NRL Players Poll 2025: Expansion concerns, best young star, worst stadium and more

An NRL players survey has revealed the biggest issues facing expansion clubs, and RLPA CEO Clint Newton has called for intervention to bring the Bears early success.

Player Survery: Part One results

The Perth Bears are just six weeks away from the November 1 transfer window opening and they will need to open their cheque book if they want to attract top tier talent to the club, according to players.

Perth will hit the player market in November as they look to build their inaugural squad ahead of the 2027 season.

But there are a number of obstacles they will need to overcome according to more than 500 players in the annual poll run by this masthead in conjunction with the RLPA.

Players were asked to rank the most important factors that would influence their decision to join the Bears. Salary was the No.1 response.

SEE THE RESULTS OF PART ONE OF PLAYER SURVERY BELOW

NRL players have indicated money is the biggest factor in moving to Perth, and RLPA CEO Clint Newton (left) has called for salary cap concessions. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“These results show the challenges the Perth Bears will face in recruiting players in a strictly salary-capped league,” RLPA boss Clint Newtown said.

“We raised concerns with the NRL months ago and now we are only weeks away from their window opening and the clock is ticking.

“There has been little to no uptake of the work we have actively sought to achieve.

“This is about what’s in the game’s best interest, not about appeasing your voting members.

“If salary is the number one priority for players, then a salary means there will likely not be enough to get the best squad possible.

“The answer to that issue lies in the NRL’s willingness to work with us and the Perth Bears.

“If the NRL isn’t willing to make bold changes because of a fear of backlash, then that is an issue we need to resolve.”

Newton has proposed that Perth and fellow new franchise PNG be granted salary cap increases to ensure their early success.

“The fact that playing salary is the number one priority for players, and secondly, family support being number two, shows that this will be a massive change for players, not just geographically, but also the lack of or potential lack of support networks around them.” Newton said.

“I know that the Perth Bears are trying to make their club a player and family-first environment, which is a fantastic approach and one we admire.

Newton backs Mal Meninga as a coach but says he’ll need some help to bring the Bears early success. Picture: Getty Images

SEE THE RESULTS OF PART ONE OF PLAYER SURVERY BELOW

“Mal Meninga is an excellent coach and will be able to get whoever he signs firing from day one. But we should give him as many tools as possible to make the expansion as successful as possible so that the entire game succeeds. A healthy and successful Perth is great for everyone; the opposite does not do one any favours.”

The likes of Cameron McInnes, Scott Sorensen and Cameron Munster have been earmarked as potential signings for Perth.

Players were also asked their reason for leaving their former club with just 21 per cent declaring it was for financial reasons.

Instead 51 per cent of players said there were reasons to do with previous club and 47 per cent said there were reasons to do with the new club.

Overwhelmingly, the players said “safety and security” was their No.1 concern in terms of signing with the PNG team when it becomes the NRL’s 19th side in 2028.

The NRL wants to work towards a 20 team competition and 49 per cent of players believe that after Perth and PNG, the next NRL side should be based on the south island of New Zealand.

YOUNG STAR WITH BIGGEST UPSIDE, WORST STADIUM, BEST COACH REVEALED

Ethan Strange will attempt to resurrect Canberra’s fortunes with the backing of his peers.

The Raiders playmaker has been anointed as the game’s best young player in an exclusive player poll conducted by this masthead in conjunction with the RLPA.

More than 500 players – making it the largest poll ever conducted – expressed views on a range of matters from on-field stars to off-field issues.

In the first instalment of the survey, players have spoken glowingly about Strange on the eve of his sudden-death final against the Sharks on Saturday night.

SEE THE RESULTS OF PART ONE OF PLAYER SURVERY BELOW

Ethan Strange has been voted as the game’s best young player by his peers. Picture: Getty Images

Strange, who is in contention to make his Kangaroos debut for the end of year Ashes series, pipped Warriors young gun Leka Halasima and Roosters centre Robert Toia for the honour.

The vote was for players aged 20 years or under before June 30.

Isaiya Katoa claimed the gong last year.

Canberra skipper Joe Tapine was full of praise for Strange, who has enjoyed a breakout season in the No.6 jersey for the high-flying Raiders.

“People always give him a lot of credit for the physical way he plays the game,” Tapine said.

“When he does play, it’s almost like he’s built of granite, but I think people underestimate his mental steel. For a playmaker so young, his mental strength is up there as well.

“You can’t do the things he does on the field, like the physical stuff and throwing your body on the line defence, without being mentally strong.

“It’s a credit to him and the way he has developed as a player. It’s a huge credit to the coaches that he has had, like his dad John, the way he has been playing this year.

“He’s going to be hugely important for us this finals series.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

While the Raiders five-eighth was given his due praise, the same cannot be said for Canberra’s home ground GIO Stadium.

NRL players have voted Canberra’s GIO Stadium in Canberra, as their least favourite venue. Picture: AAP

The Raiders are pushing for the government to help redevelop the ground, but it has been ranked as the NRL’s least favourite venue by the players with 16 per cent.

Told about the poll results, Canberra chief executive Don Furner said: “Not surprised - it’s 50 years old and is not fit for purpose in this day and age.”

GIO stadium was ranked below 4 Pines Park (12 per cent) and Leichhardt Oval (11 per cent). Canberra’s home ground also finished as the worst last year.

Other results include: Suncorp Stadium sitting on top of the favourite away ground (41.5 per cent), easily beating Cbus Super Stadium (9.5%) and GoMedia Stadium (7.2%).

Craig Bellamy has dethroned Wayne Bennett as the coach players would most like to play for with 26 per cent.

Players have voted Craig Bellamy as the coach they’d most like to play under. Picture: Michael Klein

SEE THE RESULTS OF PART ONE OF PLAYER SURVERY BELOW

Bennett – who won the poll last year with 26 per cent – dropped to third with 13 per cent. Ivan Cleary (15 per cent) was second behind Bellamy.

Roosters veteran winger Daniel Tupou was crowned the game’s most-underrated player.

The three-time premiership winger has just completed his 14th season in the top grade and is 11-short of the 300-game mark.

Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has been voted as the NRL’s most underrated player. Picture: Getty Images

Tupou beat out last year’s winner Mitch Kenny who finished in second place this time around. Blayke Brailey and Zac Hosking tied for third as the pair square off against each other on Saturday night. Roosters coach Trent Robinson heaped praise on Tupou.

“I’m seeing it as a respect thing from the players that they see the work he does in the shadows,” Robinson said.

“He just goes about his business without any fanfare. People respect how he plays and that’s the way he has played his whole career.

“It is a tip of the cap from the other players to say that we see you.”

Originally published as NRL Players Poll 2025: Expansion concerns, best young star, worst stadium and more