Players from every club under pressure to perform in 2025 NRL season
Nathan Cleary goes into 2025 with a heightened responsibility to stay fit and healthy following the exit of his long-term business partner Jarome Luai. See which players are under pressure at every club this season.
They might not be the highest earner or a headline act, but they will play a key role in determining your club’s premiership hopes.
Michael Carayannis takes a look at which players are under the most pressure in 2025.
Storm
2024: Christian Welch, 6/10
Managed another 20-game season and kept his trademark off-load. But isn’t having the same impact in games that he once was.
2025: Stefano Utoikamanu
The Storm don’t generally spend big on outside talent. But they have gone all-in on securing the NSW one-gamer. Utoikamanu had a disappointing 2024 season but steps into a star-studded side at the Storm where he is expected to help them go one better.
Panthers
2024: Jarome Luai, 9.5/10
Arguably his best season in the top grade. The only question mark on Luai was his ability to run a side, well he did that with ease when Nathan Cleary was missing.
2025: Nathan Cleary
Much has been made about Jarome Luai playing without Cleary but what about Cleary going about his business without his long-term halves partner? Cleary also needs to keep his body in check after playing just 13 games in 2024.
Roosters
2024: Spencer Leniu, 7/10
Suspended after his first game but when he came back into the side looked really good. Fell away a little after his debut Origin series.
2025: Angus Crichton
What a ride his season was. From NSW Cup player to the form forward in the competition. Crichton re-signed with the Roosters but the test will be to see if he can replicate the same form he produced during the midpoint of the competition.
Sharks
2024: Toby Rudolf, 5/10
Not his best season and culminated in him being dropped to reserve grade for a game. Just didn’t have the same impact on games that he had done previously.
2025: Blayke Brailey
Cronulla are a better side when he is unshackled and free to run. The arrival of Addin Fonua-Blake will have no greater impact on a player at the Sharks than Brailey. He should be dangerous off the back of Fonua-Blake’s off-loads and play the balls.
Cowboys
2024: Jason Taumalolo, 6/10
Certainly a shadow of a player who was the game’s best forward for a long time. Played less than 40 minutes in 10 of his 23 games. Showed glimpses of being the player he once was but can’t maintain that for long periods.
2025: Tom Dearden
He was a revelation in 2024 and gets total control of the side following Chad Townsend’s departure. Dearden is about to enter the sweet-spot of his career and if he continues his trajectory could be a top three no.7 by the end of 2025.
Bulldogs
2024: Drew Hutchison, 4/10
Started the season in the top grade playing 10 of Canterbury’s opening games where they won just four games. Lost his spot and the Bulldogs went on a run into the finals.
2025: Reed Mahoney
Question marks at the Bulldogs still remains on their ability to score points. They are tough and gritty which is everything Mahoney is. But he needs to find a creative spark to help the Bulldogs got another level.
Sea Eagles
2024: Luke Brooks, 8/10
Had an outstanding start to the season before slightly falling away. Thrived without being the main man and got his first taste of finals football.
2025: Taniela Paseka
Sure he isn’t the biggest name at the Sea Eagles, but he is the biggest body at the club. Manly have all the attacking brilliance they need to score points. But they need some resolve in the middle of the field. Paseka is now 27. He needs to be an imposing figure in the middle of the field.
Knights
2024: Kalyn Ponga, 8/10
Not quite the 10/10 season from 2023 but was still an elite player. No side depends on an individual more. Despite his influence the Knights only won seven of the 16 games he played
2025: Kalyn Ponga
Simple isn’t it? Ponga IS Newcastle. No other player in the competition has as big of an impact on their team. If Ponga doesn’t fire, Newcastle don’t. He will be hoping to get some good service from an unsettled halves pairing.
Raiders
2024: Josh Papalii, 6/10
The veteran prop isn’t able to have the same impact he once did when he was one of the best players in the game. Still a really good first grader but his minutes have been significantly reduced.
2025: Kaeo Weekes
An absolute weapon with the ball after finding his feet at the halfway point at Canberra. Has the ability to break open a game at either fullback or five-eighth.
Dolphins
2024: Thomas Flegler, N/A
A shoulder injury cruelled his season after just four games and now threatens his career. Flegler arrived as a marquee signing but it is unfair to judge given his serious injury.
2025: Tom Gilbert
Suffered a cruel blow when a knee reconstruction meant he did not play a minute of NRL action. That followed playing just 11 games in 2023. Gilbert is a crucial member of a Dolphins forward pack that needs to be rejuvenated, with the two-time Maroons representative set to spearhead that.
Dragons
2024: Tyrell Sloan, 5/10
Didn’t make the strides off the ball that were expected heading into the year. Was dropped for a game.
2025: Kyle Flanagan
Had a strong first season at the Dragons but will now become the senior halves partner in 2025 following Ben Hunt’s decision to return to Brisbane. Flanagan showed that he can be a regular first-grader but will now be lumped with added responsibility as he plays alongside Lachie Ilias.
Broncos
2024: Deine Mariner, 7/10
Became a mainstay for the Broncos featuring in 21 games and scoring a club high 17 tries. Started on the wing but finished at centre to cement himself as long-term first grader.
2025: Ben Hunt
You could name almost every Bronco following a poor season but Hunt will come under the microscope after his high profile return to the club. Will start in the halves but may transition into the dummy half spot at some point. Won’t be lumped with the burden of captaincy but will have plenty of expectations.
Warriors
2024: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6/10
Was expected to lead the Warriors into a premiership threat. But it just never happened. Was parked at centre instead of fullback and just didn’t have the same impact.
2025: Luke Metcalf
Can be among the best running halves in the game but injuries have curtailed his development and restricted him to just 19 games in the past two seasons. Shaun Johnson’s retirement has opened the door for Metcalf to take on a senior role.
Titans
2024: AJ Brimson, 5/10
Played just 13 games – one more than the season before. Was again switched from centre, fullback and five-eighth before being put on the bench. Never got going.
2025: Jayden Campbell
Campbell is too talented to be playing second-fiddle to anyone but the Titans have a log-jam of high quality fullbacks. He could genuinely change the game for them. The test for coach Des Hasler is to have Campbell/AJ Brimson/Keano Kini on the ball as much as possible. If not, one may be forced to look elsewhere.
Eels
2024: Dylan Brown, 6/10
Had an opportunity to really take control of the side with Mitchell Moses absent for an extended period but just couldn’t get the job done. Has shown at this stage of his career he needs to play outside a controlling half.
2025: Junior Paulo
Had a disappointing season but was earmarked as a player new coach Jason Ryles wanted to remain at the club. The Eels are planning to tinker with their attack and promote the ball a lot more. Paulo has the skills to be able to lead that game plan.
Rabbitohs
2024: Jack Wighton, 6/10
Was earmarked for big things but it didn’t eventuate for a number of reasons out of his control. Competed hard as always.
2025: Latrell Mitchell
Horror 2024 season but is already looking fitter than he has looked in a long time. Gets to reunite with Wayne Bennett, who has unlocked Mitchell previously. Needs to have a consistent impact in games to make sure that South Sydney are a chance of climbing back up the ladder.
Tigers
2024: Jayden Sullivan, 4/10
Arrived as a big-money signing but played just nine games including two off the bench.
2025: Jarome Luai
The main man who has publicly said the drive of coming to the Tigers is proving the world that he is elite. Steps out of all shadows at Penrith and will help lead the Tigers’ resurrection. He showed in 2024 that he is more than capable of running a team. Now he gets to be the main man.
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