Where are they now? The last five Super League Young Player of the Year winners

We’ve looked back at the last five men to win the Super League Young Player of the Year Award to see how their career has gone since that crowing moment.

Super League Young Player of the Year is a title handed out at the end-of-season awards and over the years, it has been won by some of the finest talents that our competition has ever seen.

The first-ever winner was Keiron Cunningham, which set the tone for what a prestigious award it would be, with Lee Briers claiming the title the year after.

Other winners across the years include Rob Burrow (2001), Sam Burgess (2007), Sam Tomkins (2009 and 2010) and most recently Junior Nsemba.

Nsemba had a dominant season as he starred for the best team in the land with Wigan Warriors lifting every single piece of silverware available. Not only did Nsemba lift the Young Player of the Year award, beating out Saints’ George Delaney and Warrington’s Matty Nicholson, he also made the Super League Dream Team.

The 20-year-old has signed a long-term contract tying him to Wigan until the end of the 2030 season and his future looks incredibly bright – but what of the five winners previous to him?

We’ve looked at the last five individuals to be crowned Super League Young Player of the Year to check in on how their career is going.

Where the past five Super League Young Player of the Year winners are now

2023 – Josh Thewlis (Warrington Wolves)

The Warrington winger, who has recently penned a long-term deal with the club, beat out Wigan’s Brad O’Neill and 2024 nominee Matty Nicholson to claim the crown in 2023. He would follow up his win with his best season yet, scoring 15 in 26 as Warrington made the Challenge Cup Final and Super League semi-finals. Still only 22, he could be the next player to get a call-up from England boss Shaun Wane if he continues to shine at Wire.

2022 and 2o21 – Jack Welsby (St Helens)

Jack Welsby claimed the award in both 2021 and 2022 after being nominated in 2020. Both of Welsby’s wins came in seasons when St Helens lifted the Super League title with the full-back proving critical in the team’s success. Since his win, he has gone on to cement the number one shirt for England and establish himself as a top three player in his position. He will be one of the favourites to claim the Man of Steel award in 2025.

2020 – Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)

Newman beat out Welsby and Harry Smith in 2020 highlighting what a strong season he had, however, he perhaps hasn’t taken off as some other winners have. Newman is among the most talented players in Super League but injuries and inconsistency have prevented him from being considered the best in his position – something he is certainly capable of. Despite that, 2024 saw him record his second-best try-scoring season and make the most appearances of his career whilst also featuring for his country. At 24, he could be set for his best season yet.

2019 – Matty Lees (St Helens)

Lees was the first prop forward to win the award since fellow Saints star James Graham had done so in 2006. Five years on and Lees is now established as one of the best in his position in Super League and among the first names on Shaun Wane’s England teamsheet. Lees recently spoke about his emerging leadership role with young props such as 2024 Young Player of the Year nominee George Delaney now looking to him for guidance –  a testament to his development.

2018 – Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers)

Jake Trueman will turn 26 a day after he debuts for Wakefield Trinity in Round One of Super League, meaning that the half still has plenty of time on his side. Once tipped to be in the England set-up, he followed up his 2018 season with an impressive 2019 one but injuries have hampered him since then. After playing a combined 59 games in 2018 and 2019, he would make just 67 across the next five seasons. His move to Wakefield Trinity will hopefully see Trueman kick on into the next stage of his career.