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.
They have the ability to ensure their teams are built different.
2. 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.
