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Message: [QUOTE="1910, post: 2689048, member: 8272"] [B]AFTER a great response to our retrospective on the 2008 Under 20s team of the year last week, we’ve taken another look back at the 2009 edition to see how that year’s best and brightest ended up. [/B] Could they have beaten the 2008 version? Make sure you vote and have your say. [B][URL="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nrl/under-20s-2008-team-of-the-year-where-are-they-now/story-fni3g0bn-1227414741880"]Check out our “Where Are They Now” on the 2008 Team of the Year[/URL][/B][B][/B] [B]MARKET WATCH: [URL="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nrl/nrl-market-watch-titans-favourite-to-sign-nsw-origin-halfback-trent-hodkinson-for-2016/story-fnp0lyn3-1227424622086"]Titans favourites to snare Hodkinson[/URL][/B] [B]ONES WHO GOT AWAY: [URL="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin-2015-how-paul-gallen-trent-hodkinson-and-david-klemmer-escaped-the-eels/story-fnp0lyn3-1227424111172"]Parra’s leaky ship[/URL][/B] [IMG]http://tcog.news.com.au/track/component/article/sport/nrl/under-20s-2009-team-of-the-year-where-are-they-now/story-fni3g0bn-1227425047237?t_product=DailyTelegraph&t_template=s3/chronicle-component/relatedstories/templates/index[/IMG] [B]1) Malcolm Webster[/B] A diminutive fullback or five-eighth who played more games in the Under 20s than any other South Sydney player, Webster was blessed with speed, creativity and wonderful skills. Despite his undoubted ability, his size was always going to be a significant handicap and his stellar underage career wasn’t enough to help him land a first grade berth. [IMG]http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/044196-401ec4f6-2048-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Malcolm Webster never played first grade despite his natural talent. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited After plugging away in the NSW Cup with North Sydney but failing to really make the transition from Under 20s football, Webster returned home to the country and was last sighted playing for Macleay Valley Mustangs in Group 3.[B]2) Joe Vickery[/B] Vickery was a battering ram of a winger who smashed his way over for 20 tries in 25 games in 2009 and drew comparisons to Brett Morris. A great work rate and a strong mix of speed and size seemed to have Vickery on the cusp of the top grade, but opportunities were lacking at the Dragons and he had no further luck following a transfer to the Titans. He at last had a shot at top line football when he earned a contract with Leeds Rhinos in 2013 after impressing in some pre-season trials but Vickery failed to catch fire and scored just one try from 10 appearances. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/044671-8909212a-2048-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Things never quite kicked on for Joe Vickery. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited The English born flyer was released by Leeds and was one of five former and current Titans players to face cocaine supply charges earlier this year. Vickery and Webster are the only members of the team never to play in the NRL.[B]3) Taioalo Vaivai[/B] With a rare turn of pace and a brilliant ability to offload, Vaivai was widely regarded as one of the can’t miss kids in the class of 2009. He made his first grade debut that season, scoring a try in the Rabbitohs 40-10 defeat to Penrith in Round 24. [IMG]http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/044753-94d3d7f2-2048-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Taiolo Vaivai’s career never got going. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited Injuries and poor form saw him play just one game in the big leagues in 2010 and he was sacked by the Rabbitohs early the following year after he was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his girlfriend. He was sacked by Souths and became Phil Gould’s first signing for Penrith but failed to show much in seven appearances for the injury hit mountain men. He’s spent the last few seasons playing for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup.[B]4) Siuatonga Likiliki[/B] A beast of a man, Likiliki’s size and strength made him look like a man among boys in the Under 20s and the latest in a long line of Warriors who have dominated that competition. Likiliki created his own slice of history when he became the first player to be named to the Team of the Year twice after also being named in 2010 and after a promising top grade debut in 2009 he looked to be ready made to make the transition to first grade. [IMG]http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/044837-aecbb65c-2048-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Siuatonga Likiliki seemed like a sure fire first grader. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited But even the most promising prospect can flame out without warning and Likiliki’s move to Newcastle in 2011 failed to land him the opportunities he craved and he played just two top grade games in three years for the Knights. He was named in the 2012 NSW Cup Team of the Year, became a regular for Tonga and was thrown a one-year lifeline by the Titans last season but failed to add to his three first grade games. Released by the Titans, he currently plays for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup.[B]5) Drury Low[/B] The leading tryscorer in Under 20s history with 54 from 60 games, the willowy Low excelled at centre, wing and fullback for the Raiders and played in their title winning team in 2008. He made his top grade debut in 2010 against the Warriors and things couldn’t have gotten off to a better start — he scored two tries and looked right at home on the left wing. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/044363-c012434a-2048-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Drury Low has scored the most tries in Under 20s history. [I]Source:[/I] Supplied Opportunities were hard to come by in Canberra and Low made just one more top grade appearance — in which he managed to snag another try — before joining the Bulldogs mid-season in 2012 in a bid to crack first grade. He was an unlikely choice to replace Ben Barba at fullback when the reigning Dally M medallist was stood down early in 2013 but upon Barba’s return he was shunted back to reserve grade. One more brief NRL stint followed last season- he managed to score a double against his former club in a 22-14 win in Round 15 — but he was not retained by Des Hasler and joined Group 6 club Narellan Jets.[B]NO FLY ZONE: [URL="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin-2015-game-3-robbie-farah-banned-from-flying-to-blues-camp/story-fni3fqyo-1227423821759"]Farah banned from flying to Blues camp[/URL][/B] [B]6) Robert Lui[/B] Lui was the conductor of a very talented Tigers side that charged all the way to the grand final before being defeated by Melbourne. After playing three top grade games at the end of 2009 he became the first halfback in years to properly gel with Benji Marshall, becoming the Kiwi maestro’s halves partner for the Tigers semi final runs in 2010 and 2011. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/044947-d45d750e-2048-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Rob Lui played a major part in the Tigers run to the grand final. [I]Source:[/I] Getty Images Lui seemed to be the long term answer at halfback for the joint venture but he was sacked at the end of 2011 after he was charged with assaulting his partner. Similar charges had been filed against Lui at the end of 2010, but were eventually dismissed. Lui signed with the Cowboys, pleaded guilty to the charge and played just one game in 2012 for his new club after a knee injury and NRL deregistration forced him to the sidelines. He then settled in as Johnathan Thurston’s halves partner for the better part of two seasons but has since fallen out of favour in North Queensland and is expected to depart the club at the end of the season.[B]7) Beau Henry[/B] Nine times out of ten, Beau Henry would have been a superstar but he’s continually been struck by the kind of bad luck that’s normally associated with breaking mirrors. The 2009 Player of the Year and an absolute phenom at five-eighth, Henry had the total package — he was big, fast, powerful and had great touch. If ever a kid making it was a certainty, it was Henry. He scored 17 tries, created countless more and led Saints all the way to the preliminary final. The Warilla Gorillas junior was offered a place in the top squad by the Cowboys but was convinced by Wayne Bennett to stay with the Dragons but in the middle 2010 told him he was free to leave. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046475-eff0b628-2048-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Beau Henry was the ultimate “can’t miss kid” [I]Source:[/I] News Limited He had a dream start at the Knights, making his first grade debut in Round 1 of 2011 and scored a try in a big win over the Panthers. He crossed again in a win over North Queensland a week later but missed the next eight weeks through injury. During his lay-off, Bennett agreed to join the Knights in 2012 and rather than wait for Bennett to punt him again, Henry joined the Titans on a mid-season transfer. His time on the Gold Coast was a constant frustration — injuries saw him miss all of 2012 and in 2013-14 he managed just four NRL games. With his NRL prospects all but undone by a knee injury sustained in the middle of last season, he went back to the Dragons for one last shot but barely weeks into the season he shifted again, this time to Parramatta where he bounces between the NSW Cup and Ron Massey Cup for Wentworthville.[B]8) Trent Merrin[/B] Possibly the finest Australian forward to come out of the Holden Cup, Merrin starred at prop for the Dragons as his footwork and offloading ability marked him as the prototypical modern prop forward. Merrin played three games off the bench for St George Illawarra in 2009 but became a regular bench forward the following season, earning a premiership ring after coming on in the 32-8 win over the Roosters in the grand final. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046503-0874a632-2049-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Trent Merrin found top grade success almost immediately. [I]Source:[/I] Supplied Despite having made just 11 run on appearances at the time, Merrin made his Origin debut in Game I of 2011, making him just the second player to come through the Under 20s system to play Origin. A switch to lock in 2013 opened up a whole new world for Merrin and he’s since become one of the most well-rounded and talented big men in the game. He’s made 11 appearances for New South Wales, made his Test debut earlier this year and will join Penrith in 2016.[B]NO FEAR: [URL="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin-2015-game-3-blues-halfback-trent-hodkinson-says-maroons-fortress-isnt-scary/story-fni3fqyo-1227423989669"]Hodkinson says Blues aren’t scared of Suncorp[/URL][/B] [B]9) Travis Waddell [/B] With the fast ruck speed and slower defensive lines, Travis Waddell thrived in the Under 20s, using his speed off the mark and wicked dummy to prise defences apart with regularity as he played a major role in the Raiders 2008 premiership win and continued that form into the following year. He became the bench hooker for the first grade side midway through 2009 and held onto that spot for a number of years but he never showed the same form he did in the lower grades. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046531-23230172-2049-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Travis Waddell was the Raiders most promising hooker in years. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited Eventually the Raiders lost patience with the Queenslander and he was not retained for season 2013. Newcastle took a flyer on Waddell and he made 20 appearances in two seasons for the Knights before following Wayne Bennett to Brisbane where he is yet to make a first grade appearance and plies his trade with the Souths Logan Magpies.[B]10) Jesse Bromwich[/B] The unlikely rise of Jesse Bromwich began with his stellar 2009 Under 20s season in which he came from nowhere to stamp himself as one of the elite prop prospects in rugby league. Bromwich was only signed by Melbourne after his younger brother Kenny recommended him to coach Craig Bellamy but within 12 months he was in the first grade team due to his excellent work rate, deft offloads and downright incredible footwork. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046559-30e1cd48-2049-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Jesse Bromwich has become one of the best props in the game. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited He was elevated to the starting side midway through 2011 and become one of the Storm’s pillars in the premiership winning season of 2012, joining teammates Gareth Widdop, Kevin Proctor and Justin O’Neill as the first players to win premierships in both the Under 20s and the NRL. Bromwich made his Test debut in early 2012 and has since become one of the best props in rugby league and arguably the best forward the Under 20s has produced.[B]11) Jake Marketo[/B] Marketo was the perfect mix of workrate and impact when he came through the ranks at the Dragons and was the kind of player that coaches dream about. The Balmain junior was eased into first grade with a handful of bench appearances from 2010-12 but after failing to kick on he was told he was not required for season 2013 and moved to Queensland Cup side Redcliffe Dolphins. [IMG]http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046613-5675410c-2049-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Jake Marketo has been thrown a lifeline by the Dragons. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited After two strong seasons with the Dolphins he was given another shot by the Dragons and has played nine games for the Red V this year.[B]12) Jared Waerea-Hargreaves[/B] Named at second row despite playing most of his Under 20s football at prop, Waerea-Hagreaves was already signed, sealed and delivered to the Roosters when he burst on to the scene midway through 2009 as a super sub wrecking ball for Manly. He made his Test debut in the end of season Four Nations tournament despite having played only six first grade games and backed it up with a fine sophomore year in 2010. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/047079-729db418-2049-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Jared Waerea-Hargreaves made his Test debut at the end of 2009. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited Ill form dogged him for an indifferent two years before he was given a new lease on life by Trent Robinson in 2013 and he became one of the most powerful and feared players in rugby league. Injury has dogged him this season but the fiery prop is an integral part of the Roosters title challenge.[B]13) Jamie Buhrer[/B] One of four Sea Eagles players named in the side, Buhrer captained the Manly Under 20s side to the minor premiership and made his debut off the bench early in 2010. He quickly cemented a place as the bench utility for the power Sea Eagles and played in the 2011 Grand Final victory before making a shock Origin debut in Game I 2012. [IMG]http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046641-6eb8025a-2048-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Jamie Buhrer was one of four Manly players to make the team of the year. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited He made his second grand final appearance in 2013 but saw limited minutes in the defeat to the Roosters. Buhrer finally cemented a consistent first grade spot in 2014 but missed Manly’s straight sets finals exits with injury and managed just seven games this year before suffering a season-ending knee problem. He is viewed as a crucial part of the Sea Eagles future.[B]14) Kieran Foran[/B] Foran made his top grade debut midway through 2009 after a strong Under 20s career and never looked back, securing a place in the Manly halves and making his Test debut at the end of a sensational rookie season. Foran was among the Sea Eagles best in an injury plagued 2010 season and continued to improve in 2011 when he struck up an immediate partnership with former Under 20s teammate Daly Cherry-Evans. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046695-b24775c2-2049-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Kieran Foran made an immediate impact in the top grade. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited The two led the Sea Eagles to a premiership, a preliminary final and a grand final defeat in their first three seasons together and Foran became a fixture for New Zealand, captaining his country once and appearing in the 2014 Four Nations victory. Amidst a storm of injury troubles, Foran signed a multi-million dollar deal with Parramatta earlier this year, and despite recent controversy surrounding the contract, he is still expected to take up the deal.[B]15) Joel Romelo[/B] A nuggety, fiery hooker who was equal parts quick off the mark and ready to mix it up, Romelo was a spark plug in the middle of the field for the Panthers. He made headlines before the 2009 season even got underway when he got into a scuffle at training with veteran backrower Trent Waterhouse. Romelo played three games off the bench for the Panthers that season but was sacked in early 2010 after a string of misdemeanours. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046723-cfcf0fe2-2049-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Joel Romelo went to several different clubs for sustained time in first grade. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited He was given a lifeline by the Bulldogs and became a back-up for Michael Ennis, managing 23 games in four seasons before signing with Melbourne in 2014. The Darwin-born product was only selected in first grade twice by Craig Bellamy before being released and despite whispers that the Dragons were keen to give him another shot, Romelo decided to play with Queensland Cup side Easts Tigers.[B]16) Gareth Widdop[/B] Widdop came through the grades as a fullback and it was there where he scored a double in the Storm’s 2009 Under 20s grand final win over the Tigers and he was viewed as one of Melbourne’s brightest prospects when he debuted early in 2010. After a season in NSW Cup, where he switched to five-eighth and was named to the team of the year, Widdop made his Test debut for England before becoming Cooper Cronk’s regular halves partner in 2011. He played a major role in the 2012 grand final win, creating the opening try for Ryan Hoffman, before deciding to strike out on his own and join the Dragons. [IMG]http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/047185-da908348-2049-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Gareth Widdop touches down for the winning try in the 2009 Under 20s grand final. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited While 2013 was a poor year overall for the Red V, Widdop never wavered as the team’s attacking fulcrum and chief organiser. His fine personal form continued into this season during the Dragons revival and he’s become a regular in the halves for England.[B]17) Daly Cherry-Evans[/B] Cherry-Evans had to bide his time somewhat, as he spent 2010 playing in the Queensland Cup with the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles — who he helped steer to a premiership — before making his NRL debut in the opening round of 2011. His rise to the top was rapid and instantaneous as he became the first rookie halfback to win a premiership since Steve Martin in 1978 and was unlucky not to win the Clive Churchill Medal in Manly’s 24-10 win over the Warriors. [IMG]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/02/1227425/046751-08642518-204a-11e5-a290-3394738a47dd.jpg[/IMG] Daly Cherry-Evans had one of the fastest rises in living memory. [I]Source:[/I] News Limited Test and Origin debuts were quick to follow for Cherry-Evans and he rapidly asserted himself as one of the premier halfbacks in rugby league. Cherry-Evans was again among Manly’s best in the run to the 2013 grand final and was puzzlingly awarded the Clive Churchill medal despite Manly going down to the Roosters. The Queenslander performed admirably in an injury-hit Manly side during the 2014 finals series but his on-field displays this year have been overshadowed by his decision to sign with the Titans, his subsequent backflip and the record breaking deal he signed with Manly. [/QUOTE]

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