Given all the negativity surrounding the game prior to the holiday break, we thought it might be fun to take a not so serious look at the game.
In the face of negative headlines, the NRL is always looking for positive moments and headlines.
The best way to promote the game is by promoting its most likeable stars.
Although the likes of Smith, Gallen and Cherry-Evans all have huge profiles, the general feeling is they're not the most likeable players.
The below five players are the five who first come to mind when I think of the NRL's most marketable stars.
This is supposed to be a very light-hearted look at five players who could front NRL promotions and be pushed as the face of the game.
It is designed to be a discussion point and we'd love to hear who you believe the game's most marketable players are.
1. Kalyn Ponga
He may not have the profile of the players mentioned above but trust me, this young man will be EVERYWHERE for the next decade when it comes to Rugby League promotion.
There are talks that his attention may be swayed by the All Blacks in regards to a possible code switch, but I don't buy it. Ponga is the game's next mega mega star.
I can't ever remember a young player making such a huge impact so quickly. Cam Smith's rise was a slow burn, I honestly can't remember the earlier Lockyer days, and Thurston began his career as a bench utility.
Ponga, at 20, is on his way to becoming the game's biggest star.
He's a brilliant player, and a very likeable young man. He's been seen going out of his way to engage in his local community and has been made the face of his club as a result.
If you'd got a blank cheque book and can sign any player for life, hand on heart, tell me one player you'd take over the young Knight!?
He's the next face of the game, of that I have no doubt. His face will be everywhere at every level of the game. So strap in for the Kalyn Ponga era.
Personally I’d say that J Turbo is more marketable than his brother. Yes, Tommy does the things that attract fans and make the game interesting but Jake is a natural leader, not afraid to do the hard yards and can still produce the odd offload that leads to a flash bit of play.