NEW things are always exciting and I have to say, I am keen to see whether TRL players embrace a new opportunity to chase their NRL dream.

Reality television competitions are nothing new, but Channel Nine has announced a rugby league first offering up a one-year NRL contract to the winner of The NRL Rookie.

The series is open to players at least 20 years old who have not played an NRL game previously or have not competed in the Intrust Super Cup, NSW Cup or under 20s Holden Cup in the past three years.

That means the bulk of the players in the TRL would be eligible to enter.

The series will be broadcast next year and it will be interesting to see whether players from the TRL feature prominently in the series.

Other sports like Australian Rules football and boxing have featured in reality TV series' but it will be particularly interesting to see how players from the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley respond to the opportunity given the strong following and participation the sport has in the region.

Given some of the talent on show in the TRL, there could be a player from here that could be on the fast-track to the NRL.

Players can work for years in grass roots and state league trying to break into the NRL so much in the way reality singing competitions can create overnight pop stars, it will be interesting to see whether a rugby league player rushed into the NRL environment can thrive.

Former NRL player Garth Wood progressed from winning boxing reality TV show The Contender Australia in 2010 to take on some of the biggest names in Australian boxing this decade.

He caused a shock upset in 2010 when he recorded a KO win over Anthony Mundine before going on to fight the likes of Sam Soliman and Daniel Geale.

I'll be keen to see how The NRL Rookie plays out and if TRL players chase the fast-track to the NRL.

The NRL Rookie is pen to those who have never played in the NRL or competed in the Intrust Super Cup, NSW Cup or Holden Cup in the past three years.

Go to http://www.nrlrookie.com to enter.