Big, strong and fast – Tom Learoyd has all the tools to be one of the game's elite forwards.

An Australian schoolboys star alongside Karmichael Hunt in 2003, Learoyd made his first grade debut for Brisbane in 2004 while still a teenager.

He showed enough in those few appearances to indicate the Broncos may have unearthed something special.

Injury limited his progress in 2005, restricting him to only two first grade appearances as the Broncos' season waned come finals time.

But that didn't stop Canberra weighing in with an attractive offer for the imposing forward, the Raiders recognising the promise of this young powerhouse.

Forwards with Learoyd’s size - he stands a commanding 192cm and tips the scales at an equally powerful 114kg - and speed are as rare as hen’s teeth.

At the age of 18, he was already the biggest man at the Broncos.

Learoyd lost that mantle when Brad Thorn returned - but he remains a handful for opponents. Not bad when you consider he's still growing.

Heaven forbid what awaits the NRL when Learoyd reaches his potential.