Fiji Bati forwards Viliame Kikau and Tariq Sims has been short listed in the 64‑man list for the Rugby League Players Association Players' Champion award.
The shortlist is dripping with young talent with the likes of James Roberts, Valentine Holmes, the Trbojevic brothers, and Luke Brooks all earning a start, as well as 2017 champion James Tedesco.
NRL legend Petero Civoniceva believes the openness of the Telstra Premiership season will carry over into award season, as the competition heats up for the 2018 Players' Champion.
Civoniceva is one of only two people to share the prestigious award, having been tied for votes with Braith Anasta 10 years ago.
Civoniceva believes the winner could come from left field as the next generation of stars such as Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook battle with the game's established veterans.
Four players from each club have been nominated.
The top five nominees for the award will be announced on NRL.com next Thursday.
With around 5000 games of NRL experience retiring at the end of 2018, several old hands are bowing out on top with veterans Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and James Maloney nominated for the top gong.
Here are the nominees
Brisbane:
Jamayne Isaako, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, James Roberts.
Canberra:
Josh Papalii, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine, Elliot Whitehead
Canterbury:
Will Hopoate, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, Josh Morris
Cronulla:
Valentine Holmes, Matt Moylan, Matt Prior, Andrew Fifita
Gold Coast:
Jai Arrow, Michael Gordon, Ryan James, Anthony Don
Manly:
Joel Thompson, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Daly Cherry‑Evans
Melbourne:
Nelson Asofa‑Solomona, Cameron Munster, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater
Newcastle:
Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Aidan Guerra, Kalyn Ponga, Sione Mata'utia
New Zealand Warriors:
Issac Luke, Ken Maumalo, Roger Tuivasa‑Sheck, Blake Green
North Queensland:
Kyle Feldt, Jason Taumalolo, Johnathan Thurston, Gavin Cooper
Parramatta:
Daniel Alvaro, George Jennings, Tepai Moeroa, Mitchell Moses
Penrith:
James Fisher‑Harris, Viliame Kikau, Isaah Yeo, James Maloney
South Sydney:
Damien Cook, Angus Crichton, Cody Walker, Sam Burgess
St George Illawarra:
Cameron McInnes, Tariq Sims, Gareth Widdop, Paul Vaughan
Sydney Roosters:
Blake Ferguson, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell
Wests Tigers:
Luke Brooks, Esan Marsters, Corey Thompson, Ben Matulino
[Source : NRL]
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