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Barrie's Young Dream Team

17/04/2017 - St Helens v Castleford Tigers - The Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens Try scorer Regan Grace (2L) congratulated Matty Smith
Image: Regan Grace is a contender for young player of the year

Barrie McDermott picks out his Super League Dream Team of young stars he expects to shine in the future...

I've always had a passion for seeing our game produce good talent, and really enjoy watching players develop and reach their potential.

It's why it is always interesting to pick these teams, because it allows me to look back when the players' careers have taken off to see what they've become.

Also I believe that without the foundation of amateur rugby and the youth system we would not have the heights of Super League, so these players deserved recognition for their contribution to our great sport.

With that in mind, here is my Young Dream Team from this year's Super League season…

1. Jack Walker (Leeds Rhinos)

Leeds full-back Jack Walker
Image: Jack Walker has made nine appearances for Leeds in 2017

Jack Walker is the most exciting prospect Leeds have had in a couple of years. Whenever he has come into the team he's looked incredibly comfortable and assured. He will have a good battle with Ashton Golding for that No 1 jersey over the next few years.

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Walker has made nine appearances and scored two tries in 2017, and I expect the former Oulton Raider to increase both those numbers heavily in years to come.

2. Regan Grace (St Helens)

Tommy Leuluai is unable to prevent Regan Grace from scoring a try
Image: Wigan's Tommy Leuluai is unable to prevent Regan Grace from scoring a try

Regan Grace is my personal pick for young player of the year, though both wingers in this team have a valid claim for that honour this year. Grace is Welsh-born and has come through the Saints production line.

He made his debut in a Good Friday derby against Wigan, the kind of game that can make or break a player, and the winger immediately looked capable at the Super League level. He's a dead set try-scorer with bags of potential to set the league alight for many seasons to come.

3. Jake Bibby (Salford Red Devils)

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Even though Jake Bibby made his debut in 2015, he has had to be patient and wait his turn having come through the under 16s and 19s at Salford, and this season it's paid off as he has played 15 times for the Red Devils in 2017.

He partnered up with Manu Vatuvei towards the end of the year which shows how highly the coaching staff think of him, and will have given him great tutorship on the game.

Bibby is a strong-running centre as well as a centre that can present opportunities, and in that sense reminds me a bit of the great Keith Senior.

4. Darnell McIntosh (Huddersfield Giants)

Picture by Chris Mangnall/SWpix.com - 27/04/2017 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League - Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants - Headingley Carnegie Stadium,
Image: Darnell McIntosh has shown his versatility at the Giants

Darnell McIntosh was unlucky to lose out on his preferred position of full-back to Jake Mamo and latterly Jordan Rankin, but he's used the chance to showcase his versatility at Huddersfield. He's got pace and an eye for a gap, and in my opinion could develop into a world-class player in the centres.

Numerous times the best centres have started as wingers because there is no better way to learn the trade than with an experienced player inside calling the shots. I think he could learn the craft and in time become a cornerstone for the Giants.

He's scored 12 tries in 22 appearances this year, and a lot of those tries have been long-range efforts, so he is a lethal finisher for the Giants.

5. Liam Marshall (WIgan Warriors)

Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors - Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, England - Liam Marshall of Wigan Warriors celebrates scoring the 3rd try
Image: Liam Marshall has been in try-scoring form for the Warriors in 2017

Liam Marshall could be an unlucky runner-up to Grace for young player of the year, but there wouldn't be many arguments if he was given the accolade instead of the Saints man.

Marshall's story is an inspirational one; going to Swinton after falling through the system at Wigan then coming back with the Wigan reserves.

They'd seen the talent and character of the man and he has repaid them handsomely. Along with the another success story, Tom Davies, they are both terrific finds this season for the Warriors.

6. Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers)

DW Stadium, Wigan, England - Castleford's Jake Trueman warms up before the match
Image: Jake Trueman sparkled for the Tigers against the Warriors last week

Jake Trueman has only played two games, but you can't help but be impressed by what he's got to offer - that game against the Warriors was on the back of consistently performing at academy level so it didn't come from nowhere.

He is another example of how Daryl Powell, Ryan Sheridan and Danny Orr have had a massive influence on the club, especially in the half-backs. Trueman came through the ranks at the Bradford academy, and after making the step up to Super League he doesn't look out of place in the top flight.

You can coach skill and ability but what you can't coach is how to handle the pressure and bright lights of a Super League game, and if a hat-trick against Wigan is Trueman's way of handling it he's got a bright future for sure.

7. Danny Richardson (St Helens)

Saints half-back Danny Richardson
Image: Danny Richardson likes to take the game to defences, according to Barrie

Danny Richardson has played predominantly when Matty Smith hasn't been available, and I've been impressed with what I've seen so far in the way he plays. Richardson is a throwback to the likes of Lee Briers, Sean Long and Bobby Goulding, all of whom had the courage and confidence to take a game by the scruff of the neck.

His kicking and passing game is good, but it's his running game that impresses me - he's an instinctive player who takes on defences.

It won't be long before he gets his hand on some regular time in the No 7 jersey for Saints and when he does he will flourish.

8. Mickoli Oledski (Leeds Rhinos)

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Mickoli Oledski is a player I first met when he signed as a scholarship player with Leeds, and he was already a man back then.

Big is beautiful, but it doesn't always come with that vital ingredient of aggression. Oledski has that though; when he runs at defences he causes damage. You really have to put your body in front of him when you try to stop him.

He could be the first Polish-born player to play for England one day and if that's the case England will be lucky to have him.

9. Danny Walker (Widnes Vikings)

25/01/17 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League - Widnes Vikings Media Day - Parklands Sports Club, Widnes, England -
Image: Danny Walker reminds Barrie of a young Rob Burrow

Danny Walker is a Warrington-born player who has come through the system with Phil Finney at Widnes and he's got that most valuable commodity; pace. To go with that pace he has speed of thought and speed of execution.

In one of his first outings against Wolves his tackles on England prop Chris Hill took me back to the early days of the great Rob Burrow. He's not the biggest lad but he's more than happy to mix it up with the physical players.

Walker has a great step, evasion and good distribution, but will happily take the direct route if asked to which in my opinion is his strength.

10. Jack Wells (Wigan Warriors)

20/05/2017 - Rugby League - Dacia Magic Weekend - Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves - St James' Park, Newcastle, Eng
Image: Jack Wells clashes with Warrington's Chris Hill

Shaun Wane was a very good Wigan prop Back in his day and in Jack Wells he has recognised a bit of clay he can mould into a special player.

Despite what others may tell you, a front rower has to have the brains as well as brawn, so as to make decisions on when to bash the ball up and when to put it through the hands at the begging of a sweeping play, and Wells' improving decision-making has been the making of him.

In Wells and Ryan Sutton, Wigan could have the answer to their front row needs in the next few years.

11. Jansin Turgut (Hull FC)

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Jansin Turgut is another player I have watched come through the ranks at Hull FC under Andy Last. Sometimes you can predict a player's trajectory - sometimes they fulfill that potential and sometimes they don't. In Turgut's case, he is well on his way to realising that potential.

Turgut is comfortable defending on the edge, he has good pace and runs good lines so he is a huge asset in attack.

This isn't Turgut's first season, but this year I thought he has looked increasingly comfortable in Super League. Some players are confident when they walk through the door, others gain that confidence over time, and it's been great to see Turgut fill out his jersey this year.

12. James Batchelor

20/05/2017 - Rugby League - Dacia Magic Weekend - Widnes v Wakefield - St James' Park, Newcastle, England - James Batchelor.
Image: James Batchelor has grown as a junior player at Wakefield

Speaking to Chris Chester he had high hopes for James Batchelor at the start of the year. Wakefield don't have the resources that some others clubs do - some recruit 10 junior players hoping to get half of them through to the first team - so when Trinity identify talent, they invest heavily in the player's development.

Batchelor has got that inner strength which is rare for a young man. He is still learning and isn't perfect but he doesn't go hiding when he makes those errors, he makes up for it with his work rate and attitude. He goes looking for ways to make amends, much like Gareth Ellis has done over the years.

13. Thibaut Margalet (Catalans Dragons)

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This hasn't been Margalet's first season playing for the Dragons, but for the first time, he is playing for the first team based on merit rather than simply plugging gaps left by injuries.

Margalet is a strong runner of the ball; he's a courageous carrier in the mould of Remi Casty, and when Casty retires he has the minerals to learn that role and take that responsibility.

Margalet is an example of the impact Super League is having on the Dragons and on the game in France in general. Long may it continue.

REPLACEMENTS

Ryan Lannon (Salford Red Devils)

Ryan Lannon is the cousin of Gareth Hock, so he comes from good Wigan stock.

He's a short, nuggety player with good pace off the mark. I remember Iestyn Harris being impressed by him, and Iestyn is a tough man to impress!

Salford Red Devils v Wakefield Trinity - AJ Bell Stadium, Salford, England - Salford's Ryan Lannon scores a try.
Image: Salford's Ryan Lannon caught the eye of Iestyn Harris

Ryan Ince (Widnes Vikings)

Widnes have had a tough year and have had to rely on the kids because of injuries and a lack of senior personnel.

In that time Ryan Ince has not looked out of place, and he has staked a claim to go a lot further up the pecking order at the club in the future. He reminds me a lot of Martin Aspinall, tough enough to play in the forwards but quick enough for the backs

Nick Rawsthorne (Hull FC)

As a youngster, Nick Rawsthorne was a silky centre who is now having to learn his trade by playing on the wing where he has the pace to excel.

He comes from Brooksbank School in Halifax, where he played rugby league as well as union.

His goal-kicking is phenomenal, and when he gets his chance after the departure of Mahe Fonua I expect him to make a case to turn the No 2 on his back into that of an outstanding centre.

Castleford's Tom Holmes runs the length of the pitch to score a try during day two of the Betfred Super League Magic Weekend at St James' Park, Newcastle
Image: Castleford's Tom Holmes runs the length of the pitch to score a try against Leeds at Magic Weekend

Tom Holmes (Castleford Tigers)

Tom Holmes will leave Castleford at the end of the year and go to Featherstone so he will be in the Championship next season.

Some would see that as a backward step, but what's important is how Holmes goes about his business in the Championship. He has every chance to carve a name for himself away from the top flight and come back with plenty of experience under his belt. I'm backing him to do exactly that.

Jamie Rooney, Liam Finn and Ryan Brierley have done it before. Fev is a good club with a good young British coach, Tom Holmes has the quality to perform at the top level hopefully he'll serve his apprenticeship and be back.

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