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One of the highlights of every season is to witness the latest crop of NRL wannabees take their first steps in the big time. This year, some 30-odd players made their NRL debuts, some looking more promising than others. For most, it’s been a hard slog to get there, together with some good luck and even better decision making, but history shows that unfortunately they’re not all going make it, and that they still have a long way to establish themselves in the game. They need to overcome the inevitable competition for a starting spot, the vagaries of the salary cap, injuries, and the dreaded second-year syndrome.
Still, hope burns eternal, and with any luck, enough of this year’s crop will succeed and take the places of the players leaving the game.
Here’s my pick, in alphabetical order, of the ten most exciting prospects to make their first grade debuts this year.
In an otherwise horrible year for the Tigers and their fans, Galvin has emerged as a real positive for the club, and he looks to have the rugby league world at his feet. With 21 first grade games now under his belt, the Parramatta Eels reject and former Australian Schoolboy captain already plays with the skill and maturity of a far more seasoned professional, and he is one of those rare players who not only seems to have extra time in everything he does, but also the ability to usually make the right decisions. Let’s hope the arrival of the Jarome Luai circus at the Tigers next year helps, rather than hinders, Galvin’s development.
Lachlan Galvin.(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
If genetics count for anything, the son of Penrith legend Mark Geyer and nephew of another Penrith great in Greg Alexander, has got it made. A Penrith junior who has come up through the ranks, Geyer looks to have inherited his father’s size, mobility and skills but not the bad temper and brain fades. With a top 30 squad contract, a dozen games this year and many other selections in the extended squad, Mavrik Geyer’s future looks bright.
While there’s not much of the diminutive fullback, he’s got the pace, timing and footwork to be a constant threat in attack. Impressive form in the QLD feeder competitions and selection in the QLD Under-19s squad saw him attract the attention of the Rabbitohs back in 2022 and his contract has now been extended to the end of 2026. He’s crossed for seven tries in his 13 starts this year, and if incoming coach Wayne Bennett can find a way to get the No.1 jersey off Latrell Mitchell’s back, Gray may just be the player to provide the attacking spark from the back that Souths sorely need.
In a club that has seemingly focused on growing their squad through external acquisition rather than organically, local junior Bailey Hayward has emerged as a real surprise package for the Doggies in 2024. With 19 NRL games (and counting) this year, primarily playing off the bench, Hayward invariably adds an extra layer of creativity to the Bulldogs’ attack when given the opportunity. It’s hard to see whether the Bulldogs see his future with them either in the halves or as a ball-playing lock, but they’d better make up their minds quickly, as Hayward will be free to negotiate beyond the 2025 year come November.
Lehi is the latest in the Hopoate family rugby league production line that began with his infamous father, John Hopoate. Unlike his father though, Lehi is tall and lean and is built for speed rather than a bar fight or DIY proctology. Lehi’s already proved himself as one of the most elusive ball runners in the competition, crossing for nine tries in his twelve starts since debuting for Manly in Round 12. Some already see him as fullback Tom Trbojevic’s heir apparent.
Another youngster who’s come up through the Penrith juniors, McLean has had a very big year, not only lining up alongside brother Jesse for the NSW Under-19 origin team, but also playing seven games in the top grade. Tall, very quick and a good defender, McLean still has some growing to do but looks to be a strong chance to grab a permanent position in the top grade next year.
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Having represented NSW at both Under-16s and Under-18s level, and then playing for the Australian Schoolboys in 2022, Talagi was destined for stardom. He scored 11 tries in 20 games for the Eels this year, playing every position in the backline except halfback, and he looks to have a very big future ahead of him. Unfortunately for the Eels, that future will be with Penrith, as Parra have let yet another talented player slip through their fingers.
Blaize Talagi. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
A Knights’ junior product, Sharpe announced himself in the NRL with a try on debut against the Storm while filling in for Kalyn Ponga at fullback, and then showed it was no fluke by scoring four tries against the Tigers in Round 23 and three tries against the Titans in Round 26. Sharpe is a very good mover, has speed to burn and already appears to have cemented a first grade spot for himself after being signed by the Knights until the end of 2026.
If you’re old enough, you’ll remember that Sam’s grandfather Ken Stonestreet was a very good hooker for both the Roosters and Magpies back in the 1960s, and that he scored eight tries in 154 first grade games. Young Sam’s played just five games for the Sharks to date but has already matched his grandfather’s try tally, scoring in every game he’s played and notching doubles in his last three appearances. The Sharks already have a couple of quality wingers on their books but don’t be surprised to see Stonestreet put some real pressure on them for a first grade spot when he gets the opportunity.
They say a good big man will always beat a good small man, and if that’s true, the Storm may just be on a winner with big Lazarus who stands 190cm tall and tips the scales at around 120kgs. At age 25, Vaalepu could be considered a late bloomer, but master coach Craig Bellamy is rarely wrong, and the fact that he’s come off the bench in nearly every game since Round 20 means he’s well and truly doing his job and is a strong prospect to cement a first grade position.
Ten great debutants with the potential to build their careers from 2025 onwards. Did I overlook anyone?
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