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.
7. Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
The second Englishman joining the NRL from Wigan is 22 year-old Kai Pearce-Paul.
I had him pinned as the long-term replacement for Dane Gagai in the centres but better judges than I see him staying in the second row.
He arrived at the Knights with big hopes and despite a pre-season set back via injury, I expect him to feature plenty in 2024.
The three time capped English international may not be the biggest name to make the move but he'll soon become a staple in the Hunter.
If he's fit for round one, he may replace the departed Lachlan Fitzgibbon.
