After playing a solitary NRL game in his debut season, teenage centre Enari Tuala announced himself as a first grader in 2018.

The Cairns product began the season in brilliant form for Cowboys feeder club the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup, earning himself an NRL call-up in Round 11 against South Sydney.

Cowboys head coach Paul Green opted to play Tuala from the bench in his first two appearances of the season before thrusting him into the starting line-up for the Round 13 clash with Manly.

He scored his first try in the top grade against the Sea Eagles, capatilising on some spectacular acrobatics from winger Kyle Feldt.

Tuala crossed the stripe again against Parramatta in Round 14 and would hold down the right centre spot until late in the season before returning to the Pride to finish the season in the Queensland Cup.

With long-time centre Kane Linnett departing the club, Tuala will be a leading candidate to replace the 2015 premiership-winner in 2019.

2018 stats:

Games: 10

Tries: 2

Tackle breaks: 17

Runs per game: 9

Run metres per game: 78

Tackles per game: 15