As player after player steps up from Intrust Super Cup to the NRL this year, here is a look at the 13 Intrust Super Cup players who graduated to the NRL in 2018 and what they are doing now.
Intrust Super Cup 2018 graduates
1. Jai Whitbread - Burleigh Bears to Gold Coast Titans
The 21-year-old prop debuted for the Gold Coast Titans against Sydney Roosters on July 15, 2018. It was his only NRL game in 2018. Whitbread has since played 11 NRL games for the Titans this year.
2. Mitchell Dunn - Mackay Cutters to North Queensland Cowboys
The second rower debuted for the North Queensland Cowboys against Manly on May 31 last year after solid performances for the Mackay Cutters; the 190cm, 99kg giant played one more game in 2018 and has since played nine NRL games this year.
3. Jake Clifford - Northern Pride to North Queensland Cowboys
Clifford, last year's Intrust Super Cup Rookie of the Year and finalist in the Petero Civoniceva Medal, debuted for the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 19, on July 21, against St George, partnering Johnathan Thurston in the halves.
The Tully-product played a total of six games last year, with the highlight being his three try assist performances in Thurston’s final game in Round 24. Clifford was also man of the match in the Queensland Under 20's win against New South Wales. The talented half has since played 11 NRL games this year.
4. Gehamat Shibasaki - Norths Devils to Brisbane Broncos
The 21-year-old Townsville Brothers junior made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos against North Queensland Cowboys in Round 22 on August 9 last year and has since played eight games this year.
5. Kotoni Staggs - Redcliffe Dolphins to Brisbane Broncos
The 20-year-old made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos against Sydney Roosters in Round 11 on May 18 last year. He played a total of nine games in 2018 and scored two tries, and has this year played 16 games, scored four tries and kicked 15 goals.
6. Jake Turpin - Redcliffe Dolphins to Brisbane Broncos
The talented 22-year-old hooker made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 17 on July 8 last year; he played one more game in 2018 and has played nine games this year and scored two tries.
2018 Intrust Super Cup graduates
7. David Fifita - Souths Logan Magpies to Brisbane Broncos
The 19-year-old made his NRL debut against Canberra Raiders in Round 16 on June 30; he finished 2018 with 11 games and two tries. Fifita has since played 16 games for the Broncos in 2019 and scored three more tries. The burly second rower also made his State of Origin debut for the Queensland Maroons in Game I at Suncorp Stadium and played in all three games of the 2019 series.
8. Justin Olam - Sunshine Coast Falcons to Melbourne Storm
The 25-year-old centre from Papua New Guinea made his NRL debut against Sydney Roosters in Round 15, on May 6, and played a total of three games in 2018. So far this year, Olam has played four games and scored two tries.
9. AJ Brimson - Tweed Seagulls to Gold Coast Titans
Brimson made his NRL debut against Melbourne Storm in Round 10, on May 12, and played a total of 15 games in 2018, scoring seven tries. The 20-year-old has since played 15 games in 2019 and scored four tries. Brimson was also brought into State of Origin camp this year to train with the Queensland Maroons.
10. Moeaki Fotuaika - Tweed Seagulls to Gold Coast Titans
The 19-year-old prop made his NRL debut against the Canberra Raiders in Round 9 on May 5; he played a total of 16 games in 2018 and scored two tries. This year Fotuaika has played 15 games for the Titans.
11. Payne Haas - Wynnum Manly Seagulls to Brisbane Broncos
The 19-year-old prop made his NRL debut against South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 8 on April 26 and played a total of three games in 2018. This year, he has played 13 and scored three tries. Haas also made his State of Origin debut for the NSW Blues in 2019.
12. Scott Drinkwater - Easts Tigers to Melbourne Storm
The 22-year-old made his NRL debut for Storm against St George Illawarra in Round 15 on August 31 and scored a try on debut. This year, the talented fullback has played three games for the North Queensland Cowboys and scored two tries.
13. Harry Grant - Sunshine Coast Falcons to Melbourne Storm
The talented 21-year-old hooker made his NRL debut against Manly in Round 11, on May 18, last year. Grant has since starred for Sunshine Coast Falcons and is in the mix to take out this year's Petero Civoniceva Medal.
