him He’s such a small frame, he came in with an AC injury and has an ankle as well, he’s looking battered and teams are targeting him with their big bodies Plus his looping passes that have been so deadly were picked off a couple of times against the Broncos. Does that mean he’s being worked out? What does it do for his confidence?
Randy
Roar Rookie
wonder if Sualli will make the list by the end of the year?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
when a rookie plays against a veteran, who also played against his dad
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Two stories everyone loves: rookies tearing it up and veterans tearing it up! Even better when a rookie wasn’t born when a veteran made his debut.
Phil
Roar Rookie
These five rookies are about as good a bunch as you would see in one season. They are exciting to watch and are natural footballers. I'm with Matt, Reece Walsh is my choice as the best.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Nothing is better than seeing rookies exceling in the NRL. My favorite memory at Manly is pretty close to being Phil Blake emerging and running amok with 28 tries in a season. Some of Reece Walsh's play has had the Phil Blake element whereby the game seems to stop around him as he breaks thru.
matth
Roar Guru
Reece Walsh is the pick of them for me, but it’s a very good batch of youngsters this year.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Great article. A lot of youngsters have burst onto various “sporting stages” over the years. Unfortunately the younger they are , the more hype they receive & it’s how they handle the associated pressure, goes a long way to determine the level of future success. What is most important to them is that they have a club coach & team culture to ensure a seamless progression & a choice of manager who realises the importance of providing the player with sound advice as his career develops. There have been many “The Next Bradman” trumpeted prematurely by the media so it will be interesting in say 5 years time to see where these players are in their careers. Can anybody recall a season when so much young talent has emerged? One common factor is the level of confidence they all have displayed which augurs well for their respective futures.