Predicting the FIVE best NRL players in five years

The NRL has never been as skilled as it is right now, with the majority of its big dogs under the age of 30.

Nathan Cleary has four premierships at just 27 years old. Tom Dearden is the incumbent five-eighth of the Queensland Maroons as a 23-year-old. Stephen Crichton, who is only 24, is one of the best captains in the league.

With so many premium footballers already cementing themselves as the best of the best at such a young age and a few emerging superstars rising through the ranks, who will be leading the charge come 2030 in the NRL?

Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)

If this was a list discussing who would be the face of the NRL in five years, Reece Walsh would be firmly seated in first place. His off-field buzz and media presence made the young fullback a national celebrity from the jump, but it's his electric football that has earned him a spot on this list.

Walsh is a ball of energy for the Brisbane Broncos, heralded as the cherry on top of his side's silky attack. His absence was felt during a stint on the sidelines in 2024, a major contributor to the Broncos' poor season.

It's rare for a young athlete to hold such a significant role in his team's success, but at just 22 years old, he is not only a major part of Brisbane's gameplan but the Queensland Maroons' as well.

For a youngster to have a lock-in spot at a professional and Origin level is extremely impressive. In five years, Walsh will be just 27. He will still be younger than some of the best fullbacks in the competition today, such as Dylan Edwards, James Tedesco, and Tom Trbojevic.

If he can continue this upward trajectory and rub out a few silly mistakes from his game, I believe Reece Walsh will be vying for a top-five spot in the NRL's best come 2030.

Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)

The only side to have two players on this list is the Brisbane Broncos, with Payne Haas claiming the fourth spot. Already one of the greatest props of all time, Haas is every coach's dream for an elite forward.

Weighing in at 119 kg, Haas has the motor of an 80 kg fullback. This is what makes him such a frightening prospect for opponents, with the burly front-rower making sure every defender he runs at feels the impact of his might.

He has been doing this since his debut at 19, and with no signs of slowing down, there's no reason to believe Haas won't be just as dominant in 2030.

Haas is also a pivotal big man in the New South Wales Blues team. In a side where nearly every player has been moved out or around at least once, Haas is the only solidified mainstay in the Blues 17.

The same can be said for the Australia squad, where he is also a constant addition regardless of the team around him. With five more years of experience under his belt and an opportunity to become the greatest big man in NRL history, Haas is almost a lock to be a top-five player in 2030.

Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)

Tom Dearden's NRL career got off to a shaky start. After being discarded by the Broncos and struggling to find form at the start of his tenure with the North Queensland Cowboys, the young half's potential seemed to be fading away.

However, he has not only met his early expectations but exceeded them, becoming the Maroons five-eighth and the go-to guy for a contending Cowboys squad.

What Dearden lacks in size, he doubles in heart, showcasing extreme courage in game-changing situations. His cool head and calm demeanor have earned him the captaincy at the Cowboys, an impressive feat for a 23-year-old.

His tremendous footy IQ and natural rugby league ability have made him the core of not only his side but his state, knocking Maroons legend Cameron Munster out of his Queensland jersey.

For a young player to come back even better after the media and critics alike wrote him off shows a heap of resilience most senior players don't possess.

Dearden will be 28 in 2030, entering his prime with a plethora of experience under his belt. The Cowboys skipper will be the best five-eighth in the NRL by then if he isn't already.

Isaiya Katoa (The Dolphins)

The hottest young half in the league, Isaiya Katoa, took major strides in his development this past season. At only 21 years of age, he is already the driving force behind The Dolphins attack and has been given the keys to the franchise for the foreseeable future.

Katoa was handed the reigns to The Dolphins in the club's inaugural match in the NRL. Immense pressure for any player, whether a vet or a rookie, but Katoa not only performed well but also helped his side win against the contending Sydney Roosters.

Fast forward two years and the 21-year-old has cemented himself as the go-to guy in this Dolphins squad. His footy IQ and calm composure are leaps and bounds ahead of most his age, with the fresh halfback only entering his third season as a first-grader.

Although Katoa hasn't reached the star level of some players on this list, the young halfback will be 26 in five years, only just entering his prime.

If he is this calm and composed in just his first two NRL seasons, I think it's safe to say that Katoa will be yet another all-time gem unearthed by Wayne Bennett.

Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)

Not only will Nathan Cleary still be the best rugby league player on the planet in 2030, but he will perhaps be one of the greatest footballers of all time, if not the greatest.

Four premierships, two Clive Churchills, three Origin shields, and a World Cup win. This already cements him as one of the greatest players of all time, yet he is only 27.

There hasn't been a rugby league player that has instilled as much fear in their opponents since Andrew Johns, and even he hadn't achieved as much as Cleary by 27.

The Penrith Panthers show no signs of slowing down, and even if they do, the four-time premiers still have at least two more premierships in them before 2030.

Cleary will be 32 in five years, a primetime age for most halfbacks. With players like Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk, and Adam Reynolds all aging like fine wine as they reached the backends of their careers, there is no doubt the Panthers captain will enjoy the same trajectory. With half a decade more of experience to his name, the Dally M halfback will still be terrorising defences and stressing out coaches as he enters his thirties.