The 2023 season produced storylines galore however none greater than the inflow of gamers that turned themselves into family names after breakout seasons.
Will Warbrick went from an NRL rookie to scoring a finals strive he’ll always remember, whereas Jack Cogger returned to the competitors — and arrange his future.
Valynce Te Whare grew to become an in a single day cult hero, Phoenix Crossland discovered a house at hooker and Billy Walters responded to claims of nepotism in one of the best ways doable.
Then there’s Jahream Bula and Jacob Preston. The two guys that got here into the season as unknown rookies and completed it as their respective membership’s Player of the Year.
Here are foxsports.com.au’s picks for each membership’s breakout participant of 2023.
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PANTHERS
Jack Cogger. It’s onerous to miss Dally M Rookie of the Year Sunia Turuva, however Jack Cogger’s journey is price applauding. After two years within the Super League, Cogger was able to return house. All he wanted was an NRL membership to provide him a possibility and as he revealed just lately solely the Panthers had been . The membership introduced him again to Australia to fill the void Sean O’Sullivan left and the 26-year-old delivered in spades — maybe some would say he even exceeded expectations. Cogger performed 13 NRL video games filling in for Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai at occasions, whereas additionally coming off the bench. He changed the injured Luai on this yr’s grand remaining was credited by Cleary for “unlocking” him within the remaining 20 minutes of the sport, whereas coach Ivan Cleary stated on the membership’s awards evening they wouldn’t have received with out him. He’ll go away Penrith after one season with a premiership and a three-year cope with the Knights — the membership he debuted for as an adolescent again in 2016.
BRONCOS
Billy Walters. There was a variety of stress when Billy Walters signed with the Broncos to play underneath dad, Kevvie. The phrase ‘nepotism’ was thrown round at occasions and Kevvie even needed to reassure followers by saying he’s a “very fair person” and can all the time “take the family side out of it.” Billy arrived to the membership adamant he was a five-eighth however Kevvie instructed him to make the NRL facet he’s going to must transition to hooker. Dad was proper as a result of any doubts over Billy’s spot within the beginning facet had been put to mattress this yr after what was simply his career-best season. The 29-year-old needed to take the lengthy path to first grade, solely debuting 5 years in the past, however he was the unsung hero within the Broncos’ backbone this season. Walters performed each recreation however one this yr and got here up with an announcement 40/20 within the grand remaining. A particular point out additionally goes to Jesse Arthars, who completed the season as a first-choice winger over veteran Corey Oates and Tristan Sailor, who shone when given a possibility at fullback.
Papua New Guinea demolish Cook Islands | 00:46
STORM
Will Warbrick. He began the yr with zero NRL expertise and completed it as a first-choice winger for the Storm with 17 tries in 25 video games — together with the matchwinner of their semi-final. Warbrick additionally recorded a team-high of 19 linebreaks, was second in common working metres (118) and fourth in complete sort out busts (61). The 25-year-old’s efforts had been rewarded with a nomination for Dally M Rookie of the Year, the Storm’s ‘Best Back’ award and he completed only one level behind fellow winger Xavier Coates for the Storm’s Player of the Year honour. Although Nick Meaney was very a lot on the NRL map, he had a career-defining season filling in at fullback — one that can power coach Craig Bellamy to search out room for him within the beginning facet subsequent yr when Ryan Papenhuyzen returns.
WARRIORS
Andrew Webster. Technically that is meant to be about gamers, however how do you go previous the person that led the Warriors’ beautiful turnaround? Andrew Webster was the little-known Panthers assistant that was thought-about a shock signing at first. But his no-nonsense method remodeled the Warriors from easybeats to premiership contenders to spark an ‘Up the Wahs’ motion that swept by way of New Zealand. Under Webster, Shaun Johnson turned again the clock to inside one level of successful the Dally M, whereas the likes of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Addin Fonua-Blake and Wayde Egan hit career-best type. Webster took the Warriors to a preliminary remaining and was rewarded with the Dally M Coach of the Year award in what was the 41-year-old’s rookie season.
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KNIGHTS
Phoenix Crossland. Things had been wanting dire within the Hunter when Jayden Brailey suffered a season-ending knee damage. But worry not Knights followers, Crossland took over within the No.9 and made the jersey his personal. The 23-year-old was glorious at dummy-half all through the season and tackled his coronary heart out, permitting Kalyn Ponga to ship and ultimately win the Dally M Medal of the Year. Crossland was so good that stories instructed Newcastle had been contemplating letting Brailey go, whereas his contract is ready to be prolonged till the top of 2026. It has since emerged Brailey will keep, however Crossland will undoubtedly be sizzling on his heels for the dummy-half position and could have a lock on the No.14 jersey for years to come back.
SHARKS
Connor Tracey. He can play wherever within the backline however went to teach Craig Fitzgibbon throughout the pre-season and stated he desires to coach at fullback — and that actually got here in useful. Tracey acquired just a few alternatives within the centres and one on the wing this yr however his longest string of video games got here at fullback when Will Kennedy acquired injured. The 27-year-old performed the ultimate six video games of the season in his most well-liked place and was one of many Sharks’ greatest. In that interval he scored two tries and averaged 169 working metres and three sort out busts a recreation. With Kennedy again on deck subsequent season, Tracey must battle for a bench spot. He might even fall down the fullback pecking order with the up-and-coming Kade Dykes due again from an ACL damage too. That blocked path to common recreation time within the NRL is why he has tried to get a direct launch to go elsewhere. The Sharks have rejected it however Tracey can negotiate with rivals from November 1 for 2025 and past. There’s anticipated to be loads of curiosity from rivals.
ROOSTERS
Siua Wong. Still solely 20-years previous, Roosters followers are understandably very enthusiastic about Siua Wong. He was all the time tipped to be a star of the long run and when given the prospect Wong confirmed what he can do. Wong made his NRL debut off the bench in Round 18. Five weeks later he acquired his first begin. He not solely performed the total 80 minutes however completed with a game-high of 51 tackles and simply two misses. That was sufficient to persuade coach Trent Robinson that Wong deserved to remain within the beginning facet — and so he did for the remainder of the season. Wong, who was raised in New Zealand, was so spectacular in his rookie season that not solely are there a number of NRL golf equipment eager on signing him for 2025 and past however Rugby Australia and the All Blacks are stated to have an interest too. An honourable point out goes to Terrell May, who nailed down a spot on the bench within the again half of the season and within the final six weeks of the competitors averaged 135 working metres and 26 tackles a recreation — he solely missed a complete of 4 tackles in that interval too.
RAIDERS
Ata Mariota. His debut got here as a shock final yr when he was referred to as as much as be 18th man on the final minute after which activated, however Ata Mariota confirmed this season he completely belongs in first grade. The hardworking and dependable prop performed 16 video games, beginning in 4 and have become a key member of Canberra’s forwards rotation. The 21-year-old is usually likened to Josh Papalii and if he continues on this trajectory he might be the person that replaces Papalii within the beginning facet when the veteran ultimately retires.
‘Wigan have discovered a approach by way of!’ | 00:46
RABBITOHS
Tallis Duncan. He’s been likened to a younger Cameron Murray and it’s simple to see why. Spirited, aggressive, hardworking and most significantly a high quality younger man — they’re the phrases these on the Rabbitohs have used to explain Tallis Duncan. The 21-year-old made his debut off the bench in Round 13 and acquired one other alternative in Round 19. What he produced that evening — a strive, a linebreak, three sort out busts, 120 metres and 13 tackles with only one miss — was sufficient for coach Jason Demetriou to inform Duncan the bench spot was his to lose now. He retained his spot within the 17 for the remainder of the season. 18-year-old Tyrone Munro confirmed an thrilling glimpse of his potential within the three NRL video games he performed in 2023 — a complete of three tries, a strive help, seven linebreaks, 11 sort out busts and a median of 126 metres a recreation.
EELS
Wiremu Greig. The towering prop went from simply three video games in two seasons to 16 video games this yr — eight of them beginning — and was rewarded with the Eels’ Rookie of the Year award. He performed a giant position for the Eels when star enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard was injured, averaging simply over 40 minutes per recreation throughout that five-week interval. Standing at 192cm and weighing 124kg, Greig has all the time had the makings of a powerhouse and this yr we began to see his true potential. The Eels know he nonetheless has a lot to supply although and he was locked in final month on a two-year extension. An honourable point out goes to Brendan Hands, who performed 19 video games both beginning at hooker or off the bench and proved to be fairly a useful — no pun meant — addition to the highest squad given Josh Hodgson’s damage struggles.
COWBOYS
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. At solely 19-years of age, this Cowboys younger gun effectively and actually made his mark on the NRL… and opposition defensive traces. Finefeuiaki burst on to the scenes in Round 10 and ran the ball as onerous as any veteran or star participant from the very starting. Standing at 190cm tall and weighing 105kg, Finefeuiaki proved to be a handful off the bench and was rewarded along with his first NRL begin in Round 22. The Auckland-born second-rower began the yr on a train-and-trial earlier than being upgraded to a improvement deal. He completed the yr because the Cowboys’ Rookie of the Year. He comes off contract on the finish of 2024 and can little doubt appeal to curiosity from rivals come November 1.
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SEA EAGLES
Dean Matterson. The youthful brother of Eels star Dean Matterson was rewarded for his type in New South Wales Cup with a train-and-trial earlier than incomes an NRL debut in Round 20 — and celebrating it with a strive. Matterson’s versatility in reserve grade caught the eye of head coach Anthony Seibold and he confirmed sufficient consistency — and promise) to earn a two-year Top 30 deal. He’s now able to struggle for the bench utility position subsequent season. There’s additionally Gordon Chan Kum Tong, who made a reputation for himself within the pre-season trials. The pint-sized hooker made his NRL debut off the bench in Round 26 and retained his spot the next week. Chan Kum Tong made his worldwide debut for Samoa within the Pacific Championships and is primed for an even bigger and higher 2024.
DOLPHINS
Valynce Te Whare. It was a giant yr for a number of gamers on the Dolphins, however it’s onerous to go previous the man that reached cult hero standing after is first NRL recreation. Te Whare was tipped by his teammates throughout the pre-season to blow up this yr and he actually lived as much as the hype in his Round 10 NRL debut, scoring a double, getting two linebreaks, six sort out busts and 81 working metres. Although the 23-year-old rugby union convert learnt some robust classes in defence, he was an absolute wrecking ball in assault. It’s onerous to imagine he solely performed his first recreation of rugby league final yr.
TITANS
Alofiana Khan-Pereira. The thrilling winger has pace to burn and showcased his electrical flip of foot in his debut NRL marketing campaign. Across his 23 video games he scored 20 tries, ending first for the Titans and within the high 10 for tries scored within the competitors. Khan-Pereira topped his workforce in linebreaks (27), which additionally positioned him within the high 10 general. The 21-year-old was rewarded for his breakout season with a mammoth extension, signing on till the top of 2026. 19-year-old fullback Keano Kini is true behind although after giving Titans followers a glimpse of what they will look ahead to.
Bunker denies younger star EPIC strive | 01:07
BULLDOGS
Jacob Preston. The Bulldogs’ saviour. In a yr that was stuffed with negatives, Preston was a shining mild for the Belmore trustworthy. The 22-year-old burst on to the scene in 2023, making his debut off the bench in Round 1. The following week he performed 76 minutes at lock earlier than an additional 18 video games got here within the backrow the place he effectively and actually made a reputation for himself. At the membership’s awards evening, Preston took a clear sweep and received the Player of the Year award and Rookie of the Year. Across his 20 video games he scored six tries to go along with 10 line breaks, while additionally making the third most tackles of any Bulldogs participant. Preston was additionally handed a mammoth extension, signing on till the top of 2027 in April, solely seven video games in to his NRL profession.
DRAGONS
Dan Russell. The PNG worldwide was drafted in to the workforce by interim coach Ryan Carr and took his alternative with each palms. Following an damage to Jaydn Su’A and Ben Murdoch-Masila falling down the pecking order, Russell emerged as an answer within the backrow and was strong. He performed off the bench in Round 19 earlier than beginning in seven video games, with six of these appearances being 80-minute shows. The 27-year-old has actually given incoming coach Shane Flanagan rather a lot to consider forward of the 2024 season and might be the person to take over on the left edge, with Su’A an apparent selection on the best. Russell‘s first eight NRL appearances were solid and he will be desperate to add to that tally next season.
TIGERS
Jahream Bula was plucked from obscurity before he made his NRL debut in Round 8 against the Sea Eagles. At only 21-years of age, and coming from a basketballing background, Bula has proven to be one of the NRL’s most enjoyable rookies. He was nominated for the Dally M Rookie of the Year and was broadly contemplating the frontrunner, happening to Panthers gun Sunia Turuva. Bula’s exploits in 2023 additionally earned him a bumper contract extension, signing on till the top of 2027 on a deal price a reported $2.7 million. It is a big displaying of religion from rookie coach Benji Marshall who believes Bula is the membership’s long-term fullback. He scored 5 tries in his rookie yr, while additionally tallying seven strive assists. The younger gun is simply going to get higher in years to come back and in 2024 might have a constant halves pairing to run off in Aiden Sezer and Jayden Sullivan.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
