NRL top 50: The value of three superstar recruits laid bare as countdown to No.1 player in the competition continues

As the NRL's official broadcaster, Nine takes the world's elite rugby league competition very seriously, so when we decided to do a top 50 players list we wanted to make sure we were doing it right.

That's why we enlisted a panel of 12 judges, including several of the best players of all-time as well as Nine's top rugby league journalists who watch and cover the game for a living.

The panel we put together consists of: Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer, Brad Fittler, Allana Ferguson, Marlee Silva, Roy Masters, Michael Chammas, Robert Dillon, Billie Eder, Dan Walsh, Adrian Proszenko and Christian Nicolussi.

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Click on this link to find out how the judges chose the top 50 NRL players for 2025 and click this link to revisit the 10 players who landed from 30-21.

The countdown continues with the players ranked from 20-11.

Read on below to find out who made the cut.

- Graphics by Polly Hanning

20. ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE (Cronulla, 135 points)

Can one man transform the Sharks into genuine title contenders? That is apparently Cronulla's hope after investing heavily to bring Addin Fonua-Blake back across the Tasman. Fonua-Blake has proven himself as one of the NRL's premier metre-eaters, bulldozing his way through the rucks to put his team on the front foot. Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall and company should relish the go-forward he provides. The heavyweight prop also brings an intimidation factor. Nobody kicks sand in his face. The theory that the Sharks are "too soft" to win a premiership could soon be consigned to the wastepaper basket.

- by Robert Dillon

19. CAMERON MURRAY (South Sydney, 137 points)

In an era when the NRL is rich in talented locks, it says all you need to know about Murray that whenever he's available for rep duties he's on the team sheet for both NSW and Australia. However, that will be little comfort to Wayne Bennett who is dealing with the shock of a fresh training injury that could be season-shaping for the Rabbitohs after Murray injured his Achilles - a suspected rupture - weeks before season 2025 was due to kick off. Murray is superb on both sides of the ball, and was hugely influential again for the Rabbitohs in 2024 despite battling injuries that kept him off the park for a third of the season. His huge work rate is clear in his tackle numbers, averaging almost 39 per game in 2024 to make him the fourth most prolific tackler in the game, but he's perhaps even more effective in attack, with his leg speed, ability to produce a quick play the ball and his link up play at the heart of many of the Rabbitohs' best try-scoring opportunities. Those traits will be hugely missed for as long as he's off the park in 2025.

18. LATRELL MITCHELL (South Sydney, 141 points)

Has the penny finally dropped for Latrell Mitchell? The enigmatic Rabbitoh's quest for redemption will undoubtedly be a recurring narrative across the season. Nobody has ever questioned Latrell's talent. He is box office. His attitude, however, has regularly attracted scrutiny, not least after the infamous "white substance" scandal last season that led to him being suspended by the NRL, as well as several controversial on-field incidents. All the indications are that Latrell has finally woken up to himself. He has reportedly never been fitter (even if that notion has been tested by a fresh hamstring injury), and there is no coach better equipped to keep him focused than Wayne Bennett. If Latrell plays to his potential, Souths will be right back in amongst it ... and the game's greatest enigma could well be on top of this list next season.

- by Robert Dillon

17. LIAM MARTIN (Penrith, 159 points)

There's something old-school mad about the Temora tearaway. Just ask J'maine Hopgood after the Martin tackle that almost snapped him in half during Origin I last year. Not the biggest back-rower in the NRL, there is a semblance of Trevor Gillmeister and Steve Folkes in the way Martin launches at himself at opposition ball-carriers like a guided missile. But he's not just a defensive weapon, he's a dangerous hole-runner, as evidenced by his try in last year's grand final triumph against Melbourne. There's no reason to suggest the reigning Clive Churchill Medallist will be any less formidable in 2025.

- by Robert Dillon

16. JAMES TEDESCO (Sydney Roosters, 164 points)

The hits keep coming for the superstar fullback after he was twice dumped by NSW last year then lost his place in the Kangaroos side, with new Blues coach Laurie Daley leaving him out of a pre-season camp in the most recent blow. But even if Tedesco's representative career is over, the Roosters are still getting superb output from the 32-year-old, who was among the competition's best No.1s in 2024, leading the NRL in linebreak assists and tackle busts. He was also fourth for try assists, laying on 30 across the 2024 season, underlining his importance to an attack that will need every ounce of his creativity in 2025 with Sam Walker on the sidelines.

15. REECE WALSH (Brisbane, 174 points)

They say the game is a great leveller, and Reece Walsh was "levelled" in more ways than one last season. Firstly by the brutal Joseph Suaalii high shot in the Origin-series opener, and overall by generally failing to reach the same dizzying heights to which he ascended en route to the 2024 grand final. But Walsh is still only 22 and presumably his best football is still in front of him. Last year might be just part of his learning curve. This shapes as a season of redemption for the electrifying fullback. If he gets back to firing on all cylinders, the Broncos can transform from also-rans to genuine contenders within the space of 12 months.

- by Robert Dillon

14. JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (Warriors, 196 points)

Remember the days when props were big, fat blokes who waddled from one scrum to the next? Fisher-Harris exemplifies the evolution of the modern-day front-rower, now commonly known as "middle forwards". Ripped and athletic, he plays the game with a frightening intensity, and his powerful charges and bruising defence underpinned the Panthers' four premierships. Now he faces a new challenge with the Warriors. The New Zealand Test skipper shapes as a perfect like-for-like replacement after the departure of Addin Fonua-Blake, and he won't be satisfied unless he can bring some Penrith-style success across the ditch.

- by Robert Dillon

13. ANGUS CRICHTON (Sydney Roosters, 197 points)

What a comeback. This time last year Angus Crichton was running around in reserve grade for the Roosters, amid rumours he was about to jump ship to rugby union. Come season's end, he had helped his club reach a preliminary final, won an Origin series and worn the green and gold during the Pacific Championships. All of which was enough to not only resurrect his reputation but clinch a lucrative contract renewal. The big back-rower's experience will be invaluable as the Roosters rebuild after an exodus of long-serving stars. He's got plenty more good years in him.

- by Robert Dillon

12. CAMERON MUNSTER (Melbourne, 201 points)

The highest compliment that can be paid to the Melbourne maverick is that, on his day, he can perform a passable impersonation of the "King" himself, Wally Lewis. Like the aristocratic Lewis, Munster is just a natural footballer who has proven himself time and again at the highest level - in grand finals, Origin and Test matches. The Storm held up their gloves last year while he was sidelined with a groin injury, which he managed to nurse through the finals. Melbourne need him back to full capacity if they are to improve on last year's runner-up finish.

- by Robert Dillon

11. JAROME LUAI (Wests Tigers, 208 points)

How good is Jarome Luai? We're about to find out. It's one matter riding shotgun outside the world's best player in a four-time premiership team, another matter altogether trying to lift Wests Tigers out of the cellar, after three consecutive wooden spoons. "Romey" will no longer be playing second fiddle. He'll be the main man for the Tigers, with the No.7 on his back, and what an inspired signing he could be, especially with a talented apprentice to mentor in Lachlan Galvin. If Luai's trademark swagger can inspire his new teammates, the Tigers shape as the feelgood story of the season.

- by Robert Dillon