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.

6. Josh Feledy (New South Wales)

Club: Wests Tigers
Position: Utility/Centre

Feledy's primary position might be in the centres, but the 18-year-old who is already on a development contract at the Wests Tigers can play across the backline.

A product of the junior pathways at the Tigers, Feledy is on the radar as a potential future leader of the club and, with the club in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon in the top grade, he could well push for a debut late in the year, if not next.

The captain of Balmain's SG Ball team this year, he advanced to the Jersey Flegg team at the Tigers and has been excellent.

In 13 appearances, he has 10 tries, and is quickly stamping his authority at that level to the point a NSW Cup debut is looming in the near future.