NRL Rich 100 2025: The Origin stars and young guns who missed out

A host of Origin players, Dally M contenders and promising young guns are all providing some serious value for their clubs, after missing out on the 2025 Rich 100 list. See the stars who didn’t make the cut.

They are rated the code’s two hottest rising playmakers, but there is no room for Dolphins ace Isaiya Katoa and Bulldogs young gun Lachlan Galvin in the NRL’s Rich 100.

The sixth edition of News Corp’s exclusive Rich 100 demonstrates why Katoa, Galvin and Storm winger Xavier Coates are providing serious bang for their buck this season.

A former understudy to Nathan Cleary at Penrith, the 21-year-old Katoa has lit up the league this season with sizzling performances that have seen him hailed the code’s next No.1 superstar.

The Dolphins halfback is ranked second in the league for try assists with 21 and has amassed 9710 kicking metres, behind only Canberra’s Jamal Fogaty and Cleary.

Katoa leads the NRL for line engagements with 227, a staggering 77 ahead of second-placed Tom Dearden, underlining his willingness to play direct and dig deep into opposition defences.

NRL Immortal Andrew Johns believes Katoa will be NSW’s next Origin halfback.

Johns’ brother, former NSW and Test pivot, Matthew says the classy Tongan Test phenom is one of the best young halves he has ever seen.

Not a bad appraisal for a generational talent who is on around $550,000 this season, omitting him from the Rich 100, and well shy of $1m playmakers Cleary and Mitchell Moses.

When Dally M Medal voting went behind closed doors in May, Katoa was right in contention, equal fifth with 23 votes, just eight adrift of Warriors wizard Luke Metcalf.

“Katoa has the capability to be the best player in the game,” Fox League expert Matty Johns said.

“When he retires, I think we’ll talk about him as one of the great number sevens.

“His football IQ for a 21-year-old is staggering.

“The amount of time that kid has is impressive, Katoa’s ball-playing is something you see from a playmaker in his 30s.”

If Galvin was paid for every inch of newsprint this season, he would be the NRL’s first billionaire, but the controversial playmaker’s loss to the Tigers has been Canterbury’s gain.

Just turned 20, Galvin started this season on around $250,000 at the Tigers.

But after a mid-season transfer following a messy contract spat with the Tigers, the Bulldogs pounced and have upgraded Galvin to an estimated $400,000 heading into the finals.

Galvin has copped brickbats for his inconsistency at the Bulldogs, but his performance in Thursday night’s disposal of Penrith is evidence of his undoubted talent.

Then there’s Coates, who has scored 19 tries from 18 appearances this season, many from either long range or highlight-reel finishes involving the Maroons winger soaring through the air.

Despite his matchwinning brilliance, Coates’ salary suffers from being on the wing.

It’s a position that doesn’t command the massive bucks afforded to halves, fullbacks and props, but at an estimated $550,000, Coates is still one of the highest-paid wingers in the code.

Throw in 56 tackle busts and 13 line breaks, not to mention his sensational form for Queensland at Origin level this season, and there’s no question Coates is worth every cent for the Storm.

Surprisingly, a total of eight Origin players missed the Rich 100, including Trent Loiero, Beau Fermor, Kurt Mann, Max King, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu and Roosters centre Robert Toia.

Metcalf, leading the Dally M Medal after 12 rounds before suffering an ACL injury, also missed out, while Storm wrecking ball Eli Katoa and Canberra fullback sensation Kaeo Weekes are other bargain performers.

Originally published as NRL Rich 100 2025: The Origin stars and young guns who missed out