Rising sons: 17 famous names set for NRL and KFC SuperCoach stardom
The names Mundine, Campbell, Walker, Alexander and co have already lit up rugby league — now they could all over again.
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There are enough of them to fill a squad — but with bloodlines from some of the best to have played NRL, it’s no wonder these emerging kids are ready to take up from where their fathers left off.
CJ MUNDINE, son of Anthony Mundine (Rabbitohs)
In his second year at Souths after developing through the grades at his father’s former club, St George-Illawarra.
CJ, in the final year of his contract, is a member of the Rabbitohs’ Jersey Flegg (under-21s) squad and like his boxer dad, can play in the halves or fullback.
“He had plenty of interest from other NRL clubs for his services, and we couldn’t be happier to see him pick the Rabbitohs as his club of choice for his career development moving forward,” former Souths GM of football Shane Richardson said last year.
JAYDEN CAMPBELL, son of Preston Campbell (Titans)
The 21-year-old has started his NRL career at the same club his dad farewelled after a brilliant career that spanned more than a decade.
An exciting fullback, Jayden was invited to the Titans last year on a train-and-trial contract, but has recently been added to the club’s development list and is training with the top squad.
“To play NRL would be awesome but playing NRL in the same club as your old man, that’d be even better.” Jayden said recently.
SAM WALKER, son of Ben Walker (Roosters)
Just two years ago, Sam was the most sought-after signing in the NRL, chased by the Cowboys, Broncos, Titans, as well as Rugby Australia.
The creative halfback settled on the Roosters and now 18, could make his NRL debut this year.
Ben played for six different clubs both here and in the UK Super League, but if Sam lives up to his promise, he’s a player the Roosters won’t want to lose.
The teenager loves taking the defensive line on with his running game and also possesses a sharp step, a beautiful pass and a clever short kick.
With the Roosters halfback jumper up for grabs after Kyle Flanagan’s exit to Canterbury, is 2021 the year we see the debut of young Walker?
TYRAN WISHART, son of Rod Wishart (Dragons)
Anyone who caught a glimpse of his blistering trial match performance against Cronulla last weekend knows it’s merely a matter of when, not if, the son of Rod makes his NRL debut.
If there’s one positive to come from the season-ending injury to Cam McInnes, it’s that Tyran’s dream is now a genuine reality.
Unlike his father — the former Steelers, Dragons, Blues and Kangaroos winger — Tyran is at his best as a hooker or half, with the ball in his hands and testing the defensive line with his turn of speed.
“Tyran has got more ability than me,” Rod told The Daily Telegraph last year.
“I think he is a middle player because he is smart with his kicking game and vision, which definitely excels what I had as a player.”
JAKE ARTHUR, son of Brad Arthur (Eels)
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur will soon understand what Penrith coach Ivan Cleary goes through every week.
Arthur’s son Jake is edging closer to an NRL debut after joining the first-grade squad in pre-season.
A talented half who is supremely fit, Jake indicated how close he is to the elite level by trialling against the Dragons on Thursday night.
Jake only needs to play one NRL game to gain bragging rights over his dad, who switched from playing to coaching after representing the Eels SG Ball and under-21s sides.
KADE DYKES, son of Adam Dykes (Sharks)
Kade indicated his promise with selection in the Sharks’ first official trial match of the season against the Dragons last week.
The De La Salle local junior grew up playing in the halves — where his father excelled over 221 first-grade games for Cronulla and the Eels — but the 18-year-old has recently transitioned into a fullback.
Dykes boasts terrific speed, great work ethic, strength and a silky pass largely due to his development as a footballer by playing in the halves.
JONAH PEZET, son of Troy Pezet (Storm)
Jonah is a halfback whose father, Troy, played 28 NRL games for the South Queensland Crushers and Parramatta. Troy was also the former Knights recruitment boss before resigning in 2019.
Jonah, 18, arrived at the Storm in 2020 after playing in the junior representative ranks of Newcastle and clearly impressed the Melbourne coaching staff; he was rewarded with a contract extension until the end of 2023.
If the off-contract Jahrome Hughes leaves the Storm, watch for Pezet Jnr to launch his NRL claims.
ALBERT HOPOATE, son of John Hopoate (Raiders)
One of the many offspring from the Hopoate household, young Albert may just prove the best of the litter.
Footy fans haven’t seen anything near the finished product after his brief stint at Manly returned five NRL games under Des Hasler.
After helping out the Warriors through their COVID-riddled 2020 season, the NSW under-16s wing/fullback has moved to Canberra on a one-year deal this season.
To say Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is impressed with Young Hoppa is an understatement.
Watch for Albert to play NRL this year — possibly as early as round one.
ROCCO BERRY, son of Marty Berry (Warriors)
A Wellington rugby union talent and the son of former All Blacks playmaker Marty Berry, Rocco was a celebrated signing by the Warriors in 2019.
The Warriors staved off mass interest from Super Rugby to secure the 20-year-old on a four-year contract.
A rangy fullback/winger, Berry junior boasts pace, great footy instincts and brilliant ball skills.
He displayed his progression as a league player by featuring in the Warriors’ Perth Nines team last year.
ISAIAH VAGANA, son of Joe Vagana (Warriors)
Big Joe was a foundation player for the Warriors from 1995 until 2000. Isaiah is a former Junior Kiwi who still has some development to do, but he boasts serious talent.
Turning 20 this year, he can play either as a middle forward or has proven to unleash serious damage out on an edge.
BRAITH ALEXANDER, son of Greg Alexander (Panthers)
The Alexanders live on the Northern Beaches, but that hasn’t deterred young Braith from travelling up to four times a week out to play for the club where his father became a Hall of Fame legend.
Braith has been in the Penrith system since he was 15 — at one point catching the train from school for training.
The 18-year-old son of Brandy Alexander is much like his father with serious speed and creativity. Braith is capable of playing in the halves or at hooker.
He’s due to play SG Ball for Penrith this season and is on the comeback trail from a foot injury. It’s also an important year as he’s off-contract at Penrith.
JETT CLEARY, son of Ivan Cleary (Panthers)
Another Cleary, another halfback
The youngest son of Penrith coach Ivan and little brother to NSW Origin halfback Nathan, Jett is a member of the Panthers’ Harold Matthews squad.
Born in New Zealand when Ivan played for the Warriors, Jett has since developed his game with his education developed from the rich nursery of league talent at St Dominic’s College.
Jett is everything you would expect from a Cleary — hardworking and with a great eye for the game. On the rebound from a fractured ankle, he is hoping to be fit for selection in the next few weeks.
CALLUM LEIKVOLL, son of Chris Leikvoll (Dragons)
One thing young Callum has over his father is a little extra pace.
Chris was a tough and toilsome front-rower who played 115 games for Illawarra and St George-Illawarra and was also a member of the Dragons side that lost the 1999 grand final to Melbourne.
Callum has just turned 17 and is a backrower who the Dragons believe can progress out of the Harold Matthews Cup and into first grade.
Proof of the club’s belief in Callum is that they’ve tied him down to a contract until the end of 2022.
KOBE HETHERINGTON, son of Jason Hetherington (Broncos)
He’s actually a twin son (with brother Zac) of former Canterbury and Maroons hooker Jason Hetherington — one the toughest Bulldogs to lace a boot.
Signed with the Broncos, Kobe is a hooker, like his father, and has been on an upward trajectory in his development, highlighted by his Queensland under-20s selection last year.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters indicated just how close Kobe is to an NRL debut by selecting him at hooker — packing down in the front-row with Tevita Pangai Jr and Matt Lodge — in the club’s first trial of the season against Wynnum-Manly on Friday night.
NICK O’MELEY, son of Mark O’Meley (Knights)
The son of former Test and NSW Origin prop Mark “Ogre” O’Meley is out to impress in 2021 after signing a train and trial contract with the Knights.
Unlike his fearless father who went at the opposition through the middle, Nick does his best work from fullback, centre or at lock.
Nick had a stint with the Roosters’ lower grades before taking up the opportunity this year to prove himself at the Knights.
KURT PICKEN, son of Guy Picken (Bulldogs)
Unlike his father, a former front-rower with the Sharks and Dragons between 1986 and 1992, 19-year-old Kurt is a talented centre/fullback.
A Yarrawarrah Tigers junior, Kurt has progressed through the Dogs’ Harolds Matthews and SG Ball teams to be now training with the NRL squad on a development contract.
MAVERICK GEYER, son of Mark Geyer (Panthers)
In 2016, MG Junior was a member of the same NSW Combined Catholic College team as NRL players Bradman Best and Max Feagai.
“Mav” has continued his development through the Penrith system, beginning from the Panthers Harold Matthews squad to be the starting backrower for Jersey Flegg.
Little MG was named to play against the Bulldogs in a Jersey Flegg trial on Saturday.
And like his legendary father, Mav doesn’t take a backward step.
Originally published as Rising sons: 17 famous names set for NRL and KFC SuperCoach stardom
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