Part III: We look back at Queensland’s top 25 rookie talents

Late last year The Courier-Mail rugby league team listed the top 25 future Maroons. Today, we revisit that list and rate how each player’s 2019 has panned out. READ PART III HERE.

Tom Dearden (right) of the Broncos is tackled by Latrell Mitchell (left) of the Roosters during the Round 10 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

In December last year, The Courier-Mail’s NRL team highlighted the 25 best young talents in Queensland and shared their story so far.

But what’s life like six months on? Are our young guns still showing their potential and impressing recruiters? Is there a clear standout, a select few stars or have they all fizzled under the limelight?

This week, we revise and rate each of the 25 players earmarked for future NRL and Queensland honours.

We will reveal five a day, every day this week. Here’s part three.

Redcliffe halfback Cory Paix (left) evades a tackle challenge during an Intrust Super Cup clash. Picture: AAP

CORY PAIX

(Brisbane Broncos)

Paix is being groomed as understudy to Anthony Milford and Tom Dearden under Broncos coach Anthony Seibold after signing a three-year contract extension with the Broncos last week.

The Toowoomba junior is held in high regard by Seibold and has stepped up to senior footy after a rollercoaster year for Intrust Super Cup premiers Redcliffe.

After a mixed start to the year, Paix starred in the Dolphins’ dramatic win over previously undefeated Sunshine Coast and recently earned selection in the Queensland U20 Origin side.

Tom Dearden (right) is tackled by Latrell Mitchell during Brisbane’s Round 10 upset win over Sydney. Picture: AAP

TOM DEARDEN

(Brisbane Broncos)

It’s a fair step up from Queensland and Australian schoolboys to the NRL but Tom Dearden handled both with aplomb in a whirlwind 2019 rise.

The fair-haired playmaker capped a stunning six months of Mal Meninga and Intrust Super Cup performances for Wynnum-Manly with selection in the Broncos senior side and now shapes as Brisbane’s playmaking future after debuting against South Sydney in Round 8.

He’s five games into his NRL career and though a syndesmosis injury has laid him low for now, there’s no denying Dearden could be the pick of our Top 25.

Thomas Gilbert (centre) in action for Townsville Blackhawks. Picture: Zak Simmonds

THOMAS GILBERT

(North Queensland Cowboys)

This kid could well be the one that got away for Brisbane.

The former Broncos development player and Brisbane Grammar student has excelled since signing with the Cowboys and rates among the most consistent performers for Intrust Super Cup feeder Townsville Blackhawks.

Gilbert’s 185cm and 96kg frame seems slight for senior football but the 18-year-old rips in without fear and has turned heads this year, averaging around 150m and three tackle busts per game.

He’s also featured in the Emerging Maroons program and was recently named in the U20 Queensland Origin squad.

Patrick Carrigan (left) has made his mark since rising to NRL level. Picture: AAP

PAT CARRIGAN

(Brisbane Broncos)

Carrigan has gone from strength to strength after skippering Queensland under-20s to their first ever victory over NSW in 2018 and will play a key role in Anthony Seibold’s forward pack of the future.

Handed his NRL debut in Round 5 against West Tigers, Carrigan has racked up seven games so far in 2019 and was instrumental off the bench in Brisbane’s back-to-back wins over Manly and the Warriors.

It’s only a matter of time before he earns a starting berth and Seibold may blood the Gregory Terrace product earlier than expected in a bid to turn Brisbane’s wobbly season around.

Corey Allan scores for South Sydney during their Round 7 clash with Penrith. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

COREY ALLAN

(South Sydney)

Where to begin on Corey Allan?

The fleet-footed Brisbane product made history late last year in representing the Prime Minister’s XIII without having played NRL and has fast become a mainstay of Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs.

Allan quickly found himself plugging holes following Greg Inglis’ retirement and scored in his starting debut against the Titans in Round 3.

He currently stands at three tries in 13 appearances for South Sydney and will likely play finals in his first ever season — not bad at all.

PART II: Coates, Compain, Bullemor, Niu, Horburgh

PART I: Walker, Piakura, Howarth, Walsh, Tabuai-Fidow