NRL best 17's for 2025: 'Huge dilemma' faces powerhouse club as potential lineups revealed
Updated . First published
NRL 2025 predicted teams
NRL pre-season is heating up, with players moving clubs as coaches finalise their squads.
Wide World of Sports takes a look at how every team is predicted to line up when they've got their full squad available in 2025.
Scroll on to see how things are shaping up.
Brisbane Broncos
Team news: The arrival of Ben Hunt is a major one for the Broncos, who will be without Ezra Mam for an undisclosed amount of time due to suspension. Should the young gun be cleared to return, Hunt would likely move to dummy-half. Other than that, Michael Maguire will have a similar squad at his disposal as Kevin Walters did for the horror 2024 season.
Predicted team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam* 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Jordan Riki 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau
Canberra Raiders
Team news: Two big losses for the Green Machine, with experienced duo Jordan Rapana and Elliott Whitehead both moving on. The rest of the roster remains largely in tact, with Kaeo Weekes likely to start the season at fullback. Keep an eye on English import Matty Nicholson as a back-row option for Ricky Stuart in 2025.
Predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matt Timoko 4. Seb Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Matty Nicholson 17. Trey Mooney
Canterbury Bulldogs
Team news: The backline will look a little different without Josh Addo-Carr out wide, but the signing of Marcelo Montoya should help soften the blow. Canterbury have also added forwards Sitili Tupouniua and Tom Amone, with both big boppers likely to make the 17 at full-strength.
Predicted team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Tom Amone 17. Samuel Hughes
Cronulla Sharks
Team news: There will be one big inclusion for Cronulla heading into next season, with star enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake joining the club. It will be business as usual otherwise, but expect to see Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall swap jersey numbers.
Predicted team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Kayal Iro 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Sione Katoa 6. Nicho Hynes 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Tom Hazelton
Dolphins
Team news: Daniel Saifiti brings more experience to the forward pack, while young back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuaiki will add some X-factor off the bench. Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert are both expected back from injuries in a huge boost.
Predicted team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jack Bostock 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Flegler 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Felise Kaufusi 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Ray Stone 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kulikefu Finefeuaiki
Gold Coast Titans
Team news: Des Hasler faces a big juggling act in the backline as he attempts to fit Keano Kini, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell into the team. Elsewhere, the signing of Reagan Campbell-Gillard and the return of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui in the middle will add plenty of punch.
Predicted team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofi Khan-Pereira 3. AJ Brimson 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Sam Verrills 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Klese Haas 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
Manly Sea Eagles
Team news: Don't expect any major changes for Manly heading into 2025, with Jazz Tevaga their only notable signing. Young gun Lehi Hopoate faces an uphill battle to earn a spot in the backline.
Predicted team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Reuben Garrick 4. Tolu Koula 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Nathan Brown 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Ethan Bullemor
Melbourne Storm
Team news: The addition of Stefano Utoikamanu on a multi-year deal gives the Storm another big body in the front-row. Craig Bellamy does face a huge dilemma with young gun Sua Fa'alogo and it appears unlikely he will make the 17.
Predicted team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano UItoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Eli Katoa 12. Shawn Blore 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Josh King 17. Joe Chan
Newcastle Knights
Team news: Adam O'Brien will have to weigh up who starts in the halves for the opening round, with Will Pryce and Jack Cogger likely to have the inside running, but Phoenix Crossland and Jackson Hastings are both suitable options.
Predicted team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Bradman Best 4. Dane Gagai 5. James Schiller 6. Will Pryce 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Dylan Lucas 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker
