Each and every year, a stand out few NRL players rise from the pack. They finally find that coach who inspires them, or that diet that enables peak performance, or that special something that sees them realize their potential.
In 2018, Valentine Holmes became a genuine superstar. The potential and talent had always been there, but the positional play and ball playing skill seemed to blossom, making Holmes one of the game's elite.
Damien Cook went from fringe first grader to the number one number nine in the game. All he needed was a coach that believed in him and let him play his natural game.
Latrell Mitchell pushed the who's who of centres aside in ascending to the position's top player. His fellow Rooster in Luke Keary ended the season as arguably the competition's form player.
We all know about the rise of Kalyn Ponga.
2017 saw Coen Hess graduate from decent forward to absolute wrecking ball. He now has a closet full of Origin jumpers and plenty more in the future. Tommy Turbo burst onto the scene in a big, big way.
So who will it be in 2019?
It's suuuuper early, and plenty can happen between now and the start of the season next year, but as it stands here are the top five players I expect to become genuine superstars in 2019.
For the point of this, I don't mean break out stars, or rookies to make names for themselves. I'm referring to first graders who will elevate into genuine superstar status.
The New Zealand national team captain has developed immeasurably during his time at the helm of the Kiwis. He was best on ground in the recent win over the Kangaroos and has again been brilliant against England.
With Dylan Edwards set to return for the Panthers, a discussion will need to he had about the future of the number one jersey at the foot of the mountains.
For mine, DWZ plays his best football in the custodian role and for the Panthers to make a real impact their best bet is to unleash the brilliantly in form DWZ at fullback.
At 23 years of age and with 96 games under his belt, 2019 is the season young Watene-Zelezniak realises his full potential and becomes a genuine star of the game.
Whether at fullback or on the wing, hopefully at fullback, there are big things ahead for the new Kiwi skipper in 2019.
The newly re-signed Newcastle back rower had a brilliant 2018 season. He really came of age after showing signs in 2017 and with his future sorted and another pre-season under his belt, he will push for Origin contention in 2019.
At 24 he has represented his club 41 times for 18 tries. That's an incredible strike rate considering the form of the Knights since his top grade debut in 2015.
With a fully fit Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga in the halves next year, I expect Ponga/Pearce and Fitzgibbon to form a Thurston/Cooper like combination.
That might seem like off-season hyperbole but I see huge things in Fitz's future. The wide-running back rower will again be a threat both in attack and defence as he pushes for an Origin call up in 2019.
Some will, perhaps rightfully, point out Brooks' coming of age in 2018. He was named Dally M Halfback of the Year and became the Tigers' number one.
I absolutely agree but he will benefit most under the guidance of Michael McGuire. Adam Reynolds played his best footy under the premiership winning coach, and Brooks will improve again in 2019.
He is now the undisputed lead play-maker for the Tigers and is now able to call the ball at any time. The return of Josh Reynolds will ease the pressure allowing him to guide his side around the park.
I expect a three-way shoot out for an Origin jersey between Nathan Cleary, Keary and Brooks to partner or even replace Maloney in 2019 for New South Wales.
Brooks will be 24 before his first game next year. He now has over 100 first grade games under his belt. This is the season.
Pangai Junior's 2018 was so good that he was shortlisted to represent the new look New South Wales side in this year's Origin series. He withdrew from consideration to represent Tonga and jolted more than a few Roos forwards in the most recent test.
The Broncos monster is the cream of a very, VERY impressive crop of young forwards that include Payne Haas and David Fifita.
He brought up his 50th NRL appearance this season for the Broncos in a year he established himself as one of the game's elite forwards.
He'll be 23 come round one and will be approaching his physical peak. That's scary considering the size and speed he already boasts. He can literally play anywhere in the pack which makes him the ultimate weapon for whoever is coaching the Broncos come round one.
Although it was his Roosters centre partner grabbing all the headlines in 2018's title-winning season, young Joseph Manu quietly established himself as an absolute weapon out wide.
His destruction of the aforementioned Mitchell in the recent Test just drove home what many already knew, this kid is the real deal.
At 22 yearss of age he will bring up his 50th game in the early rounds of 2019. I fully expect him to rise to Mitchell 2018-like form and form the game's best centre partnership.
There is literally nothing this kid cannot do. He's a freakish talent playing outside a representative half and inside a representative winger.