Where are they now?

[1910]

THE NRL’s under-20s competition has been the target of almost unending debate since it was instituted in 2008 but what can’t be argued is that some of the game’s best and brightest filled their boots in the National Youth Competition. Seven years on from the inaugural season, we’ve taken a look at the 2008 NYC team of the year and where those standouts are now.

1) LACHLAN COOTE
Coote was one of the most hyped fullback prospects in some time when he came through the ranks at the Panthers and he was considered one of the players the club could build their future around.
He made his NRL debut midway through 2008 but really arrived in 2010, scoring 17 tries to help lead Penrith to second spot on the ladder.

A straight sets defeat saw the Panthers exit the finals without so much as a whimper but everything looked to be on the up and up for Coote.

For a time, Coote was the Panther’s golden boy. Source: News Limited



Two more strong seasons in 2011 and 2012 and some time spent at five-eighth resulted in Coote developing his game even further but a pectoral injury in 2013, the rise of Matt Moylan and the recruitment of Jamie Soward resulted in the golden boy being shown the door.
Coote signed with the Cowboys only to become the first major casualty of the Auckland Nines when he blew out his knee and missed the entirety of 2014.
But at long last, Coote has returned to the heights he scaled at Penrith all those years ago, slotting in at fullback for North Queensland and playing a major role in their rise to the top of the ladder and their club record winning streak.
2) JHARAL YOW YEH
Yow Yeh was an unstoppable force in the under-20s in 2008, scoring 27 tries in 26 games and looking like a sensational long-term prospect for the Broncos.
Yow Yeh made his top-grade debut in Round 1 of 2009 and immediately cemented a place on the wing for Brisbane. Origin and Test debuts followed in 2011 and Yow Yeh seemed certain to be one of the game’s biggest stars.

An ankle injury ultimately ended Yow Yeh’s career. Source: News Limited



Blessed with speed, footwork, sinewy strength and a penchant for the unbelievable, there was a time when you could make the case that Yow Yeh was going to be the dux of the class of 2008.
Unfortunately, a gruesome ankle injury against Souths in 2013 put his career on hold and despite a brief comeback in the FOGS Cup, Yow Yeh retired in 2014 and now works for the Broncos as a community support officer.
3) JUSTIN CARNEY
The Raiders wrecking ball has muscles in places where most people don’t even have places.
Carney made his NRL debut for Canberra midway through 2008 and scored a double on debut against the Broncos.

Powerful and quick, Carney was a bash-and-barge winger or centre who was of the firm belief that the best way to go past an opposition player was to go right over the top of them.

Justin Carney showed great promise in his time at Canberra. Source: News Limited



He scored 12 tries in his first 20 top-grade games and looked to be a likely prospect but an awful leg injury suffered at the back end of 2009 kept him out for almost a year.
He switched to the Roosters but wasn’t able to regain his best, scoring just three tries in 17 games.
But in 2013 he linked with Castleford and his career found a glorious second wind. At the time of writing he’s scored 54 tries in as many games for the Tigers and has become a staunch fan favourite — his twin nicknames of “the Thing on the Wing” and “the Tank on the Flank” tell you all you need to know about his robust style.
4) TONY WILLIAMS
One of the all-time enigmas, Tony Williams was a gargantuan centre playing for Parramatta way back when and his size and speed made him a near unstoppable force in lower grade football.
The big man actually spent the majority of 2008 in the top grade, appearing in 11 NRL games for the Eels and dotting down for four tries before making a big money move to Manly the next year.

‘T-Rex” never quite lived up to the hype when he was out wide but improved dramatically when moved into the back-row in 2011.

Tony Williams is an enigma wrapped in a giant. Source: News Corp Australia



Origin berths and green and gold jerseys followed but a switch to the Bulldogs facilitated another frustrating era in Williams’ career.
Sometimes he looks like a world beater who can do absolutely whatever he likes on the field, sometimes he plays like a man a quarter of his size.
His lucrative contract with Canterbury expires at the end of next season and it seems unlikely in the extreme that the big man can demand similar wages on these shores.
Still only 26, the smart money says there’s still some twists yet to come in the career of Tony Williams.
5) KEVIN GORDON
For a time, Kevin Gordon’s speed was unparalleled in rugby league.

Fast as lightning and as swift as thunder, Gordon debuted in early 2009 for the Titans and was an immediate hit, scoring 13 tries in his freshman season and backing up for 12 more in his second year as the lethal finisher on the end of a potent Gold Coast backline.

Kevin Gordon is blessed with a rare turn of pace. Source: Supplied



A knee injury robbed him of his 2011 season just as he appeared to be on the brink of bigger things and despite a good return to form in 2012 and a career-high 15 tries in 2013, he never quite showed the same speed of his earlier years.
Still, Gordon is one of the Titans’ stalwarts and is level with David Mead on the list of the club’s all-time leading tryscorers with 58.
He was linked with a mid-season move to the Cowboys but has since fought his way back into first grade.
6) BEN BARBA
If ever a player was untouchable in the under-20s, it was Ben Barba in 2008.
Skinny as a rake and cursed with an unfortunate bleach-blonde hairstyle, Barba swept all before him, scoring 28 tries and 248 points from just 20 matches playing at five-eighth for the Dogs.

Barba was elevated to the NRL late in the year but had to wait until 2010 to get regular time in first grade and it wasn’t until 2011 that he secured a single position.

Barba was incredible in the Under 20s. Source: Supplied



Switched to fullback by coach Kevin Moore, Barba scored 23 tries in 24 games to lead the competition and backed that up with a transcendent 2012 season where he won the Dally M, led the league in tries scored and line breaks and helped lead the Dogs all the way to the Grand Final.
But since then he’s lurched from one crisis to the next — there was a stint in rehab, his acrimonious departure from Canterbury, a forgettable year with Brisbane and a last shot at Cronulla that’s been more sad than happy.
Barba was earmarked for greatness more than any other player in this team and while he’s reached the highest highs, he’s a hairs breadth away from washing out of the top grade completely.
7) CHRIS SANDOW
Sandow actually didn’t spend that much time in the under-20s — he only played in 11 matches and was elevated to the NRL in Round 13 and became a smash success, leading the Rabbitohs on a memorable five-game winning streak and winning the Dally M Rookie of the Year.

But what followed was a career dotted with inconsistency, poor form and absences from the top grade, punctuated by occasional performances of breathtaking quality.

Sandow was the Dally M Rookie of the Year in 2008. Source: Supplied



Sandow nearly led the Rabbitohs to an unlikely finals berth in 2011 before linking with Parramatta on a monstrously large contract and it’s been an unhappy union since.
Sandow has been dropped several times, had bust-ups with all three coaches in charge during his stint and still found time to win player’s player award last season and lead the team in try assists.
Still yet to play in a finals match, Sandow is about to be run out of town at Parramatta and is searching for a fresh start.
8) RUSSELL PACKER

Burly and brutal, Packer was one of the top up and coming front rowers when he came through the grades with New Zealand. After dipping his toe in the water with five first grade appearances in 2008 he immediately became a fixture in the Warriors line ups starting from 2009 and played 110 games for the club over six years before agreeing to join Newcastle.

Russell Packer was once one of the most promising props in the game. Source: Supplied



But before he even played a game for the Knights Packer’s career and life were put on hold when he was found guilty of assault and sentenced to two years in jail. Released in January of this year, Packer has taken up a deal with the Illawarra Cutters with a view towards taking up a deal with the Dragons.
9) MASADA IOSEFA

A talented running dummy half who drew comparisons to Isaac Luke, Iosefa dipped in and out of first grade in his four years with the Panthers, never quite realising his talent or securing a starting berth at hooker.

Things never really worked out for Masada Iosefa Source: News Limited



Looking for a change of luck, he switched to the Tigers for 2012 but again was unable to land consistent NRL minutes. He spent a year with Manly without playing NRL in 2014 and is currently playing for Concord-Burwood Wolves in the Ron Massey Cup.
10) SIONE KITE

At 195cm tall, Kite was picked as a potential star due to his athleticism, power and offloading ability but never really kicked on at the top level. He played nine games in 2008-9 for the Bulldogs before transferring to Melbourne and playing three games in 2010-11.

Sione Kite failed to hit the heights many expected. Source: News Limited



A switch to Widnes Vikings in the UK ended in tears and he’s been toiling in park footy ever since, most recently with Group 6 club Thirlmere Roosters.11) JOEL THOMPSON

The second Canberra player to gain selection, the wide running Thompson impressed with his speed and ability to run lines on the edge of the ruck in the Raiders title winning season. He drifted between the centres and the backrow in his first few years in the NRL and only switched to the forwards permanently in 2012.

Joel Thompson is one of the Under 20s real success stories. Source: News Corp Australia



Thompson left the Raiders for the Dragons at the end of 2013 and after an unhappy beginning he found his niche with the Red V producing his best form in years in their unexpected run to the top of the table this year.
12) DANIEL HARRISON

Flame haired Harrison was a backrower of unusual skill and his offload was among the deadliest in the competition. He bided his time in the lower grades for Canterbury before switching to Manly for season 2011 and making his first grade debut, going on to appear in 19 matches for the Sea Eagles over the next two years.

Daniel Harrison showed glimpses of ability. Source: News Limited



He was considered a canny signing for the Eels in 2013 but as things so often do at Parramatta, it all ended in tears. A mid-season switch back to Manly in 2014 saw Harrison make an unlikely comeback to the big time — his only game for the season was at hooker in his side’s epic 18-17 semi-final defeat to Canterbury. He currently plays for London Broncos.
13) SHAUN FENSOM

The workaholics workaholic, Fensom was captain of the 2008 title winning Raiders and made his NRL debut early the following year.

Shaun Fensom is perennially underrated. Source: News Corp Australia



Once he secured his place in the team in 2010, Fensom has been a constant among legions of change for the Raiders with his incredible work rate and underrated offloading game -making him an invaluable cog in the Green Machine. Despite his continual and baffling snubbing at representative level, Fensom is one of the real success stories of the under-20s.14) BEN HUNT

Hunt was named the 2008 under-20s Player of the Year, staving off competition from Barba, Rabbitohs halfback Eddie Paea and Dragons five-eighth Matt Mundine. He scored 17 tries and produced an otherworldly 41 try assists, leading the Broncos all the way to the grand final where they were beaten in heart breaking fashion by the Raiders in golden point. For four years he was relegated to being a bench utility, filling it at hooker in relief of Andrew McCullough and occasionally seeing minutes in the halves if injury or Origin struck.

It took a while, but Ben Hunt made it. Source: News Limited



It seemed as though his career would peter out into irrelevancy, but when Anthony Griffin switched him to halfback full time to start 2014 everything changed. At last, the skills that had been promised so many years ago came to the forefront with Hunt becoming the Broncos most important attacking player and one of the top halfbacks in the NRL. An incredible Test debut followed at season’s end and Hunt has continued to thrive under the coaching of Wayne Bennett.
15) MATT MUNDINE

The only member of this team never to play first grade, Mundine is one of the ultimate “couldabeens”. Starring for the Dragons at five-eighth, Mundine’s silky ball playing and innate game sense saw him poached by the Rabbitohs where he plugged away in the lower grades without ever really capitalising on his immense potential.

Matt Mundine was the only member of the team not to play first grade. Source: News Limited



He was not retained by Souths feeder club North Sydney at the end of last season and is playing for Concord-Burwood in the Ron Massey Cup.16) JORDAN RAPANA

“Air Jordan” burst onto the scene in 2008, scoring five tries in his first five NRL games for the Titans but he walked away from it all to take up a two year Mormon mission. He returned to top line sport in 2012 with Super Rugby side the Western Force but failed to break into the top team.

Rapana’s career has been long and winding. Source: Supplied



Midway through 2013 he began playing with the Queanbeyan Blues in the Canberra Raiders Cup with an eye towards securing a deal with the Brumbies but was picked up by the Raiders on a two year deal. Six years after his last NRL game, Rapana made a return to first grade last season and has since become an unsung hero out wide for Canberra.17) BEN MATULINO

Probably the most consistent and accomplished player in this side, Matulino become a star almost as soon as he walked into the NRL at the start of 2009.

Matulino is most accomplished player to come out of this team. Source: Getty Images



Large and in charge, Matulino was the first player who played under-20s to make his Test debut and has since played 20 Tests for his country, including the 2010 Four Nations victory and the 2013 World Cup final defeat. Matulino has played 166 top grade games for the Warriors, the most of any player to come through the under-20s system and is regarded as one of the finest props in rugby league.

 

[1910]

AFTER a great response to our retrospective on the 2008 Under 20s team of the year last week, we’ve taken another look back at the 2009 edition to see how that year’s best and brightest ended up. Could they have beaten the 2008 version? Make sure you vote and have your say.
Check out our “Where Are They Now” on the 2008 Team of the Year
MARKET WATCH: Titans favourites to snare Hodkinson
ONES WHO GOT AWAY: Parra’s leaky ship

1) Malcolm Webster

A diminutive fullback or five-eighth who played more games in the Under 20s than any other South Sydney player, Webster was blessed with speed, creativity and wonderful skills. Despite his undoubted ability, his size was always going to be a significant handicap and his stellar underage career wasn’t enough to help him land a first grade berth.

Malcolm Webster never played first grade despite his natural talent. Source: News Limited



After plugging away in the NSW Cup with North Sydney but failing to really make the transition from Under 20s football, Webster returned home to the country and was last sighted playing for Macleay Valley Mustangs in Group 3.2) Joe Vickery

Vickery was a battering ram of a winger who smashed his way over for 20 tries in 25 games in 2009 and drew comparisons to Brett Morris. A great work rate and a strong mix of speed and size seemed to have Vickery on the cusp of the top grade, but opportunities were lacking at the Dragons and he had no further luck following a transfer to the Titans. He at last had a shot at top line football when he earned a contract with Leeds Rhinos in 2013 after impressing in some pre-season trials but Vickery failed to catch fire and scored just one try from 10 appearances.

Things never quite kicked on for Joe Vickery. Source: News Limited



The English born flyer was released by Leeds and was one of five former and current Titans players to face cocaine supply charges earlier this year. Vickery and Webster are the only members of the team never to play in the NRL.3) Taioalo Vaivai

With a rare turn of pace and a brilliant ability to offload, Vaivai was widely regarded as one of the can’t miss kids in the class of 2009. He made his first grade debut that season, scoring a try in the Rabbitohs 40-10 defeat to Penrith in Round 24.

Taiolo Vaivai’s career never got going. Source: News Limited



Injuries and poor form saw him play just one game in the big leagues in 2010 and he was sacked by the Rabbitohs early the following year after he was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his girlfriend. He was sacked by Souths and became Phil Gould’s first signing for Penrith but failed to show much in seven appearances for the injury hit mountain men. He’s spent the last few seasons playing for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup.4) Siuatonga Likiliki

A beast of a man, Likiliki’s size and strength made him look like a man among boys in the Under 20s and the latest in a long line of Warriors who have dominated that competition. Likiliki created his own slice of history when he became the first player to be named to the Team of the Year twice after also being named in 2010 and after a promising top grade debut in 2009 he looked to be ready made to make the transition to first grade.

Siuatonga Likiliki seemed like a sure fire first grader. Source: News Limited



But even the most promising prospect can flame out without warning and Likiliki’s move to Newcastle in 2011 failed to land him the opportunities he craved and he played just two top grade games in three years for the Knights. He was named in the 2012 NSW Cup Team of the Year, became a regular for Tonga and was thrown a one-year lifeline by the Titans last season but failed to add to his three first grade games. Released by the Titans, he currently plays for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup.5) Drury Low

The leading tryscorer in Under 20s history with 54 from 60 games, the willowy Low excelled at centre, wing and fullback for the Raiders and played in their title winning team in 2008. He made his top grade debut in 2010 against the Warriors and things couldn’t have gotten off to a better start — he scored two tries and looked right at home on the left wing.

Drury Low has scored the most tries in Under 20s history. Source: Supplied



Opportunities were hard to come by in Canberra and Low made just one more top grade appearance — in which he managed to snag another try — before joining the Bulldogs mid-season in 2012 in a bid to crack first grade. He was an unlikely choice to replace Ben Barba at fullback when the reigning Dally M medallist was stood down early in 2013 but upon Barba’s return he was shunted back to reserve grade. One more brief NRL stint followed last season- he managed to score a double against his former club in a 22-14 win in Round 15 — but he was not retained by Des Hasler and joined Group 6 club Narellan Jets.NO FLY ZONE: Farah banned from flying to Blues camp
6) Robert Lui

Lui was the conductor of a very talented Tigers side that charged all the way to the grand final before being defeated by Melbourne. After playing three top grade games at the end of 2009 he became the first halfback in years to properly gel with Benji Marshall, becoming the Kiwi maestro’s halves partner for the Tigers semi final runs in 2010 and 2011.

Rob Lui played a major part in the Tigers run to the grand final. Source: Getty Images



Lui seemed to be the long term answer at halfback for the joint venture but he was sacked at the end of 2011 after he was charged with assaulting his partner. Similar charges had been filed against Lui at the end of 2010, but were eventually dismissed. Lui signed with the Cowboys, pleaded guilty to the charge and played just one game in 2012 for his new club after a knee injury and NRL deregistration forced him to the sidelines. He then settled in as Johnathan Thurston’s halves partner for the better part of two seasons but has since fallen out of favour in North Queensland and is expected to depart the club at the end of the season.7) Beau Henry

Nine times out of ten, Beau Henry would have been a superstar but he’s continually been struck by the kind of bad luck that’s normally associated with breaking mirrors. The 2009 Player of the Year and an absolute phenom at five-eighth, Henry had the total package — he was big, fast, powerful and had great touch. If ever a kid making it was a certainty, it was Henry. He scored 17 tries, created countless more and led Saints all the way to the preliminary final. The Warilla Gorillas junior was offered a place in the top squad by the Cowboys but was convinced by Wayne Bennett to stay with the Dragons but in the middle 2010 told him he was free to leave.

Beau Henry was the ultimate “can’t miss kid” Source: News Limited



He had a dream start at the Knights, making his first grade debut in Round 1 of 2011 and scored a try in a big win over the Panthers. He crossed again in a win over North Queensland a week later but missed the next eight weeks through injury. During his lay-off, Bennett agreed to join the Knights in 2012 and rather than wait for Bennett to punt him again, Henry joined the Titans on a mid-season transfer. His time on the Gold Coast was a constant frustration — injuries saw him miss all of 2012 and in 2013-14 he managed just four NRL games. With his NRL prospects all but undone by a knee injury sustained in the middle of last season, he went back to the Dragons for one last shot but barely weeks into the season he shifted again, this time to Parramatta where he bounces between the NSW Cup and Ron Massey Cup for Wentworthville.8) Trent Merrin

Possibly the finest Australian forward to come out of the Holden Cup, Merrin starred at prop for the Dragons as his footwork and offloading ability marked him as the prototypical modern prop forward. Merrin played three games off the bench for St George Illawarra in 2009 but became a regular bench forward the following season, earning a premiership ring after coming on in the 32-8 win over the Roosters in the grand final.

Trent Merrin found top grade success almost immediately. Source: Supplied



Despite having made just 11 run on appearances at the time, Merrin made his Origin debut in Game I of 2011, making him just the second player to come through the Under 20s system to play Origin. A switch to lock in 2013 opened up a whole new world for Merrin and he’s since become one of the most well-rounded and talented big men in the game. He’s made 11 appearances for New South Wales, made his Test debut earlier this year and will join Penrith in 2016.NO FEAR: Hodkinson says Blues aren’t scared of Suncorp
9) Travis Waddell

With the fast ruck speed and slower defensive lines, Travis Waddell thrived in the Under 20s, using his speed off the mark and wicked dummy to prise defences apart with regularity as he played a major role in the Raiders 2008 premiership win and continued that form into the following year. He became the bench hooker for the first grade side midway through 2009 and held onto that spot for a number of years but he never showed the same form he did in the lower grades.

Travis Waddell was the Raiders most promising hooker in years. Source: News Limited



Eventually the Raiders lost patience with the Queenslander and he was not retained for season 2013. Newcastle took a flyer on Waddell and he made 20 appearances in two seasons for the Knights before following Wayne Bennett to Brisbane where he is yet to make a first grade appearance and plies his trade with the Souths Logan Magpies.10) Jesse Bromwich

The unlikely rise of Jesse Bromwich began with his stellar 2009 Under 20s season in which he came from nowhere to stamp himself as one of the elite prop prospects in rugby league. Bromwich was only signed by Melbourne after his younger brother Kenny recommended him to coach Craig Bellamy but within 12 months he was in the first grade team due to his excellent work rate, deft offloads and downright incredible footwork.

Jesse Bromwich has become one of the best props in the game. Source: News Limited



He was elevated to the starting side midway through 2011 and become one of the Storm’s pillars in the premiership winning season of 2012, joining teammates Gareth Widdop, Kevin Proctor and Justin O’Neill as the first players to win premierships in both the Under 20s and the NRL. Bromwich made his Test debut in early 2012 and has since become one of the best props in rugby league and arguably the best forward the Under 20s has produced.11) Jake Marketo

Marketo was the perfect mix of workrate and impact when he came through the ranks at the Dragons and was the kind of player that coaches dream about. The Balmain junior was eased into first grade with a handful of bench appearances from 2010-12 but after failing to kick on he was told he was not required for season 2013 and moved to Queensland Cup side Redcliffe Dolphins.

Jake Marketo has been thrown a lifeline by the Dragons. Source: News Limited



After two strong seasons with the Dolphins he was given another shot by the Dragons and has played nine games for the Red V this year.12) Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Named at second row despite playing most of his Under 20s football at prop, Waerea-Hagreaves was already signed, sealed and delivered to the Roosters when he burst on to the scene midway through 2009 as a super sub wrecking ball for Manly. He made his Test debut in the end of season Four Nations tournament despite having played only six first grade games and backed it up with a fine sophomore year in 2010.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves made his Test debut at the end of 2009. Source: News Limited



Ill form dogged him for an indifferent two years before he was given a new lease on life by Trent Robinson in 2013 and he became one of the most powerful and feared players in rugby league. Injury has dogged him this season but the fiery prop is an integral part of the Roosters title challenge.13) Jamie Buhrer

One of four Sea Eagles players named in the side, Buhrer captained the Manly Under 20s side to the minor premiership and made his debut off the bench early in 2010. He quickly cemented a place as the bench utility for the power Sea Eagles and played in the 2011 Grand Final victory before making a shock Origin debut in Game I 2012.

Jamie Buhrer was one of four Manly players to make the team of the year. Source: News Limited



He made his second grand final appearance in 2013 but saw limited minutes in the defeat to the Roosters. Buhrer finally cemented a consistent first grade spot in 2014 but missed Manly’s straight sets finals exits with injury and managed just seven games this year before suffering a season-ending knee problem. He is viewed as a crucial part of the Sea Eagles future.14) Kieran Foran

Foran made his top grade debut midway through 2009 after a strong Under 20s career and never looked back, securing a place in the Manly halves and making his Test debut at the end of a sensational rookie season. Foran was among the Sea Eagles best in an injury plagued 2010 season and continued to improve in 2011 when he struck up an immediate partnership with former Under 20s teammate Daly Cherry-Evans.

Kieran Foran made an immediate impact in the top grade. Source: News Limited



The two led the Sea Eagles to a premiership, a preliminary final and a grand final defeat in their first three seasons together and Foran became a fixture for New Zealand, captaining his country once and appearing in the 2014 Four Nations victory. Amidst a storm of injury troubles, Foran signed a multi-million dollar deal with Parramatta earlier this year, and despite recent controversy surrounding the contract, he is still expected to take up the deal.15) Joel Romelo

A nuggety, fiery hooker who was equal parts quick off the mark and ready to mix it up, Romelo was a spark plug in the middle of the field for the Panthers. He made headlines before the 2009 season even got underway when he got into a scuffle at training with veteran backrower Trent Waterhouse. Romelo played three games off the bench for the Panthers that season but was sacked in early 2010 after a string of misdemeanours.

Joel Romelo went to several different clubs for sustained time in first grade. Source: News Limited



He was given a lifeline by the Bulldogs and became a back-up for Michael Ennis, managing 23 games in four seasons before signing with Melbourne in 2014. The Darwin-born product was only selected in first grade twice by Craig Bellamy before being released and despite whispers that the Dragons were keen to give him another shot, Romelo decided to play with Queensland Cup side Easts Tigers.16) Gareth Widdop

Widdop came through the grades as a fullback and it was there where he scored a double in the Storm’s 2009 Under 20s grand final win over the Tigers and he was viewed as one of Melbourne’s brightest prospects when he debuted early in 2010. After a season in NSW Cup, where he switched to five-eighth and was named to the team of the year, Widdop made his Test debut for England before becoming Cooper Cronk’s regular halves partner in 2011. He played a major role in the 2012 grand final win, creating the opening try for Ryan Hoffman, before deciding to strike out on his own and join the Dragons.

Gareth Widdop touches down for the winning try in the 2009 Under 20s grand final. Source: News Limited



While 2013 was a poor year overall for the Red V, Widdop never wavered as the team’s attacking fulcrum and chief organiser. His fine personal form continued into this season during the Dragons revival and he’s become a regular in the halves for England.17) Daly Cherry-Evans

Cherry-Evans had to bide his time somewhat, as he spent 2010 playing in the Queensland Cup with the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles — who he helped steer to a premiership — before making his NRL debut in the opening round of 2011. His rise to the top was rapid and instantaneous as he became the first rookie halfback to win a premiership since Steve Martin in 1978 and was unlucky not to win the Clive Churchill Medal in Manly’s 24-10 win over the Warriors.

Daly Cherry-Evans had one of the fastest rises in living memory. Source: News Limited



Test and Origin debuts were quick to follow for Cherry-Evans and he rapidly asserted himself as one of the premier halfbacks in rugby league. Cherry-Evans was again among Manly’s best in the run to the 2013 grand final and was puzzlingly awarded the Clive Churchill medal despite Manly going down to the Roosters. The Queenslander performed admirably in an injury-hit Manly side during the 2014 finals series but his on-field displays this year have been overshadowed by his decision to sign with the Titans, his subsequent backflip and the record breaking deal he signed with Manly.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Half of the players never made it. It just shows that U20s is a different game to NRL.

I'm still sad about Jharal :(

 

[Nashy]

That's not a bad crop of players really!

 

[1910]

23% NYC have played NRL that drops to 10% playing more than 8 games.

 

[Huge]

Injuries , personality and determination, all play huge roles in deciding who makes it and those that do not. What it does highlight I think is how nyc is only a small contributor overall although I am not attempting to devalue it with that claim.

 

[Porthoz]

Those numbers will grow with time.

More than half of our current FG roster came through NYC!

 

[KingWebcke]

that 2008 is definitely not short of drama.

 

[Alec]

I think Jake Marketo is most famous for being knocked out by Blair a few rounds back.