The Agenda Special: Contract status of the top 50 under-23 NRL stars

We reveal the contract status of the top 50 NRL stars under 23. Which players are locked in long-term and who is about to become a target on the open market?

The best young talent in the NRL ranked and rated.

From premiership winners to household names and future superstars, the NRL is flush with young talent and this is the top-50 list that proves it.

Ahead of round 23, Fatima Kdouh has ranked the game’s best players 23 and under.

NRL forwards are supposed to hit their prime in their late 20’s but someone forgot to tell the current crop dominating the game like Brisbane’s Payne Haas, North Queensland’s Jeremiah Nanai and Penrith’s Spencer Leniu.

The calibre of forwards in the list meant the likes of Cronulla forwards Oregon Kaufusi and Teig Wilton, Sydney Roosters back-rower Egan Butcher and even Cowboys back-rower Heilum Luki did not get a look in.

Livewire Broncos fullback Reece Walsh’s Origin and club form has the 20-year-old perched high in the top-10 but the No.1 spot on the list went to a Brisbane teammate.

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Competition was just as stiff in the outside backs with a number of rising backline stars narrowly missing out like boom Warrior Rocco Berry, Manly’s Kaeo Weekes, Wests Tigers Tommy Talau and Dragons winger Mathew Feagai.

Rising Wests Tigers rake Tallyn Da Silva rounds out the top-50 list.

Da Silva is the brightest prospect coming out of Concord, and his selection was helped by his pure upside and potential.

Surprisingly Da Silva is the only hooker to make the list, as genuine young dummy-half talent is proving as scarce as halfbacks.

Rookie Cowboy Kulikefu Finefeuiaki missed the cut, but is one to watch, given the teenager is shaping as a wrecking ball back-rower.