NRL 2024: Inside the ageing halves crisis set to rock rugby league | Bulldog’s Bite
With an ageing cluster of halves set to leave a seismic void in the NRL over the next few years, these are the emerging playmakers ready to pounce at the opportunity to play first grade, writes DEAN RITCHIE.
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The NRL will soon be at sixes and sevens.
Rugby league has an ageing cluster of halves spread throughout the competition, a deep concern given the seismic void it will leave over the next two to three years.
Veteran halves going deep into their careers is a bonus for rugby league fans now – but it could also be damaging for the game’s future.
Incredibly, there are 13 NRL halves entering the later stages of their careers.
And with two expansion sides – Western Bears and Papua New Guinea – expected in 2027 and 2028, the depth of key playmakers will be stretched even further.
I have no doubt the NRL will struggle to find, nurture and educate 19 high-quality halves when the two new teams are included. The new broadcast deal will mean more money and more eyeballs.
And there could be a 20th team added before 2030.
There is a crop of rookie halves emerging but when will they be ready? And how can they be ready when consistently languishing behind ageing players?
Maybe coaches should consider blooding some rookie halves to safeguard their club’s future. That could mean some senior players are rested or benched.
Maybe Bulldogs GM Phil Gould saw this coming. In 2022, Gould created a halves academy to develop playmakers from Jersey Flegg (under 17s) to NRL.
“Halves development is critical to the future of the club and game,” Bulldogs GM of Pathways Adam Hartigan once said.
What about this 2024 list of veteran halves: Adam Reynolds (34-years-old), Daly Cherry-Evans (35), Ben Hunt (34), Cody Walker (34), Jack Wighton (31), Cameron Munster (30 in September) and Kieran Foran (34).
Then there’s Mitch Moses (30 in September), Chad Townsend (33), Shaun Johnson (33), Luke Keary (32), Aidan Sezer (33) and Jahrome Hughes (30 in October).
Don’t get me wrong, most of these players are still in majestic form. Cherry-Evans is killing ‘em at Manly, Hunt is excelling at St George Illawarra while Foran continues to defy his age.
Johnson will retire after this season with Keary to continue his stellar playing career with Catalans in France.
Most will be departing our game within the next 24 to 36 months.
That leaves gaping holes left in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Gold Coast, Wollongong and Townsville.
The desire to nail down a quality halve long-term has never been stronger. They have become treasures. The price tag of Sam Walker, just 22, could hit the $1m-a-season mark.
Some rising halves will need to be gently eased into first grade during coming years to see, quite frankly, whether they are good enough.
The young halves emerging include Mitchell Woods (Bulldogs), Jett Cleary (Warriors), Coby Black (Broncos), Zane Harrison (Gold Coast), Toby Rodwell (Roosters), Onitoni Large (Wests Tigers), Kade Reed (Dragons), Alex Conti (Bulldogs), Jhett Sydir (Penrith), Lorenzo Talataina (Parramatta), Lachlan Dooner (Roosters), Zac Herdegen (Dolphins), Jonah Anderson (Raiders) and Waka Hammond (Storm).
Most won’t be ready for the rigours of NRL for another few years. And who is to say they will succeed at the elite level?
This dilemma reminds me of the mass vacuum that has twice confronted Australia’s Test cricket team.
Who can forget the day Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rodney Marsh retired at the same time from Test cricket in January, 1984? And when Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Justin Langer left together in 2007?
There wasn’t a contingency plan in place and Australian cricket struggled for success in ensuing seasons.
The dearth of halfbacks and five-eighths will come precisely at a time when rugby league will be seeking and demanding more playmakers.
It is a deadset worry.
How much future harm is being done due to these legends playing on for so long?
DOG TREATS
Newcastle has discussed offloading three key players for next year – but all may end up staying.
Knights officials wouldn’t prevent Daniel Saifiti (off contact after 2026), Jayden Brailey (2025) and Jack Hetherington (2025) from leaving after this season.
Saifiti has been locked in talks with St George Illawarra but the Dragons want Newcastle to pay more than the Knights are prepared to outlay for the transfer.
Saints appear to have shifted their focus to Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh.
Hetherington won’t be pushed out given his deal ends after next year when he plans to play in England.
And talks with Brailey haven’t progressed too far.
Newcastle would shave around $2m from their books should all three ultimately leave after this year. But that is becoming increasingly unlikely.
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Warrington Wolves fans are flocking to buy tickets for the 2025 Las Vegas extravaganza.
The US venture has become so popular that a third supporter’s bay has been opened for Wire fans.
Warrington say the move comes from their fans’ “incredible support”.
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Lovely to see a father and son team up on the same side during a bush footy match.
Jett Gilbert and his father Andrew played first grade together for the Wingham Tigers against Wauchope last week.
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This column texted Parramatta halfback Mitch Moses to establish whether rumours about him wanting to leave before a contract clause kicks-in after 2026 were true.
“Mitch, it’s Dean Ritchie, just wondering whether you wanted to clear up and tidy up these rumours about your clauses and the possibility of leaving Parra? Not sure where they are coming from but thought you may want to settle it. Cheers.”
His response? The silence has been deafening.
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Believe in omens? Canterbury made the grand final in 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014. Any takers for 2024?
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Canberra legend Laurie Daley was wandering the streets of Paris on vacation when he bumped directly into his old mate, former Raiders CEO Kevin Neil.
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He’s the son of a gun being targeted by the USA rugby union team.
Randwick forward Christian Poidevin – son of Wallabies legend Simon – has been asked whether he would make himself available to represent the American national team.
Christian has spent four years playing in America’s MRL competition and his mum, Robin, was born in Chicago.
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Which leading NRL player blocked a senior journo on social media after the precious player copped some criticism?
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Inside the ageing halves crisis set to rock rugby league | Bulldog’s Bite
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