Last season the average age in the NRL was 24.4. The Wests Tigers had the youngest average at 23.4 while the South Sydney Rabbitohs' took the title of the oldest team, with an average age of 25.3.
The NRL seemingly becomes younger and younger every year, with more young stars breaking through the ranks.
There are players one or two years into their careers who are arguably the best, or one of the best, players at their position.
With so much young talent across the league, and fullback quickly becoming the most important position in a team next to halfback, here are the five best fullbacks in the competition, aged 22 and under.
3. Tesi Niu - 20
The fact that Tesi Niu is so young came as a surprise. For some reason, it feels as if he has been around the game for a lot longer.
Maybe it's his older demeanour or perhaps the fact that he's had such a short leash at the Broncos.
Whatever the case, he has looked more NRL-ready in 2022 than the past. Already playing 27 games over three years at the Broncos, the instability of the team affected his ability to play his game.
With the fullback position seemingly his for the foreseeable future once he makes his return from injury, Niu looks far more comfortable this season.
While his stats aren't going to light the world on fire, the Broncos look better with him out the back than without him. If given some time and patience Niu could be a special player.
