Studs or duds: Best and worst signings of 2025 NRL season under the microscope
From the unwanted prop who’s become one of the NRL’s best forwards, to the premiership-winning halfback who has been axed to reserve grade, it’s been mixed fortunes for 2025’s signings. We separate the studs from the duds.
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It’s time to sort out the studs from the duds when it comes to new signings for 2025. Five rounds into the season is enough time to put the new recruits under the microscope and make some brave calls on who’s hot and who’s not.
STUDS
Ben Hunt (Broncos)
The playmaker’s return to Red Hill has been nothing short of amazing. One of two players the Broncos picked up in the off-season, Hunt has looked right at home wearing a Brisbane jersey again. The 35-year-old has turned back the clock with three try assists and four from five wins to start the year. With Broncos landing Hunt for around $550,000 a season, he’s the buy of the year.
Zac Lomax (Eels)
Despite a fractured foot which will keep him out for up to six weeks, there’s no denying Lomax has been outstanding for the battling Eels in the opening five rounds and one of the best signings of the year. Slotted the field in golden point in last weekend’s win over the Dragons before suffering the foot injury. According to the Code Sports NRL stats, Lomax is second at the Eels for run metres (784) and leads tackle busts (24).
Savelio Tamale (Raiders)
The former Dragons winger has set a high standard since making his club debut for Canberra in their season opener in Las Vegas. Tamale, 20, is six games into his first grade career and is leading all wingers for tackle breaks with 33. Was expected to share time with Albert Hopoate, who has since torn his ACL, meaning the wing spot is Tamale’s for the keeping.
Marcelo Montoya (Bulldogs)
Having found his mojo back where his career started, the livewire winger has been a great addition to a Bulldogs team which sits on top of the competition. Montoya has added plenty of strike and his energy is lifting his teammates. Considering Montoya replaced Josh Addo-Carr, who was on a $500,000 contract, the Bulldogs can consider their purchase of the former Warriors flyer as money well spent.
Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)
The superstar prop has more than justified his big money move to Cronulla with some outstanding performances. Code Sports NRL stats reveals the Sharks enforcer is the leading prop in NRL for run metres with 807, ahead of Brisbane’s Payne Haas (759m).
Fonua-Blake has quickly proven he is worth every penny of deal which is around $1 million-a-season.
Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm)
Made the move from the Tigers and is thriving under Craig Bellamy. Utoikamanu has stepped up to be the club’s most dominant front rower, racking up 382 running metres and 16 tackle busts, which is equal third in the Storm side. If he keeps it up, it won’t be long before Utoikamanu adds to his one State of Origin game for NSW in 2023.
Clint Gutherson (Dragons)
A team desperate for leadership, and that’s exactly what Gutherson has brought to the Dragons. Gutherson is the equal leading fullback for line breaks (six) in the NRL and also has a league high 11 line break assists for a No.1. The veteran is probably doing a little more than he should in attack as the Dragons halves stuggle, but a busy Gutherson is good news for the Dragons.
Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs)
The bargain purchase of the year, Humphreys came to Souths as a reserve grader and has proven himself an NRL standard player. Has been terrific through the opening four rounds before he was struck down by a hamstring injury. Another stroke of genius from coach Wayne Bennett who will no doubt throw the keys to the team back to Humphreys when he recovers from his hamstring issues.
Terrell May (Tigers)
On a team which could have five players qualify for buy of the year, Terrell May reigns supreme not only over the Wests Tigers, but maybe the entire NRL. Unwanted at the Roosters, May has quickly placed himself in the top three front rowers in the game, and is in contention for a Blues jersey in a couple of months time. May has the most runs of any prop in the NRL this season (91) and played more minutes (345) than any other front rower in the comp.
DUDS
Carter Gordon (Titans)
Harsh but we have to make the call on the former Wallaby to include him. Through no fault of his own has been ruled out indefinitely with a rare back injury. Was turning heads in pre-season for the Titans and looked on track to play a part in Des Hasler’s 2025 campaign before he was struck down with injury. There’s no doubting his abililty and potential, hopefully we see him bounce back and get on the field soon to show what he can do at NRL level.
John Bateman (Cowboys)
Needed a change after a horrid run with the Wests Tigers, but Bateman is battling to find the form and intensity that made him the best second-rower in the league. The English veteran has become a defensive liability for North Queensland missing the most tackles (22) in his team, according to Code Sports NRL stats. Bateman’s attack has also not been on par, averaging less 77 running metres per game.
Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers)
Fans clamoured for the old Papali’i back after a rough couple of years, but it seems as though his form from his time at the Tigers has carried through to Penrith. Seems a shadow of the try-scoring, gamebreaking edge back rower who took the Eels to a grand final only three seasons ago. Papali’i has had little impact on the Panthers so far, only winning one game and struggling to make an impact.
Lachlan Ilias (Dragons)
The halfback has struggled to find his feet since joining the Dragons, with his every move highlighted and critiqued. Ilias is struggling to make an impact and is lucky to have survived the axe after last weekend’s loss to Parramatta. He’s on borrowed time and has to aim up soon. Only recording one try assist and 58 running metres for the entire season, Ilias is not living up to what the Dragons wanted when signing him at the end of last year.
Lewis Dodd (Rabbitohs)
The big name UK signing from St Helens brought in to replace Ilias has ended up as the Rabbitohs’ fourth string halfback. After a poor trial run, Dodd was stuck in NSW Cup, and the week which he had the opportunity to get out, he went and got suspended. The Super League and World Club Challenge-winning No.7, Dodd has sadly not lived up to expectations so far.
Chad Townsend (Roosters)
Has been a disaster for the Roosters. Yes, he was only brought to the club as a back up half and only thrust into first grade due to Sam Walker doing his ACL. Townsend has plenty of good judges asking why the Roosters bought him at all. Axed for Friday’s game against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium and it’s hard to see him playing first grade again unless the Roosters suffer another injury crisis.
Junior Tupou (Dolphins)
When signed by the Dolphins from the Tigers, Tupou was touted as a starting winger with enormous potential. But two games into the year and the former Tiger was one of the first on the chopping block at the battling Dolphins. Tupou made five errors in his two games for the Dolphins and was unable to score a try and has been battling away in Queensland Cup since.
Originally published as Studs or duds: Best and worst signings of 2025 NRL season under the microscope
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