The NRL young guns who should be given game time before end of season by their eliminated clubs
With seven rounds left in the regular season, there are seven clubs who are either out, or almost out, of the finals race. These are the players who should be getting time in first grade before the end of the season.
Heamasi Makasini might be the most talked about teenager in rugby league right now.
The Wests Tigers talent and Newington College student turns 18 over the weekend, meaning he’ll technically be available to make his NRL debut from round 22.
Despite the attention he’s faced lately, the Tigers have been responsible with his development, and are careful to do the best thing by him as part of their long-term investment in his future.
The year 12 student is juggling HSC studies, the rugby season as part of his scholarship with Newington, as well as an NRL training session with the Tigers where he can and a recent promotion to the club’s NSW Cup side.
Across a handful of games in the centres they’ve been preparing him for the physicality of first grade, and he’s handled it well.
We may not see him in the NRL from next week as anticipated, but towards the end of the season he could be blooded for development.
With seven rounds left in the regular season, seven clubs, including the Tigers, have either a faint mathematic possibility to make finals or are completely out of the race altogether.
For the young guns next in line for an NRL opportunity, it’s a chance to be get some first grade experience, ready for 2026.
St George Illawarra have already started the process with booming prop Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, who has been steadily building up his NRL game time this season.
Rising stars Nick Tsougranis and Jacob Halangahu are next, both on an extended bench this week and a realistic option to play first grade over the next few weeks.
“Nick is an exciting young prospect as well as an outstanding young man and a local junior who came through our St George pathways,” said Dragons coach Shane Flanagan when Tsougranis was extended this month.
“He earned his NRL debut recently and we all saw in that game how well he held himself in defence in a position he had only been playing for a short period.
“We’re excited to see how he develops.”
Before the season is out for the bottom seven, these players should be getting a shot in the top grade.
DRAGONS
Nick Tsougranis
The Arncliffe Scots junior and Dragons Academy graduate made his debut in the centres in round 16, but typically plays as a second-rower in NSW Cup, where he’s scored six tries and six try assists this season. Recently resigned through til the end of 2027.
Jacob Halangahu
The under 19s NSW Origin second-rower has been huge for the club’s NSW Cup side after sitting out the SG Ball season to boost his development. The former Australian Schoolboys captain has played 13 games of reserve grade so far, and is well within the club’s plans, signed until the end of 2027.
Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
The 20-year-old prop is a future star of the club’s forward pack, and has moved in and out of first grade since making his debut in round 10 as part of his steady development as a front-rower. The club is careful not to burn him out too early.
He signed an extension earlier this year through to the end of 2027.
WESTS TIGERS
Heamasi Makasini
The 17-year-old Newington College student is signed through to the end of 2028 after the Tigers fought off interest from Rugby Australia and rival NRL clubs. He’s an excitement machine and could be blooded through the backline once he turns 18, which is any day now.
Heath Mason
Mason, 20, played five games of first grade this year while also biding his time as 18th man. He’s shown plenty of promise for the future as a five-eighth/fullback, but the club has several options in his position. Still, he was upgraded to the top 30 last month and extended through to the end of 2026.
COWBOYS
Tom Duffy
The 21-year-old local junior was given first crack in the halves early in the season but hasn’t demanded his position back. Off-contract at the end of the season, the next few weeks are crucial for his development as a playmaker but also for his future either at the Cowboys or elsewhere.
Kaiden Lahrs
The under-19s NSW Origin prop made his NRL debut against the Dolphins in round 15 and has been on the bench since. Contracted until the end of 2026, this big kid with a bright future will get valuable first grade experience over the next two months.
KNIGHTS
Connor Votano
The Knights have lost Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe for the season, with centre Dane Gagai playing at the back and taking up kicking duties against the Warriors last week. Votano, one of the club’s exciting young fullbacks and a handy goalkicker, could be a smart addition to the first grade side.
Jermaine McEwen
At 20, this powerful second-rower is a player of the future for the Knights. He’s already got 10 games under his belt since making his debut this season, including two 80 minute performances as they look to build him into a regular first grade in 2026.
Wilson De Courcey
The 19-year-old winger is a development player in the top 30 this season, and has scored 12 tries and 29 tacklebreaks in 12 games of NSW Cup. Not a bad option to blood in coming games if they see his potential as a future star.
RABBITOHS
Tom Fletcher
One of the very few players in the squad not to get a first grade nod this year, the 21-year-old Coonamble-born second rower has been learning his trade in NSW Cup over the past two seasons. He’s been named as 18th man against Cronulla.
Ashton Ward
The NSW Cup half could get some game time as the club’s injury toll finds new depths. English halfback Lewis Dodd has barely been given an NRL shot this season, but has been named to play the Sharks this week, with Ward on the interchange in a sign they might share duties.
EELS
Richie Penisini
The younger brother of Will, Richie returned to NSW Cup after an ACL injury earlier this year and will progress to the first grade squad at some stage in the coming seasons. If his confidence is up, there’s no time like the present.
Jordan Samrani
The rising centre made his NRL debut earlier this year at the age of 23 and has become something of a Mr Fix-it across 10 games, playing in the centres, on the wing and in at second row. He’s been named on the extended bench to face Brisbane but more NRL experience can only broaden options next year.
TITANS
Arama Hau
The 20-year-old made his NRL debut last year but hasn’t been given more than 18 minutes on the field in seven games this season. Named on the extended bench again to travel to New Zealand, he’s a talent waiting to be developed.
Tom Weaver
The rising halfback has set up 11 tries in eight games for Tweed this season, to go with five NRL games where he’s shown promise as a playmaker. Could be an option in the halves next year, and at 20, he’s ready for more.
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