NRL market watch: The off-contract youngsters set to attract massive interest
Storm’s retention of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes could relegate a young superstar – and clubs are ready to pounce when he hits the market in a matter of days.
With just days until the November 1 signing deadline, NRL clubs are clamouring to re-sign their stars as opposition sides eye off the big names they want to poach.
However, there is a host of rising talent also set to come onto the open market for the 2024 season.
FATIMA KDOUH looks at the exciting young players set to hit free agency, who will be on the radar of rival clubs looking to make astute buys.
Storm: Jonah Pezet
Announced himself as a genuine NRL prospect with a superb individual performance, including four try assists, for NSW in this year’s under 19s State of Origin. A natural footballer, with an ability to organise and read the play, Pezet would be knocking on the door of an NRL start at just about any other club.
But the halfback’s plan to succeed either Cameron Munster or Jahrome Hughes has hit a snag with the duo signed until the end of 2027 and 2026, respectively.
Broncos: Logan Bayliss-Brow
He will put himself in the shopfront window this month at the Rugby League World Cup after he was named as a starting prop for Scotland.
The 23-year-old has been plying his trade for Souths Logan Magpies but trained with the Broncos under a train and trial deal before being handed a development contract.
What the prop gives away in size, he makes up for with pure strength, using his hard running to break tackles. Rhys Kennedy has joined Super League outfit Hull KR, opening the door for Bayliss-Brow to make play for a spot on the bench in 2023.
Bulldogs: Paul Alamoti
Canterbury were able to stave off a number of rivals to keep the local junior at Belmore in 2023. The teen prodigy was eligible to debut this year, but the Bulldogs have played the long game. Alamoti spent this season in NSW Cup under noted development coach David Tangata-Toa, playing against more seasoned opposition and helping Canterbury to the grand final against eventual premiers Penrith.
Alamoti will use the upcoming pre-season to press for a centre spot, but is in for a battle in usurping Aaron Schoupp and Braidon Burns. A player of the future, Alamoti will again be a target for rivals willing to take a punt on his potential.
Cowboys: Riley Price
If rugby league pedigree were the measure of success, then Price is on course for a stellar NRL career as the son of Canterbury great Steve Price. But the rising forward, who can play in the middle or an edge, could find himself struggling to get a look in up north with the bulk of the Cowboys’ pack locked in long term, including Griffin Neame, Jason Taumalolo, Reuben Cotter and Coen Hess.
Kangaroos teenager Jeremiah Nanai is off contract for the 2024 season from November 1 but is likely to secure his future long term. Tom Gilbert’s departure opens up a spot in the back row but that will eventually go to either Heilum Luki (ACL) or Luciano Leilua (no-fault stand down), leaving Price vying for a bench spot in 2023.
Dragons: Shalom O’ofou
O’ofou’s progression was stunted after the forward missed a year due to injury, and the Covid-19 pandemic disruption of lower grades. The 22-year-old is a good defender and powerful ball runner with good line speed.
After coming through the Dragons’ junior system, he’s yet to be extended or upgraded into the top-30 squad, making him a target for clubs looking to add some depth and starch to their forward pack. But with Tariq Sims heading to Melbourne, and a number of other key forwards off contract, this pre-season is a chance for the O’ofou to make his mark.
Eels: Wiremu Greig
Greig showed early promise when first blooded last season but the forward has only managed three games over the last two years, failing to establish himself in Brad Arthur’s outfit. But the behemoth prop could finally find himself in the mix next season with the departures of Isaiah Papali’i, Oregon Kaufusi and Marata Niukore sparking a shake-up in Arthur’s engine room.
New recruits J’maine Hopgood and Jirah Momoisea are likely to get first crack at the spot vacated on the edge by Papali’i. But a bench spot, and a chance to prove his NRL credentials, is crucial to Greig securing his future at the Eels, or at a rival club.
Knights: Chris Vea’ila
The 19-year-old started his career at the Knights as a fullback in their Harold Matthews side in 2019, alongside now-Melbourne whiz-kid Jonah Pezet. Already tipping the scales at close to 100kg, the teenager’s hulking size has seen him shift into the centres at SG Ball level.
Still a work in progress, the youngster is viewed as a long-term prospect at the club and should develop into a genuine option in the centres in place of Dane Gagai, who turns 32 in January.
Panthers: Mavrik Geyer
When Ivan Cleary made wholesale changes against the Cowboys in round 25, Geyer could only manage a start at 18th man, which indicates the 21-year-old is still behind a number of players in the Penrith forward pack. Viliame Kikau’s edge spot is likely to go to Scott Sorenson, with Chris Smith an option on the bench.
But Penrith’s second row is far less clear beyond 2023 with Sorenson, Smith and Liam Martin all off contract. While Geyer will have to bide his time, an extension could see him come into the running depending on decisions made by those already in the top 30.
Rabbitohs: Jye Gray
Viewed as a long-term halves partner for Lachlan Ilias, it’s unlikely South Sydney will let Gray slip through their fingers anytime soon. Gray is a product of Brisbane’s junior academy but the Rabbitohs poached him earlier this year after he impressed at the Schoolboys Championship. The running five-eighth should earn a contract upgrade into coach Jason Demetriou’s top 30 in 2024.
Raiders: Clay Webb
Webb is part of the next generation of players with potential coming through the ranks at Canberra, including the likes of Trey Mooney and Brad Morkos. Webb is a no-frills second rower who co-skippered the Raiders’ SG Ball side to the 2021 premiership. While Webb might not have the same x-factor as Mooney, and is more a workhorse second-rower, the departures of Ryan Sutton and Adam Elliott should free-up a bench spot, bringing Webb into the frame over the course of 2023.
Roosters: Tuku Hau Tapuha
Initially earmarked as part of Trent Robinson’s forward pack succession plan, Hau Tapuha is yet to have his development contract upgraded to a top 30 deal. The 20-year-old, standing at 196 centimetres and weighing 114 kilograms, is a strong runner, with an offload and isn’t afraid of physical contact.
Sea Eagles: Kaeo Weekes
Weekes played three games this year but his versatility makes him a retention priority for the Sea Eagles. Weekes might be a rising fullback prospect, which will come in handy given Tom Trbojevic’s injury history, but the youngster has also spent time training with experienced halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran.
Josh Schuster is earmarked as Foran’s halves replacement, but there are still questions about his ability to make the transition from the back row. This makes Weekes’ retention all the more crucial given the potential volatility in two key spine positions. A prolific tryscorer in Harold Matthews and SG Ball, Weekes will no doubt be on the radar of rivals come November.
Sharks: Ryan Rivett
Cronulla are in the process of finalising their development list, but the crop of rising players in 2022 included Ryan Rivett, Jonaiah Lualua, Jack Martin and Thomas Rodwell. With young playmaker Luke Metcalf committing to the Warriors and Matt Moylan turning 32 next year, the retention of Rivett, a halfback with solid organisational skills, is crucial to Craig Fitzgibbon’s halves stocks.
A handy goal kicker, Rivett starred for Palm Beach Currumbin in the 2020 Schoolboy Cup. Rivett, who’s natural ability has drawn comparisons to Alfie Langer, moved to the Shire after finding himself stuck behind Toby Sexton at the Titans.
Titans: Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Khan-Pereira was upgraded to a top-30 contract this year but wasn’t able to crack a place in Justin Holbrook’s side with the likes of Corey Thompson, Phillip Sami and Greg Marzhew establishing themselves as regulars in the outside backs.
But Thompson’s retirement takes Khan Pereira, the club’s fastest player at 35.6km/h, one step closer to an NRL debut on the wing.
Warriors: Demitric Sifakula
A De La Salle College product, Sifakula is a ball playing lock who also provides utility value in the forward pack. While the 18-yearold won’t be rushed into the NRL, he is part of a promising crop of rising talent across the ditch including Jacob Laban and brothers, Otukinekina and Valingi Kepu.
Sifakula played for the Dolphins in the QRL’s under-21s competition, where he was a handful playing up front, scoring a try and causing the Blackhawks’ defence headaches with his hard running.
Tigers: Tuki Simpkins
Simpkins signed a three-year deal in 2021 but has only played five games after failing to establish himself as a regular in the NRL side.
Still only 20, Simpkins has plenty of time to prove his potential as a highly regarded edge back-row prospect.
Dolphins: Harrison Graham
A crafty hooker, Graham was coach Wayne Bennett’s first signing at the new franchise. Considered one of the best up-and-coming hookers in the game, Graham, can also play at lock forward.
With seven roster spots still available in the top-30 roster, Graham is in line for an upgrade ahead of 2023.
Which would be an astute move before rivals come sniffing for the dummy half, who was a driving force for the Wynnum Seagulls on their run to the under-20s title last year.
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