NRL 2025 coaches’ survey: The code’s sharpest minds answer key questions about the game
In our exclusive 2025 coaches’ survey, some of the code’s sharpest minds give their take on the game as it stands – and they believe the NRL is winning the war on social and performance-enhancing drugs. See all the results and take the survey.
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has applauded rugby league’s stars following revelations NRL coaches believe the code is winning the war on drugs.
News Corp’s annual NRL coaches survey provided a compelling insight into whether the code’s top mentors feared rugby league’s elite were dabbling in social or performance-enhancing drugs.
It can be revealed that 74 per cent of coaches do not believe drug use is an issue in the NRL.
A staggering 96 per cent of NRL coaches said they would not sack a player guilty of a ‘first strike’ for drug use, an offence that is kept confidential with the support of the Rugby League Players’ Association.
Concerns about drug use in the sport have raged for more than two decades, with a News Corp poll of 100 NRL stars in 2002 first raising the potential dangers of steroid abuse and prescription-drug use.
Last year, Parramatta legend Eric Grothe Sr confessed to using marijuana to cope with injuries and depression during his decorated Eels career in the 1980s.
But almost three-quarters of the NRL coaching brigade are adamant the use of cocaine and other illicit substances are not endemic in the Telstra Premiership.
The survey’s results were well received by V’landys, who declared the NRL would always be vigilant of drug use and encourage welfare programs, appealing for players not to “fry their brains”.
“It’s pleasing to see what the coaches have said,” V’landys said.
“There is more vigilance – however, drugs are part of the wider community and we can’t ever think we are immune to it.
“I take my hat off to a large population of the NRL players.
“They realise they have a limited time in their careers and they need to make the most of it without frying their brains with drugs.
“In the community, drugs are on every corner and if people think we will be immune to it, they’re not being realistic.
“But as a sport, I’m happy to hear the coaches are saying that we don’t have a drug problem.
“The players should be focused on making the most of their careers, not getting involved in drugs.”
Last September, former Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr tested positive to cocaine and was sacked by Canterbury, prompting a lifeline from the Eels this season.
Just weeks later, Broncos pivot Ezra Mam was embroiled in a car crash with an Uber driver and later charged with drug driving after failing a roadside test.
In 2021, the Storm were rocked by the white-powder scandal involving Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis.
South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell was fined $120,000 by the NRL and the Rabbitohs last year over the white-substance saga.
New Broncos coach Michael Maguire walked into the Mam firestorm in his first week at Red Hill. Maguire has coached at the top level for 15 years and is confident drug-use is not a problem in the NRL.
“We’ve made a massive improvement in that space,” he said.
“When society around us is dealing with that stuff (drugs) in the community, the professionalism of players in the NRL and the way they think now about preparation, it’s shifted. In saying that, we have to stay on top of it.
“We’re a professional organisation at the Broncos and we need to always be aware of where things are at.
“As a club, we went through a recent event (the Mam ordeal) and we’ve worked hard to make sure everyone at the Broncos understands the responsibilities we have.”
NO WORRIES ABOUT RUGBY UNION
NRL coaches have delivered a stunning backhander to rugby union after unanimously rejecting any suggestion that more players will follow Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s lead and switch codes.
Rugby union figures have been beating their chest over the signing of Suaalii, who left the Sydney Roosters after being offered a multimillion dollar mega-deal from the Australian Rugby Union.
There have been suggestions that other players may follow the cross-code superstar but rugby league has little to fear if the NRL coaches and assistant coaches are to be believed.
Asked whether they were concerned that more players may follow Suaalii to rugby union, all 27 coaches replied with an emphatic no.
The majority of coaches also rejected the suggestion that clubs should be given salary cap exemptions to sign rugby union players.
ARL commission chair Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo have both kept the door ajar for rugby union exemptions as they look to seize on the rival code’s financial woes to pillage their rest talent.
The NRL and their clubs have already struck at a lower level – Australian under 18s fly half and captain Joey Walsh has signed with Manly along with another schoolboy sensation, Onitoni Large.
They are among a slew of dual code players who have opted to join NRL clubs rather than stay in rugby union.
NRL ADMINISTRATION
Part of the reason the coaches were so emphatic in their response was no doubt the state of rugby league, which is in rude health and being run better than ever according to the survey results.
More than 75 per cent of coaches felt the game was well run while Abdo’s approval rating was at 89 per cent. The results come only a matter of days after the ARL Commission announced record revenues and another year of surplus.
Almost 90 per cent of the game’s coaches also voted the quality of officiating with a three or higher, with Adam Gee also considered the best referee by 30 per cent of the coaches.
EXPANSION
Rugby league’s plan to expand to 18 teams has won the tick of approval from the coaches, but they remain split on whether the game has enough players to support a 20-team competition.
News Corp’s annual survey of coaches and assistant coaches in the NRL has revealed that 70 per cent of coaches believe the game can accommodate 18 teams.
However, that number dips dramatically when it comes to the addition of another two teams, as has been mooted in rugby league circles amid the ARL Commission’s plans to expand the competition.
The majority of coaches – 52 per cent – believe there are not enough players to support expansion to a 20-team competition.
The NRL has already announced that Papua New Guinea will enter the NRL in 2028 after striking a $600 million deal with the federal government.
The NRL has also been locked in talks with the West Australian government over adding a team in Perth, which would carry the ‘Bears’ moniker.
A handful of consortiums from New Zealand have put their hand up to join the competition as well, along with the Brisbane Firehawks.
The NRL has parked talks with the WA government over a Perth franchise until the state election has been decided.
After the election, talks are expected to heat up again as the NRL looks to expand to 20 teams over the next decade.
If they head down that path, the coaches have raised concerns over whether the playing depth is there to support the additional teams.
The coaches also claimed that grassroots was the biggest issue in the game along with player managers. The NRL has conducted a review of their pathways program as they look to resolve some of the issues and ensure there is a pipeline of players into the NRL.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The majority of NRL coaches have put their hand up to lead the PNG side when the expansion team starts canvassing the game for a head coach.
It is understood that the PNG team will start to look for a new coach as early as the end of this year under the watchful eye of PNG bid team chief executive Andrew Hill and there will be no shortage of options if this mastheads exclusive poll is anything to go by.
Fifty six per cent of coaches said they would be willing to lead the new side when they come into the competition in 2028.
While a majority of coaches were happy to be considered for the job, the 44 per cent who said they would not want to coach the team largely blamed it on family reasons.
This is despite the new $150 million village the NRL are building to ensure luxury accommodation for players, coaching staff and their families.
Safety was a concern for three of the coaches while one also said they are “worried about attracting talent” despite the tax free concessions which will be on offer to anyone who signs for the new coach.
Another coach added that they “have a higher paying job” now so therefore they wouldn’t be attracted to the new posting.
The PNG job will be different to any other NRL position given the coach will not only start up the new franchise but live side-by-side players. Travel will be a factor so too will be the living conditions.
Former South Sydney mentor Jason Demetriou is coaching the PNG Kumuls side and would be considered for the top job.
PNG received a further boost in recent days with rugby league great Cameron Smith who met with PNG Prime Minister James Marape during his visit.
BEST COACH
Craig Bellamy has regained his mantle as the game’s best coach despite his side losing out to Ivan Cleary’s Penrith in the 2024 decider.
Cleary snatched the honour from Bellamy last year but the Melbourne Storm veteran has again been recognised by his peers after leading the Storm to a minor premiership.
Bellamy was the clear winner as the NRL’s best coach with 52 per cent – well ahead of the four time premiership winner in Cleary.
“I see a real desire to win,” Storm captain Harry Grant said of Bellamy.
“I don’t think that’s ever wavered. I don’t see that the time he puts into previewing and reviewing games has wavered.
“I think with Craig, that if he feels like he can’t put as much time into it and doesn’t feel like he’s doing his job to the best of his ability, that’s probably when he’ll feel comfortable [walking away].”
While Bellamy and Cleary were the runaway leaders, Wayne Bennett was the next best with 11 per cent of the votes while Andrew Webster, Craig Fitzgibbon, Des Hasler and Shane Flanagan also received votes.
Grant said it was hard to split the game’s best mentors.
“It’s like players in the game,” Grant said.
“There’s so many good players in the game. We’ve got 17 coaches and they all go about their business in a different way.
“All I know is what Craig does and what’s in between our four walls and I love that and I respect that.
“I think the most impressive thing is like 20-odd years he’s held a playing group.
“How hard it is to manage 36 players and all staff and Craig’s done that for 20 odd years.
“So it goes to show that he doesn’t ask too much of people if he’s not doing it himself and ultimately he’s just a good person.”
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