AAP

South Sydney youngster Dylan Farrell would love nothing more than to help the Bunnies get through to the NRL finals, but the rookie centre has a decent fallback if it doesn't come to fruition.

Farrell will line up in the centres for the Rabbitohs' NRL side on Sunday, which could have its finals fate decided before it takes the field against minor premiers St George Illawarra.

While he refuses to give up hope of Souths squeezing into the top eight, Farrell will get to experience finals in some form with the club's under 20s side currently first on the ladder heading into the last game of the National Youth Competition (NYC) season.

And he would surely be welcomed back by under 20s coach David Kidwell, with the 19-year-old named in the centres in the NYC team of the year.

"That would be good too (playing NYC finals), but hopefully first grade makes the semis," Farrell said.

"If not, I'd love to go back to the 20s - I love all the boys there and they helped me get into this team of the year.

"We're a really tight unit."

Farrell was joined in the team of the year by other NRL debutants such as Gold Coast backrower Ryan James, St George Illawarra winger Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa and Warriors centre Siuatonga Likiliki - the only player from last year's side to be honoured again.

James' feat was all the more outstanding give he played just 12 games in the NYC, with NRL call-ups and injury limiting his time in the junior competition.

The former Peter Sterling Medal winner for schoolboy footballer of the year in 2008, said his brief experience in the NRL had benefitted him on his return to the NYC.

"Just the confidence of knowing you can go out there and mix it with the big boys and hold your own," James said of playing in the NRL.

"(Titans NRL coach John Cartwright) was happy with my games, he just wanted me to work on a few things which is why I've gone back down to NYC."

Of the 17 players named in the team of the year, five are headed to different clubs in 2011.

Fai-Fai Loa and Brisbane prop Tariq Sims - brother of Broncos prop Ashton - are heading to North Queensland, Likiliki has signed with Newcastle, Manly backrower Lama Tasi will join Sydney Roosters while Roosters halfback Brad Murray will head to Parramatta.

Team: Dane Gagai (Broncos), Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa (Dragons), Dylan Farrell (Rabbitohs), Siuatonga Likiliki (Warriors), Josh Mansour (Rabbitohs), Aidan Sezer (Bulldogs), Sam Williams (Raiders), Tariq Sims (Broncos), James Segeyaro (Cowboys), Andrew Clayton (Broncos), Ryan James (Titans), Sam Mataora (Raiders), Ethan Cook (Knights). Interchange: Brad Murray (Roosters), Dale Finucane (Bulldogs), Matt Hyland (Tigers), Lama Tasi (Sea Eagles). Coach: Andrew Patmore (Bulldogs).

© 2010 AAP
Brought to you by