Footy season is well underway, and scorelines now matter, as do the performances of rugby league's best and brightest prospects.
Both NSW and QLD Cup competitions kicked off over the weekend, which led to some surprising rises and some disappointing drop-offs. Regardless, it's only Round 1, and there is a long way to go.
Whether it's Cooper Clarke making his NRL debut, Finau Latu inching towards it, or Lorenzo Talataina laying the foundations for a future call-up, every man on ESPN's third NRL Big Board has a point to prove to start the year.
Note: This Big Board featured players aged 16-22, and excludes any athlete who has featured in five or more NRL matches.
1. Cooper Bai
Club: Gold Coast Titans
Position: Lock / Middle Forward
Age: 19
Previous position: 2nd
We have a new King of the Hill this week.
Cooper Bai is ready for first grade, a fact that was evident in his first NRL game of the season, where he shined amongst a playing group that did anything but.
Bai played just 28 minutes in the Gold Coast Titans' 50-10 loss to the Sharks, however, head coach Josh Hannay confirmed after the match his limited game time was strategic in a bid to ease him into first grade.
Despite the somewhat-short stint, the 19-year-old was damaging with every run. With two tackle breaks, an offload and no errors. In a side that couldn't hold onto the ball, Bai looked like a seasoned veteran amongst a rookie squad.
While he doesn't have the highlight reels of those below him (yet), he has shown why he is the best prospect in rugby league through effort and determination.
Comparison: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
2. Coby Black
Club: Canberra Raiders
Position: Halfback
Age: 19
Previous position: 1st
We got the chance to see Coby Black in a Raiders uniform for the first time over the weekend, and he did not disappoint.
Black tallied two line break assists, two try assists, and six points, and sees a drop only due to the exceptional NRL performance of Cooper Bai.
Despite the drop, he is still the best-ranked half among the NRL's prospects, and will almost certainly regain his top spot if he continues producing performances like this.
Comparison: Mitchell Moses
3. Heamasi Makasini
Club: Wests Tigers
Position: Centre / Wing
Age: 18
Previous position: 3rd
Making his season debut in first-grade this weekend is our third ranked prospect, although there's every chance Heamasi Makasini jumps to the top of this list if he showcases his clear star potential on the big stage.
ESPN caught up with Makasini's skipper, Jarome Luai, at Tigers training earlier in the week, where he proclaimed the young outside-back as "an awesome talent" who is "definitely up there" amongst candidates for the Tigers' long term centre spot.
It's hard to argue with Jarome here, with Makasini clearly impressing Wests coaching staff enough to earn a starting role in the club's first NRL game of the year.
We're inclined to follow Benji Marshall's belief in the young star, which is why he is nipping at the heels of NRL Big Board leaders Cooper Bai and Coby Black this week.
Comparison: Latrell Mitchell
4. Mitchell Woods
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Position: Halfback
Age: 19
Previous position: 4th
Similar to fellow halfback Coby Black, Bulldogs star Mitchell Woods' kryptonite in 2026 is simply his health.
He remains at fourth this week after starting the season at second, although Canterbury fans are still eagerly awaiting for their promising young halfback to return to reach full fitness.
Comparison: Jahrome Hughes
5. Zane Harrison
Club: Gold Coast Titans
Position: Halfback
Age: 19
Previous position: 5th
Due to the NRL's new six-man bench, Titans fans were robbed of seeing Harrison play over the weekend, with the star youngster spending his Saturday night on the bench during Gold Coast's 40-point loss.
Despite the DNP next to his name, the Titans' lack of genuine halfback talent did slightly boost his stocks simply due to the side's need for someone of his talent in a key position.
He keeps his spot in the top five, however, but could slip should stars below him get more meaningful minutes in the coming weeks.
Comparison: Nathan Cleary
6. Joey Walsh
Club: Manly Sea Eagles
Position: Halfback
Age: 19
Previous position: 6th
Joey Walsh is another young gun who missed out on match time in Round 1, after sitting on the bench for Manly's NRL squad in a golden point thriller.
There is no doubting Walsh's talent despite his lack of game time over the weekend, and there's every chance he could rise on this list should he get more opportunity over the next fortnight.
Comparison: Jamal Fogarty
7. Michael Gabrael
Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Position: Centre
Age: 19
Previous position: 7th
Damaging ball-running centre Michael Gabrael's squad had the bye in Round 1, so he remains at seventh on this week's edition of the NRL Big Board.
Cronulla's NRL backline is looking strong at the moment and looks unlikely to change, but a few outstanding performances from Gabrael in NSW Cup over the next few weeks could invite questions into Craig Fitzgibbon's team selection as the season drags on.
Comparison: Kotoni Staggs
8. Finau Latu
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Position: Lock / Middle Forward
Age: 19
Previous position: 8th
Finau Latu has been out of action with a hand injury for a few weeks now, which is evident by his lack of movement on this week's NRL Big Board.
He is still one of the best young forwards coming through, however, and ESPN understands his debut is imminent.
Comparison: Keaon Koloamatangi
9. David Bryenton
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Position: Fullback/five-eighth
Age: 18
Previous position: 9th
David Bryenton has returned to his natural position of fullback for the Bulldogs' SG Ball side, and is showcasing the raw talent that has made him the only SG Ball player in the NRL Big Board's top 10 so far.
Bryenton's ability to play in the halves and at fullback have made him one of Canterbury's most versatile prospects. However, it's important that he locks down his preferred position soon, lest he fall victim to the utility label that has stunted the growth of so many young stars.
Comparison: Reece Walsh
10. Lorenzo Talataina
Club: Parramatta Eels
Position: Five-eighth/Half
Age: 18
Previous position: 12th
While the season hasn't started too well for the Eels' NRL squad, there's a ton to be excited about when looking at their pathways, largely in part due to Lorenzo Talatania's emergence as a potential star.
The young half jumps into the top 10 after some terrific preseason performances and an unreal hit-out against the Melbourne Storm in NSW Cup over the weekend.
He's quickly emerging.
Comparison: Shaun Johnson
11. Cooper Clarke
Club: Melbourne Storm
Position: Prop
Age: 19
Previous position: 16th
Cooper Clarke, welcome to first grade.
The Storm have unleashed one of the most ferocious young forwards in the sport, and it's only the beginning.
Clarke managed nearly 100 running metres in just 22 minutes of his NRL debut.
The young behemoth looked like a man among boys in his first hit-out and will likely only improve from here.
Comparison: Jesse Bromwich
12. Jonah Glover
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Position: Five-eighth
Age: 23
Previous position: 10th
Unfortunately for Jonah Glover, a broken jaw in the Rabbitohs' preseason trials ruled him out for up to eight weeks, which will likely see him start to slip down the rankings as the weeks go by.
His return will be highly anticipated, however, and we will likely see him playing first grade soon after his return.
Comparison: Sam Walker
13. Dean Tauaa
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Position: Centre
Age: 18
Previous position: 11th
Dean Tauaa has been solid for the Rabbitohs' SG Ball side to start the year.
His finishing ability has been on full display, earning a try in three of South's five opening games, all of which the Rabbitohs have won.
It will be interesting to see how he's utilised this year, but the hope is that a NSW Cup call-up is on the horizon for the young star, which will boost his stocks heavily.
Comparison: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
14. Liam Ison
Club: Cronulla Sharks
Position: Fullback
Age: 20
Previous position: 13th
Ison is another Shark who missed out on game time over the weekend, and will likely remain on the sidelines a little longer with a knee injury.
Despite his injury concerns, Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy shared that Ison's "got a spark about him" that the veteran believes makes him such a special player, which has made him an exciting prospect to watch.
Comparison: Ryan Papenhuyzen
15. Toby Rodwell
Club: Sydney Roosters
Position: Halfback
Age: 19
Previous position: 14th
Toby Rodwell was another young gun who fell victim to the Roosters' six-man bench, not seeing any game time over the weekend.
The hope for Rodwell will be that he can strap the boots on and show what he's made of sooner rather than later, lest his stocks dwindle.
Comparison: Luke Keary
16. Cody Hopwood
Club: Newcastle Knights
Position: Prop
Age: 19
Previous position: 18th
Cody Hopwood returned to footy over the weekend, and by all measures, did quite well.
In 45 minutes of NSW Cup action, Hopwood tallied 86 metres, a tackle break, and three offloads, showcasing confidence and strong rugby league IQ through the middle.
He'll be one to watch over the next few weeks as he gets back into the groove of things, but it's not hard to see why Hopwood is such an exciting prospect to Knights faithful.
Comparison: Joseph Tapine
17. Riley Pollard
Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Position: Halfback
Age: 20
Previous position: 15th
Riley Pollard may be one of the more NRL-ready prospects that the Sharks have to offer, but will need solid NSW Cup showings over the next few weeks to prove it.
His side had the bye over the weekend, but with others below him having great performances in Round 1, he dips slightly this week.
Comparison: Daly Cherry-Evans
18. Billy Scott
Club: Penrith Panthers
Position: Hooker
Age: 21
Previous position: 21st
It's rare for an interchange hooker to outshine a side's No. 9, especially in a pathways match, but Billy Scott did just that.
His ability to catch his marker lacking before making solid gains out of dummy-half got Penrith on the front foot in NSW Cup, tallying 59 metres off scoots alone. Combine that with 31 tackles and zero misses, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, and a try assist, and it's no wonder why he's one of the most hyped up hookers coming through the grades.
Comparison: Api Koroisau
19. Phillip Coates
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Position: Centre / Wing
Age: 19
Previous position: 18
If his last name wasn't enough to convince you he has the potential to be a dominant force on the wing, Phillip Coates' heroics in the Broncos' 26-14 QLD Cup preseason win over the weekend certainly will.
While his all-round performance was solid, it was his first try -- an acrobatic finish in the corner -- that showcased his brilliant athleticism.
He's still raw, but Coates has what it takes to dominate in the NRL.
Comparison: Xavier Coates
20. Kade Reed
Club: St George Illawarra Dragons
Position: Halfback
Age: 19
Previous position: 20th
Not too much to say on Kade Reed unfortunately, with the young half copping a brutal hit to the head that saw him taken off the field with a HIA in the opening two minutes of the Dragons' NSW Cup clash over the weekend.
His potential is there, of course, but we just need to see him apply it consistently until we see a bigger jump from him in the coming weeks.
Comparison: Jamal Fogarty
21. Onitoni Large
Club: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Position: Five-eighth
Age: 18
Previous position: 17th
It wasn't a good start for Onitoni Large, or his teammates, in Round 1.
The Manly Sea Eagles were flogged 38-6 by the Rabbitohs in SG Ball, and Large found himself sin-binned halfway through.
Not a disastrous showing from him overall, but enough to see him drop as those below him excelled.
Comparison: Ezra Mam
22. Jaxen Edgar
Club: Penrith Panthers
Position: Fullback
Age: 18
Previous position: 22nd
Edgar's mentor and Big Board comparison, Dylan Edwards, praised the young fullback last week, stating, "He's full of energy, he's got immense talent [and] he's super fit."
While Edwards' praise for the youngster is sure to fill him with confidence, we're yet to see an electric showing from Edgar in 2026.
He was solid in the Panthers' NSW Cup match, but there's definitely another gear in the freakish fullback.
Comparison: Dylan Edwards
23. Jared Haywood
Club: Wests Tigers
Position: Hooker
Age: 19
Previous position: 23rd
Another youngster who didn't play over the weekend, fans will need to wait a little while longer Jared Haywood in action.
Tigers faithful are willing to be patient, though, as Haywood's rise as one of the club's best prospects looks set to continue in 2026.
Comparison: Harry Grant
24. Zac Garton
Club: Dolphins
Position: Edge Back-rower
Age: 18
Previous position: 26th
Zac Garton is an unbelievably exciting prospect for the Dolphins, and could be one of the club's best forwards in their short history in a few seasons.
Playing at lock over the weekend, Garton tallied over 100 metres in 51 minutes of play, while recording a linebreak assist, five tackle breaks, and an offload.
He leapfrogs into the 24th position this week, although there's no doubt Dolphins fans would have him much higher, considering his latest heroics.
Comparison: Angus Crichton
25. Hugo Peel
Club: Melbourne Storm
Position: Fullback / Utility
Age: 20
Previous position: 25th
Hugo Peel retains his spot at 25th this week after a solid showing for the Storm's NSW Cup team, even while playing on the wing.
His versatility is a clear asset for Melbourne moving forward, whose backline stocks are quickly crumbling as further reports of departures begin to arise.
Peel ran for over 100 running metres, nailed a try and a linebreak in his side's loss to the Eels, and the hope is that he can continue to produce quality attacking stats regardless of what number is on his back.
Comparison: AJ Brimson
26. Jack Underhill
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Position: Prop
Age: 20
Previous position: 24th
While his efforts in the Bulldogs' loss to the Dragons in NSW Cup didn't earn him a jump on our Big Board (in fact, he dropped two spots), Jack Underhill was solid for Canterbury off the bench.
The hope for Underhill at Belmore isn't that he produces Payne Haas-esque statlines, but that he gets through the tough stuff and does his role. All signs point to the burly front-rower doing just that in 2026.
Comparison: Lindsay Collins
27. Zaidas Muagututia
Club: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Position: Hooker
Age: 19
Previous position: 28th
Muagututia continues to impress off the bench for Manly, and will likely be eyeing that starting role over Brandon Wakeham over the coming months.
A whopping five tackle breaks, 25 tackles, and a try from Muagututia helped Manly secure a two-point NSW Cup win over the Raiders.
Comparison: Jake Friend
28. Mason Barber
Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Position: Fullback
Age: 19
Previous position: 29th
While not in spotlight of a fullback jersey in QLD Cup over the weekend, Mason Barber, was certainly one to watch in the centres.
85 metres, five tackle breaks, and two offloads for Barber in his side's 32-18 win.
His defence still needs some work, but solid overall.
Comparison: Scott Drinkwater
29. Francis Manuleleua
Club: Newcastle Knights
Position: Second-row
Age: 19
Previous position: Not listed
A new addition to the NRL Big Board, Francis Manuleleua slots in after a fiery NSW Cup performance for the Knights.
He recorded two tries, two linebreak assists, and looked dangerous with the ball with every run.
Manuleleua is a must-watch for Knights fans, with a possible NRL call-up looking likely at some point in 2026.
Comparison: Viliame Kikau
30. Simione Laiafi
Club: Manly Sea Eagles
Position: Prop
Age: 19
Previous position: 30th
No changes for Laiafi this week, who unfortunately didn't play for Manly after suffering a head knock last week.
However, with Siua Taukeiaho struggling with injury at the moment, a call-up to the NRL could be on the horizon if he hits the ground running.
Comparison: Taniela Paseka
Ones to watch
While these youngsters are still raw, each has showcased enough talent and potential to earn attention for the seasons to come.
1. Thomas Dellow - Sharks lock
2. Cornelius Pupualii - Dragons centre
3. Mel Nonu - Knights winger
4. Mohamed Alameddine - Eels wing
5. Ethan Roberts - Tigers back-rower
6. Keahn Skipps - Panthers half
7. Jasais Ah Kee - Dragons half
8. Ray Puru - Bulldogs fullback
9. Connor Votano - Knights fullback
10. Rex Bassingthwaighte - Roosters fullback
11. Jonathan Sua - Bulldogs wing
12. Amos Viiga - Penrith Panthers
13. Sebastian Taylor - Wests Tigers