There are few more official ways to declare someone 'the next big thing' than for the league to rate them the best junior player of the year - and between 2008 and 2017, that's what the NRL did annually.
The Dally M Under-20s Player of the Year award is not to be confused with the Rookie of the Year gong. While the rookie of the year goes to the youngster who has best adapted to the demands of the NRL, the under-20s award went to the most talented (but untested) youngsters still in the development pool.
It's a great way to hype someone up, but it also heaps expectation upon a young man's shoulders - and each winner has dealt with it in different ways. Though most are still playing and some are gone from the game not one of the most talented juniors in the land has become a premiership winner - though some have come closer than others.
4. Jack de Belin (2011 - St George Illawarra Dragons)
Not only have St George Illawarra had three of the best under-20s players of the last ten years on their books, theyโre three of the four most experienced. De Belinโs rise was rapid, winning the award in his first year in the NYC, making his NRL debut in the same year and locking down a first-team spot for the 2012 season.
Heโs played for his state and has made 185 NRL appearances, but as we all know he spent two years out of the game as a result of the NRLโs no-fault stand-down policy.
Itโs hard to know what would have eventuated had he taken the field in that time, but itโs also hard to see him leaving the club that stood by him throughout his prolonged trial, despite being off-contract at the end of next year (with an option in his favour).
I really wish we could get some version of the NYC comp back.