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Opinion
In August last year, I penned an article in which I picked the following team of young guns. All had first grade experience, and were aged 20 years or under.
1. Tex Hoy
2. Xavier Coates
3. Bradman Best
4. Zac Lomax
5. Stephen Crichton
6. Dylan Brown
7. Tom Dearden
8. Payne Haas
9. Cory Paix
10. Moeaki Fotauika
11. David Fifita
12. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
13. Tom Gilbert
14. Matt Burton
15. Oregon Kaufusi
16. Teig Wilton
17. Tom Flegler
It was quite a line-up, and almost without exception, these young players have gone from strength to strength since then, in what is increasingly becoming a young man’s game.
Of the 17 members of the class of 2020, Xavier Coates, Payne Haas, Moeaki Fotuaika, Andrew Fifita, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui have all represented at either origin or national level, Zac Lomax and Stephen Crichton were part of the extended New South Wales Origin squad last year, and the rest are rapidly building their first grade careers.
The production line of young players shows no sign of letting up, and you get the sense that the average age of players in NRL squads is dropping.
To illustrate the strength of the production line, here’s the class of 2021, made up of players with first grade experience who are 20 years of age or younger.
Note that Coates, Best, Crichton, Brown, Dearden, big Tino and Gilbert from last year’s team are all still young enough to qualify for the 2021 team, but haven’t been included.
1. Reece Walsh (18)
After just six first grade games, it’s obvious to all that Walsh is a special talent who not only has a devastating running game, but also can set up his supports. He already has four tries and eight try assists, however, his defence is a work in progress.
2. Jason Saab (20)
The Dragons loss appears to be Manly’s gain, and after struggling somewhat, along with his teammates, in the early rounds, he has now hit a purple patch of form, running in 11 tries in his last eight games.
Once he sorts his defensive reads out, he’ll be a dangerous weapon for the Manly side for some time to come.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
3. Tesi Niu (19)
Niu is an emerging talent who somehow is still with the Broncos, but he needs a little more time to establish himself in their ever-changing backline. He is a former Australian Schoolboy representative and has already played one game for Tonga.
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (19)
“The Hammer” is an absolute speed machine who can play anywhere in the outside backs. He has already notched up 20 first grade games and ten tries for the Cowboys.
5. Charlie Staines (20)
A phenomenal 16 tries in 14 games on the right wing for Penrith says it all. A real speed machine with a very big future.
6. Phoenix Crossland (20)
After playing from the Knights’ bench in 2019 and 2020, Crossland has now got his opportunity as a starting player in the halves, and hasn’t disappointed.
7. Sam Walker (18)
A cool customer and emerging star, Walker has fit right into the Roosters attacking machine and after eight games, he has four tries and ten try assists. If he can withstand the defensive pressure coming his way each week, his future will be one to watch.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
8. Spencer Leniu (20)
Leniu debuted as an 18-year-old in 2019 and now has 27 games off the bench for the Panthers. A big bopper with plenty of speed, the more minutes Spencer plays, the better he looks.
9. Jackson Topine (19)
Topine was a junior representative star for both NSW and Australia, has all the skills in attack and is a good defender. Another star on the horizon for the Bulldogs.
10. Shawn Blore (20)
If you like your forwards big, tough and aggressive, meet Shawn Blore. Blore is definitely one that got away from the Penrith junior production line and he’s finally getting an opportunity to show his wares in the top grade with the Tigers.
11. Matt Doorey (20)
Doorey is a big, hard-running customer who knows the way to the try line. Look to Doorey to be a regular in the Canterbury back row over the next couple of years.
12. Heilum Luki (20)
A young giant with amazing speed for a big man, Luki has really looked to be a great prospect for the Cowboys in his first two appearances in the top grade.
13. Josh Schuster (20)
Schuster has the ball skills, power and size to become one of the best lock forwards in the modern game. He is hard to handle when running the ball himself, and knows how to create opportunities for his outside men. A very exciting prospect.
14. Tanah Boyd (20)
A junior Queensland representative, Boyd made his first grade debut in 2019, and lately has been making a good fist of the five-eighth role for the Titans.
15. TC Robati (19)
Robati is another likely young forward coming out of the Broncos system. He’s big and willing, and there are already some wraps on him.
16. Rocco Berry (20)
A junior rugby star, Berry has made the transition to league look easy. Now with four appearances in the Warriors top grade under his belt, it will be interesting to see how he develops.
17. Joseph Suaalii (17)
So much has been said about this young player that he must already be feeling the pressure of expectation. Suaalii is a gifted athlete with the size and skill to dominate the opposition.
It will be interesting to see where these players are this time next year.
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