Why cross-code superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase shouldn't be favourite for Rookie of the Year

As we head towards the halfway mark of the NRL season, there have been plenty of fresh faces stand up and make an impact on the top grade.

Whether it be cross-code converts, surprise packets or highly-touted youngsters, some clubs have been given a real shot in the arm by the injection of youth into their set-up.

Bringing rookies into a team is never an easy task and sometimes it takes time for them to develop, but for 10 players this year, the sky appears to be the limit.

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To be eligible for Dally M Rookie of the Year, players must have played less than five first grade games in either of the subsequent seasons.

Here's who is leading the race for the best new talent in the game.

Savelio Tamale - Canberra Raiders

13 games, 6 tries, 15 linebreaks, 76 tackle breaks, 165 run metres per game

There weren't many in rugby league land speaking about the Raiders winger before the season started, but Tamale has certainly made people take notice in quick fashion.

The young gun, who left St George Illawarra in the off-season and moved to the nation's capital, has been a complete revelation across his 13 appearances to date.

Tamale has been unstoppable coming out of yardage for the Green Machine en route to a top-four spot on the table, sitting first in the league for linebreaks and in second spot for tackle breaks, with only James Tedesco in front of him.

He has also made the fifth-most amount of total run metres for the year.

At this stage, Tamale looks like the odds-on favourite to take out the honours, given his consistency and Canberra's success from a results perspective.

The biggest question mark now is how the Dragons possibly let this bloke leave.

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Jamie Humphreys - South Sydney Rabbitohs

8 games, 1 try, 2 try assists, 409 kick metres and 23 tackles per game

One of the great bargain buys, Humphreys has been a great addition to the South Sydney roster and has leapfrogged multiple players to make the halfback spot his own.

After playing just one game for Manly last year, the 23-year-old made the move and was originally touted as an option to play at hooker or off the bench.

An impressive pre-season caught the eye of Wayne Bennett and the decision to give Humphreys first crack at the No.7 jumper has certainly paid off.

Humphreys has played in all six of the Rabbitohs' victories this year, with his long kicking game and rock-solid defence proving to be a major asset.

While he's not the flashiest player, Humphreys has been integral in some surprise results and could form a great combination with Cody Walker moving into the second-half of the season once the classy five-eighth returns from injury.

Similarly in the un-flashy mould, hard-working forward Lachlan Hubner has been great for the Bunnies this year in the middle of the field and is a real Bennett-type player.

Mark Nawaqanitawase - Sydney Roosters

10 games, 9 tries, 3 try assists, 11 linebreaks, 126 run metres per game

It was the big switch from rugby union that had league fans wagging their tongues and so far, Nawaqanitawase has lived up to the hype at the Roosters.

From spectacular flick passes to stunning solo tries, the 24-year-old has already started to put together an incredible highlight reel in the red, white and blue jumper.

The only issue that has arisen in recent weeks is Nawaqanitawase's errors. He has made 25 for the year, which is more than any other player in the NRL. Against the Raiders on Sunday night he was bundled over the sideline attempting to make an all or nothing play on tackle one.

Trent Robinson laid down the gauntlet to the former Wallabies star after the round 13 loss, urging him to eradicate the mistakes from his game.

"At the moment, he's got a choice," the coach said.

"He's such a good player. Twelve games in, he's making a fair impact on the game. His two yardage errors there ... they were both sort of unforced.

"I feel like he can have a huge impact on the game just by cleaning up a bit of that backfield and then he'll become a dominant player in this competition."

While it does seem a little peculiar for an athlete who has played at the Olympics and in a World Cup to be eligible for a rookie award, there's nothing stopping Nawaqanitwase from claiming the individual prize at the end of this season.

And if he can answer Robinson's challenge, the sky is the limit in the 13-man code.

Isaiah Iongi - Parramatta Eels

12 games, 5 tries, 5 try assists, 48 tackle breaks, 177 run metres per game

After moving across from Penrith, the young fullback was given the unenviable task of replacing fan-favourite Clint Gutherson in the No.1 jumper for the Eels.

But so far, it's hard to argue that Jason Ryles made the right call for all parties.

While there have been some growing pains and Parramatta have struggled to record victories and move up the table, Iongi has been a real shining light.

It hasn't helped his cause that Mitchell Moses spent plenty of time on the sidelines, but the pair have seemingly clicked since the superstar halfback's return from injury.

Iongi was always a highly-touted prospect coming through the lower grades at the Panthers and if he continues on this same trajectory, he could find himself in the mix for the gong on Dally M Medal night and keep the fullback spot at the Eels long-term.

Leka Halasima - New Zealand Warriors

12 games, 4 tries, 3 linebreaks, 96 run metres and 22 tackles per game

While he only just scrapes into contention after playing four games in 2024, Halasima is a genuine dark horse in the race after a barnstorming start to the season.

The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the best young forwards in the competition this year and has been shown plenty of faith by coach Andrew Webster.

Halasima has a blend of size, skill and raw ability that makes him a joy to watch and he has played a pivotal role in some tight wins for the Warriors this year.

It was no surprise to see the club move to lock down the freakish back-rower until the end of 2029 recently and he looks to be a real player of the future.

Hamish Stewart - St George Illawarra Dragons

11 games, 2 try assists, 11 offloads, 109 run metres and 33 tackles per game

In a crop full of young talent in Wollongong heading into the season, the talk of the town certainly wasn't centred around the tenacious Gerringong Lions product.

There were even a few eyebrows raised when Stewart was picked to make his debut in the opening round of the season against the Bulldogs.

While it's been a slow and steady start to his first grade career, the 20-year-old has now developed into a crucial member of the Dragons forward pack and has even jumped in front of experienced players to make the No.13 jumper his own.

Stewart isn't flashy by any means, but he does the gritty stuff that saw him noticed by NSW coach Laurie Daley, who brought the youngster into camp before game one.

While he's slightly smaller in frame, Stewart looks like he could be the second coming of Jack de Belin - which is a great compliment for anyone who has watched the former State of Origin star's career in the Red V for the past 15 years.

Stewart's long-time friend and teammate Dylan Egan would have also been in the mix in his rookie season, but suffered a devastating ACL injury a fortnight ago.

And while he's only just debuted recently, hulking prop Loko Pasifika Tonga could force his way into calculations if he stays fit and his early form suggests anything.

Robert Toia - Sydney Roosters

11 games, 4 tries, 3 try assists, 34 tackle breaks, 110 run metres per game

One of the biggest shockers in recent memory when it comes to Origin selection, the boom Roosters centre is starting to show why the club had such high hopes for him.

Toia has endured a rough battle with injuries in recent years, but has finally claimed a spot in the top grade and hasn't looked back.

Blessed with great power and the skill to match, the best part about Toia has been his attitude and desire to do the tough stuff for his team.

The 20-year-old was strong in his Maroons debut, doing a great job marking perhaps the best centre in the world Latrell Mitchell and could be a long-term rep player.

Young forward Salesi Foketi is another player from the Bondi-based club who is shining in his rookie season, having filled a variety of roles this season.

Owen Pattie - Canberra Raiders

13 games, 1 try assist, 20 run metres and 16 tackles per game

There were enormous raps on this kid before a ball was kicked this year and it's easy to see why as Pattie has become a regular first grader without issue, playing all 13 games.

While the statistics won't tell the story, Pattie has showed class and maturity beyond his years for Canberra, whether it be coming off the bench or starting in the middle.

The 21-year-old has earned comparisons to Cameron Smith for his vision out of hooker and there have already been glimpses to suggest he could be a future Origin player.

The youngster has formed one of the great one-two punches with Tom Starling this year and it begs the question why Canberra decided to sign Jayden Brailey for 2026.

Robert Derby - North Queensland Cowboys

9 games, 7 tries, 8 linebreaks, 22 tackle breaks, 172 run metres per game

Outside of one very error-riddled game, Derby has been sound on the wing for the Cowboys and looks destined to lock down a spot there long-term.

The 23-year-old, who played one game 2023 but missed last year due to injury, was brought into Todd Payten's team early in the year and has been there ever since.

Derby's work out of yardage has been a great asset, forming a good combination with rep star Murray Taulagi, while his try-scoring ability was never in doubt.

Already a rep player with Papua New Guinea, he looks to be someone North Queensland fans can get excited about moving forward.

Ryley Smith - Parramatta Eels

12 games, 2 forced dropouts, 19 run metres and 39 tackles per game

With very similar attributes to former Eels hooker Reed Mahoney, it's easy to see why the club's fans have already taken to Smith and fallen in love with him.

A gritty hooker, who came through the Penrith junior system and was even an Australian U19s representative in cricket, Smith has bolted into the starting role under Jason Ryles.

Since making his debut in the opening round, the 22-year-old has gone on to play every game for the Eels and jumped some more experienced players into the No.9 jumper.

Another player from the blue and gold who has turned heads in his first season in the top grade is Jordan Samrani, who has played multiple positions for Parramatta and held his own as he looks to cement himself as a long-term part of the team.