To say I am excited for the 2024 season is a massive understatement.
Vegas? Eh. Origin? Pass. Week to week club Rugby League from Thursday until Sunday? Yes please!
One of the aspects of the game I enjoy the most across each season is seeing young talent to emerge to become superstars.
It seems like just yesterday that a young Nathan Cleary was debuting to huge promise. Or a hulking Payne Haas was quickly becoming an elite prop in his early days.
Who will it be in 2024 you ask? Well, let me tell you.
Below are ten players who I expect to become household names in 2024.
That's not to say they're complete unknowns now. Naming them suggests I know each player, something I'm sure many readers will have in common.
To the average punter though, if I asked them to name 100 NRL players, they probably wouldn't name any of the below.
These are more players I expect everyone to sit back this time next year and remark around what a star they became in 2024.
Please note: if you're here looking for either Jahream Bula or Jacob Preston, they both won their club's Player of the Year award and thus graduate from this list.
6. Kade Dykes (Cronulla Sharks)
The second Shark on this list is a player we would have seen plenty of in 2023 if not for an ACL injury suffered in pre-season training.
The 23 year-old looked to have sent the entirety of his rehab in the gym as he has returned to training a far bigger individual.
I have no doubt in the world that he will add to his previous two NRL appearances, although Sharks fans will need to be patient.
Dykes has everything required to slot straight into five-eighth to partner Nicho Hynes. He can also play at fullback, while there is talk of a possible stint in the centres.
Either way, I would be shocked if Dykes isn't firmly engrained in the side in some capacity come the business end of the season.
