Winger David Fusitu'a had just two NYC appearances in a year when he made his first grade debut (12 games) and backline utility Tuimoala Lolohea had one NYC game early in the season before returning to the side just before the finals. The middle part of the year saw him play three NRL games and 14 NSW Cup games.
Solomone Kata, Sam Lisone, Ngataua Hukatai, Michael Ki, Mason Lino, Metia Lisati and Ken Maumalo also played NSW Cup football throughout the season and will look to continue their development in 2015 after finishing their NYC career's in Sunday's 34-32 win over Brisbane. Of that group, final hat-trick scorer Kata and Lisone will join the NRL squad fulltime next year, along with 17-year-old fullback Brad Abbey.
"They're the obvious ones but there will be a couple more out of there," said NYC coach, and newly appointed 2015 NSW Cup coach, Stacey Jones. "Brad Abbey will move into that group to train fulltime with the NRL squad so that's exciting for his development but he's still a couple of years away. He's talented and his game has really come on from the start of the year.
"We had to stick with him, he struggled at the beginning with the physicality of it, but he's coming good now and he's been one of our best players, especially in this latter part of the year. He's really stood up and played some really good footy."
NYC co-captain Lisone has a strong all-round game, with skill and agility complementing his size and power, and says his time playing NSW Cup has fuelled his ambitions for 2015.
"I enjoyed rubbing shoulders with guys who play in the NRL and playing against opposition that play in the NRL so it's been cool," Lisone said. "It makes you a stronger player both physically and mentally, so next year I'll get the opportunity to spend more time up there and hopefully push for first grade."
Similarly, the fleet-footed Lolohea remains eligible to play NYC next year but has his sights set on again achieving higher honours.
"My goal is to play first grade and play more games than I did this year, so that's my goal for the offseason and preseason," Lolohea said.
The NYC has also proved to be a stepping stone for Jones, who will replace outgoing NSW Cup coach Rohan Smith, who is joining the Gold Coast Titans NRL coaching staff, while Junior Warriors assistant Kelvin Wright will succeed Jones in the head coaching role.
"Stepping up to the NSW Cup is exciting, a great challenge," Jones said. "The Warriors mean everything to me and I'll do all I can to help us to get to the next level."
- By David Skipwith of the NZ Herald
