The best trend I've noticed since starting this Reserve Grade Kiwis thing is that of the 12 players we've looked at so far, only Pita Godinet is closer to the end of his career than that start and he's not even that old in an NRL context. There's bound to be some reserve grade troopers who have been battling away in New South Wales or Queensland for a while now but take a look at this list of players that I've covered so far and then the three in this week's version and note their names down as their best years are very much ahead of them.

Manaia Cherrington
Pita Godinet
Peter Gubb
Brad Abbey
Adam Tuimavave-Gerard
Abraham Papalii
Taane Milne
Ken Tofilau
Tony Tumusa

David Bhana | 23 years | Northcote Tigers

Having come through the ranks with the Warriors, David Bhana was shown the Mt Smart door last year. Bhana's certainly doesn't fit the mould of the young forwards that the Warriors have in their NRL squad at the moment, but he is the sort of workhorse player that the Warriors have lacked coming through. It was a bummer to see Bhana go, however he was swiftly snapped up by Newcastle and has since gone on to feature in the NRL this season.

The Knights aren't too flash this season though and Bhana has been up and down between NRL and reserve grade footy. Despite that, I can't help but be positive about Bhana's future with the Knights as he's a young bloke in a young footy team that will only get better with more experience. Also working in Bhana's favour is that he's almost a replica of Jeremy Smith who has been a constant presence in the No.13 jersey for Newcastle in recent years and with Smith set to retire at the end of the season, there's a clear pathway laid out for Bhana to get a greater opportunity in the NRL.

Bhana is a typical No.13 in that he works extremely hard and takes tough carries to ease the burden on big forwards. So far in the NRL, Bhana has mainly come off the bench and while any NRL game time is good, it's hard to see how this suits Bhana's style of play as he doesn't offer a whole lot of impact and if anything, it's his utility value that works in his favour here as he can cover hooker, prop and play on an edge. 

It's the No.13 jersey that Bhana will wear against his former club this weekend, starting in a Knights side that also features Reserve Grade Kiwis Ken Tofilau, Mao Uta, Tama Koopu and Uiti Baker. 

Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors | Hunter Stadium | 12:40pm Sat (Aus).

Fa'amanu Brown | 21 years | Hornby Panthers

Making his NRL debut with Cronulla back in 2014, Fa'amanu Brown then suffered a season-destroying knee injury in the pre-season last year and hasn't quite been able to crack the Sharks NRL side in 2016. The Sharks opted to bring in James Maloney and Chad Townsend instead of giving Brown greater responsibility which wasn't ideal from our perspective but it does give Brown the opportunity to fine-tune his game in reserve grade, especially as he's still only 21 and has already shown his potential with Samoa.

With the Sharks' NRL side going pretty well, led by Maloney and Townsend, it's hard to complain and Brown has an opportunity to steer the Newtown Jets around the park as he's their starting halfback. The Jets are aligned with Cronulla and also feature fellow Cantabrian Matt McIlwrick at hooker along with Kurt Kara and Arana Taumata. 

Brown must simply demand selection through dominant performances with Newtown and wait for an opportunity with Cronulla, coming through injury or suspension to Maloney or Townsend. The Sharks have Jack Bird who could slot into the halves but Brown is is far more suited to playing in the halves at the NRL level and he's helped by being left-footed and having a strong kicking game.

Newtown Jets vs Wentworthville Magpires | Henson Park | 3pm Sat (Aus)

Braden Uele | 21 years | Glenora Bears

If I were to give you a young kiwi prop to pay attention to in the next few years, given their individual talent and how fit in with their NRL club, it's gotta be Braden Uele. Uele moved across the ditch to join the Roosters Under-20s team and was then recruited by the Cowboys, so Uele made his may on up to Townsville and he has since graduated from the Under-20s with the Cowboys to the Mackay Cutters where he's beating up grown men.

Uele already had many folk excited about his future in the NRL and we have to consider Uele in the context of being a promising big bopper with arguably the best club in the NRL. It's not like Uele is short on blokes he can turn to for assistance as he can take his pick from Matt Scott, James Tamou or Jason Taumalolo. We have seen this season that Uele is down the pecking-order with the Cowboys as young forwards like John Asiata and Patrick Kaufusi have enjoyed greater opportunities ahead of Uele but I'm excited that Uele is being given time in reserve grade to perfect his craft.

Uele starts at prop for Mackay this weekend, alongside Jordan Pereira (wing) and John Faletagoa'i (centre). We may see Uele get an opportunity int he NRL this season with both Scott and Tamou required for Origin but the Cowboys do have experienced depth in these positions as well as younger players who appear ahead of Uele so I wouldn't bank on Uele getting a run this season. Keep his name in mind though, he'll definitely get an opportunity at some stage.

CQ Capras vs Mackay Cutters | Browne Park | 6pm Sat (Aus)