Which FIVE youngsters need more game time in 2025?

An argument can be made that the NRL has never been as talented as it is right now. The league is littered with stars of all ages, from 36-year-old Daly Cherry Evans to 19-year-old Lachlan Galvin. The quality of the competition is at an all-time high, which is, unfortunately, a reason why many young players are missing out on first-grade playing time. Whether sitting in New South Wales Cup or playing minimal minutes off the bench, these five youngsters could be the next big thing for their respective clubs in 2025. Latu Fainu - Wests Tigers Many would remember that Latu Fainu was pegged to nab the No. 6 jersey at the Wests Tigers to start the 2024 season before Lachlan Galvin beat him to the finish line to make his debut. Fainu was one of the most highly touted juniors coming through the Manly Sea Eagles' ranks. However, the buzz around his potential has slowed down since joining the Tigers. RELATED >> ‘He's a gun': Luai backs Latu Fainu for a big NRL future With both Galvin and Jarome Luai occupying the halves, it is unknown where Fainu could fit in this side, but if the Tigers don't implement him soon, they may lose the prodigious half. [caption id="attachment_218376" align="alignnone" width="2560"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Latu Fainu of the Wests Tigers celebrates scoring a try during the round 25 NRL match between Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval on August 22, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)[/caption] Harry Hayes - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Relatively unknown before his debut, Harry Hayes has been a revelation for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. His freakish athleticism and large motor has added a breath of fresh air to the Dogs' attack, but his playing time has been largely inconsistent since joining the first-grade squad. RELATED >> From setbacks to stardom: Harry Hayes' remarkable rise with the Bulldogs Hayes offers a range of versatility as an NRL player, being able to slot in at second row or prop, if needed, and potentially even centre. While the Bulldogs' forward stocks are pretty set with Jacob Preston, Villiame Kikau, Max King, and Sam Hughes, the Western Sydney side will need to find a spot for Hayes on the bench to get consistent minutes, as the young forward is currently moving in and out of NSW Cup. [caption id="attachment_204759" align="alignnone" width="2047"] Harry Hayes in action. (Photo: Flickr- @NAPARAZZI)[/caption] Benjamin Te Kura - Brisbane Broncos Standing in at 2.05m tall and weighing 122kg, Benjamin Te Kura has all the attributes to be a dominant force in the NRL. He has made a name for himself coming through the ranks, but the enormous front-rower has had very little game time to start his young career. As the tallest player to ever play in the NRL, Te Kura already has a certain level of expectation on his shoulders. RELATED >> Broncos bet big on next-gen stars However, in a side that features the likes of Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, and Jordan Riki, cracking into the top 17 is no joke. While it may be some time until we see Te Kura play consistent rugby league, once the young prop gets some experience under his belt, he could very well be one of the best forwards in the game. [caption id="attachment_212920" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 04: Ben Te Kura of the Broncos reacts after losing the round five NRL match between Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on April 04, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Ethan Sanders - Canberra Raiders Touted as the halfback of the future for the Canberra Raiders, Ethan Sanders has been regarded as one of the best young halfbacks coming through the ranks. After making the move from Parramatta to the Capital, Eels fans were shattered. Now that he has arrived at the Green Machine, Raiders fans will be hoping to see him in action. After declaring, "I'm not here to play reserve grade, I want to play NRL,” to the NewsWire upon arriving at his new club, the young halfback is hungry for an opportunity. Sanders shined in the U19's New South Wales team's Origin win back in 2023 and has been steadily working on his game since. While it's assumed Ricky Stuart will want to use Sanders as a successor to Jamal Fogarty when he retires, it's clear that Sanders wants to make his mark in the NRL in 2025. [caption id="attachment_219021" align="alignnone" width="2560"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 13: Ethan Sanders of the Raiders in action during the round two NRL Pre-Season Challenge match between Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at GIO Stadium on February 13, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] Joash Papalii - Parramatta Eels While it was Isaiah Iongi who won the race to Clint Gutherson's vacant fullback jersey to start 2025, he will need to be mighty impressive to keep Joash Papalii off his tail. The speedy fullback made his way to the Parramatta Eels over the offseason, with the former Bulldog hungry for a crack at the NRL. While Iongi has come from the impressive junior system of the Penrith Panthers, Papali'i has shown strokes of natural brilliance any chance he gets. RELATED >> Joash Papalii focused on making NRL debut While some could argue he is undersized, Papali'i takes advantage of defences with his electric footwork and dynamic speed, averaging over 100 metres per game in his last two seasons with the Bulldogs. His new club will want to find somewhere to slot Papali'i in, as the 20-year-old is too good to be sitting in New South Wales Cup. [caption id="attachment_212134" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Joash Papalii in action. (Photo: Flickr- @NAPARAZZI)[/caption]