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.

7. Kane Elgey (2014 - Gold Coast Titans)

While most of the recipients of this award have been key to their teamโ€™s success, Kane Elgeyโ€™s win was unique in that he won the top gong despite the fact his Gold Coast Titans under-20s team finished second-last on the table after winning just six games all year. It seems strange, but when you consider he scored 16 tries in just 21 appearances as a half and kicked goals you start to understand how tangible his impact still was.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: Kane Elgey of the Titans passes the ball during the round 25 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Cbus Super Stadium on August 30, 2015 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

The former Australian Schoolboy made his NRL debut one year later and was offered a two-year contract after his first game. He finished the year with an impressive six tries in 16 games โ€“ and even made the PMโ€™s XIII to face PNG. Sadly, in January 2016 he suffered an ACL injury in the clubโ€™s first training session โ€“ but was still able to extend his contract.

Things became harder for Elgey as he fought his way back, though he looked to have earned a rebirth of sorts when he signed with Manly for 2019 โ€“ but after just one season in which he played 12 games, Elgey announced his retirement after just 57 NRL appearances, claiming on Instagram that he just didnโ€™t love the game like he used to.

1 COMMENT

Comments are closed.