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Every club's 2021 breakout star
NRL
If there ever was a season to remember for breakout stars, it was 2021. To reflect on just how far some players in the competition have come, Fox Sports has picked out each club’s breakout star of the year.
Matt BurtonFrom starting the year in reserve grade to scoring the first try in the NRL grand final and earning a selection in the Dally M Team of the Year, Burton has had a stunning rise this season.
Blake Taaffe The 22-year-old was relatively unknown until he stepped in to fill some of the competition’s biggest shoes. Taaffe had a ton of pressure building on him, but the half that can play fullback never succumbed to it.
RABBITOHS
Nicho HynesThe 25-year-old did a tremendous job filling in at fullback. He was at one stage the most in-form player in the competition and earned a call up to the extended NSW squad.
Josh Schuster & Haumole Olakau’atu
It’s a tie between Manly’s two second-rowers. They finished their season knowing they have more than cemented their spot in Des Hasler’s NRL side.
Sam WalkerThe Dally M Rookie of the Year is a no brainer to be the breakout player of the season. From those risky floating passes to that try-saving tackle in the Roosters’ preliminary final win, the teenage sensation sure looked at home on the big stage. 
Isaiah Papali'iPapali’i impressed enough in pre-season to land a spot on the bench for Round 1 and announced himself with a stunning performance. He ended a career-defining season with a spot in the Dally M Team of the Year.
Jacob SaifitiWith 98 games now under his belt, Saifiti is well on his way to becoming a veteran Knights forward. But the 25-year-old took his game to another level, and claimed the club’s Player of the Year award.
Jayden CampbellHe was so good for the Titans this season that coach Justin Holbrook is reportedly planning on shifting gun fullback AJ Brimson to five-eighth so he can keep Campbell in the team. Jayden definitely served his father’s reputation well.
Author: Darcie McDonaldProducer: Stefan Centofanti
																																								

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