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The rookies Paul Crawley expects to impress in the NRL in 2018

EVERY year a bunch of kids jump out of nowhere to put their stamp on the NRL — who will it be in 2018? Paul Crawley lists his 10 rookies to watch out for this season.

PAUL CRAWLEY
3 min read
January 1, 2018 - 1:44PM
Zac Lomax after kicking a field goal for the Under 18 NSW Blues. Picture: Brett Costello
Zac Lomax after kicking a field goal for the Under 18 NSW Blues. Picture: Brett Costello

EVERY year a bunch of kids jump out of nowhere to put their stamp on the NRL.

Last season it was the likes of Nick Cotric, Curtis Scott, Jayden Brailey and Kalyn Ponga.

Who will it be in 2018?

Paul Crawley lists his 10 rookies to watch out for.

ZAC LOMAX (DRAGONS)

Hails from Temora in country NSW but you’d swear this young centre is the spit out of Mark Gasnier’s mouth. A two-time Australian Schoolboy who was named NSW under-18 player of the year and has just joined St George Illawarra’s first grade squad. Tall, fast and has that Gasnier-like flick pass. Watch his YouTube highlight video (above) and you’ll see why Lomax has been earmarked as a star of the future.

AJ BRIMSON (TITANS)

Remember how Brisbane made the mistake of letting Ash Taylor go so he could get his crack at the NRL with Gold Coast? Well, with Taylor and Kane Elgey at the Titans, it will be interesting to see how this pans out because you can only hold talent like Brimson back for so long. There’s a stack of exciting young halves coming through but some good judges reckon this young Queenslander is the pick of them.

MANASE FAINU (SEA EAGLES):

Manly's Haumole Olakau'atu and Manase Fainu celebrate victory after the Parramatta Eels v Manly 2017 Holden Cup U20's Grand Final. Picture: Brett Costello
Manly's Haumole Olakau'atu and Manase Fainu celebrate victory after the Parramatta Eels v Manly 2017 Holden Cup U20's Grand Final. Picture: Brett Costello

Didn’t make the Holden Cup team of the year but was captain of Wayne Lambkin’s grand final-winning Manly side and also named the premiers’ best and fairest. Started the year in the halves but really found his home at hooker and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension. Tough and fearless, he’s also clever and apparently has the right amount of that other crucial ingredient all good hookers need, “mongrel”.

JESSE RAMIEN (SHARKS):

This 20-year-old centre reminds me of a young Joey Leilua. He was impressive scoring a try on debut against Newcastle in round 26 and named in the Holden Cup team of the year. Big, strong and elusive. And the fact the Sharks didn’t let him go when other NRL clubs circled is enough to suggest Ramien has a big year ahead.

ENARI TUALA (COWBOYS):

Enari Tuala. Picture: Wesley Monts
Enari Tuala. Picture: Wesley Monts

Junior Kangaroo centre built like Michael Jennings. Not tall but fast, skilful and powerful. Best of all, when he’s near the ball things seem to happen. Made his NRL debut late in the year and the word is he’ll push for a permanent top-grade spot at the Cowboys next year.

REUBEN PORTER (ROOSTERS):

Big Kiwi back-rower in the Hugh McGahan mould who was still at school when the Roosters beat a number of clubs to sign him. They used to fly him in and out each weekend to play but he’s progressed to captain the under-20s. Has an offload and is a handful. It won’t be easy pushing his way into the Roosters’ star-studded pack but Porter has the potential.

JACK MURCHIE (RAIDERS):

This big, blond, free-running back-rower was named in the Junior Kangaroos, man of the match in NSW’s under-20s win over Queensland and capped off a fine season with a place in the Holden Cup team of the year. Has a tough job ahead trying to poke his nose into the Raiders’ back row given they have Josh Papalii, Elliott Whitehead, Joe Tapine and Sia Soliola. But keep an eye out for Murchie. He’s looking the goods at pre-season training and is fast.

BILLY MAGOULIAS (SHARKS)

Captain of Cronulla’s under-20s and named at lock in the team of the year. Is a tireless worker with a good offload. If you haven’t seen him play, think Josh Maguire and you’re not too far off the mark. The Sharks were minor premiers in the Holden Cup but when it all fell apart for them late in season he was still out there giving it his best.

EMRE GULER (Raiders):

Still only 19, this old-school front-rower arrived at the Raiders from the Rabbitohs and stamped his mark in 2017. Was a Junior Kangaroo and NSW under-20 representative who has a real shot of forcing his way into Canberra’s heavyweight pack next season. Guler has really good late footwork and can probably offer a point of difference working in with giant pair Junior Paulo and Shannon Boyd.

PATRICK CARRIGAN (BRONCOS):

Patrick Carrigan playing for Queensland Under 20s. Picture: Peter Wallis
Patrick Carrigan playing for Queensland Under 20s. Picture: Peter Wallis

His childhood heroes were Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva and this young prop is well on the way to following in their giant footsteps at the Broncos. By all reports, Carrigan is smart and humble, was captain of his school and is studying physiotherapy at university. But don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s not tough enough to make it in an NRL team’s engine room. Made the Holden Cup team of the year and has progressed into the top squad for the pre-season.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-rookies-paul-crawley-expects-to-impress-in-the-nrl-in-2018/news-story/9ca857f0c4e899f04f0c8c8b8f1d8716