21 NRL guns aged 21 and under
IF rugby league is a game for men then someone forgot to tell these NRL players. They’re aged 21 or younger and making huge impacts on the field for their NRL clubs. Nick Walshaw ranks the NRL’s biggest young guns.
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IF rugby league is a game for men then someone forgot to tell these 21 first grade NRL players.
Each of these stars has two things in common.
They’re all making huge impacts on the field for their clubs at NRL level and they are all aged just 21 years old or younger.
Below we look at the 21 NRL guns aged 21 or under and get ready: You’re about to read some of the biggest names going around in season 2018.
1 Kalyn Ponga
Age: 20│Games: 26
More exciting than a first date, or your last Mad Monday, the Newcastle fullback is gunning for a Dally M medal in first full season of NRL, which would nicely accompany his tag of youngest Queensland Origin player since Israel Folau.
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2 Latrell Mitchell
Age: 21│Games: 64
Tackle him? It’s like trying to bag flies. Or put socks on a Rooster. Leads all NRL centres for tackle busts and linebreaks
3 Nathan Cleary
Age: 20│Games: 51
The Penrith No. 7 looks more like Ivan Cleary than even Ivan Cleary. Also boasts an Origin series win in his first attempt and the tag of youngest player to score 200 points in a season.
4 Tom Trbojevic
Age: 21│Games: 72
If you think spelling his surname is tough, trying stopping him with Steeden in hand. leads the Manly Sea Eagles for try assists, linebreaks, linebreak assists and tackle busts.
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5 Coen Hess
Age: 21│Games: 54
Queensland wrecking ball dubbed Ivan Drago, likely because Rocky IV only arrived in Townsville last summer. Since 2017, has also scored more tries (18) than any other NRL forward.
6 Payne Haas
Age: 18│Games: 3
Brisbane powerhouse certainly looms as a Payne in the Haas for rivals, having amassed 107 metres, two tackle busts and 23 tackles in only 37 minutes of NRL action.
7 Nick Cotric
Age: 19│Games: 43
Remember Albert Fulivai? Well, this Canberra winger is even more exciting. And with better hair. Already on the cusp of NSW Origin selection after not only scoring 16 tries in his first season, but in eight consecutive matches.
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8 Curtis Scott
Age: 20│Games: 31
Youngest Melbourne debutant in 10 years, and fourth youngest ever, the Storm centre not only scored a try in the 2017 grand final but also sits No.1 in our separate list of Leaguies Under 21 You Least Want To Be Punched By.
9 Brodie Croft
Age: 21│Games: 12
OK, so the kid with the Marvel Comic name has been in and out of Melbourne’s No. 7 jersey this year. But rest assured, there is no doubting the talent of this rising Queenslander who, in the World Club Challenge, earned a try, three try assists, a linebreak and two linebreak assists against Leeds.
10 David Fifita
Age: 18│Games: 5
No, not the twin brother of Cronulla bad boy Andrew Fifita. This Brisbane monster is his cousin. Also the first player born in the 2000s to play NRL, which makes the rest of us feel older than dirt.
11 Victor Radley
Age: 20│Games: 20
Roosters young gun who hits so hard your ancestors feel it. Also boasts his own cheer squad which, while undoubtedly raucous, still sits second to the girls who onced shadowed Smokin’ Joe Kilroy.
12 AJ Brimson
Age: 19│Games: 10
Given the run of false dawns up there on the Gold Coast glitter strip — think everyone from Warwick Capper through to Bryce Cartwright — let’s just say we wish this rising, young No.6 nothing but the best after a string of great performances this year, most recently against the Warriors last start.
13 Taniela Paseka
Age: 20│Games: 11
Manly forward who stands 197cm tall, weighs 120kg and, a part from being able to devour livestock whole (we assume), was also part of the Sea Eagles Holden Cup squad that won the 2017 premiership.
14 Jaydn Su’A
Age: 20│Games: 23
Has played 23 games for the Broncos over three seasons. He has 19 tackle busts and 15 offloads this season while averaging 21 tackles per game.
15 Bunty Afoa
Age: 21│Games: 38
Gets on to this list with his hairstyle alone. Has played 38 games for the Warriors over three seasons. Played six matches for Samoa. This season he is averaging 80 metres and 23 tackles in 37 minutes per game.
16 Cameron Murray
Age: 20│Games: 26
Dubbed The Next Angus Crichton by Souths insiders. And given he still has all 10 fingers, we’re tipping it has everything to do with the young backrower’s playing style.
17 Esan Marsters
Age: 21│Games: 32
Already a mainstay of Wests Tigers backline, this Cook Islander also kicks goals at almost 80 per cent, boasts a Test for New Zealand and leads all centres in 2018 for try assists, offloads and run metres.
18 Jarome Luai
Age: 21│Games: 4
Jarome Who exploded on to the scene in round 17 when, with Penrith missing Origin halves Nathan Cleary and James Maloney, and in only his second game, the No.7 scored two tries and played a hand in three more to upset the Warriors. Pips Panthers hooker Wayde Egan for a place on our list.
19 Isaiah Papali’i
Age: 19│Games: 19
Making his debut with the Warriors in 2017, Papali’i is a rising backrower whose mum, Lorina, 41, will also play for the Warriors in the inaugural women’s tournament later this year.
20 Tevita Tatola
Age: 21│Games: 19
Rabbitohs prop made his debut in round 1 and has become a mainstay of the side ever since. Contender for Dally M Rookie of the Year.
21 Jesse Ramien
Age: 21│Games: 17
While he may be headed to Newcastle in 2019, Ramien has become a regular member of the Sharks backline and has nine tries this season, behind only Valentine Holmes (17).