Rookie of the year contenders

[Poss]

this has got to be the first time in NRL history that a team has 5 genuine contenders for rookie of the year.

NRL rules state that to be eligible for rookie of the year, a player must not have played MORE than 4 games in previous seasons.

Therefore, we have the following genuine contenders:

Xerri
Flanno
Nikora
Hamlin-Uele
J Williams (played 4 games in 2018)


I could dead set see any of the above winning it at this half way mark of the competition. Xerri is already a media darling, but Nikora, Flanno, Uele haven’t gone unnoticed either. And Williams is certainly not out of the race!

Great testament to the way the team is going under tough injuries this year.

 

[Frenzy.]

Nikora by 10 light years out of that lot

TPP second

 

[Mr Angry]

John Morris take your hat off.

I remember when Brown from Parra won it after round 2.

 

[Don Tweddle]

B. Brailey would be eligible as well but Nikora would get my vote by some distance.

We have a really outstanding group of rookies. For all Xerri's flaws and the silliness of the hype around him, he has the kind of speed you simply can't coach. Also, he is 18. Add a couple of years of learning and development to his game and he has all the tools to be an absolute weapon.

 

[Ads]

Thought Nikora had it in the bag but Xerri could steal it if he keeps bagging tries. Judges are always swayed by attackers.

 

[Frenzy.]

Thought Nikora had it in the bag but Xerri could steal it if he keeps bagging tries. Judges are always swayed by attackers.

Yes. Sad really. He had 3 errors and missed 5 tackles tonight. Only made 4. But he wan weally, weally fast!

He’s 2 years off being the superstar he is portrayed as being now

 

[Eion]

Nikora by 10 light years out of that lot

TPP second

What he said. 150,000%

 

[bad boy bubby]

Yes. Sad really. He had 3 errors and missed 5 tackles tonight. Only made 4. But he wan weally, weally fast!

He’s 2 years off being the superstar he is portrayed as being now

Yep.
The Fergo Palm off was directly in front of me. Very weak.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Yes. Sad really. He had 3 errors and missed 5 tackles tonight. Only made 4. But he wan weally, weally fast!

He’s 2 years off being the superstar he is portrayed as being now

The kid is 18, you seem to have this agenda or just idiotic expectation of an 18yr first grader.

He’s making a fool of more senior players and scoring tries. He’s clearly got excellent footwork, speed and special awareness.

Defence needs work - yep but give him a chance.

Handling errors- that will be nerves.

Anyone thinks he should be dropped has NFI

 

[chewsta]

Nikora is in the lead but man, Uele is coming in hot! How good is it.

5 contenders plus there are 2 or 3 other kids that have debuted so far this year too. I am really enjoying what Bomber is doing.

 

[Ads]

Yes. Sad really. He had 3 errors and missed 5 tackles tonight. Only made 4. But he wan weally, weally fast!

He’s 2 years off being the superstar he is portrayed as being now

Agreed. Pretty impressive attacking output for someone so young though. If we can build the rest of his game we have a top tier attacking weapon on our hands.

 

[Surely]

Fergo has never palmed anyone off ever

 

[wibble]

Both Nikora and Xerri have had defensive issues this year. I don't think it is too harsh to say that.

They are both fantastic talents and there is every reason to think they will be star players. Most kids struggle with the defensive side early on (ET did, and he was known by the end of his career as one of the all time best defenders). There are already signs they are improving in that regard.

Uele and Williams have been super consistent, but as young big boppers, their challenge will be getting big outputs for long minutes over a long season. They look like they will get there too.

The juniors, Flanno and Brailey, also have shown quite a bit of spark and enterprise at times, and will learn more game control as they too develop.

None are stars yet, that is almost impossible as a rookie (Thurston, Cronk, Tedesco, Mitchell, some of the people we think of as super stars now (or a short while ago) all took some time to become great, but all started well). But they all show a lot of potential.

All in all, it is fair to say that is a bumper crop of rookies. Any 1 would be a welcome addition to a squad. Other teams must be spewing at how lucky we have been (though Flanno senior and Morris helped create this "luck").

The trick now will be to keep as many as we can in the black, white and blue for as long as we can, given that we have plenty of other good to great first graders with experience on the books.

 

[Card Shark]

Other teams must be spewing at how lucky we have been (though Flanno senior and Morris helped create this "luck").

After reading through all the posts in this thread, that is the point I wanted to make.

The other 1 is, it’s “Rookie of the year”, whoever wins is not perfect but they have made a good impression & made important contributions to wins.

Xerri will win it....& deserve to!

 

[millersnose]

Yep
Xerri has made some rookie mistakes because he ..well he is 18 and a ...rookie

Every game he seems to improve and he is already a go to man for try scoring

What other 18 year old in the comp compares

 

[Mr Angry]

Many games to go.

 

[Card Shark]

Absolutely Angry.

If Xerri stays fit & continues his improvement, I think he’s a shoe-in.

 

[coolumsharkie]

I think also he played left, in Morris's spot and showed his ability to not be over awed and adapted well.. He'll be on Grays wing next week, happy days.

 

[Weaponhead]

Nikora has slotted in seamlessly. Quality, all round first grader now. Has benefited from 2 years in reggies to develop physically and mentally.

Xerri is a rare talent with ball in hand. Acceleration and evasion are obvious. At 18 and coming straight from 20s he is not the finished article. Defense and handling need work but given the talent he will be an exceptional player in a couple of years.

Uele has been a revelation. Seems to have always had the talent but lacked the belief and mental toughness to make it. Credit to the coach for getting through to him that he has the ability to make if he wants it.

Williams is a strong unit who has been brought along at the right pace. Unfortunate injury last season but is going well. Will take the Gallen role next year and is ready to step up.

FJ has been good covering for Johnson. Showed confidence and a bit of flair. Will be a quality NRL half at some stage.

 

[Frenzy.]

Fergo has never palmed anyone off ever

Has now.