Every side's rookie who could star in 2019

Zero Tackle has taken a look at each clubs' lists and picked one rookie which could set the NRL alight for their side in 2019. Which player from your club will have a breakout season? Brisbane Broncos Patrick Carrigan The Broncos are known for developing some of the most destructive forwards in the game, and they could have created another one in the form of Patrick Carrigan. The 20-year old was apart of this year's Queensland Emerging Origin squad, as well as captaining the Maroons' Under-20s side to their first ever win against the junior Blues. Playing for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup, Carrigan managed a huge 1112.2 post contact metres, and would be quite damaging in a Broncos jersey. [caption id="attachment_38822" align="alignnone" width="696"] Patrick Carrigan[/caption] Canberra Raiders Corey Horsburgh Corey Horsburgh will be looking to finally break into the first grade team after joining the green machine in 2018. Comfortable at lock or prop, the 20-year-old is highly regarded for his work ethic and will continue to impress the coaching staff to earn a debut. Horsburgh featured in QLD's Under 20's State of Origin team this season and is ready to make a mark for himself in the nations capital. [caption id="attachment_38808" align="alignnone" width="696"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 13: Corey Horsburgh of the Australian Juniors passes the ball out during the international Rugby League Test Match between the New Zealand Juniors and the Australia Junior Kiwis at Mt Smart Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)[/caption] Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Nick Meaney Transferring across from the Newcastle Knights, Nick Meaney will surely make an impact for the Dogs in 2019. After debuting in 2018 and tasting a few games at senior level, Meaney has scored twice and kicked one goal. The 21-year-old had been apart of NSW's Under 20s Origin side in 2017 and will be looking to cement a spot in the Bulldogs first grade side to show off the talent the Lismore born has. [caption id="attachment_38809" align="alignnone" width="696"] NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Nick Meaney of the Knights is tackled by the Eels defence during the round 18 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Cronulla Sharks Blayke Brailey Blayke Brailey joins his brother in Jayden Brailey in the Sharks' Top 30 squad, and could make his NRL debut as early as Round 1 off the bench. Experts who have seen the two brothers play suggest Blayke is the better of the two, which could be proven right if he is given a chance to shine. Playing for the Sharks feeder club, the Newtown Jets, Brailey made 25 appearances as hooker and proved he is a worthy rookie contender taking home the Jets Best and Fairest Award, (the Brian "Chicka" Moore Shield). [caption id="attachment_38820" align="alignnone" width="696"] Blayke Brailey[/caption] Gold Coast Titans Jai Whitbread This young 20-year-old prop made his NRL debut in Round 18 of the 2018 season, and will be aiming to earn a spot in the final 17 for the Titans come 2019. A total of 32 running metres during his debut is something he'd like to improve on, but his statistics for the Titans' feeder club speak for themselves. 513.3 post contact metres, 36 tackle breaks and 1590 running metres suggest Whitbread will only grow in confident the more chances in first grade he gets. [caption id="attachment_38818" align="alignnone" width="640"] Jai Whitbread[/caption] Manly Sea Eagles Albert Hopoate The Sea Eagles are no strangers to having a Hopoate don a Manly jersey, and they could be about to have another one do so. The son of John Hopoate and brother of Will, Albert Hopoate has been dominating the junior grades for numerous years now. He has attracted interest from rival codes such as rugby union, but stayed true to pursing a career in league. Despite missing most of 2018 with an ACL tear, Hopoate will be anxious to earn a debut and show his star power. [caption id="attachment_38816" align="alignnone" width="696"] Albert Hopoate[/caption] Melbourne Storm Scott Drinkwater Having made his NRL debut in Round 25, 2018 and signing a two-year contract extension with the Melbourne Storm, Scott Drinkwater has his sights set on earning a spot in the first grade team. Now the great Billy Slater has retired and vacated the No.1 jersey, Drinkwater will battle it out against stiff competition in Jahrome Hughes to inherit the coverted fullback jersey. After a stellar year for Melbourne's feeder club, Easts Tigers, Drinkwater was named the Cooper Cronk Feeder Club Player of the Year at the Storm's awards night, and if given the opportunity in 2019, can ignite the competition. [caption id="attachment_38810" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 31: Scott Drinkwater of the Storm runs with the ball during the round 25 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park on August 31, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Newcastle Knights Brodie Jones A Cessnock Goanna junior, born and breed in the Hunter, Brodie Jones will look to make 2019 the year he pulls on a first grade Newcastle Knights jersey. Son of former coach Rick Jones, the 20-year-old featured on the extended bench for the Knights on numerous occasions in 2018 and also had a strong season in the Intrust Super Cup. Training with the NRL for a third year, and entering his second year as a full-time player, Jones will be a player to keep an eye on. [caption id="attachment_38823" align="alignnone" width="696"] Brodie Jones[/caption] New Zealand Warriors Chanel Harris-Tavita The 19-year-old from Auckland is blessed with natural rugby league talent, all you have to do is look up his 'scorpion kick' which lead to Isaiah Papalii scoring a try for the Junior Kiwis against Australia to see just how good this kid is going to be. Being referred to as the next Shaun Johnson, Harris-Tavita was stuck behind Johnson and Blake Green for a starting spot, but has now been given the opportunity to make the role his own. [caption id="attachment_38811" align="alignnone" width="696"] Chanel Harris-Tavita of the Warriors during a New Zealand Warriors training session on May 2, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)[/caption] North Queensland Cowboys Emry Pere Emry Pere, a young emerging forward originally from New Zealand will be looking to make a case for himself in the 2019 season. Pere played 24 games for Northern Pride and after a huge performance during the 2018 season, was rewarded with a starting front-row position for the Junior Kiwi's in their recent clash against the Junior Kangaroos. The 20-year-old will be elevated into the Cowboys' top 30 squad for 2019 and will aim to make his NRL debut if he continues to churn out big performances. [caption id="attachment_38812" align="alignnone" width="696"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 13: Emry Pere of the Junior Kiwis looks on after losing the international Rugby League Test Match between the New Zealand Juniors and the Australian Juniors at Mt Smart Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)[/caption] Parramatta Eels Greg Leleisiuao Being dubbed a future star since his 2017 Under 20's days, Greg Leleisiuao is one to watch out for in 2019. On the verge of making his NRL debut this year, Leleisiuao will be looking to put out strong and explosive performances in the feeder clubs side to impress the club's selectors. Defence could be his downfall, but a total of 1500 running metres and 83 tackle breaks will help Leleisiuao push for a rookie of the year spot. [caption id="attachment_38815" align="alignnone" width="696"] Greg Leleisiuao[/caption] Penrith Panthers Caleb Aekins This Panther made his debut in Round 18 against the Sharks this year, but will be looking to add upon that next season. The young fullback had seven tackle breaks, one line break and 303 running metres in his debut game, but it was for Penrith's feeder club where he shined. Aekins made 23 appearances for the NSW Cup team, made a total of 4299 running metres and 11 tackle breaks. If he continues with those type of statistics, he'll be a main stayer in the senior team in no time. [caption id="attachment_38819" align="alignnone" width="696"] Caleb Aekins[/caption] South Sydney Rabbitohs Corey Allan Could Corey Allan be the next best rugby league player to come from the Logan Brothers? After signing a three-year deal with the Rabbitohs, Allan is heavily being considered to don the No.1 jersey next year. The 20-year-old is the first player to represent the Prime Ministers XIII without playing a single NRL game. A great year with the QLD Intrust Super Cup team Souths Logan Magpies, Allan scored nine tries and had six try assists, and could cause some real damage at the back of the Bunnies massive forward pack. [caption id="attachment_38821" align="alignnone" width="696"] Corey Allan[/caption] St George Illawarra Dragons Zac Lomax The NRL got a taste of the talent that is Zac Lomax when he was able to play four senior games in 2018. Having made two try assists and a total of 209 running metres, he proved he can be a valuable member to the Dragons in the centre position. Only 19 years of age, Lomax featured in the Under 18's NSW Origin side and with some good form could be included in the Under 20's side in 2019. Dragons fans should be excited with what Lomax as to offer. [caption id="attachment_38813" align="alignnone" width="450"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Zac Lomax of the Dragons celebrates kicking a penalty goal during the NRL Semi Final match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney Roosters Sitili Tupouniua Coming up through the Roosters' junior systems, Sitili Tupouniua found himself making his NRL debut in 2018 against the Storm in Adelaide, but only managed one first grade appearance. Tupouniua was a part of the Roosters' 2016 Holden Cup Grand Final side and has been lofted up to the senior squad. Turning heads for the Wyong Roos, the 21-year old New Zealand native will be looking to improve on his strong 2018 campaign for the feeder side to be considered for a starting first grade spot. [caption id="attachment_38817" align="alignnone" width="696"] Sitili Tupouniua[/caption] Wests Tigers Paul Momirovski Paul Momirovski joins the Wests Tigers after leaving the Roosters in pursue of more first grade games. The 22-year-old made his NRL debut midway through the 2018 and Rooster fans would be feeling a tad irritated he has signed with Wests after scoring the match winning try for the tri-colours in their Preliminary Final win. Momirovski will use his short lived experience in the NRL to help him gain more starts in the centre position. [caption id="attachment_38814" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Paul Momirovski of the Roosters scores a try during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption]