The 2025 NRL season gets underway in Las Vegas this weekend, kicking off the usual wild roller-coaster ride of a rugby league season. Here’s some of my fearless predictions for the year ahead…
The Panthers miss the top four
I have no doubt Penrith are a rock solid chance of making the Grand Final again this year and claiming a fifth straight Premiership.
But if they do lift the trophy on the first Sunday in October, they’ll be doing so with a new bit of history in their kit bag: doing it from outside of the top four.
I just think the Panthers will struggle to adjust to being on the road so much this year, plus there’s the departures of Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris, which will have a huge impact.
Penrith can overcome any challenge and we’ve seen that in recent years, and while I can see stretches of winning runs through the year, I think the top four may be in serious doubt.
Titans return to the eight
We’ve barely heard anything out of the Gold Coast over the off-season.
That usually means Des Hasler has got something cooking.
The Titans have added Reagan Campbell-Gillard to their already impressive forward pack this year, and I think they offer one of the most mobile forward packs in the competition.
There’s probably a question mark over depth and the halves, with with AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell hardly make us rush to install the Titans as a Premiership hope.
But when you’ve got Campbell-Gillard, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita in your pack, it’s impossible to ignore them.
Titans for the eight in 2025.
Luai shines at Tigers
I believe the Wests Tigers’ run at the bottom of the competition ladder is done and dusted.
Jarome Luai will bring enough confidence to the Tigers to ensure they don’t finish with yet another wooden spoon once all is said and done in 2025.
I still can’t see the Tigers making the eight, but with some solid recruitment and Shane Richardson making waves in the front office, the signs are at least positive for Tigers fans this year.
Pressure mounts on Webster
Former Panthers Assistant Coach Andrew Webster is one of the best up and coming coaches in the game but we all know the Warriors’ history with under-performing coaches.
He needs to get the side to the top eight this year to survive in my view, and that may be easier with the arrival of James Fisher-Harris to lead the forward pack.
Cleary finally owns Origin
It’s the one thing he’s yet to achieve. Complete domination of the State of Origin arena.
But one feels it’s coming for Nathan Cleary, who will hopefully remain injury free this year and reclaim his number seven jumper from Mitchell Moses.
The big question will be whether Moses stays in the squad and plays at five-eighth, or whether the romantic reunion of Cleary and Jarome Luai takes place.
Regardless, under new coach Laurie Daley and with the Blues coming off a series win, the time is right for Cleary.
I’m tipping a dominant Origin series and a couple of player of the match honours.
Roosters to struggle
The Roosters have lost a tonne of players heading into the 2025 season including Joseph Menu, Terrell May, Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Joseph Sua’ali’i.
They’ve only added Chad Townsend on a one-year deal, suggesting even coach Trent Robinson knows this is something of a re-building year for the club, or a gap year while it sorts out roster management moving forward.
The Roosters still have plenty of firepower, but I’m not confident they’ll make the eight this year. In fact, put a red felt tip pen through them.
I predicted the Roosters would struggle last year but I was perhaps 12 months too early and didn’t give enough credit to Robinson.
This time though, it appears a mission too far.
Dogs out of the eight, Eels back in
It was a fairytale season for Canterbury last year but I’ve got a feeling they’ll feel the pinch this year and will just miss the eight.
I’ve got Parramatta returning to Finals football under new coach Jason Ryles.
Parramatta needed a but of rejuvenation and the departure of Clint Gutherson, while tough, was needed.
The Eels have gone for speed and that will win them enough games.
Storm to win the Minor Premiership
Melbourne in my view are the clear favourites to win this Premiership.
Craig Bellamy did a terrific job to get them to the Grand Final last year despite losing several big name player to injury at different points through the year.
We know the Storm will be there when the whips are cracking as usual but this year it just feels like they’ve got everything in place to have a serious crack at the title.
Plus the pain of losing last year’s decider to Penrith will spur them on.
My top eight
Melbourne, Cronulla, Brisbane, Manly, Penrith, Parramatta, Gold Coast, Warriors.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.