2024 Rugby League Fantasy Breakout Candidates: As GDS is a dynasty platform, it's important to always keep in mind what your squad would look like beyond the current season. In this blog we are going to cover one player in each position that may be a future star in GDS Rugby League or has the opportunity to break out this season.
Blake Mozer – Hooker
Team: Broncos
DOB: 2/5/04 (19 years old)
NRL Caps: 1
Contract: 2 years
2023 Positional Rank: 41
2023 Average: 12
Mozer is a young talented hooker for the future. At only 19 years old, there have already been some comparisons to the great Cameron Smith. There are big wraps on this kid, and I believe he may move above Cory Paix and Tyson Smoothy in the pecking order this season. He has only made the one appearance in the NRL and that was off the interchange against the Storm in round 27 last year. In the 2023 Queensland Cup he played for the Magpies and averaged 49 minutes a game. After applying the GDS scoring to his stats he would have averaged 36 points at a PPM of 0.74. Due to his age, these numbers aren't too bad and I'm only expecting him to improve as time goes on. I don't think he will be fantasy relevant this season, but he may have an opportunity to be the starting hooker at some stage. Who knows what the future holds for Mozer, but he is contracted to the Broncos for the next two seasons. As he is still relatively unknown, this might be the best chance GDS coaches have at acquiring him for a discount. If everything goes well for Mozer, he may be a gun fantasy player in the future.
Tom Gilbert - Middle Forward
Team: Dolphins
DOB: 5/8/00 (23 years old)
NRL Caps: 58
Contract: 5 years
2023 Positional Rank: 19th
2023 Average: 43 points
Gilbert was off to a great start in 2023 before his season was cut short due to injury. This season he enters his fifth season in the NRL, and I think this could be his breakout season. After playing his first three seasons at the Cowboys, he moved to the Dolphins in 2023 and has a contract with them until 2028. After watching him play a few games last season, I can see him becoming the leader of the Dolphins pack. This season I'm expecting him to step it up another level and have him projected for 48-52 points per game. I don't think he will make it to gun status just yet, but I can see him being one of the top ten averaging middle forwards in 2024. Gilbert is also a Queensland rep, and his card may come in handy over the NSW vs QLD competition. Looking at 2025 and beyond, I think he has a fantasy game that could make him a top five middle forward in the future.
Jacob Preston – Edge Forward
Team: Bulldogs
DOB: 11/10/01 (22 years old)
NRL Caps: 20
Contract: 4 years
2023 Positional Rank: 7th
2023 Average: 48 points
Preston had a breakout season in 2023 and I believe he has a promising future in the NRL. Last season he ranked inside the top ten and he made the GDS team of the week twice. I don't think he will make it into too many GDS coaches starting squads each week, but he is a solid backup option if called upon. At the edge forward position, he is one of the best dynasty options and I'm expecting his value only to rise as the season goes on.
Sam Walker – Halfback
Team: Roosters
DOB: 16/6/02 (21 years old)
NRL Caps: 56
Contract: 2 years
2023 Positional Rank: 13th
2023 Average: 46 points
I've been high on Walker for some time and it was disappointing to see his 2023 season be interrupted by injury. At only 21 years old, he already has a fair bit of experience in the top grade. He is another player that is improving each season and I think he's in for a big year as I'm expecting the Roosters to be one of the top four teams. The Roosters are likely to have plenty of points in them and with Walker being the goal kicker, this is great news for GDS coaches. Due to his injury last season and the dominance that Cleary and Hynes have shown at the halves position in GDS, it seems that Walker has been flying under the radar. Walker has a very bright future and I think we will see him in a Maroons jersey in the next 2-3 years. I'm expecting him to average 50-55 points this season and finish as one of the top ten halves. If you don't already have his card, it may be worth checking out the Transfer Market and look at acquiring him.
Tolutau Koula – Centre
Team: Sea Eagles
DOB: 2/9/02 (21 years old)
NRL Caps: 39
Contract: 4 years
2023 Positional Rank: 36th
2023 Average: 33 points
Koula is a speedster that has utility value as he can either play at centre, wing, or fullback. Playing as fullback, he scored 130 points against the Wests Tigers in round 27 and this was the highest score by any player last season. Like 2023, it seems that he will be spending most of his time at centre this season. He averaged 25 points at centre in 2023 and this is nothing to write home about. It's more than likely that he is going to be overlooked by GDS coaches when he is starting at centre, but he can be a home run selection if he plays at fullback. I think Koula has a promising future ahead of him and as time goes on, he will grow in his role as a centre. Personally, I think Koula would be a great addition to any coach's squad as he offers a very high ceiling in certain situations.
Selwyn Cobbo – Wing
Team: Broncos
DOB: 5/6/02 (21 years old)
NRL Caps: 49
Contract: 2 years
2023 Positional Rank: 9th
2023 Average: 41 points
With Herbie Farnworth departing for the Dolphins, it seems that Cobbo is likely to have the first crack at the vacant centre position. In his debut season he played his first four games at centre and averaged 36 points over these games. I anticipate that getting acclimated to playing centre in first grade may take some time. With him being such a young talented footballer, I'm sure he will offer GDS coaches some decent upside as time goes on. As there is uncertainty on how he will perform at centre, now might be a good time to look and add him to your squad. You never know, he might just become one of the best centres in the NRL.
Jayden Campbell – Fullback
Team: Titans
DOB: 7/2/00 (24 years old)
NRL Caps: 43
Contract: 3 years
2023 Positional Rank: 19th
2023 Average: 34 points
Off season rumours coming out of the Titans camp have indicated that Brimson will move into the centres and Campbell will have the first crack at fullback. Campbell is one of my favourite players to watch, he just looks so dangerous any time he touches the ball. Last season he started at fullback in nine games and across these games he averaged 51 points. If he averaged this score across the season, he would be knocking on the door of the top five fullbacks in GDS. Campbell is a real talent, I think we may see him have a breakout season if he holds onto the fullback spot and stays injury free.