The Mole's 2024 rookies to explode at every club: Young Bunny who could become NRL's 'fastest man'
NRL rookies to explode in 2024
The start of every NRL season brings intrigue around which rookies will burst on to the scene.
Wide World of Sports' The Mole has run the eye over every club's best new prospect.
Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers)
Plenty of hype around this teenager despite the fact he is fresh out of school and yet to test himself against grown men.
Won the prestigious Peter Sterling Medal after steering Westfields Sports High to victory in the National Schoolboys Cup last year.
A mature kid with a good size to him, is tipped to develop into a back-rower in years to come.
Hamish Stewart (St George Illawarra Dragons)
A tall lock who hails from the famous south coast league town of Gerringong, Stewart was elevated from the junior ranks into the Dragons' NSW Cup side in the second half of 2023 and looked the goods.
Listed as a development player for the 2024 season, he's signed a long-term deal with the club and will play in the top grade in the next 18 months.
Jamie Humphreys (Manly Sea Eagles)
Manly's 2023 Jersey Flegg players' player, Humphreys looked set for a career in the halves but made a successful transition to hooker in the past 18 months.
A mature kid with a good kicking game, the 21-year-old will keep the club's two top hookers, Lachlan Croker and Gordon Chan Kum Tong, honest throughout 2024.
Joash Papalii (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Gus Gould and Cameron Ciraldo are trying to keep this exciting youngster under the radar - because he could develop into anything.
An unpredictable utility back, he played for NSW under 19s last year and is at home at both fullback and five-eighth.
Needs to build up a little but once he adds to his size and strength, he'll take the game by storm.
Salesi Foketi (Sydney Roosters)
The Roosters will be undergoing a major makeover in the next couple of seasons, with several senior players close to retirement.
As a result, they have ramped up their junior recruitment and have a real gem in back-rower Foketi, who was a standout in the Jersey Flegg Cup last year and won a spot in the Tonga A squad.
While he is destined to play in the forwards, he has great hands and has been used to good effect at number six.
Paul Bryan (Newcastle Knights)
This Queensland prop, now 21, joined the Knights two years ago and was named the club's SG Ball player of the year in his maiden season.
Was set for a huge year in 2023 but tore his ACL before a ball was kicked in a training mishap.
Now back to full fitness, he's in the Knights' top 30 and will get a crack at NRL before the year is out.
Ethan Sanders (Parramatta Eels)
For a kid who was playing in the SG Ball Cup last season, showed remarkable maturity and has been fast-tracked into the top grade squad.
Isn't about to oust Mitchell Moses or Dylan Brown anytime soon but is likely to get a taste of first grade at some stage of the year and has it all - a good kicking game, pace and the ability to read the game.
Ben Te Kura (Brisbane Broncos)
Only 19 but already a giant in the Payne Haas mode - and he's still growing!
Tipped the scales at more than 125 kilos last year and may be a little trimmer in 2024 when he gets rid of some puppy fat.
Held his own in the Queensland Cup against grown men last year so it wouldn't surprise to see him debut in 2024, especially in the Origin period when the club's depth will be tested.
Jack Bostock (Dolphins)
One that got away from the Dragons in 2023, a classy centre who is also comfortable on the wing.
Big, strong and fast, he is being grommed by Wayne Bennett and should play plenty of NRL by the second half of the new season.
Versatile and tough enough to move to the back row as his career unfolds down the track.
