NRL 2025 coaches’ survey: Isaiya Katoa voted best player under 23 to build team around, Reece Walsh in second

News Corp’s annual coaches survey threw up a major surprise with the NRL’s leading mentors crowning an unexpected name as the league’s most prized player under 23, edging out Broncos superstar Reece Walsh.

He was once Penrith’s most exciting playmaking prospect since Nathan Cleary.

Now Isaiya Katoa is a fully-fledged star in his own right, with the Dolphins playmaker edging out Broncos whiz-kid Reece Walsh as the most prized player under the age of 23 in the NRL.

News Corp’s annual coaches survey threw up a major surprise with the NRL’s leading mentors naming Katoa as the under-23s young gun they would want to build their team around.

Katoa, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Tuesday, received huge support with 41 per cent of NRL coaches rating him the code’s best emerging franchise player.

The Tongan Test ace bolted to victory ahead of 22-year-old Broncos superstar fullback Walsh, who claimed 19 per cent of votes.

Walsh is the most marketable figure in the code with his good looks, speed and attacking brilliance, but NRL coaches were more impressed with Katoa’s maturity and ice-cool playmaking brain.

Isaiya Katoa has been voted as the most prized player under the age of 23 in the NRL. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Queensland-based pair streeted the field, with Newcastle outside back Fletcher Sharpe, 20, finishing third with seven per cent of support.

Other NRL rising stars to get votes included Roosters halfback Sam Walker, Dolphins workhorse Max Plath, Canberra’s Ethan Strange and Penrith recruit Blaize Talagi.

But Katoa is clearly regarded as the NRL’s next blue-chip playmaking superstar, vindication for the Dolphins’ decision to poach him as a 17-year-old while serving an apprenticeship in Penrith’s lower grades.

Kristian Woolf mentored Katoa as Tonga head coach. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf is also Katoa’s mentor with the Tonga international team and says the Wellington whiz, who made his NRL debut in 2023, is ready to be Redcliffe’s main man at No.7 this season.

“Isaiya has certainly earned the first crack there (at halfback),” Woolf said.

“I thought he had a good year last year, but he was even more exceptional through the international series (for Tonga) and he’s had an exceptional pre-season.

“Isaiya is a guy who is going to continue to improve.

“He has done that at every opportunity and is continuing to do that.”

The NRL coaches also threw their support behind the revival of the National Youth Competition.

An under-21s competition is set to return in 2026 and 76 per cent of NRL coaches backed plans for an NYC rebirth after the youth competition was axed in 2017.

While Katoa emerged victorious in the coaches’ vote, ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys lauded the brilliance of Walsh.

Reece Walsh received the second most votes. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“Reece is a wonderful asset for the game,” he said.

“He is a once-in-a-generation player.

“Reece Walsh is attracting demographics that don’t normally watch rugby league.

“I’ve made it no secret I am a huge fan of him … he is a brilliant advertisement for the game.”

In his rookie year of 2023, Katoa showed incredible mental toughness to play 22 games and he backed up with another 22 appearances last season to avoid the dreaded second-year syndrome.

Isaiya Katoa will be pivotal for the Dolphins in the post-Bennett era. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Dolphins matchwinning fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow said Katoa is truly elite.

“He’s a special talent,” he said.

“He’s got high praise from me.

“He had to step into the spotlight at a pretty young age for us and control and to take the team with him.

“But with the two years he’s got under his belt now, I think this year is the year for him.

“He’s more comfortable with the pressure that has been put on him in the last couple of years.

“He is already a big part of the Dolphins and he is going to be a big part of the game in the years ahead.”

Originally published as NRL 2025 coaches’ survey: Isaiya Katoa voted best player under 23 to build team around, Reece Walsh in second