NRL Rookie Watch: Which Storm are worth keeping an eye on in 2023?

With the 2023 NRL season nearing, we list the crop of rookies from each club worth keeping tabs on as they aim to join the elite list of budding stars with a Rookie of the Year award to their name.

As per the NRL, “players are eligible for the Rookie of the Year in their debut season and the subsequent two NRL seasons … Once a player plays five (5) NRL Premiership matches (or English Super League matches), he becomes ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons”.

Jack Howarth

The Storm turned a number of heads when they inked a 19-year-old Jack Howarth to a five-year deal early last year. Many expected the Rockhampton-native to make his NRL debut in 2022, however, he spent the season playing for Sunshine Coast in Queensland Cup and battled several injuries. In his 14 appearances for Sunshine Coast, he averaged 101 run metres and broke 58 tackles splitting his time between the centres and the second-row. In their Round 21 loss to Redcliffe, Howarth ran for 159 metres with six tackle breaks and made 25 tackles in an 80-minute performance in the back-row. He was selected in Queensland’s U19s Origin side midyear and had some classy touches before leaving the field early. The departures of the Bromwich brothers, Felise Kaufusi, and Brandon Smith leave a plethora of minutes to be fought for among Melbourne’s pack and Howarth will like his chances of earning an opportunity at some stage.

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Jonah Pezet

Jonah Pezet burst into the spotlight in last year’s U19s Origin when he laid on a quartet of four-pointers in NSW’s comprehensive victory over the Maroons. A skilful half, Pezet began the year playing Jersey Flegg before making the leap to Queensland Cup last season where he played 10 matches for the Brisbane Tigers kicking 12 goals and assisting on five tries. The 20-year-old may be leant upon this season throughout the Origin period where Melbourne’s squad has historically been gutted. With Cooper Johns now elsewhere, Pezet will fight for backup responsibilities alongside the likes of Tyran Wishart and Jayden Nikorima. Locked down until at least the end of 2025, there are plenty of wraps on Pezet south of the border so expect to see him at NRL level soon enough.

Will Warbrick

A former rugby sevens standout, Will Warbrick made the move to Melbourne last year and looked to be on the cusp of an NRL debut at different stages, however, some untimely injuries coupled with the addition of David Nofoaluma on a loan deal prevented it. At 193 cm and 105 kg, Warbrick is a large and powerful human who put together some absurd statlines playing on the wing for Sunshine Coast in Queensland Cup last season. In his 14 games, he scored 10 tries, averaged 169 run metres, and broke 56 tackles. He enjoyed a two-try, 327-metre outing against Mackay in Round 19 as well as a 243-metre, six-tackle break display against Townsville in Round 13. Melbourne’s outside back depth is still quite strong so an NRL debut may not come easy for the 24-year-old but, if he can continue his strong Queensland Cup play, Craig Bellamy and co. may struggle to ignore him.

Cole Geyer

The son of Storm legend Matt, Cole Geyer is on a development contract with the Storm this season and will look to impress as he works his way towards an NRL career. Geyer spent last season playing with Melbourne’s Jersey Flegg affiliate the Thunderbolts playing 22 games and scoring eight tries en route to the team’s Player of the Year award. A crafty nine, Geyer will look to join the list of elite rakes to pull on a Storm jumper in the coming years. With the departure of Brandon Smith, Harry Grant is the only recognised hooker in Melbourne’s top 30 so an opportunity may not be too far away for Geyer, who will be one to watch throughout the Origin period.

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