One of my favourite events each and every NRL season is seeing young stars emerge.
Whether they be rookies who catch the attention of fans right away, like a Sam Walker or Reece Walsh, or a player who finally delivered on their promise, it never fails to bring a smile to fans' faces.
2022 looks like a season where a huge crop of talent see their stocks rise in a big way.
I'm going to look into my crystal ball and try to predict ten such players.
Players who will enjoy a Will Kennedy 2021-like season. Kennedy went from a handy fringe first grader to the star of the team over the course of this past year.
Players like Reece Walsh, Jayden Campbell and Sam Walker will be better at the end of 2022 than they are now, but their stocks are already sky high.
Much like past lists, this is purely for fun and not to be taken overly seriously. There will be misses on the below but if you asked me now; "Hey Dan, name 10 players you want to buy stock in now, to cash in end of season," these are those 10.
4. Nick Meaney
Nick Meaney has shown signs of becoming a star for many seasons now. Craig Bellamy will be the man to bring the very best out of the 24 year-old.
Meaney had superstar written all over him the literal second he signed for the Storm. They have the best system in the game and Meaney is the prototype.
Reimis Smith had a magnificent year in the purple and I expect Meaney to produce very similar. They could even form a lethal edge.
Meaney is still in the infancy of his career but is yet to really nail down a full-time role. This will be the season, I have no doubt.
