Malakai Martin has become the first Townsville Blackhawk to receive a South Sydney Rabbitohs scholarship in 2025

Meet the first Townsville young gun to receive NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs scholarship ahead of the 2025 season.

Malakai Martin is the first Townsville Blackhawk to receive a South Sydney Rabbitohs sponsorship for 2025. Picture: Supplied

Malakai Martin has taken another major step on his path to the top of Australian rugby league, with the Townsville young gun set to join South Sydney Rabbitohs on a scholarship in 2025.

The 15-year-old lock who currently plays for the Blackhawks and attends powerhouse league nursery Kirwan State High School, impressed recruitment staff at Kirwan’s battle with the Rabbitoh’s under-16 Junior Bunnies team earlier this year, earning himself man of the match honours.

Martin, who is of Papua New Guinean and Aboriginal descent, is the nephew of former NRL players Rhyse Martin and Travis Waddell, and is set for his first season in the QRL with the Blackhawks.

Malakai Martin is the first Townsville Blackhawk to receive a South Sydney Rabbitohs sponsorship for 2025. Picture: Supplied

“We spotted Malakai playing for Kirwan State High School against the Junior Bunnies in an under-16s development game earlier this year, and he was very impressive,” Rabbitohs Pathways Recruitment Manager Brent Hill said.

“He won the man-of-the-match award that day and he has continued to show that he is willing to work hard and learn from his coaches to achieve his goals.”

Originally published as Malakai Martin has become the first Townsville Blackhawk to receive a South Sydney Rabbitohs scholarship in 2025