Predicted 2025 NRL ladder through six rounds: Broncos, Storm undefeated; Roosters last

Two NRL glamour clubs will have contrasting starts to their 2025 campaigns. See every club’s predicted ladder position through the first six rounds.

The Michael Maguire effect is taking shape and Brisbane could be off to a perfect start to the NRL season while the forecast doesn’t look as promising for the Sydney Roosters.

The embattled Broncos had a shocker last year but have every chance to repay the faith of their fans across the first six rounds of the competition.

They spend the first two weeks on the road, facing the Roosters at Allianz Stadium and the Raiders in Canberra, before camping for the next month at home at Suncorp Stadium.

A Round 4 clash with the Dolphins is technically an away game for Brisbane, and while they face the Wests Tigers and Roosters for the second time, their biggest challenge to an undefeated start to the year is North Queensland in a Friday night blockbuster in Round 3.

At the other end of the ladder, the Roosters have a rough start to the year which will already be impacted by injuries and they’ll be relying heavily on veteran playmaker Chad Townsend to steer the team in the absence of halfback Sam Walker who isn’t expected back from a knee injury until midway through the season.

They face the Broncos twice, Penrith in Round 2 at the Panthers’ makeshift home at CommBank Stadium, as well as a road trip to play the Warriors in Auckland.

Last year’s grand finalists Melbourne could join the Broncos in making a perfect start to the season, reflecting the premiership favourites tag they’ve been marked with for 2025.

A bye in Round 2 will help their ladder position early, but the grand final rematch against Penrith at AAMI Park a week later is a huge test they’ll want to pass.

By then they’re expected to have Nelson Asofa-Solomona back on the paddock, as well as new recruit Stefano Utoikamanu, in two huge changes to their grand final side.

That game could also be the only match that brings Penrith unstuck across the first six weeks, which starts in Las Vegas against last year’s preliminary finalists Cronulla.

Originally published as Predicted 2025 NRL ladder through six rounds: Broncos, Storm undefeated; Roosters last