Top 13 NRL players under 21 to keep an eye on in 2022

With the NRL season kicking off, we take a look at a selection of top rookies who will be looking to make names for themselves this upcoming season.

Ezra Mam

A massively talented young half-back who could throw his name into the mix to take up the number six role for Brisbane in 2022. The South Logan Magpies star will battle it out with both Albert Kelly and Tyson Gamble to partner new recruit Adam Reynolds in the halves. In 2021, Mam was the rookie of the year in the Queensland Cup after scoring 13 tries and producing eight try assists in just 11 games.

Terrell Kalo Kalo

Despite not featuring in the New South Wales Cup, the Rabbitohs’ teenage sensation has been thrust into the sides’ top 30 squad for the 2022 season. The 19-year-old can feature anywhere along the back-line and with Dane Gagai’s departure to Newcastle there is a slight void in the South Sydney’s centres that the youngster can certainly fill.

Paul Alamoti

A star of Canterbury’s reserve grade and one of the best emerging talents coming into 2022. The 18-year-old is a powerful strike centre and after signing with the Bulldogs until 2023 has now been inserted into Trent Barrett’s top 30 squad for the upcoming season. He represents another building block as the Doggies look towards a new era.

Trey Mooney

Like Kalo Kalo, Mooney has been included in the NSW future blues squad as well featuring for the state at both Under-16s and Under-18s level. The 19-year-old is a skilful and mobile loose forward. With the exits of Ryan James, Dunamis Lui and Sio Soliola, there is certainly an opportunity for him to break into Rick Stuart’s side.

Jayden Sullivan

Despite the 20-year-old’s size he is a highly effective and creative half-back and one of St. George Illawarra’s rising stars. The retirement of Corey Norman and the departure of Adam Clune to Newcastle opens the door in the halves and Sullivan has all the skills to be a long-term solution for the Dragons at that position.

Izack Tago

An exciting and light-footed centre who looks set for more of a full-time role for the Panthers in 2022 following departures of Brent Naden, Paul Momirovski and Matt Burton. Before the NSW Cup was halted after 15 rounds last year, Tago was crucial part of a formidable Panthers unit that went 12-1. In the nine games he played he scored 10 tries while securing four try assists, eight line-breaks and 34 tackle busts.

Toby Sexton

The Titans have certainly improved from their last place finish in 2019, finishing ninth and eighth in the last two years in the NRL. However, with Jamal Fogarty and Ash Taylor moving on, Gold Coast will be looking to form a new partnership at six and seven and with AJ Brimson looking set to make the move to stand off, there is the chance Sexton to showcase his talents and become a long term answer at scrum half. The 20-year-old showed great glimpses of his skills towards the end of last year and it will be interesting to see the youngster get a full season under his belt.

Over the years, Parramatta have seen Fijian wingers in the likes of Maika Sivo and Semi Radradra make their presence felt in the side and now going into 2022 they may have another massive hit on their hands in Solomone Naiduki. An exceptional athlete who has already had comparisons made with Sivo, and after impressing in the NSW Cup he now joins the Eels’ top 30 squad. The season-ending injury to Haze Dunster could see the 20-year-old get that chance to start emulating the success of his fellow countrymen.

Tyrell Sloan

The Dragons certainly have plenty of young prodigious talent coming through the ranks with Jayden Sullivan, Talatau Amone and the Feagai brothers all looking for bigger roles this year. However, the best of the bunch maybe Sloan who has already shown his attacking prowess in the St. George Illawarra set up, scoring six tries in five appearances whilst securing two try assists and averaging just over 100 metres per game. The 19-year-old looks likely to take over the full-back role from Matt Dufty and it will be worth keeping a close eye on him as the season goes on.

Xavier Savage

The 19-year-old has all the flair, creativity and raw speed to be a blockbuster hit for the Raiders for many years to come. However, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad set to return from injury this season, Savage faces a battle for the number one spot but with his massive upside we may see plenty more of Savage throughout the year as his ability to tear up opposition’s defences is too good to pass up.

Ben Trbojevic

If having Tom and Jake Trbojevic was not unfair enough, Manly also have the younger Trbojevic brother in their mix with the 20-year-old looking to feature more prominently after having his first taste of NRL action last year. The youngster can play at centre or back-row and with a surname in rugby league that has garnered more and more attention in recent years it will be intriguing to see how Ben goes about forging his own career.

Reece Walsh

The young full-back endured a breakout year in the NRL in 2021, as he proved to be a massive spark for the Warriors attack. Despite being 19-years-old his slick ball skills and quickness are going to be more important factors this year after former star man Roger Tuivasa-Sheck switched codes at the end of last season.

Selwyn Cobbo

The Broncos may have struggled over the last couple of NRL seasons. However there is no denying that they have a strong nucleus of young talent coming through the ranks and Cobbo maybe the next off the line to make his mark on the squad. After Xavier Coates’ transfer to Melbourne, the 19-year-old now has the opportunity to fill the void left on the wing.

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