Payne Haas, Tom Trbojevic, David Fifita: who will be the NRL’s best in 2025?
With one of the most talented crop of youngsters ever seen in rugby league, the experts at Fox League pick the player they believe will be the NRL’s best in 2025. VOTE HERE
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Right now, you can take your pick between Sydney Roosters star James Tedesco, Storm veteran Cameron Smith and North Queensland’s Tongan tearaway Jason Taumalolo as the best player in the NRL.
But in the next wave of players, who will be in the discussion as the best in the league in 2025?
We asked a panel of league legends and got some interesting result
Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
WHO WILL BE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE COMPETITION IN 2025?
NATHAN HINDMARSH
Straight away Tommy Trbojevic comes to mind. What he is doing now is outstanding, and I just think he will get to that point where he will be smarter about where he will turn up on the field.
He pretty much won the game for Manly in round 2 against the Roosters with his defence.
He chased Luke Keary down when Keary thought he was home and hosed for a try.
Tommy is a competitor who doesn’t give up and I think if he remains injury free, he will be one of the players to keep an eye on.
MICK ENNIS
On recent form over the last 12 months, I’d go with Payne Haas.
It has been incredible what he has been able to do at such a young age.
I expect him to get better with more experience.
I just love Payne’s physicality through the middle of the field. He is two metres tall, 115 kilos and he has got the agility of some outside backs.
His motor and his workrate as a young fella in the front-row is unbelievable. I think we will see Payne dominate for a long time.
I’m also a massive fan of Tom Trbojevic. If his body holds up, I think he can be one of the best players in the game for a long time.
COREY PARKER
David Fifita is a scary one and Tommy Turbo is still young, and he is a weapon.
But because I’m a forward and I’m more biased towards them, I’ll go with Payne Haas.
He is almost the best forward in the game now and he is 20.
Traditionally front rowers don’t hit their peak until around that 25 mark.
I’m fortunate that I get to see Payne train almost every day through my role at the Broncos.
I get to see how destructive he is right now, but he has still got so much more improvement left in his game.
He is big, fast and hard to tackle, but you add an offload, a pre-line pass and you add five years’ experience and boy or boy he could be anything.
GREG ALEXANDER
I immediately think of Tom Trbojevic. I picked Tom to win the Dally M this year - I thought he was in for a big year.
He is only 23 and our best players have tended to come from fullback. They have just got more opportunity to attack, especially when they have all the skills.
Tom can pass the ball; he is a great runner and he is still growing into his body.
He is a fantastic athlete, but he has got the skills to go with the athleticism.