NRL 2026: The top 10 breakout stars this season, best young players in the NRL, Cooper Bai contract, Billy Phillips

Each and every year another crop of rising stars stamp their mark on the competition and become regular fixtures for their respective teams.

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The 2026 season has been no different -- with a host of players billed as stars of the future putting their name up in lights.

A gun forward has filled some gaping holes in the Storm pack, while a host of impressive playmakers have showcased their skills.

Here, foxsports.com.au breaks down the top 10 breakout stars of the 2026 season, including only players who had five NRL games or less before this year!

1. COOPER CLARKE

Cooper Clarke weighed a staggering 150kg at the back-end of 2020, but is now one of Craig Bellamy's key forwards during an incredibly impressive debut NRL campaign. The Storm lost Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Eli Katoa ahead of the 2026 season, opening a path for Clarke to make his debut in Round 1. From there, Clarke has been one of Melbourne's most consistent players, albeit during an unusually poor season from one of the NRL's heavyweight clubs. The rising star has shown he has a genuine engine, delivering two 80-minute displays on an edge at only 20-years-old. Melbourne powerbrokers moved quickly to lock him down long-term, signing Clarke on until the end of 2029 in April.

2. ZANE HARRISON

Zane Harrison has been simply outstanding for the Titans, solving a long-standing headache at the Gold Coast club. The 20-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 10 in the halfback position, arguably the hardest for a rookie to make an immediate impact. But Harrison did just that, forging a strong partnership with Jayden Campbell which allowed AJ Brimson to shuffle into the centres. Harrison delivered a masterful display to down the Panthers in Round 16 and showed poise and decision-making abilities well above his pay grade. The Titans will undoubtedly be preparing to build around the impressive homegrown talent who is in the mould they have been looking for -- a traditional, organising playmaker who can unlock Campbell's running game.

3. ETHAN SANDERS

Ethan Sanders decided to join the Raiders from the Eels for more first grade opportunities. He was handed first crack in the No.7 over fellow recruit Coby Black and the 22-year-old has been strong during a lacklustre season in the nation's capital. Sanders got off to a flyer with a crucial display to down the Sea Eagles in Round 1, but seemed to lose his way for a period as his partnership with Ethan Strange developed under Ricky Stuart. However, Sanders' talent is clear to see and his kicking game compliments the 'run first' mentality of his partner. Sanders and Strange are forging a long-term halves partnership in Canberra and the talented halfback has been impressive in his debut season leading a team around the park.

4. OLIVER PASCOE

The Titans have been so impressed by Oliver Pascoe, they are reportedly willing to let Sam Verrills depart the club. The 26-year-old made his debut in Round 4, and since then has been a key figure under Josh Hannay. While the Titans may not have delivered the results they've been seeking, Pascoe has consistently been impressive and his ability to break the line and find the tryline has been a highlight of his game. Throw in the mix an elite level of fitness that allows him to always be the first man in support, and this rising star ticks all the boxes when it comes to effort. Pascoe's road to the NRL has been a patient one and was working as a tiler while playing reserve grade just last year. But after a six-week pre-season with the Gold Coast club earned him an NRL contract, he hasn't looked back.

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5. BILLY PHILLIPS

Isaah Yeo 2.0? The Panthers have once again found a country talent in Billy Phillips, who hails from Lake Cargelligo in NSW's central west region. The 22-year-old played a single NRL game in 2025 before he became a regular fixture on Ivan Cleary's bench in Round 1 this season. Phillips has a similar build as Yeo and could well be the club's long-term lock, while also spending time in the front row and on an edge like Lindsay Smith has done for the heavyweight club. Phillips has a genuine motor, racking up tackle and making metres off the pine while emerging as yet another genuine talent coming out of the Panthers system. Moving forward, Phillips is set to play an even more prominent role with Liam Henry departing for the Bears and Isaah Yeo's future up in the air.

6. JOEY WALSH

Joey Walsh is not a new name in rugby league circles, having made his debut in 2025 after being wrapped as one of the Sea Eagles' best young talents. While he has largely been forced to bide his time, Walsh got two games in Round 9 and Round 10 to showcase his skills before a season-ending injury to Luke Brooks promoted him into a starting spot. From there, Walsh has shown he is a star in the making, consistently taking on the line and trying to create chances for Manly. He arguably plays his hand too much, but with more time at NRL level Walsh will only get better and better. It's hard to see the 20-year-old not living up to his billing as one of the countries most talented youngster on what he's shown this season.

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7. FRANCIS MANULELEUA

To start the season, Jermaine McEwen was seen as the obvious replacement to fill the shoes left by Kai Pearce-Paul. However, it's fair to say he has been leapfrogged by 22-year-old Francis Manuleleua, who joined the club from the Panthers ahead of the 2025 season. Manuleleua knows exactly how to hit a hole and also has excellent ball-playing skills, laying on a handful of try assists after locking down a starting spot under Justin Holbrook. He scored an impressive try in the Knights' one-point loss to the Roosters, although his coach would have loved him to take the ball under the posts to assist goalkicker Sandon Smith. Regardless, Manuleleua has been a revelation in the Hunter and it's hard to see him lose a starting spot moving forward.

8. COOPER BAI

There was a tug of war for Cooper Bai's services leading into the 2026 season, but eventually this rising star opted to snub the Storm and remain at the Titans. Under Josh Hannay, the 19-year-old has been solid but his performances have dropped off during the backend of the season. Regardless, Bai has all the skills needed to be a long-term middle in the NRL and a season in the middle of the park can take a toll on even the most experienced forwards, let alone a player who is yet to celebrate his 20th birthday. Bai is a true talent of the future and Hannay has been building the Papua New Guinea lock this season, so expect him to only improve next year with another pre-season under his belt.

9. EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA

The Warriors seem to have a never-ending supply of exciting backrowers, and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava is the latest to showcase his skills in the NRL under Andrew Webster. The 21-year-old played five games last year, but has cemented a spot on the bench for the Warriors as the season has progressed, playing crucial minutes and plugging holes. Ieremia-Toeava is a dynamic ball-runner and moves like an outside back, but also has the motor to make a mountain of tackles in defence. At another club, Ieremia-Toeava would likely be a regular back row starter, but for now he is building his game across the Tasman and has shown he is a genuine star that will contend with Leka Halasima for starting spots.

10. LATRELL SIEGWALT

Latrell Siegwalt joined the Rabbitohs after a number of strong Queensland Cup seasons and the 25-year-old was able to break into the NRL in Round 10. Under Wayne Bennett, the talented ball-runner was deployed in the centres and has also been included on the six-man bench sparingly for the Rabbitohs. While he has played only a handful of games, Siegwalt's value is clear to see, especially given he has the ability to play across the backline, has strong ball-playing abilities and can break the line. Siegwalt may have been hoping for more regular minutes, but South Sydney do have a stacked, and injury prone backline, so there's undoubtedly a future at the club for Siegwalt, especially given he joins the club's top 30 in 2027.

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