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.

6. Bryce Cartwright (2013 - Penrith Panthers)

Cartwright had a sensational year in 2013, taking the Panthers to the NYC Premiership and finishing as the competitionโ€™s leading pointscorer to go with his Player of the Year title after taking on goal-kicking duties. The Panthers took the premiership after finishing second in the regular season.

He was handed his NRL debut by Penrith the very next season, becoming a dangerous back-rower and also spending a fair amount of time in the halves.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Bryce Cartwright of the Titans runs the ball during the round eight NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and Cronulla Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium on April 28, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

After a bright start things got challenging for Cartwright, with form and personal issues leading to an early release away from the foot of the mountains to join his old NYC coach Garth Brennan at the Titans.

But things didnโ€™t go to plan there either, with Cartwright ultimately dropped by his mentor after a form slump. He came back next year during the Titansโ€™ wooden-spoon run, only for Brennan to be fired halfway through the campaign as the club won just four games.

He and his ex-wife then drew criticism for their vaccination stance, before he returned to Parramatta, where heโ€™s rediscovered some form as a damaging bench utility for Brad Arthur โ€“ though his appearances this year have been affected by injury.

1 COMMENT

Comments are closed.