NRL 2021: Top 10 teenage rookies, Bennett’s Covid-19 warning for junior leagues
The Rabbitohs are set to debut the 27th teenager of the 2021 season, but Wayne Bennett says the disruption of junior league has been ‘ridiculous’.
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Wayne Bennett has slammed the disruption of junior league and pathways as “bordering on ridiculous”, as the South Sydney coach prepares to blood the 27th teenager to debut in the NRL this season.
Forward teen sensation Davvy Moale, 18, who has been compared to Brisbane powerhouse Payne Haas, will make his Rabbitohs debut against St George Illawarra today in Rockhampton.
While Moale has had the luxury of playing in SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and training with the first grade side, the majority of teens have had their development disrupted by Covid.
The NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg were paused in June after both competitions and SG Ball were cancelled in 2020.
“I’m not criticising the game … but we can’t allow it go for another 12 months,” Bennett said.
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“It’s a real issue for the game, we have to be doing better than what we are doing with it.
“We’ve had two years of no development of these young players, they reach the standard they reach because of the pathways and the development program we have.
“[Missing] two years, in the prime years of learning is not good for anybody, if goes onto a third year it will be bordering on the ridiculous.
“They come into first grade well underdone, which is not good for them.
“They’ve played little football but we have to use them because we have injuries or whatever dictates that moment.”
Warriors recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan said the impact of Covid is likely to have a lasting effect across the Tasman after his club were forced to withdraw both the NSW Cup and SG Ball team this season.
“As a footy club missing two years in SG Ball is detrimental to us not just short term but long term, the knock-on effect will be felt in five or six years. We sent around three players to Queensland to play for Redcliffe but that’s a very small piece of the pie,” O’Sullivan said.
For O’Sullivan, the real fear isn’t for the “elite” teens like Roosters prodigy Sam Walker or Warriors dynamo Reece Walsh, who O’Sullivan poached from Brisbane, but for the second tier of youngsters making their way through the ranks.
“The Covid disruptions will affect the players under that ‘elite’ level. But it’s not as costly for the elite kids,” O’Sullivan said.
“They train with the first graders anyway. The amount of training and the amount of contact you do, and the intensity as training while not the same as playing but it’s a close second. Those players in the top 36 are probably getting more intensity than they would in games in lower tier footy.”
Despite the disruptions the game has managed to produce the best rookies to ever take the field, according to O’Sullivan.
“Reece and Walker are the clear leaders, the quality they bring to a team … I can’t remember seeing that before, not what they have done at their age I just think they are phenomenal talents,” O’Sullivan said.
“For the age they are and the impact they have had on big plays, try scoring plays, line-break plays, it’s unheard of in my time of the game.”
TOP 10 TEENAGE ROOKIES
Sam Walker (Roosters)
The pint-sized teenager has never shied away from the physicality of the NRL and instantly established himself as one of the more skilful halves in the competition, sitting second for try assists (17) behind experienced campaigner Cody Walker (24).
Reece Walsh (Warriors)
The flashy Queensland rookie burst on to the NRL scene with dazzling display of footwork, skill and speed. A hamstring injury cruelled Walsh of a stunning Origin debut for Queensland in game two of this year’s series.
Joseph Suaalii (Roosters)
Suaalii made one of the most anticipated debuts in history in round 11 as a 17-year old after the NRL granted the Roosters exemption to play the youngster. After flashes of his immense talent, an ankle injury prematurely ended his 2021 season.
Talatau Amone (Dragons)
Part of a rising crop of exciting juniors at the Dragons and an instrumental influence in the Steelers’ 2019 SG Ball grand final win, Amone has been used as a utility back but has been earmarked by coach Anthony Griffin as one of the side’s long-term halves options.
Tyrell Sloan (Dragons)
Another from the Dragons’ 2019 SG Ball side, Sloan is rated so highly as a fullback prospect the club has backed him over Matt Dufty as the side’s future No.1. Sloan produced an eye-catching performance in Dufty’s jumper in round 18.
Xavier Savage (Raiders)
An exceptional talent, brimming with speed and skill, Savage produced a memorable game-breaking performance in round 18 against the Sharks. A game-winning try was the highlight of a 246-metre showing that also included nine tackle busts and two line breaks.
Tukimihia Simpkins (Tigers)
A bright light in an otherwise tumultuous season for the Wests Tigers, Simpkins has been on the All Blacks radar since signing with Super Rugby outfit the Chiefs as a 15-year old.
Jackson Topine (Bulldogs)
A versatile edge forward, who captained the NSW Blues under-18s side, Topine is just one of several Canterbury prospects, alongside Paul Alamoti and Aaron Schoupp, destined for long NRL careers.
Jake Arthur (Eels)
With an NRL coach for a father, Jakob, the son of Eels coach Brad Arthur, was always going to have the right pedigree for top flight football. Jakob has also shown he has the right temperament to succeed in the high-pressure role as a Parramatta playmaker.
Dean Ieremia (Storm)
Only the fourth Victorian to play for the Storm, Ieremia has not looked out of place in the side that is not only leading the competition but is the NRL benchmark.
Other teen debutants this year:
Dominic Young (Knights), Jake Simpkin (Tigers), Rocco Berry (Warriors), Tuku Hau Tapuha (Roosters), Aaron Schoupp (Bulldogs), TC Robati (Broncos), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Izack Tago (Panthers), Sean Russell (Eels), Taniela Otukolo (Warriors), Chris Patolo (Bulldogs), Bailey Biondi-Odo (Bulldogs), Will Penisini (Eels), Viliami Vailea (Warriors), Xavier Willison (Broncos), Davvy Moale (Rabbitohs).
Originally published as NRL 2021: Top 10 teenage rookies, Bennett’s Covid-19 warning for junior leagues
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