Scandal-free season, free agent coups: What is on your NRL club’s Christmas wish list
Some clubs just want a season without any off-field distractions, others need their players to find some focus inside the lines. We take a look at what’s on every NRL club’s wish list this Christmas.
Some NRL club’s Christmas wish lists are more extensive than others.
For some, it’s as simple as getting through the year without any off-field distractions.
For others, it’s raiding the transfer market to recruit some fresh talent and give their playing rosters an overhaul.
We take a look at what’s on every NRL club’s Christmas wish list this festive season.
BRONCOS
Wish: A scandal-free season
What the Broncos would give for no off-field distractions.
Coach Michael Maguire has already gone about improving the culture, setting new standards for the players.
Brisbane bookended 2024 with Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan’s boozy argy bargy and Ezra Mam’s car crash drama. In between was the Spencer Leniu-Mam Las Vegas racism scandal, Reece Walsh twice being sidelined by illegal hits from opposition players and Payne Haas dealing with both his mother and father being behind bars.
It’s no surprise it ended with the Broncos crashing out of finals contention and coach Kevin Walters sacked.
BULLDOGS
Wish: Leo Thompson
The Bulldogs are desperate to bulk up their middle and securing Newcastle prop Leo Thompson would be the perfect present.
They have money to spend, having missed out on Addin Fonua-Blake, Stefano Utoikamanu, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Ben Hunt in the free agent stakes. Landing a big scalp like Thompson, who is still just 24, would catapult Canterbury into top-four calculations.
COWBOYS
Wish: The old John Bateman
The Cowboys are facing an injury crisis, especially early in the season.
Talented edge forward Heilum Luki has torn the ACL on the same knee he injured in 2022, ruling him out for the season.
Jason Taumalolo could miss the first month of the season to repair a Lisfranc injury sustained during the Pacific Championships.
Todd Payten’s side also lost rising young back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki to the Dolphins this off-season, leaving them decidedly thin in the forward ranks.
It’s why the signing of English veteran John Bateman on a two-year deal could be a real blessing.
At 31, he’s no spring chicken, and his acrimonious split from the Wests Tigers raises concerns. But Bateman is a tough, talented footballer with a great offload and he should be motivated to prove the critics wrong.
DOLPHINS
Wish: A witch doctor for the Bennett curse
Real or imagined, clubs struggle in their post-Wayne Bennett era.
The Dolphins’ succession plan with Kristian Woolf has been long established, however so was Souths’ with Jason Demetriou.
In Woolf’s favour is his relationship with key Dolphins: half Isaiya Katoa and veteran forward Felise Kaufusi while coaching Tonga, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow during his time at North Queensland.
He’s also a proven winner, having led St Helens to English Super League titles in each of his three seasons.
They could also do with a magic fix for Tom Flegler’s nerve issue in his shoulder.
DRAGONS
Wish: Production line gold
St George Illawarra have one of the largest junior nurseries in rugby league, and they desperately need some local products for a variety of reasons.
They are relying on veteran recruits Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook to further coach Shane Flanagan’s revival in 2025.
They have invested heavily in their juniors, with the likes of back-rowers Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart tipped to make their NRL debuts at some stage, joining twins Toby and Ryan Coachman.
A steady production line of talent will make the Dragons less reliant on securing big-name free agents, giving them more salary cap flexibility. While having a local flavour to the Red-V will help elevate support among the fans.
EELS
Wish: Eradicate contract exit clauses
Forget Santa Claus, it’s all about exit clauses at Parramatta.
Three of the Eels’ best players — halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown, as well as strike centre Will Penisini — all have contract options in their favour where they could opt out of the Eels in the next two years.
It’s a key cause of angst among the blue-and-gold faithful, who fear an exodus of talent could set the club back years.
Parramatta are working with Moses’ management to remove his options, but the immediate concern is Brown and Penisini, who both have until May to commit for the 2026 season.
KNIGHTS
Wish: More instruments for the one-man band
Everything revolved around Kalyn Ponga, who needs help elevating the Knights to a top-four team.
Bradman Best, 23, should emerge as an elite centre this season. Fletcher Sharpe was a revelation on debut, while Dylan Lucas showed moments of real quality.
Newcastle’s English duo, Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce, have impressed in their second pre-season with the club and could add further value to the roster.
The Knights have been finalists in five of Adam O’Brien’s six seasons but are yet to get past week two of the post-season.
Someone needs to step up.
PANTHERS
Wish: Pundits’ death knell
Every year somebody writes off the Panthers’ premiership chances and every time, Penrith make them look foolish.
Arrogant, mug lairs, boomboxes, the Panthers have heard — and silenced — it all.
Now they have to do it without their CEO (chief energy officer) Jarome Luai, inspirational prop James Fisher-Harris and dynamic winger Sunia Turuva.
And hope Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards can overcome their shoulder concerns to lead Penrith back to the promise land.
Blaize Talagi needs to back up a strong rookie season, the McLean brothers need to prove they can restock the backline, while Isaiah Papali’i will be out to rekindle the form that made him one of the NRL’s most damaging edge players in the game, after a dismal two seasons at the Wests Tigers.
RABBITOHS
Wish: Wayne Bennett magic
It’s an old remedy, and one that Souths have gone to before, with success.
Forget about their lack of depth in their middles, Cameron Murray and Alex Johnston’s long-term injuries, question marks over the hooker position and the enigmatic Latrell Mitchell, it’s the Bennett elixir the Rabbitohs are banking on.
The Rabbitohs are coming off a disastrous 2024 campaign, and have significant challenges already mounting up to break back in among the NRL’s elite, but Bennett has a way of managing the storm.
He could be the man to rejuvenate Josh Schuster and Jayden Sullivan, introduce Lewis Dodd to the NRL and get the best out of Mitchell.
RAIDERS
Wish: Proof-of-age cards
Ricky Stuart has gone on a signing spree, securing a bulk of talent who were part of the NSW under-19s team.
Banking on a bunch of teenagers to lead your NRL campaign is a tough ask, with the roster looking like an exceptionally Green Machine.
However, if these youngsters can live up to the hype, in the way that Ethan Strange stepped up to NRL level last year and owned the No. 6 jersey, there is hope for the Raiders.
Chevy Stewart, Ethan Sanders, Myles Martin, Savelio Tamale, Jack Clydsdale and Strange all have the talent to be stars of the future, but the Raiders need them to perform now.
ROOSTERS
Wish: Lift the injury curse
Billy Smith and Robert Toia could be the Roosters’ centre pairing for the next decade, if they can avoid injury. The Roosters have a big opinion of the pair, but haven’t been able to keep them on the field.
Sam Walker and Brandon Smith are also recovering from ACL injuries and will miss a significant part of the season.
They’ll also be hoping there’s still enough hairspray in the can of veteran Chad Townsend, who brings the best bouffant in the NRL to Bondi, where he will be charged with leading the halves during a real season of change at the club.
SEA EAGLES
Wish: More No. 1 jumpers
Tom Trbojevic. Tolutau Koula. Lehi Hopoate.
Manly have three quality fullback options who they need to somehow fit into their 17-man squad.
While Trbojevic is a no-brainer at No. 1 and Koula likely to resume his role in the centres, questions remain about where Hopoate fits in the side.
With Jason Saab on one wing, Hopoate will battle Tommy Talau for the other spot on the flank, or potentially assume a utility role off the bench.
The Sea Eagles also still rely heavily on halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, who will be 36 when he runs out against North Queensland in Round 1. Father Time is undefeated.
SHARKS
Wish: Rejuvenated Hynes and no more hold-ups
Cronulla are praying the only red tape they have will be around their Christmas presents, not the stymied redevelopment of their stadium, leagues club and adjacent precinct.
The Sharks’ crowd capacity has been restricted to just 13,500 since construction began, with ongoing delays locking out thousands of fans again in 2025.
Also high on Sharks’ fans Christmas wish list is a return to form for 2022 Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes.
Hynes is expected to thrive behind the line-bending, offloading Addin Fonua-Blake, following his arrival from the New Zealand Warriors.
It is the Sharks’ best opportunity under coach Craig Fitzgibbon to prove they are genuine premiership contenders.
STORM
Wish: Nelson off the naughty list
The addition of Stefano Utoikamanu shows why Melbourne are premiership favourites.
With Nelson Asofa-Solomona suspended, the Storm’s middle forwards were exposed in their grand final loss to the Panthers.
The one-two punch of Asofa-Solomona and Utoikamanu gives Melbourne potentially the NRL’s best starting props, if big Nelson can maintain his composure during heated moments.
Add in Tui Kamikamica, Christian Welch, Josh King, Trent Loiero, Shawn Blore and Eliesa Katoa, that formidable pack can lead Melbourne to a premiership.
TITANS
Wish: Protein powder & Elastoplast
If the Gold Coast can bulk up Jayden Campbell this off-season, he could be the answer to their longstanding halves puzzle.
New recruit Carter Gordon is the wildcard, impressing coaching staff at training. The former Wallaby is a big body who looks set for a career in the halves.
However, their hopes rest on the health of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who along with halfback Kieran Foran, could benefit from a delivery of Elastoplast to keep their bodies together.
Big Tino missed the 2024 season with a knee injury, when the Titans were never really in the hunt.
At 34, Foran is going around again, having played at least 20 games in each of the past four seasons. His leadership will be vital
WARRIORS
Wish: A new Shaun Johnson
Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Tanah Boyd are all vying to be the Warriors’ starting halves.
Johnson’s retirement means one of these men need to step up and be the organising No. 7 the club needs.
In their favour is a formidable pack, led by former Panther James Fisher-Harris, Mitch Barnett, Marata Niukore, Kurt Capewell and Tohu Harris. Then there’s young firebrands Demitric Vaimauga, 20, and Leka Halasima, 18.
They’ve also got quality in the backs with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
But there’s no point arranging the orchestra if you don’t have the conductor.
TIGERS
Wish: No more cutlery
Tigers fans have suffered enough. A fourth wooden spoon would just be cruel, especially after the quality recruiting spree the club has just completed.
In comes a pure winner in Jarome Luai, along with Royce Hunt, Terrell May, Jack Bird and Sunia Turuva.
With young guns like Lachlan Galvin and Jahream Bula, the Tigers faithful are finally daring to dream about better days.
However, no finals appearances since 2011 is a big monkey to get off their backs.
While they might not be a top-eight side next season, improvement will be seen as a positive.
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