NRL 2024: Top 50 players aged 23 and under revealed – Wests Tigers surge, Reece Walsh slides down the list

Only two up-and-coming No.9s have made the top 50 NRL young players list, highlighting a dire shortage in the key playmaking position. See who made the list.

From future Origin captains to the rookies that are the foundation of club rebuilds, the top-50 list of the NRL’s best and most promising is brimming with talent.

Fatima Kdouh has ranked the game’s best players 23 and under.

SEE THE 2023 LIST.

Reece Walsh was in poll position to take over from Brisbane teammate Payne Haas as the best young player in the game but the fullback has been left in the wake of Stephen Crichton’s rise at Canterbury.

Dolphins young gun Max Plath. Art: Scott 'Boo' Bailey

Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu, who is three months too old for this list, was the subject of a contract tug of war for his services and this year’s top 50 proves why – young, elite props are hard to come by.

There are only three rising props in the top 50, and Roosters firebrand Spencer Leniu is the only front rower in the top 10.

Rookie Cowboy Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has missed the cut for a second year running, despite hopes the damaging forward would find another level in his game this season but just hasn’t happened.

The high calibre on the list, across both experienced players and rookies, meant the likes of Tallis Duncan, Jaxon Purdue, Leka Halasima and Siua Wong did not get a look in.

Rising rakes are also a rare commodity in the NRL. Tigers hooker Tallyn Da Silva is only one of two hookers named and made the cut on future potential – as did the six other Tigers players on the list.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Top 50 players aged 23 and under revealed – Wests Tigers surge, Reece Walsh slides down the list