NRL 2025 preview and predictions
Can anyone stop the Panthers?
The NRL is finally back after five long months, and for the second successive season it’s kicking off with a double header in Las Vegas.
Penrith Panthers are the team to stop. The reigning Premiers have been crowned champions for four straight seasons, but there are a few teams with realistic ambitions of denying them a fifth on the spin in 2025.
So without further ado, here’s how I see things going over the next few months. I got 3/17 ladder positions correct last year, so take the following with a big pinch of salt…
| Grand Final odds | ||
| 1 | Melbourne Storm | 11/4 |
| 2 | Penrith Panthers | 3/1 |
| 3 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 12/1 |
| 4 | Brisbane Broncos | 9/1 |
| 5 | Manly Sea Eagles | 12/1 |
| 6 | North Queensland Cowboys | 20/1 |
| 7 | Cronulla Sharks | 10/1 |
| 8 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 25/1 |
| 9 | Sydney Roosters | 14/1 |
| 10 | Newcastle Knights | 50/1 |
| 11 | Parramatta Eels | 25/1 |
| 12 | Canberra Raiders | 66/1 |
| 13 | St George Illawarra Dragons | 50/1 |
| 14 | Dolphins | 40/1 |
| 15 | New Zealand Warriors | 33/1 |
| 16 | Wests Tigers | 40/1 |
| 17 | Gold Coast Titans | 40/1 |
The top eight
Melbourne Storm haven’t missed out on finals since 2010, and it’s hard to see that changing this year. I can see them winning a second successive Minor Premiership with current Premiers, Penrith Panthers, close behind again.
The Bulldogs really impressed me in 2024 and I can see them continuing their upward trajectory this year and climbing into third. As for Brisbane Broncos, I can see their shocking 2024 being a one-off, and with Michael Maguire at the helm I’m backing them to bounce back this year and round off the top four.
In fifth, I’m going for Manly, who had a solid 2024 and look well placed to follow it up this year. For similar reasons, I’m going with the Cowboys and the Sharks in sixth and seventh place respectively.
Rounding out the top eight is probably my most controversial prediction, and that’s South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Bunnies have been dreadful for the past season-and-a-half, but the return of Wayne Bennett makes them a different proposition.
The chasing pack
If my eighth-placed selection’s controversial, then ninth might just top it. The Roosters haven’t missed finals since 2016, but this year is when I can see that run coming to an end. The Chooks have lost far too much experience without replacing it, and their squad looks paper-thin to me.
In 10th, I’ve gone for the Knights, who will be on the fringes of the top eight, but could just fall short this year, and I’m backing the Eels to be much-improved but still short of finals in 11th.
I’m going for the Raiders in 12th as I just don’t see enough in them to make finals, and despite some impressive recruitment for 2025, I can’t see the Dragons making finals, so I’m going for them in 13th.
In 14th, I’m going for the Dolphins. The loss of Wayne Bennett is significant and despite replacement Kristian Woolf having Super League and international coaching experience, the NRL is a different level.
I’m going for the Warriors to finish 15th. Their fourth-placed finish in 2023 was the exception rather than the norm in my eyes.
Despite the arrivals of top players like Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva, I can’t see the Wests Tigers making the eight, but they should avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon at least, so I’m backing them for 16th.
Finally, I’m backing Gold Coast Titans for the wooden spoon. The return to fitness of big Tino will be a huge plus, but they haven’t done much when it comes to recruitment and Kieran Foran will be missing for the start of the year. I wouldn’t rule out a finish as high as 12th or 13th, but the finals looks a long way off for them.
Grand Final Winners – Melbourne Storm
It’s a straight 50/50 between the Storm and the Panthers for me, but as the Panthers have won it four years in a row, surely the streak has to end at some point, doesn’t it? The Storm were immense last year, falling just short in the Grand Final, but if they get a second crack in Sydney this October, I can see them getting over the line.
Dally M Winner – Stephen Crichton
This might be a bit out there, but with the Bulldogs looking like a Premiership contender and Crichton as their star man, I can see him getting a lot of points in the voting this season. He’s developed into arguably the best centre in the world over the past couple of years and his leadership skills were evident as the Doggies’ club captain.
Rookie of the Year – Israel Leota
I can see Leota getting a few opportunities in first grade this season, and there’s a chance to cement a position in the centres. The Broncos didn’t really replace Herbie Farnworth in 2024, so there’s a hole to be filled, and Leota is in line to take it.
Dally M Coach of the Year – Craig Bellamy
If the Storm are to finish top and go on to win the Premiership as well, then it makes sense that Bellamy will be named coach of the year. With my predictions as they are, the only other contender could be Michael Maguire if he gets Brisbane back into Premiership contention, but I’m sticking with Bellyache.
