With the Paul Broughton Medal just days away, several candidates have emerged as front runners to be crowned Rookie of the Year for 2023.
Staking their case across the 2023 season, these debutants have put on an electric display in their inaugural season of NRL, displaying talent and promise each time they don Gold Coast colours.
Receiving the award in 2022 was young star Jojo Fifita, who capped off his debut season with a well-deserved call up to the 2022 Prime Minister’s XIII.
This year, five young stars are in the running to receive the award – check out their stats below and vote for the player you think deserves the Rookie of the Year award for 2023.
Keano Kini
Keano Kini had everybody talking long before his debut in Magic Round. Freshly out of High School, the 19-year old made a big statement in the pre-season challenge and the Hostplus Cup, averaging 194 metres and 6 tackle breaks for Titans feeder club the Burleigh Bears.
Given his big break through injuries to key players, Keano started at fullback against the Bulldogs in Round 27 and finished the game with a game-high 227 running metres, 6 tackle breaks and 1 line break.
Justifying his expedited inclusion in the top squad with several strong performances this season, Kini’s explosive running and undeniable X-factor make him a superstar in the making heading into his first full NRL off-season.
Klese Haas
Debuting against the Knights in Round 24 last year, Klese Haas entered the 2023 season with just two NRL games under his belt.
The 21-year-old forward worked hard during the off season to develop his game and has added an additional 15 games to his NRL tally this season, responding well to every challenge thrown at him in 2023.
Working hard in defence, Klese made 321 tackles across his 15 games this year, averaging 22 tackles per game and scoring three tries on the right edge.
Tom Weaver
Refining his craft at Tweed Seagulls, Tom Weaver had a standout year in the Hostplus Cup with 12 try assists and 12-line break assist in 16 games at halfback.
Through injury, Weaver received a call up in Round 25 to make his NRL debut against defending premiers the Penrith Panthers, impressing Gold Coast fans with his game management and attack.
The highly-touted 20-year-old would finish the season with three NRL games at halfback for the club, providing invaluable experience for the young half heading into the off-season.
Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui
Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui earnt his NRL debut against the Melbourne Storm in Round 3 after several strong displays in the Hostplus Cup.
Coming off the bench in most appearances (at times to replace his brother, Tino), the 21-year-old earnt a starting spot in Round 14 against the Rabbitohs and scored his first try in the NRL.
Iszac finished the 2023 season with 13 appearances for the team and proved to be a pivotal part of the Titans forward pack in both attack and defense.
His blistering run off broken play in Round 27 against the Bulldogs proved the difference in the 4-point margin, setting AJ Brimson up to score under the posts at Cbus Super Stadium.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Alofiana Khan-Pereira's debut season in the NRL is what any young player would dream of - 20 tries, a club record and a representative call up.
Alofiana, better known by teammates as Lofi, broke the club record for most tries in a season (a record previously held by David Fifita with 17) and became only the fifth player in the NRL era to score 20 tries in their debut season.
Khan-Pereira averaged 113 running metres in his 23 games, capping off his record-breaking year with a well-deserved representative call-up, named in the Prime Minister’s XIII alongside Titans Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
