Suaalii, Nanai, Walker headline Therabody NRL Young Gun Team of the Year
They're the young guns of the NRL; Generation Next; the next wave of stars set to grace the field for many years to come after entertaining us greatly throughout the 2022 season so far.
Each week, thanks to Therabody, we've asked fans to pick which young gun impressed them most during the round, and have compiled the best of that group into the annual NRL young gun team of the year for 2022.
The below players — who all started the season with less than 25 career games to their name — are the best of the best as voted by the public, and all look set to feature in the NRL Telstra Premiership for many, many years to come.
Congratulations to the 2022 NRL Young Gun Team of the Year!
NRL Young Gun Team of the Year
1. Jayden Campbell (Titans)
The 22-year-old Titans fullback built on his impressive rookie campaign in 2021 with his first full year in the top grade showing plenty of promise for the future. After overcoming injury earlier in the year, Campbell returned with aplomb and helped the Titans finish the year on a positive note, with an average of 174 metres per game across the last five weeks of the regular season.
2. Joseph Suaalii (Roosters)
One of the true rising stars of the game and a key figure to watch in this year's Telstra Premiership finals series. Suaalii has racked up 15 tries in 18 games for the Roosters this year while also averaging over 135 metres per game — an impressive achievement for the 19-year-old in his first full season of NRL.
Super Suaalii had a night out
3. Izack Tago (Panthers)
Izack Tago has replaced Matt Burton's left centre spot with ease this season, racking up 12 tries, 15 linebreaks and seven try assists in his 23 games for the Panthers. Tago has formed a terrific partnership with Taylan May and Jarome Luai on the left edge that will hold Penrith in good stead throughout the finals series.
4. Will Penisini (Eels)
Having played in all 24 games for the Eels this season, Will Penisini has also shown blue and gold fans there's plenty of reason to be excited about what's to come with the 20-year-old growing stronger as the year goes on. Penisini has six try involvements in his last five games and could be a real x-factor for Brad Arthur's side as he marks up against the man above him, Izack Tago, in week one of the finals.
5. Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos)
With an Origin debut under his belt and conversations about a potential Kangaroos jersey too, it's been some season for Broncos young gun Selwyn Cobbo. The 20-year-old has 15 tries in 18 games for his club this year, which included an incredible run during the middle of the season where he scored in six straight games.
Hattrick for Amone
6. Talatau Amone (Dragons)
Talatau Amone played in every game for the Dragons this season and continued to get better as the year went on. The dynamic playmaker formed a strong partnership with the experienced Ben Hunt in the halves, chalking up 13 try assists and six tries of his own to help the Dragons end the year on a three-game winning streak.
7. Sam Walker (Roosters)
It's easy to forget Sam Walker is only 20 with the Roosters playmaker nudging 50 games of experience already after two full seasons with the Tricolours. Forming a new partnership with Luke Keary after the veteran half missed last year with a knee injury, Walker has the Roosters firing at the right time of the year and a genuine Premiership threat. The Ipswich junior followed up the 2021 Dally M Rookie of the Year Award with a superb 2022 season so far, which has included seven tries, 15 tries and 90 goals at a conversion success rate of 79 percent.
Everything and more: Cotter reflects on Origin debut
8. Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
One of the real breakout stars of 2022. Reuben Cotter has found a new lease on life in his middle forward role and is one to watch in this year's finals series as he pushes Todd Payten's team forward. A strong Origin performance in Game One was unfortunately followed by a hamstring injury which cost him several weeks of game time, but the Cowboys middle has returned to his best in recent weeks — ending the regular season with an average of 119 metres and 37.5 tackles per game.
9. Taniela Otukolo (Warriors)
Otukolo was voted in by fans after several handy contributions for the Warriors off the bench this season which will have incoming coach Andrew Webster pleased for the future of the number nine jersey at the club. Otukolo made 28 tackles without missing in 37 minutes against the Knights earlier this year, and looks to be a real player for the future of New Zealand rugby league.
10. Josh Curran (Warriors)
Another Warrior who impressed in 2022 was forward Josh Curran, who makes the list after his efforts throughout the year. Curran made a career high 18 appearances in 2022, and showed his versatility by featuring at prop, second row and lock.
Have Cowboys found their next Gavin Cooper?
11. Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)
It will be tough to beat Jeremiah Nanai's rookie season any time soon, with the 19-year-old Townsville tearaway dominating opposition defences right throughout the year. Playing 21 of a possible 24 games for the Cowboys as well as making his Origin debut, Nanai scored an incredible 17 tries this year — a remarkable achievement given the edge forward managed just one try in his last five games. Nanai will be one of the real players to watch this finals series, and stands to reckon as a pivotal part of Todd Payten's forward pack for many years to come.
12. Beau Fermor (Titans)
Beau Fermor played in all but one game for the Titans this year and delivered each and every week — scoring 11 tries and adding three try assists on top of his tireless efforts in attack and defence, where he averaged 32 tackles and 116 running metres per week. The Dalby Devils junior featured as part of the wider Queensland Origin squad this year and it might not be long before we see him take on a more prominent role at the representative level if he carries this form on.
Fermor grabs a double at Cbus Super Stadium
13. Kobe Hetherington (Broncos)
Kobe Hetherington played in all bar two games for the Broncos in 2022 and was a key part of Brisbane's strong form throughout the majority of the year. The Broncos’ Rookie of the Year in 2021, Hetherington took his form to another level this year with 505 tackles and 1731 total running metres off the bench this season.
Honourable Mentions
Matt Timoko (Raiders), Thomas Gilbert (Cowboys), Egan Butcher (Roosters), Griffin Neame (Cowboys), Taylan May (Panthers), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Dominic Young (Knights), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs), Cody Ramsey (Dragons).
