Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="1910, post: 2871855, member: 8272"] THE Intrust Super Cup season is still far from over, but already the players are starting to reap the rewards of what has been another successful year for the second-tier competition. With just one round left of the regular season, a number of players are starting to spark interest from NRL clubs or press their cases for an upgrade to more first grade footy next year. [URL='http://www.intrustsuper.com.au/'][IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/f95c2bb751dc96dc7ee185ba337ca130?width=1024[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]https://i1.wp.com/pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/news/content/v2/4500547346914f2fb8fc3df8af22c15f?t_product=CourierMail&t_template=s3/chronicle-tg_tlc_promo/index&td_loadTlcCss=true&td_device=desktop&td_clientDebug=false[/IMG] Here are our top 10 picks to keep an eye on over the finals series and into 2018: [SIZE=5][B][B]BRODIE CROFT (EASTS TIGERS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] The young halfback is already starting to earn himself quite a reputation in the NRL. Viewed as the next Cooper Cronk, the 20-year-old this year signed a new three-year deal with the Melbourne Storm. In just five first grade appearances, the playmaker has scored four tries and kicked a matchwinning field goal against the Roosters in Round 16. It’s just a glimpse of what he could bring as the permanent No. 7 next year, with Croft the current frontrunner to take over from Cronk. In the meantime, Croft will be key in leading Easts to their first premiership this season, with the third-placed Tigers in red hot form at the moment. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/9f6e7c809352824faf0cc7489103faa9?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraBrodie Croft celebrates after scoring a try against the Knights. [B]YOUNG GUN: [URL='http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/brisbane-hopeful-of-bringing-billy-walters-son-of-kevin-to-red-hill-in-2018/news-story/afd323d9656642f9f3855fc18ef0c6bb'][U]Broncos circling Son of Kevvy[/U][/URL][/B] [SIZE=5][B][B]BILLY WALTERS (EASTS TIGERS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] Croft’s halves partner at Easts, Billy Walters, is no stranger to rugby league circles. The five-eighth is the son of Broncos great, Kevin Walters. And the 23-year-old could soon follow in his father’s footsteps. After a solid two years at the Intrust Super Cup level, Walters is starting to attract interest from some NRL clubs, including the Storm, Broncos and a few Sydney teams. He will have a lot to prove over the coming weeks to ensure that interest turns into proper offers for next season. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/7f426406c6cd5fbf1380aaa4fdf2eff7?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraBilly Walters against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. [URL='http://www.intrustsuper.com.au/'][IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/f95c2bb751dc96dc7ee185ba337ca130?width=1024[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]https://i1.wp.com/pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/news/content/v2/4500547346914f2fb8fc3df8af22c15f?t_product=CourierMail&t_template=s3/chronicle-tg_tlc_promo/index&td_loadTlcCss=false&td_device=desktop&td_clientDebug=false[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B][B]GERARD MCCALLUM (EASTS TIGERS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] Before suffering a season-ending ankle in July, Tigers fullback Gerard McCallum was in some of the best form of his career. It is understood that form led to NRL interest, with clubs looking at the potential of the 24-year-old. While it has not led to anything more permanent at this stage, there is no doubt McCallum will be back with a vengeance next season. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d597cdf77c4999a31972381d3824e230?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraGerard McCallum makes a break against the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls. Pic Darren England. [SIZE=5][B][B]BRANDON SMITH (SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] Like Croft, Smith has already started to make quite an impact as the NRL. Seen as the eventual successor to Cameron Smith, the 21-year-old has played three games for Melbourne this year and also made the New Zealand Test squad in May. Outside of this he has spent the majority of his season with the Falcons, starring as one of the competition’s best players before suffering a broken wrist in June. While the injury has cruelled his season, there is no doubt Smith will get his chances in the NRL again next year, in what are the first steps to a big future. He was re-signed this year for another five seasons. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/0e354b606e9995851b0111b046bf9a0d?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraBrandon Smith takes on the Cowboys defence. [SIZE=5][B][B]JAHROME HUGHES (SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] Another Melbourne affiliate, Hughes has made four appearances for the Storm at the NRL level this season. But with so much uncertainty over the future of Billy Slater, the versatile playmaker could be looking at earning himself a possible regular starting spot in seasons to come. Hughes was this year signed to the Storm for another two seasons and is the most likely back up for Slater. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/1176c76871474405472140946a2e332e?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraJahrome Hughes during the Intrust Super Cup representative Residents match. Picture: John Gass [SIZE=5][B][B]LACHLAN TIMM (SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] The young forward’s consistency for the Melbourne feeder club has earned him an NRL deal for next season. The 21-year-old was an under-20s player for the Storm in his younger years, but was not picked up by the club after graduating. Instead he came to the Sunshine Coast, where he had played as a junior, and proved himself to be a big force in the Intrust Super Cup. While Melbourne have a number of great young forwards in their system, Timm’s hard work is expected to pay off for him in the next year. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/a85e62e8e53e936ef901a705532fb96a?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraLachlan Timm for the Sunshine Coast Falcons. [SIZE=5][B][B]MYLES TAUELI (REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] Taueli arrived at Redcliffe this year after he was last season sacked by Cronulla for a drink driving offence. Despite the setback in his career, he has not given up his hopes of playing in the NRL. And it seems his form at the Dolphins could soon reap some rewards, with the Broncos understood to be interested in the young forward. He will be key in getting second-place Redcliffe back into the grand final this year. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/690f82cd22718b1ad55f0ac7c1f9e17c?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraMyles Taueli in action for the Redcliffe Dolphins. Picture Chris Higgins [SIZE=5][B][B]TYSON GAMBLE (REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] The 21-year-old playmaker has been a revelation for the Dolphins this year. His outstanding form was rewarded early on, when Gamble was signed by the Wests Tigers just one month after making his Intrust Super Cup debut. Gamble came to the Dolphins from their BRL side and was already on the Tigers’ radar at the time. He will be waiting in the wings behind Josh Reynolds and Luke Brooks, but, given his fast rise already, is in the frame for an NRL debut next season. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/7834e6ac4abd41bc5e5b83e189ad911c?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraTyson Gamble runs the ball. (AAP image John Gass). [SIZE=5][B][B]SHAUN NONA (WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] Nona may be a fair bit older than some of the other NRL hopefuls in the Intrust Super Cup, but the late bloomer could be the next Cody Walker. The 26-year-old came to Wynnum Manly midway through this season in a bid to earn himself an NRL contract. Given the Seagulls are a feeder club to the Broncos, it is no surprise Brisbane are keeping a close eye on him ahead of next season. Nona has also played under Broncos assistant coach Jason Demetriou twice in the past, first at the Northern Pride and again last season at the Illawarra Cutters in NSW. The duo won premierships together at both clubs. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/db11680bba413bb9be65aa410b4ecf2d?width=650[/IMG] media_cameraShaun Nona could be the next Cody Walker. [SIZE=5][B][B]MICHAEL PURCELL (IPSWICH JETS)[/B][/B][/SIZE] It was revealed earlier this year that the Ipswich speed machine had caught the eye of Wayne Bennett at the Broncos. Nicknamed “the Kangaroo Catcher”, it is not expected that Purcell will land a deal with Brisbane for next season, but he will be on the radar of a number of NRL teams as word continues to spread about his talent and athleticism. [IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/429071b9784d26a3fb543caf6c60980f?width=650[/IMG] [URL]http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/qrl/top-10-intrust-super-cup-to-watch-over-the-finals-and-into-season-2018/news-story/64d39ef05a2898f49a85a9c0223dca74[/URL] [/QUOTE]

Verification

Active Now

No members online now.

Total: 11 (members: 0, guests: 11)

Reply to thread

Log in

Active Now