Each and every year, a stand out few NRL players rise from the pack. They finally find that coach who inspires them, or that diet that enables peak performance, or that special something that sees them realize their potential.
In 2018, Valentine Holmes became a genuine superstar. The potential and talent had always been there, but the positional play and ball playing skill seemed to blossom, making Holmes one of the game's elite.
Damien Cook went from fringe first grader to the number one number nine in the game. All he needed was a coach that believed in him and let him play his natural game.
Latrell Mitchell pushed the who's who of centres aside in ascending to the position's top player. His fellow Rooster in Luke Keary ended the season as arguably the competition's form player.
We all know about the rise of Kalyn Ponga.
2017 saw Coen Hess graduate from decent forward to absolute wrecking ball. He now has a closet full of Origin jumpers and plenty more in the future. Tommy Turbo burst onto the scene in a big, big way.
So who will it be in 2019?
It's suuuuper early, and plenty can happen between now and the start of the season next year, but as it stands here are the top five players I expect to become genuine superstars in 2019.
For the point of this, I don't mean break out stars, or rookies to make names for themselves. I'm referring to first graders who will elevate into genuine superstar status.
4. Tevita Pangai Junior (Broncos):
Pangai Junior's 2018 was so good that he was shortlisted to represent the new look New South Wales side in this year's Origin series. He withdrew from consideration to represent Tonga and jolted more than a few Roos forwards in the most recent test.
The Broncos monster is the cream of a very, VERY impressive crop of young forwards that include Payne Haas and David Fifita.
He brought up his 50th NRL appearance this season for the Broncos in a year he established himself as one of the game's elite forwards.
He'll be 23 come round one and will be approaching his physical peak. That's scary considering the size and speed he already boasts. He can literally play anywhere in the pack which makes him the ultimate weapon for whoever is coaching the Broncos come round one.
