Watch this space: The new faces ready to shine at every Sydney NRL club

2 hours ago 2

Leo Thompson may be the big-money off-season recruit at Canterbury, but another young middle forward, Finau Latu, has quickly generated just as much excitement at Belmore.

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan struggled to hide his frustrations last season after he learnt Finau had signed a three-year deal with the Bulldogs worth about $1.2 million.

(clockwise from left) Jezaiah Funa-Iuta (Eels), Simi Laiafi (Sea Eagles), Salesi Ataata (Rabbitohs), Toby Rodwell (Roosters) and Finau Latu (Bulldogs).

Flanagan’s anger was more directed at Latu’s management, and he told reporters at the time: “We’ve brought that young bloke up the last three or four years and we wanted to keep him and never got an opportunity to.”

Newcastle were also reportedly keen to sign Latu.

The 19-year-old has brought plenty of energy to training during summer, with several players noting he is one of the hardest players to tackle. Stress fractures in the back limited his game time last year in the Red V.

Bulldogs general manager supremo Phil Gould declared on social media before Christmas the forward would play first grade this year.

Back-rowers Logan Spinks and Jed Reardon, the son of former Bulldogs forward Steve Reardon, have also impressed.

This masthead contacted the eight rival Sydney clubs to find out which young players were on track for a breakout season, which is only 43 more sleeps away.

St George Illawarra Dragons

Coach Flanagan made a point of praising wing recruits David Fale and Setu Tu, who are making a serious case to start the season for the Dragons. He knew they were good, but he has been surprised by how quickly they have put themselves in the frame.

David Fale in action for Penrith last season.

Fale made his debut for Penrith when they rested the bulk of their NRL squad against Canterbury late last season and more than held his own. He was playing in the Sydney Shield competition just a few years ago. And Tu, 27, scored 13 tries in 14 appearances for the Warriors in the NSW Cup last year.

Tu plays on the left wing, while Fale is more comfortable on the right.

Manly Sea Eagles

Young prop Simi Laiafi went close to making his debut last year, and was rewarded for his efforts by being named 18th man in the final game of the season against the New Zealand Warriors. He weighs 118kg, is an Australian Schoolboys representative and has gone to another level during the pre-season.

A western Sydney local with Tongan heritage, Laiafi’s transition has been made easier by the heavy presence of Tongans in the Sea Eagles’ pack, especially Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Only injury will stop him from getting a start in the top grade in the opening month of the competition.

Sydney Roosters

Roosters fans already like what they have seen from young playmaker Toby Rodwell, the 19-year-old son of Illawarra centre Brett, and younger brother of Roosters winger Tom.

His calmness under pressure to get the Roosters home in an SG Ball grand final thriller last year was impressive.

Toby Rodwell in action for the Roosters.

Despite the arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans, and the presence of Sam Walker and Hugo Savala, Rodwell is right in the frame to get a taste of the big time this year. Many at the club have been impressed by his unflappable nature, on and off the field, while he was taken further into the club’s inner sanctum when completing the Kokoda Track before Christmas.

Penrith Panthers

Billy Phillips was another youngster to be handed his NRL debut during the mass restings against Canterbury, but will become a regular this season.

The Lithgow forward keeps getting compared to club co-captain Isaah Yeo, not only because of his bush roots and stature, but his ability to get through a mountain of work.

Kalani Going, one of four players recruited from the Warriors’ premiership-winning reserve grade team, has also stood out over the summer. The Warriors quartet have brought a new energy to the Panthers. Like Phillips, Going is a lock forward who will add to the one NRL game he played against the Dolphins in 2023.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Salesi Ataata made his mark in the NSW Cup and is already proving a handful during opposed sessions at Heffron Park this summer. He carries the ball well, and will benefit from another full pre-season with the first-grade squad. Keaon Koloamatangi and Jai Arrow are workhorses, but at almost 120kg, Ataata is the kind of impact prop the Bunnies have craved since Tom Burgess’ departure at the end of 2024.

Dayne Jennings is also a player to watch, but at only 18, the rangy centre is one to get more excited about in 2027.

Cronulla Sharks

Liam Ison ruptured his ACL in the opening minutes of the first round of the NSW Cup last year, which robbed him of the chance to apply a bit of pressure on Will Kennedy for Cronulla’s No.1 jersey.

This season will be different. The 21-year-old will put pressure on Kennedy, and hopefully remind the Sharks why they got it right by nailing him down to a long-term deal.

Liam Ison could make his mark for the Sharks after starring for the Newtown Jets.

Parramatta Eels

Jezaiah Funa-Iuta is a NSW under-19s Origin back-rower who has not put a foot wrong this summer. He was a standout for the club’s SG Ball team last year, is comfortable on the left and right, and is capable in the middle.

Teancum Brown, a front-rower who made his debut off the bench against the Knights last season, has plenty of physicality and is another Eel ready to regularly wear the blue and gold.

Wests Tigers

The Roosters rarely lose players they want to keep, which is why the Tigers were celebrating the signature of back-rower Ethan Roberts.

A Paddington junior, and already an Indigenous All Stars player, Roberts is an excellent mover with good ball skills, and his addition alongside Samuela Fainu and recruit Kai Pearce-Paul suddenly has the club’s back-row stocks in good shape. One-game centre Heamasi Makasini is also in for a big 2026.