We spend the off-season yammering away about the stars of our game and their potential contract moves and off-field dramas, but now is the time that the unknowns of each NRL roster are ploughing through pre-season, working their butts off to ensure that the next season is their year.
And while not all make it, we are blessed with a host of breakout talents year after year, youngsters ready to make their mark and begin their rugby league career as others draw close, and the cycle goes on.
Every club has their own stars ready to make a name for themselves, and here's each club's star on the rise ahead of the 2021 season.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Keaon Koloamatangi
It's rare you see a young forward be so dominant in his early days, but Koloamatangi became a force to be reckoned with on South Sydney's bench.
Averaging 108 metres and nearly 18 tackles across 34 minutes, the sudden loss of Bailey Sironen to the Warriors opens up an edge spot, with Keaon coming through the grades in the back-row. Cameron Murray is likely to start on an edge with Jai Arrow at lock, but expect to see Murray move to lock, Arrow to prop and Koloamatangi starting by mid-season.
I predicted this kid to be a regular first-grader 3 years ago.
Yes, on the edge to boot.
Kolomatangi from Souths, that is!