Brad Fittler overhauled the NSW team with 13 debutants last year, marking a new era for the state, and is prepared to continue the blooding after singling out five potential new faces.
Fittler dipped into his pool of talent in the Emerging Blues squad and extended train-on squad, which he both revealed in November, naming Tevita Pangai Jnr, Cameron Murray, Payne Haas, Campbell Graham and Zac Lomax on his watch list.
Murray and Pangai Jnr, the two candidates from the train-on squad, could be considered to be closer to selection, earmarked as two forwards with some of the brightest futures in the game.
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Haas and Lomax will be looking to establish themselves as regular first graders after having a taste of NRL action last season, while Graham aims to build on his first full season where he played a crucial role in South Sydney's run to the finals.
“I think South Sydney have got some great juniors,” Fittler told NSWRL.com.au's Five with Fittler.
“Campbell Graham and Cam Murray are a couple of young kids coming through.
“I think at Brisbane, Payne Haas and Tevita Pangai (Junior) just to name a couple were the best kids coming through.
“Zac Lomax is another one who was one of the real shining lights coming through the junior Pathways.
“There are about five to watch out for, for the start of the year.”
The quintet have 11 rounds to prove their case before NSW's team is named in late May.
Earlier in the year, Fittler reiterated the incumbent team will get the first look-in, admitting he is likely to adopt a pick-and-stick policy after his revamped side put a halt to Queensland's dominance.
However, the door is never closed with injury and poor form commonly occurring in the early parts of the season.
A spot may already be open with Dragons forward Jack de Belin stood down under the NRL's new no fault policy, pitting Murray against Pangai Jnr for the middle forward role.
