LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Rookie watch: The 20 best Under-17s prospects in rugby league headlines a group featuring standout talents like Bishop Neal, Siotame Havea Junior, and Viliami Fifita, all of whom have secured contracts in the NRL. This selection showcases top players from the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup (New South Wales) and the Under-17s Cyril Connell Cup (Queensland).
Among the notable names is Talen Risati, who represents the Under-18s Australian Wallabies, along with Carter Mareko, awarded the Player of the Tournament in the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup for 2025, and Cooper Votano, the younger sibling of two-time Under-19s NSW Blues fullback Connor Votano.
Top Prospects:
1. Talen Risati (Parramatta Eels)
2. Cyrus Bloomfield (Parramatta Eels)
3. Jeziah Papa (Sydney Roosters)
4. Kingston Seve (Newcastle Knights)
5. Braith Sloane (Canterbury Bulldogs)
6. Cooper Votano (Melbourne Storm)
7. Carter Mareko (Sydney Roosters)
8. Ben Kaberry (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
9. Ashton Large (Manly Sea Eagles)
10. Viliami Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
11. Curtis Mulherin (Newcastle Knights)
12. Bishop Neal (New Zealand Warriors)
13. Tupou Francis (Brisbane Broncos)
Interchange:
14. Jasais Ah Kee (St George Illawarra Dragons)
15. Siotame Havea Junior (Wests Tigers)
16. Khyanu Mahon (Manly Sea Eagles)
17. Cooper Townsend (Newcastle Knights)
Reserves:
18. Chase Butler (Newcastle Knights)
19. Tyson Hansen (New Zealand Warriors)
20. Dean Tauaa (South Sydney Rabbitohs)