David Nofoaluma
Age: 19
2013 NRL Games: 12
Part of the premiership-winning Wests Tigers NYC side in 2012, Nofoaluma made his NRL debut this year in Round 10 against South Sydney.
One of the real excitement machines of the NRL, the Campbelltown juniors highlight of the season is also a strong contender for the try of the year. The effort against Manly in Round 20 is being called the Try of the decade.
A horror run of injuries opened the door for the winger to make his debut, with the talented youngster taking full advantage of the opportunity. Nofoaluma sent the Leichhardt Oval crowd crazy in just his second NRL game, scoring the match-winner against North Queensland. Nofoalumas put-down just inside the corner-post broke a seven-game losing streak and was the beginning of a whirlwind 2013 season for the young gun.
KEY STATISTICS
-Nofoaluma has scored 8 tries in 12 games.
-Ranked the number one winger in the NRL for average tackle breaks per game with 5.5 a match. James Roberts (4.8 per game), Jorge Taufua (4), Brett Morris (3.6) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (3.6) make up the top five.
-9 line-breaks this season.
MICK POTTER SAYS
David had a slow start to the year, he had an injury early. He completed all of pre-season and was looking on track to be in contention for a first grade spot. He suffered an injury and had to work his way back through Under 20s and performed well.
He finally got his spot in Round 10 and he hasnt looked back from there. He has got progressively better and better. Davids positional play, catching, deception, ability to carry the ball and beat tackles have all got progressively better.
David is working well with James (Tedesco) at the back. Ive been really happy with him, he has scored some really dynamic tries that I dont think too many other players of his age would be able to score.
We practiced finishing (scoring) in the pre-season because it becomes a skill to get the ball down without touching the line and to get yourself in the air to avoid the cover defence coming across. Knowing when to be able to out-pace the defence and step back on the inside is an art. He has been doing well at that, his catching ability has also come along way this season.
CHECK OUT DAVID NOFOALUMA'S PLAYER PROFILE
FOLLOW DAVID ON TWITTER
VOTE FOR DAVID BELOW:
survey tools
