1/51Ahead of the 2025 NRL season, news.com.au has run its eyes over the best talent in the competition to give our Top 50 best players in the game. Photo Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
NRL glamour boys’ huge fall from grace
The 2025 NRL season could be the most open in history with a fresh faces entering the fray to become the game’s biggest names.
2/51#50: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans) - The Titans captain and Queensland enforcer had a full year off in 2024 after suffering an ACL injury. But he’ll be doing everything he can get ensure he gets back to being one of the best props in the game in 2025. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
3/51#49: Mitch Barnett (New Zealand Warriors) - After 10 seasons of slogging away in first grade, 2024 saw the prop break through into the rep arena and become one of the best props in the game. Alongside James Fisher-Harris in 2025, Barnett will form one half of a duo that will spark fear into the rest of the competition. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
4/5148: Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - While this might seem a little low for Mitchell (who on his day is a top 10 player) he’s down this low, having had to deal with injury and form issues throughout recent years. But with Wayne Bennett back, the only way is up for the 27-year-old - after he returns from yet another hamstring injury, which is expected to be in around round 5 against the Roosters. Photo: NRL Photos
5/51#47: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles) - Now a veteran in what could very well be his final or one of his final seasons, DCE is still one of the most important cogs in the Sea Eagles machine. Still boasting one of the game’s best tactical kicking games, the 36-year-old will be vital if the Manly want to do anything in 2025. Photo: NRL Photos
6/51#46: Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters) - At times it can feel like the Roosters enforcer was born into the wrong era, having been a stereotypical hit man from the lawless rugby league days of yore. But while he spends a fair bit of time in the sin bin, when he gets it right, Radley is one of the hardest-hitting forwards in the world. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
7/51#45: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Gold Coast Titans) - The 23-year-old is just the type of winger you want in the modern NRL - a tough-to-tackle finisher. In an underperforming side like the Titans, it was the four-point machine that soared to the top of the try-scoring ladder, and at 23, he’s bound to have a lot more success. Photo: Chris Hyde
8/51#44: Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters) - This could prove to be a controversial selection but Daniel Tupou is still one of the best in his position. When he’s getting on in years, Tupou still scored 21 tries (3rd in the NRL) and had a league-leading 31 linebreaks in 2024 to show he’s still got it. Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
9/51#43: Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights) - In a game where the centre position is beginning to be devalued, Bradman Best made the position his own. The bustling centre is a handful on the edges and starred in his second taste of Origin to prove that it wasn’t beginners luck when he debuted with two tries in 2023. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images
10/51#42: Jayden Campbell (Gold Coast Titans) - It’s not surprise the fleet-footed Jayden is the son of NRL legend Preston Campbell as he’s shown the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
11/51#41: Nicho Hynes (Cronulla Sharks) - At his best, Hynes should be a lot higher on the list but it feels like there’s a bit of a transition going on for his role in the Sharks team. After a huge hangover from a disastrous Origin debut in 2024, it appears Braydon Trindall may be the main ball player for Cronulla this season, but it should allow Hynes to do what he does best without the weight of expectation he was carrying on his shoulders. Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
12/51#40: Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers) - Robbed of the Dally M rookie of the year by a hip drop tackle, Galvin was still one of the best rookies to hit the field in 2024. While the Tigers won a third straight wooden spoon, the 19-year-old did a lot of good things that will give long suffering Tigers fans some hope - and make him an attractive prospect for rival clubs who want to prise him out of Concord. Photo: NRL Photos
13/51#39: Tyran Wishart (Melbourne Storm): The Swiss army knife of the NRL, Wishart can cover basically any position in the backline - and hooker. Having filled in for Cameron Munster when he was out with injury, his performances earned him a bench spot in the Storm’s stacked line up but there are plenty of other teams where he’d be a walk up starter for whatever piece they may need. Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
14/51#38: Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos) - At his best the most exciting talent in the NRL, Walsh could be right up with the best in the game. But the man who has Brisbane fans flocking to training and often leaving the footy field in his trademark pink Budgie Smugglers can go missing for times and appear to be more of a flat-track bully. However, there’s no denying the massive talent the youngster possesses. Photo: NRL Photos
15/51#37: David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans) - Fifita can be one of the most damaging edge forwards in the game and, at just 25, he still has many of his best years to come in the game. After getting a little lost in Justin Holbrook’s game-plan before the Des Hasler-era began last year, Fifita needs to get back to what he does best - running straight and hard. When he does that, he’s one of the most destructive runners in the game. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
16/51#36: Braydon Trindall (Cronulla Sharks) - Trindall above Hynes, you say? While Trindall has taken a couple of years to find his place, the back-end of last year really showed that he can lead a team around the field. While Hynes was battling with the pressure of running the side, Trindall finally came into his own late last year, leading his side to a breakthrough win over the Cowboys to make the preliminary final. It finally snapped an eight-game finals win drought and signalled that this may just be Trindall’s team now. Photo: NRL Photos
17/51#35: Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys) - The blokes that do the dirty work in the NRL are worth their weight in gold and Reuben Cotter is one of the great examples of that. Always up for the fight, to make a tackle, to take a hit up, he’s just the kind of player that every team needs. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
18/51#34: Matt Burton (Canterbury Bulldogs) - The man with the golden boot, Matt Burton has been a big reason behind the Bulldogs finals drought-breaking rise in 2024. And with the likes of Toby Sexton at halfback to straighten the attack, Burton may be able to shift some of the playmaking to his partner and bring back the running game that made him such a handful when he won Centre of the Year in 2021. Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images
19/51#33: Viliame Kikau (Canterbury Bulldogs) - At his best, one of the most destructive runners in the game, Viliame Kikau began to rediscover the form that made him such an X-factor for the Panthers last season. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images
20/51#32: Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans) - In a team stacked with fullbacks, the 20-year-old Kini has risen to the top of the tree. After starring in 2024, Kini became a New Zealand international in his preferred position of fullback, eating metres for breakfast in averaging 212m per game last season. Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images
21/51#31: Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos) - 2024 was one to forget for Payne Haas. Down from his lofty standards, Haas averaged his lowest ever run metre average with 136m per game, down from his average of 167m across his career. And it ended with a lisfranc injury which ended his season prematurely. But a fit Haas is a handful for any team and he’ll be looking to regain his crown of the best prop in the game. Photo: NRL Photos
22/51#30: Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Koloamatangi was a bright spot in a miserable season for the Rabbitohs last year. The hulking forward is always a handful and a strong start to the season could see him back in the Origin mix. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images
23/51#29: Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys) - Having already signed for the Roosters next season, it’s shown that Robson is already one of the best hookers in the game. Having previously shared the job with Api Koroisau, Robson was given the starting NSW Origin No. 9 jersey and backed it up in the stunning series victory. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
24/51#28: Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm) - After an injury interrupted 2024 after his pre-season groin injury before a mid-year double hip surgery saw him miss all three games of the State of Origin series, the superstar wasn’t at his most dominant last year. But it’s impossible to keep champions down and with the fire burning following a Grand Final loss, expect a big season for the Storm No. 6. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
25/51#27: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne Storm) - With youngster Sua Fa’alogo breathing down his neck, Papenhuyzen has continued to show great resilience in bouncing back from horrific injuries. Sporting a freakish turn of pace, the Storm fullback continues to prove he’s one of the best No. 1s in the game. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
26/51#26: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) - The 25-year-old British centre is quite simply one of the best in the business. Always a handful, Farnworth has gone from strength to strength at Redcliffe. Photo: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images
27/51#25: Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles) - The monstrous second rower has a chip on his shoulder after playing in the first two State of Origin matches last year. Wanting to get back to the top, there’s no doubt he can after developing into one of the Sea Eagles’ leaders up front. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images
28/51#24: Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys) - For some people, the burden of captaincy hangs heavy around their neck - not so for Tom Dearden, who took his game to the next level last year with the C next to his name. The Cowboys half came into his own last season sharing the captaincy with Reuben Cotter and, having added some Origin experience under his belt, he’s developed into one of the best halves in the game. Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
29/51#23: Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers) - 2025 will be a fascinating watch for Luai. Having gone to the Tigers from the four-time premiers the Panthers, it seems like it’s a no lose situation for Luai. But the year will be key for the half to show he played his role at the Panthers - and is good enough not to be anyone’s second fiddle. Picture: Rohan Kelly
30/51#22: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) - Reports of the demise of James Tedesco were greatly exaggerated as the Roosters fullback bounced back with a vengeance last year. Despite losing his rep spots and captaincy, Tedesco was back up to near 200m per game in 2024 and won the Dally M fullback of the year, and fell one point off winning the Dally M player of the year. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
31/51#21: Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers) - While they might be coming off a wooden spoon season, Koroisau showed he was the heart and soul of the Tigers. Always leading by example, if Koroisau continues to lead the side he has been, with the signings of Luai, Terrell May and Sunia Turuva, they may finally be able to right the ship at Concord. Photo: NRL Photos
32/51#20: Joe Tapine (Canberra Raiders) - The Raiders may not have the big names or the flashy players of other clubs but players like Joe Tapine are the reason the club so often finds itself exceeding expectations. A no-nonsense workman, Tapine gets through mountains of work that can often go unappreciated. But it’s his example that drags the rest of his teammates with him. Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
33/51#19: Clint Gutherson (St George Illawarra Dragons) - It looked like it might be the beginning of the end last year after Gutho was forced out of Parramatta after a long hard season where he played through the pain of a knee injury. A step slower in pace and with younger stars coming through, it very well could have been all she wrote. But despite not having played a regular season game yet for the Red V, all the noise is that he’s changed the place for the better. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
34/51#18: Zac Lomax (Parramatta Eels) - Having taken the NRL by storm in 2024 as a winger, Lomax is set to shift back to the centres in his first season in the blue-and-gold. But after truly finding his place in the league, it’s hard to see him take a backwards step, particularly as he links up with his Origin teammate in Mitchell Moses to become a leading kick target in 2025. Picture: Instagram
35/51#17: Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers) - Some people may think him a grub, but Liam Martin is one of the game’s elite backrowers. The reigning Clive Churchill Medallist had a blinder in the Grand Final and few would doubt he deserves ever plaudit he gets. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
36/51#16: Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers) - While the Cleary’s and the Edwards’ get all the praise for the Panthers’ dynasty, Brian To’o has proven himself one of the side’s secret weapons. The bloke simply makes metres for fun. Incredibly, last season was a little dip, as he dropped to just 196m per game, dropping under 200m per game for the first time since 2020. But he’s become the example for every other winger, running the hard early runs against the tired defences. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
37/51#15: Scott Drinkwater (North Queensland Cowboys) - The Cowboys fullback has been one of the catalysts for success for his side from the back. Proving a key cog in the backline, Drinkwater was fourth in try assists last season while also making over 160m per game. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images
38/51#14: Pat Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos) - Leadership is a hard statistic to quantify but Pat Carrigan typifies what it looks like in the NRL. Never one to shy from hard runs or rolling his sleeves up in defence, Carrigan always leads from the front. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
39/51#13: Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks) - A world-class prop, Fonua-Blake showed just what he was made of in 2024. After signing early in the season with the Sharks, Fonua-Blake gave his all in a disappointing year for the Warriors, delivering 175m per game and a total of 84 tackle breaks, his highest tally while at the Warriors. He’ll be a great asset for the Sharks in 2025. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images
40/51#12: Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters) - A hard-running backrower, 2024 appeared to be the true making of Angus Crichton as an NRL weapon. With 11 tries and over 120m per game, Crichton played all three Origins for NSW and finished the year for Australia, cementing himself as one of the premier second rowers in the NRL. Picture: NRL Photos
41/51#11: Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs) - The Bulldogs skipper has been an inspiration for his side, leading from the centres as the Canterbury ended an eight year finals drought. While often a devalued position in the modern game, Crichton cemented himself as arguably the best in the game with his leadership recognised with the Dally M captain of the year award. Photo: NRL Photos
42/51#10: James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors) - He might not be the biggest prop in the world but James Fisher-Harris would have to be the most terrifying. The 2023 Golden Boot winner is an absolute beast and arguably the best prop in the game. Having led the Panthers pack to four-straight premierships, the New Zealand captain has the ability to make the players around him even better, which will be massive gain for the Warriors. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
43/51#9: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins) - While NRL fans have long called for a sprint race to see who is the fastest in the game, it would be hard to go past Tabuai-Fidow. After touching 40km/h in chasing down Josh Addo-Carr last season, Tabuai-Fidow can tear teams apart on his own with his speed and agility. Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images
44/51#8: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights) - There are few players in the NRL who improve their teams as much as Kalyn Ponga improves the Knights. One of the game’s true superstar talents, Ponga can single-handedly win games for his club - justifying the hefty contract that comes with his signature. Picture: NRL Photos
45/51#7: Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers) - Yet another leader who inspires by his actions, Isaah Yeo is one of the game’s premier forwards. A lock with a passing game, Yeo has been recognised as the game’s lock of the year four times in the past five years (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024) and became Kangaroos captain in 2024, as well as claiming International Rugby League’s Golden Boot award - the first Aussie since 2017. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
46/51#6: Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels) - He may not have had much game time in 2024 but Mitchell Moses made the most of the time he had on the field. After forcing his way into the NSW Blues No. 7 jersey, he inspired the side to a come-from-behind series win in a coming-of-age moment. Now named Parramatta captain, Eels fans will hope he can take that big game experience in the 2025 season and finally end the Eels 39-year wait. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
47/51#5: Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles) - Injuries may have slowed him down somewhat but Tom Trbojevic remains one of the game’s premier players. Although he might not run as freely as he has in the past, Trbojevic makes the Sea Eagles so much better. Even with his injury woes, Trbojevic still averages over 190m per game and had 16 line breaks and 17 try assists in 20 games last season. Photo: NRL Photos
48/51#4: Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers) - It takes a lot to displace the State of Origin captain but Dylan Edwards did just that in 2024, stealing James Tedesco’s NSW and Kangaroos No. 1 jersey, despite the Roosters star almost taking out the Dally M Player of the Year. But that is just how consistent brilliant Edwards has been. A quiet achiever, Edwards averaged a whopping 231m a game last season and continued to show he’s the yardstick by which all other fullbacks are measured. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
49/51#3: Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm) - 2024 was simply brilliant for Jahrome Hughes. In Cameron Munster’s absence, he took full control of the Storm and the side hardly missed a beat. While the rest of the league continues to pray for the Storm to finally come back to the playing field, the rise of Hughes to a richly-deserved Dally M Medal will ensure the Victorian’s continued success. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
50/51#2: Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm) - While this might seem harsh considering Hughes was named the Dally M last season, Grant continues to go from strength to strength. Filling the shoes of a player who will be an Immortal in Cameron Smith, Grant has continued to thrive in the position, picking up where he left off. With the entire Storm spine in this list, it is no surprise how Melbourne continue to stay at the top of the game but Grant has shown himself time and time again to be cut from a different cloth. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
51/51#1: Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers) - It might be controversial but four rings from a dominant halfback do not lie - Nathan Cleary is simply the best player in the game. While he has long been criticised for not having taken over at Origin level, in club-land, Cleary is the dominant force, leading his all-conquering Panthers around with aplomb. And with the premiers constantly losing players each season it shows that as a conductor of rugby league players, there is currently no one better. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
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