The annual Under-18s ASSRL National Championships will take place over the next two weeks, showcasing the best young Australian talents in rugby league.

Kicking off this weekend, the best performers will be named in the 2025 Australian Schoolboys team while every NRL team will have club officials and their recruitment team at Coffs Harbour.

Ahead of the tournament, Zero Tackle has named the 'Top 30 Players to Watch' during the National Championships to keep an eye on.

However, it is understood that several big names will be unable to play due to either injury or other commitments, such as Ashton Large, Heamasi Makasini, Lincoln Fletcher, Lui Lee, Onitoni Large, and Rex Bassingthwaite.

220-11

20. Chase Butler (NSW CCC)

Compared to Andrew Johns, Butler has a great attitude in defence but is even more valuable in attack with his short-passing and kicking game, which terrorises opposing defenders.

NRL Affiliation: Newcastle Knights
Position: Halfback
School: All Saints College
Contract: N/A

19. Xzavier Timoteo (Queensland)

A dynamic front-rower contracted to the Roosters, Timoteo is one of the best young forwards coming out of Queensland and was named in this year's Under-19s Emerging Origin squad for QLD after a destructive season with Souths Logan Magpies.

NRL Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
Position: Prop
School: Ipswich State High School
Contract: N/A

18. Ali Hicham Karnib (NSW CHS)

The Bass Hill High School captain, Karnib, is coming off a strong SG Ball Cup campaign with Western Suburbs and can read the game with ease, adding to his lightning-fast acceleration and strong one-on-one defence.

NRL Affiliation: Wests Tigers
Position: Fullback
School: Bass Hill High School
Contract: N/A

17. Brooklyn Heath (NSW CHS)

A member of the Roosters SG Ball Cup-winning squad, Heath scored the try that sent the Grand Final into extra-time and has incredible footwork and quickness down the edge of the field.

NRL Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
Position: Centre
School: Randwick Boys High School
Contract: N/A

16. Andes Johansson (NSW CCC)

A try-scoring threat, Johansson was rewarded for his stellar SG Ball Cup campaign this year by being named in the Under-18s City squad and somehow finds the try-line with ease from anywhere on the field.

NRL Affiliation: Parramatta Eels
Position: Centre
School: Patrician Brothers College Blacktown
Contract: N/A

15. Callum Grantham (NSW CIS)

Signed at the Sharks until the end of 2028, Grantham is part of the next breed of stars coming through the club's system and looked impressive during the 2025 SG Ball Cup campaign in a number of different positions.

NRL Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
Position: Five-Eighth
School: Newington College
Contract: 2028

14. Carter Mareko (NSW CIS)

The 2025 Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Tournament, Mareko, has had a stunning campaign this year and will lead NSWCIS in the halves who will be without Onitoni Large.

NRL Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
Position: Halfback
School: Central Coast Sports College
Contract: N/A

13. Christian Taupau-Moors (NSW CCC)

The nephew of former NRL forward Junior Moors, Christian is a hard-bodied front-rower and was recently handed an NRL contract after winning the Western Suburbs Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year in 2024 and being selected in the U17s New Zealand squad.

NRL Affiliation: Wests Tigers
Position: Prop
School: Patrician Brothers College Blacktown
Contract: 2027

12. Dayne Jennings (NSW CIS)

A stalwart of the Rabbitohs junior pathways teams, Jennings has had several highlight reel-wrthy moments over the last two seasons and has impressed club officials with his attacking skill and confidence with the ball in his hands.

NRL Affiliation: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Position: Centre
School: Central Coast Sports College
Contract: N/A

11. Tupou Francis (Queensland)

The younger brother of Tony Francis, Tupou can be compared to Isaah Yeo and has had a remarkable year which saw him lead the Burleigh Bears to the Under-19s Mal Meninga Cup title and win best forward in the Under-17s competition.

NRL Affiliation: Brisbane Broncos
Position: Lock
School: Marsden State High School
Contract: 2028

1 COMMENT