The annual Under-18s ASSRL National Championships will take place over the next two weeks, showcasing the best young Australian talents in rugby league.

Kicking off this weekend, the best performers will be named in the 2025 Australian Schoolboys team while every NRL team will have club officials and their recruitment team at Coffs Harbour.

Ahead of the tournament, Zero Tackle has named the 'Top 30 Players to Watch' during the National Championships to keep an eye on.

However, it is understood that several big names will be unable to play due to either injury or other commitments, such as Ashton Large, Heamasi Makasini, Lincoln Fletcher, Lui Lee, Onitoni Large, and Rex Bassingthwaite.

330-21

30. Cooper Johnston (ACT)

Playing on the wing, Johnston had an impressive 2025 SG Ball Cup campaign for the Canberra Raiders but will transition to fullback and is one of the more experienced players for ACT.

NRL Affiliation: Canberra Raiders
Position: Fullback
School: Saint Mary MacKillop College
Contract: N/A

29. Matthew Kereti (Combined Affiliates)

Returning to the National Championships for the second time, Kereti will line-up at fullback for the Combined Affiliates and is also a dual-code talent having played Rugby Sevens in Queensland.

NRL Affiliation: Melbourne Storm
Position: Fullback
School: The Grange P-12 College
Contract: N/A

28. Toby Batten (NSWCHS)

Replacing Lincoln Fletcher in the halfback spot for NSWCHS, Batten will look to stand up as his replacement and is one of the more underrated and lesser-known players heading into the tournament.

NRL Affiliation: Canterbury Bulldogs
Position: Halfback
School: Nambucca Heads High School
Contract: N/A

27. Jai Callaghan (NSW CIS)

A rising star in both rugby league and rugby union, Callaghan was dominant in the fullback position for the Bulldogs in the SG Ball Cup and is similar to the playing style of Jye Gray due to his size.

NRL Affiliation: Canterbury Bulldogs
Position: Fullback
School: SHORE School
Contract: N/A

26. Tanner Mahon (NSW CIS)

Formerly with the Rabbitohs before being poached by the Manly Sea Eagles, Mahon will be one of the top forwards on show in the tournament and his physical presence makes him a player to watch on both ends of the field.

NRL Affiliation: Manly Sea Eagles
Position: Prop
School: Central Coast Sports College
Contract: N/A

25. Oliver Burton (NSW CHS)

Having just agreed to a long-term contract with the Dragons until 2028, Burton is set to come off the interchange bench but the 16-year-old will bring the X-factor when he gets a chance to perform on the field.

NRL Affiliation: St George Illawarra Dragons
Position: Fullback
School: Illawarra Sports High School
Contract: 2028

24. Lockyer-Azile Foliola (Combined Affiliates)

A member of the Melbourne Storm pathways system, Foliola plays as a dummy-half and has already achieved various honours through his junior representative years, including winning the club's Best Forward award in the Harold Matthews Cup in 2024.

NRL Affiliation: Melbourne Storm
Position: Hooker
School: Victoria University Secondary College
Contract: N/A

23. Antonio Verhoeven (Queensland)

Securing an NRL contract with the Broncos, Verhoeven has impressed in a number of sports including athletics, basketball, rugby league and rugby union due to his strong work ethic and athletic ability

NRL Affiliation: Brisbane Broncos
Position: Centre
School: Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
Contract: 2028

22. Hunter Bell (NSW CCC)

A rising star in the Penrith Panthers system, Bell was named 18th man for City in the Under-18s City versus Country earlier this year and is versatile in a number of positions in the back-line.

NRL Affiliation: Penrith Panthers
Position: Centre
School: St Dominic's College
Contract: N/A

21. Jamie Cowling (ACT)

The halfback for ACT, Cowling, was recently awarded the 2025 Jarrod Croker Scholarship and helped lead the Raiders to the SG Ball Cup finals with his high intelligence and solid kicking game.

NRL Affiliation: Canberra Raiders
Position: Halfback
School: Erindale College
Contract: N/A

Back

1 COMMENT