This is the first of four articles outlining who I believe will be the standout rookie for each club heading into the 2022 season.
In many cases this may not be the best prospect coming through at a club (see Bulldogs below) but the one I believe most likely to feature this coming season.
You will, however, note that many of my selections had a taste of first grade in the 2021 season. I’ve determined who still qualifies as a rookie based on the NRL’s own criteria for Rookie of the Year eligibility:
“Players are eligible for the Rookie of the Year in their debut season and the subsequent two NRL seasons. Once a player plays five (5) NRL Premiership matches (or English Super League matches), he becomes ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons.”
Brisbane Broncos: Brendan Piakura
Boasting size, speed and strength, Piakura has all the tools to be an elite back rower. Piakura gets it done on both sides of the ball with his powerful ball running matched by his hard hitting, high-intensity defence.
A representative player at every level in juniors, the highly regarded teenager was last year re-signed long term by the Broncos after reported interest in his services from seven NRL rivals.
Some eye-catching performances in the Intrust competition led to Piakura making his NRL debut in Round 24 of last season. Not all however went to plan with a late hit leading to a sin-binning and a two-match suspension. Piakura was a part of North’s Intrust-winning squad, however, he missed the final after suffering a concussion in the preliminary final.
He will undoubtedly be in contention for a Round 1 position but with Brisbane’s plethora of talented young forwards, expect Piakura to have to wait for his opportunity in the top grade in 2022.
(Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
Canberra Raiders: Trey Mooney
Trey Mooney is a hard-working and mobile middle forward averaging over 100 metres and 24 tackles per game in his six appearances in last season’s NSW Cup. The 19-year-old is yet to taste first grade but has been ear-marked as a future star, evidenced by recent selection in the NSW Future Blues Squad and his standout performances in junior Origin matches.
With the likes of Ryan James, Sia Soliola, Dunamis Lui and Siliva Havili having left the Canberra side after the 2021 season, Mooney has well and truly moved up the depth chart. Though unlikely to start Round 1, I’ve no doubt Mooney will feature in the NRL throughout 2022.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Josh Cook
In a sign of just how much the Bulldogs have overhauled their roster following their 2021 last-place finish, I’ve struggled to identify any rookie players I’d confidently predict will feature in their 2022 season.
This is not to suggest they do not have some exciting young prospects on their books. Look no further than local junior Paul Alamoti for such a player. However, I believe he is still a year or two away from being first grade ready.
For all the quality signings Canterbury have made, it may be the unheralded Josh Cook who is most influential on their 2022 season. The Bulldogs have signed representative players throughout their side but are screaming out for a couple of spine players to take control of the quality around them.
Their new hooker option, Josh Cook, is one such player who may be able to do just that. Although he will likely start the season behind Jeremy Marshall-King and possibly Bailey Biondi-Odo, the former Rabbitohs rake has surely learnt a few things having spent time under Australian hooker Damien Cook.
He may not be as dynamic as his namesake but he is a very clever player who provides excellent service to his forwards and halves. He has the right type of game to allow others to shine and with the star power around him may be exactly what the Bulldogs need in such a key position.
I will note, however, that the pending arrival of Reed Mahoney in 2023 has me questioning how much time the Bulldogs will be put into Cook this year.
Cronulla Sharks: Franklin Pele
A former Australian Schoolboy who has come through the Sharks development system, Franklin Pele is a big man with a big future. The young front rower was tipped by many as one to watch for the 2021 season after an impressive pre-season that saw him shed 15 kilograms and need to be restricted from the weights room for fears he was becoming too big.
Pele did earn his debut in 2021, playing 16 minutes off the bench in Round 12. Unfortunately, a foot injury ended his season prematurely and he was not able to add to his one game.
Going into 2022, he is now injury free and again reportedly impressing at training. Though the Sharks’ pack looks stronger with the additions of Dale Finucane and Cameron McInnes, Pele is arguably better set for playing time this year.
Pele’s power running should perfectly complement the uncompromising defence and workhorse play style of the new recruits. He will be in contention for a bench spot from Round 1 but may need to wait for his opportunity in 2022.
Paul
Guest
There might be a sneaky one for Penrith. Keep an eye out for Tom Jenkins in the backs. It’s been a quick rise up the ranks for Tom. Very tall & fast. Can play centre or wing. Hope he gets the chance in the trials to be put into some open space & go up for the bombs. He doesn’t really need to go up for the bombs. He can just run & put his hands in the air to catch them, he’s so tall.
Greg
Roar Pro
Dont have time to do the write up for them but if i did this would be the list of players, that i believe are tracking to not just make NRL but be standouts when they get there. However have learnt there is no such thing as a sure thing. Would be about a 3rd ive added to my black book after seeing them myself, the rest of the names made it mostly from talking to people in the industry. Most of them are too young to feature this year but if you see any lower grade games keep an eye for them. Brisbane Broncos – Ezra Mam* Canberra Raiders – Blake Metcalfe Canterbury Bulldogs – Paul Alamoti Cronulla Sharks – Siteni Taukamo Gold Coast Titans – Tom Weaver Manly Sea Eagles – Latu Fainu Melbourne Storm – Jack Howarth* Newcastle Knights – Cooper Jenkins New Zealand Warriors – Lleyton Finau North Queensland Cowboys – Ragarive Wavik Parramatta Eels – Jock Brazel Penrith Panthers – Ryley Smith St George Illawarra Dragons - Brandon Morkos South Sydney Rabbitohs - Davvy Moale* Sydney Roosters - Ronald Volkman Wests Tigers – Brandon Tumeth *fair chance they get some first grade this year.
Greg
Roar Pro
I think Props do develop much earlier nowadays than in the past. Not sure if that is professionalism from a fairly young age, sports science or coincidental. But i also think it is easier for some nuffie like myself to predict a young front rower to get an increased role as even in a fairly stacked team there is no doubt that forward depth will be tested during the year whereas it is harder to predict the rise of an outside back unless they are clearly the next in line and harder still to predict just when a prodigious young half will be elevated. The first example of this you will see when reading my Knights selection. The second is a player like Sam Walker. Despite knowing of Walker I selected Egan Butcher ahead of him when writing last year as I was sure an opportunity would present itself for Butcher whereas I did not think Walker would get a start without predicting injuries to the more experienced halves. If ive time before going back to work next week and people are interested i might do a 5th article along the lines of most exciting prospect, but they may not get there this year. Unfortunately with Covid effecting lower grades i havent seen as much of these guys recently and would be going a lot more off of probably their school footy and reading articles and word of mouth from those i know have seen them play.
Nat
Roar Guru
Cobbo could do much the same.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yes, Blake Mozer. Mam is an extreme talent. His domination of the QRL is the same I saw from Inglis and Munster. It is up to him to turn that into 30 QLD jumpers
Nat
Roar Guru
Mozer? Graham is signed with Dolphins so I doubt Kevvie calls him up. Even though he’s not a natural hooker, I would have Paix behind Berrell but up with Chudleigh for service. Even above Politoni because of his Cory’s attacking game. Can’t wait to see Mam get his shot. I like Gamble, his experience and competitiveness but Ezra has all the same ability but 2x faster. Perfect to play off Reynolds.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Mam should force his way onto the bench as the season goes on. He should be a bench player even in 2023 with some starts thrown to see how he develops.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Mam is the one to watch for me. We do have a gun hooker coming through but he will get some game time next year
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Agreed, coaches will debut young blokes just about anywhere, but rarely if ever, play them raw in the 13 jersey.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Might say something about when players develop Traditionally props have come into the game a bit later but maybe that’s not as prevalent any more Anyway, great article… lots of grist for the mill…
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s a pretty good strike rate especially considering you’ve gone on the record before a ball is kicked…
JVGO
Guest
These were both in like the first 5 mins of the game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HzViyBstJA
mach4
Roar Rookie
Like to see both Cook and Alomoti be given some serious game time in the Bulldogs trial games.
Greg
Roar Pro
Just had a look and there are two halves on the list. Shouldn’t be hard to figure out who they are with both having first grade experience. Generally I dont really like doing reflection articles. Not only do i just prefer looking forward but also i don’t want to come across as though i’m stroking my own ego if i’m proved to be right or worse yet ill be proved to be wrong. For the record i did a similar piece last year, though it was break out stars who would take their game to another level (e.g. fringe players getting a consistent role, or bench players starting) rather than specifically rookies. A couple of major flops amongst mostly solid predictions. Last Years Predictions Hit Jordan Riki, Matt Timoko, Teig Wilton, Josh Schuster, Nicho Hynes, Haze Dunster, Keaon Koloamatangi, Egan Butcher, Stefano Utoikamanu Meh Jack Hetherington, Spencer Lenui These were probably technically right but didn’t quite meet my expectations. Miss Trey Spry, Pasami Saulo, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Tom Gilbert, Jackson Ford. I still think Gilbert and Ford should be starting players and are grossly underutilised.
Nat
Roar Guru
I think you are right about Mam. He was easily better than Albert Kelly for Souths but at 18yo, I can understand Kevvie wanting that experience in 1st grade. If he maintains and improves that same form next season he will force his way into the halves beside Reynolds.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks Greg, this is really interesting and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. I must admit I'd never heard of Trey Mooney, but he certainly has an impressive background. The Raider could use some new blood in the middle.
Nat
Roar Guru
Thanks Greg, this series will generate a fair bit of discussion. I know I really enjoy talking about the up and comers. For my Broncos, there is a lot of buzz around Piakura but I've barely seen him play. Better experts than I have said much the same as you so I'll take that as written. I'm keen to see Paix (pictured) get more consistent game time this year. He came through with a lot of wraps as well as a half but has been moulded into a hooker. Very quick, gives great service and has bulked up enough now to have a 95% tackle efficiency in both his NRL and QRL starts last season. The Sharks have another good one in Jayden Berrell. Not so young but very deserving of a chance. He has a tough task cracking their squad behind Brailey and McInnes but he will let no one down if he does get a shot. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Greg
Roar Pro
Hi TB. I havent got my draft list in front of me but i think from memory there was only the one half on the list. That doesn't mean they aren't coming through. For these 4 teams for example Ezra Mam could be the standout rookie of them all. Im just not sure he gets a run this year. Interestingly all the bottom 10 clubs bar the dragons (who themselves signed Mbye but surely Amone gets the 6 jersey) signed a new 6 or 7 for 2022. So the path to first grade for a young half at most clubs will be blocked by a more experienced recruit.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Interesting read… it sounds like you’ve still got a bit of work ahead of you in this series - so I don’t want to get too far ahead - but I couldn’t help think it would be good to see a post season update of how these guys have gone Also note, from the first four we have two middle forwards, an edge forward and a hooker. Interested to see if any clubs have young halves on the radar…
Tony
Roar Guru
Great article Greg. One of the highlights of every season is to watch the young prospects develop. Piakura and Pele, in particular, will be a couple to watch. I look forward to the rest of the series.