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FEATURE · 2020 ROOKIES

Whenever a player realises their dream of debuting in first grade it is a special occasion. When it What an happens during a global pandemic it is all the more memorable!

In total, 69 players debuted in introduction first grade throughout the 2020 season. For some, the progression to first to first grade has been expected after impressing in junior representative teams. For others, the journey to the NRL has been paved by years grade! of toiling away in front of crowds of friends and family.

Here are some of the stars of the future that debuted in first grade throughout the 2020 NRL Season.

Image: Canterbury- Bulldogs

TOBY RUDOLF (Sharks) JAKE AVERILLO (Bulldogs) Conquering the NSW and QLD state leagues with back-to- Serving as a rare spark of life for the battling Bulldogs throughout 2020, Jake back titles at Redcliffe (2018) and Newtown (2019), Toby Averillo finished his rookie year with three tries in 13 appearances. Covering a Rudolf made the step up to the top grade with distinction. host of positions throughout the backline, the 20-year-old Providing a much-needed injection of youthful junior looks set to play a prominent role in years to come as plots enthusiasm to a Sharks’ pack reeling from the retirement to restore the blue and whites to their former glory. of club stalwart , the 24-year-old forward NRL Debut: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16 v North Cowboys averaged 130 metres and 29 tackles in 20 appearances. 24 - Round 2 (Interchange, #17) NRL Debut: Cronulla Sharks 18 v South Rabbitohs 22 - Round 1 (Interchange, #16) (Warriors) Before debuting in the opening round of the season, back rower Eliesa Katoa had played just 13 games of . Earning rave reviews with six tries in 13 appearances in the top grade, the 20-year-old Tongan powerhouse looks set to become a star of the future after securing his future with the Warriors until the end of 2024. CHRIS RANDALL (Knights) NRL Debut: Warriors 0 20 - Round 1 It wasn’t that long ago that Chris Randall was wearing (Interchange, #16) the nine jersey for in the . Rising through the ranks at Newcastle to play seven matches in his rookie year - including an Image: Elimination Final against South Sydney - the 23-year-old set a record for the most tackles on debut (71) during an epic encounter with Penrith. NRL Debut: Newcastle Knights 14 v 14 - Round 3 (Interchange, #14)

Image: Knights media

JAIMIN JOLLIFFE (Titans) Heading to the Gold Coast in pursuit of an opportunity after toiling away at the nirvana of Sydney’s Inner West (aka ), Jaimin Jolliffe finished 2020 as one of the Titans’ most consistent performers. Going from a bench player to a starting front rower in a manner of weeks, the 23-year-old averaged 92 metres and 27 tackles per games to earn an upgraded deal at the Gold Coast until the end of 2022. NRL Debut: Gold Coast Titans 6 v Raiders 24 - Round 1 (Interchange, #17) 4 | LEAGUEUNLIMITED.COM | THE FRONT ROW | VOL 1 ISSUE 20 Robert Crosby Contributor

SEMI VALEMEI (Raiders) Following in the footsteps of trailblazer Noa Nadruku, Fijian flyer Semi Valemei enjoyed a dazzling ascension into the top grade. Scoring a hat-trick in the Raiders’ victory last year, the 21-year-old could find himself in a first grade decider following four tries in eight appearances. NRL Debut: 24 v 20 - Round 10 (Interchange, #21) Image: Cowboys media

ADAM CLUNE (Dragons) HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW (Cowboys) Coming into the top grade as a mature aged rookie, showed From the first time Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow lit up the Perth 9s back in February, the benefits of honing his craft in the lower grades. Wearing the number it was only a question of “when”, not “if”, the speedster would feature in first seven jersey on 15 occasions throughout the year, the 25-year-old was grade. Scoring six tries in 14 appearances for the Cowboys after beginning rewarded with a new two-year deal off the back of five try-assists and the year on a development contract, the 19-year-old looks set to follow in the eight forced restarts. footsteps of in dazzling opponents with footwork and speed for NRL Debut: St George Illawarra Dragons 2 v Canterbury-Bankstown many years to come. Bulldogs 22 - Round 4 (Halfback, #7) NRL Debut: 26 v 37 - Round 5 (Wing, #5)

CHRIS LEWIS (Storm) Becoming the latest in a long line of diamonds in the rough to thrive CHARLIE STAINES (Panthers) under the coaching of Craig Bellamy, late bloomer Chris Lewis realised his He may have only appeared in NRL dream after years of plying his trade in NSW and QLD state leagues. two matches for the Panthers in Playing almost exclusively off the bench in five matches throughout 2020, but in a short space of time 2020, the 28-year-old second rower averaged 76 metres and 19 tackles Charlie Staines endeared himself per game. to the entire NRL community. NRL Debut: Storm 22 v 8 - Round 4 Becoming only the fifth player in (Interchange, #21) 113 seasons to score four tries on debut, the 20-year-old speedster enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon in July against the Sharks - made all the more NRL Debut: Penrith memorable by a legion of friends Panthers 56 v Cronulla and family making the journey Sharks 24 - Round 9 NRL Debutants 2020 from his hometown of Forbes to (Wing, #21) witness history. Penrith Panthers: Charlie Staines (RD. 9); Daine Laurie (RD. 13) Image: Penrith Panthers

Melbourne Storm: Chris Lewis (RD. 4); Darryn Schonig (RD. 9); (RD. 15); Isaac Lumelume (RD. 16); Aaron Booth (RD. 20); Aaron Pene (RD. 20) New Zealand Warriors: Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (RD. 1); Eleisa Katoa (RD. 1); King Vuniyayawa (RD. 1); Paul Turner (RD. 15); (RD. 19) : Stefano Utoikamanu (RD. 9); (RD. 10) : (RD. 3); Sam McIntyre (RD. 6); Daniel Suluka-Fifita (RD. 12); Max Bailey (RD. 13); Sydney Roosters: (RD. 9); (RD. 11); Asu Kepaoa (RD. 13) Christian Tuipulotu (RD. 14); Freddy Lussick (RD. 15) St George Illawarra Dragons: Adam Clune (RD. 4); (RD. 18); : Kai O’Donnell (RD. 9); Semi Valemei (RD. 10); Harley Canberra Raiders Max Feagai (RD. 19); (RD. 20); Eddie Blacker (RD. 20) Smith-Shields (RD. 11); Matt Timoko (RD. 16); Adam Cook (RD. 20); Darby Medlyn (RD. 20); Jarrett Subloo (RD. 20) Manly Sea Eagles: (RD. 5); Albert Hopoate (RD. 16); (RD. 17) South Sydney Rabbitohs: (RD. 3); (RD. 4); Jaxson Paulo (RD. 10); Jack Johns (RD. 11) (RD. 15) North Queensland Cowboys: Tom Gilbert (RD. 4); Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (RD. 5); Connelly Lemuelu (RD. 6); Daejarn Asi (RD. 10); Emre Pere (RD. 13); Ben : (RD. 3); Chris Randall (RD. 3); Newcastle Knights Condon (RD. 19) (RD. 3) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Jake Averillo (RD. 2); Matt Doorey (RD. : (RD. 1); Teig Wilton (RD. 11); Jackson Cronulla Sharks 14); Tui Katoa (RD. 20) Ferris (RD. 12); Braydon Trindall (RD. 12); (RD. 20) Broncos: (RD. 1); (RD. 2); : Jaimin Jolliffe (RD. 1); (RD. 8); Treymain Gold Coast Titans (RD. 4); Tesi Niu (RD. 4); (RD. 14) Spry (RD. 9)

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