NRL top five under 22: Centres

In both attack and defence, the centre position is one of the most crucial positions in the NRL. Centres lead the edge defence, deciding to charge out of the line or slide, and are often the last hands to touch the ball before a try. It might come as a surprise then, that some of the best centres in the game are 22 and younger. Some names in this list have won grand finals or played for their country, with more additions to their resume coming soon. Others have shocked the world with how quickly they have not only held their own but dominated their opposition. Here are the five best centres in the NRL aged 22 or younger. Bradman Best - 20 Bradman Best might have the highest potential of anyone on this list. His frame just screams danger to his opposition. Built low to the ground, with broad shoulders and strong legs, at his best, Best is rampaging through the defence. While a few niggling injuries have held him back, 2022 could be his year. The Newcastle Knights are struggling and it's difficult for a centre to shine without solid play from key playmakers. If the Knights ever get their act together and Best stays healthy, expect him to star. [caption id="attachment_108838" align="alignnone" width="2560"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Bradman Best of the Knights is tackled during the round 22 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Newcastle Knights at Moreton Daily Stadium, on August 15, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)[/caption] Izack Tago - 20 Debuting for the Panthers last year during the Origin period and when they faced a few injuries, Tago has made a name for himself this season. Matt Burton was the NRL's best centre in 2021. Penrith hasn't looked any different with Tago, who had played six games before this year. While that is a compliment to Penrith's structures, it shows how incredible Tago has been. So far this season Tago has five tries, four try assists, 23 tackle breaks, four line breaks and is running just under 140 metres a game. His numbers are ludicrous and with more experience, I only expect him to improve. [caption id="attachment_114676" align="alignnone" width="594"] PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 10: Izack Tago of the Panthers celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during the round one NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Manly Sea Eagles at BlueBet Stadium on March 10, 2022, in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Zac Lomax - 22 Possibly the most talented of the bunch, Zac Lomax can make some freakish plays. Whether it's field goals, flick passes, scoring tries or kicking goals, Lomax can do it all. With 17 tackle breaks in only seven games this season, Lomax can be unstoppable with the ball in his hands, whether he's using his footwork or raw strength. Lacking consistency at times, which as a 22-year-old is unsurprising, Lomax could be one of the best players in the competition, ignoring position, in a few years. [caption id="attachment_50431" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Zac Lomax of the Dragons makes a break during the round 24 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers at Sydney Cricket Ground on September 01, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Campbell Graham - 22 Perhaps not as flashy as others in this list, Campbell Graham is as good as any centre in the competition. One of the best defenders in the competition, always giving his winger space to move and an absolute weapon when attacking kicks in the air - he's everything a centre should be. While he might not have the utility of a Stephen Crichton, the ball skills of a Zac Lomax or the raw power of a Bradman Best, when it comes to what you want from a centre, he's it. Already having played for Australia (albeit at 9s level) and been in the NSW Blues squad, if it wasn't for Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic, he would be guaranteed a spot in every team he's eligible for. [caption id="attachment_80593" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 25: Campbell Graham of the Rabbitohs is tackled during the round seven NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on June 25, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Stephen Crichton - 21 It should come as no surprise that Stephen Crichton finds himself at number one on this list. Almost from the minute he stepped on the field, you could see Stephen Crichton's potential. With a wiry, strong and athletic frame and a deceiving speed, Crichton is built to play any position he wants to. With a grand finaL-winning intercept try under his belt already and what should be dozens of NSW Blues jerseys on the horizon, Stephen Crichton could be absolutely anything. He was one of the main reasons the Panthers made the grand final, let alone won it, making huge defensive plays against the Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm. He will be making huge plays for a long time to come.