The NRL's best showcase of junior talent is upon us, with the under-19s State of Origin to take place in Redcliffe on Thursday evening.
In a match that was played at Leichhardt last year, a number of players have gone on to make their NRL debuts in the following 12 months, including the likes of Paul Alamoti, Jack Bostock, Jonah Pezet, Justin Matamua, Trey Mooney, Jojo Fifita and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. A number of others are likely close to debuting.
Now, the next crop of youngsters gets their chance to shine in front of the bright lights that come with any interstate battle.
Here are the players to watch, with all on this list a strong chance of debuting in the NRL over the next 12 months.
3. Zack Lamont (Queensland)
Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Position: Halfback
Lamont has been in junior pathways programs over the last two years, having played for Queensland Under 17 country in 2021 and being part of the emerging Queensland Under 18 squad last year.
In that time, he has also impressed at the Townsville Blackhawks, where he has been playing in the Colts competition this year - the Blackhawks sit tenth on the ladder, but that isn't a knock on Lamont.
A youngster with a strong kicking game and excellent vision, he will aim to lead the Maroons around the park but will also benefit from a forming a combination with fullback Mutua Brown and five-eighth Stanley Huen, while the time and space he has to work in off the back of Benjamin Te Kura and Ryan Jackson could make him a standout here.
