NRL 2024: Top 50 players aged 23 and under, lack of elite depth, youth drain exposed

The NRL’s Top 50 players 23 and under list has exposed a lack of elite depth in at least two positions, and a youth drain at two clubs. See the full position and club-by-club analysis.

It’s been a while since Wests Tigers sat at the top of any table but they are sitting pretty when it comes to young NRL talent in our Top-50 under-23s list.

The joint venture have the strongest club representation with seven players on our list, headlined by Lachlan Galvin and Samuela Fainu.

Canterbury aren’t far behind with six pups earning a spot among the best 23 and under players in the game while Cronulla are the only Sydney team with no representation in 2024.

The Sunshine state is doing its fair share of heavy lifting with 14 players on the list contracted to a Queensland club.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF THE TOP 50 NRL PLAYERS UNDER THE AGE OF 23 HERE

The Wests Tigers are leading the way when it comes to rising young talent. Picture: Getty Images

The Broncos dominated in 2023 with seven players but now only have four players, which is equal in representation with their new cross-town rival, the Dolphins.

In the positional stakes, metre-eating and tackle busting outside backs again reigned supreme. A total of 20 wingers and centres made the list including Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz and Titans try-scoring machine Alofiana Khan-Pereira.

But competition for spots was so high the likes of Dolphins centre Jake Averillo and Brisbane’s Deine Mariner missed out.

The game’s young fullbacks are also holding their own with eight on the list and the best of the 2024 class are Queenslanders - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Reece Walsh. Titans livewire Keano Kini isn’t far behind at No.13.

But the talent isn’t spread equally among positions. Elite rising hookers remain a rare commodity and only two are on the list this year.

It’s a similar story in the prop stakes, where last year’s entrants like Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are a class above the eligible front rowers in 2024.

YOUTH DRAIN 

Only five Sharks players were eligible for the list and given the standard of talent this year none came into serious consideration in 2024.

Dan Atkinson has done a commendable job in the absence of halfback Nicho Hynes (broken leg) in the halves. But the 23-year old did not get a look considering only the upper echelon of rising playmakers that scored a spot on the list, including Sam Walker, Isaiah Katoa and Tom Dearden.

There’s been a lot of talk about Cronulla’s lack of x-factor but coach Craig Fitzgibbon has insisted the side doesn’t need one.

X-factor and youth are usually intrinsically linked. It’s clear Cronulla is unlikely to unearth that x-factor talent from within the current NRL squad.

Further down Fitzgibbon’s ranks are the likes of fullback Liam Ison and centre Michael Gabrael, who both have the potential to be that x-factor in the coming year.

Leka Halasima is a future NRL star in the making. Picture: Getty Images

The Warriors also did not have a player feature but with the rise of its junior representative pathways that likely to change in the future and fast.

Some of the NRL’s best forward prospects are currently across the ditch and are destined to boost the Warriors’ representation in our Top 50 in a big way.

Leka Halasima, 18 was an absolute wrecking ball during his NRL debut against the Bulldogs back in round 18. The teenage backrower, along with Zyon Maiu’u and Demitric Sifakula are the future of Andrew Webster’s forward pack.

The Warriors were also crowned Harold Matthews (under 17’s) champions in 2024, and while that crop might be years from regular NRL it is brimming with future stars.

It won’t be long before names like Siale Pahulu (centre), Joseph Ratcliffe (fullback) and Motu Pasikala (fullback) are household names and regulars on our Top 50 list.

St George Illawarra, Newcastle and South Sydney didn’t fare much better and only had one player each in the Top 50.

Sharks to miss out: Dan Atkinson, Samuel Stonestreet, Jesse Colquhoun, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Liam Ison

Warriors to miss out: Leka Halasima, Rocco Berry, Ali Leiataua, Zyon Maiu’u, Demitric Sifakula, Jacob Laban Moala Graham-Taufa

DUMMY HALVES HOOKED 

Rising hookers are still as scarce as elite playmakers in the NRL.

Last year Tigers rookie Tallyn Da Silva was the only dummy half to make the list. He’s joined this year by Dolphins pocket rocket Max Plath, who has been outstanding both in the no. 9 jumper and at lock.

Rising Dolphins star Max Plath is one of just two dummy halves to make the top 50 list in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

SEE THE FULL LIST OF THE TOP 50 NRL PLAYERS UNDER THE AGE OF 23 HERE

Da Silva, 19, has only played five games this year but his running game and speed have made him one of best hooking prospects in the game, only second to Brisbane’s Mozer.

Like Moszer, who didn’t make the list, Da Silva has had limited opportunities this year but has made the most of each one.

Brisbane are hanging its future hooking hopes on Mozer, who has long been compared to Queensland and Melbourne great Cameron Smith. But Billy Walters still stands between Mozer, 20, and a regular starting spot. Mozer’s craftiness, and ability to control the attack from the ruck, will undoubtedly see the rookie feature on the Top 50 list in years to come.

Manly’s Gordon Chan Kum Tong is seen as the future in the no. 9 jumper but with just eight games off the bench this year is still finding his feet at NRL level.

Hookers eligible for Top 50: Tallyn Da Silva, Max Plath, Riley Jones, Peter Mamouzelos, Blake Mozer, Matt Arthur, Connor Muhleisen, Harrison Graham, Jake Simpkin, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Adrian Trevilyan

NOT SO TOP OF THE PROPS 

Last year the Top 50 list was headlined by Payne Haas at No.1 and five other elite props in Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Spencer Leniu, Thomas Flegler, Moeaki Fotuaika and Stefano Utoikamanu.

Roosters firebrand Leniu is the only prop still eligible by age this year and has rocked into the top 5, from No.12 in 2023, after rising to be the best impact prop in the game.

But don’t be fooled by Leniu rise, the only other props to feature were Davvy Moale, Sam Hughes and Sione Fainu and while all rightly earned their spot on future upside none have arguably risen to the same elite level as their predecessors.

Spencer Leniu has rocketed up into the top 5 players aged 23 or under. Picture: Getty Images

However, props do tend to hit their peak later in their careers than outside backs and there are a number of front rowers with plenty of potential.

Brisbane behemoth Ben Te Kura made his debut in round five and looks destined to be a mainstay in the NRL. Josiah Pahulu is starting to make a mark under the guidance of Des Hasler at the Gold Coast Titans.

Props eligible for Top 50: Jordan Miller, Toby Couchman, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Ben Te Kura, Jacob Laban, Josiah Pahulu, Davvy Moale, Chris Patolo, Jesse Colquhoun, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Ata Mariota, Viliami Fifita, Griffin Neame, Asitasi James, Kitione Kautoga, Lipoi Hopoi, Sione Fainu, Naufahu Whyte

Originally published as NRL 2024: Top 50 players aged 23 and under, lack of elite depth, youth drain exposed