NRL top 50: Freakish playmakers and intimidating back-rowers take judges' eye as countdown to number one 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 revisit the 10 players who landed from 50-41.

The countdown continues with the players ranked from 40-31.

Read on below to find out who made the cut.

- Graphics by Polly Hanning

40. APISAI KOROISAU (Wests Tigers, 17 points)

The diminutive hooker has been the most consistent Wests Tigers player since joining the club in 2023 from Penrith. He missed out on NSW Blues selection in 2024 but is still up there with the most classy rakes of the competition. While it's a hard task going from the best team in the competition to the worst, Koroisau has led the struggling Tigers through some tough times and may be about to enjoy some success as his former premiership teammate Jarome Luai arrives at Concord.

- by Simon Brunsdon

39. LINDSAY COLLINS (Sydney Roosters, 18 points)

The old-school front rower puts his head where most people wouldn't put their feet. Collins has built a reputation as one of the toughest props in the NRL in recent years, and has also showcased some surprising talents in providing a kick-chase and aerial contested option for the Roosters and Queensland. He was also a starting bookend for Australia's Pacific Championships side in 2024.

- by Simon Brunsdon

38. VILIAME KIKAU (Canterbury, 18 points)

It was a slow start to life as a Bulldog for Kikau in 2023 after he jumped ship from Penrith. But the barnstorming backrower returned to near his best in 2024 and scored five tries for the Bulldogs, before representing Fiji at the end of the year. Kikau will be key to Canterbury's fortunes in 2025.

- by Simon Brunsdon

37. MATT BURTON (Canterbury, 20 points)

Kikau's Bulldogs teammate Burton is probably yet to realise his full potential in rugby league, and will no doubt be climbing higher on this list in the years to come. A tall, powerful and classy talent who can cover multiple positions and has a towering left-footed bomb that terrorises opposition fullbacks. He missed Origin selection for the Blues in 2024 but made it into Australia's team at the end of the season and played off the bench.

- by Simon Brunsdon

36. CODY WALKER (South Sydney, 22 points)

In amongst all the bash and barge of rugby league, Walker continues to ply his trade as a ball-playing artisan of the highest quality. A late starter who did not debut in the NRL until 26, he is now 35 and still humming along, like a vintage Rolls Royce. Nobody takes the ball deeper into the line or manipulates a defensive system more subtly. With the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton and Alex Johnston steaming onto his sweet passes, Souths' evergreen sorcerer will be intent on re-establishing the Rabbitohs' left edge as one of the most dangerous strike forces in the NRL.

- by Robert Dillon

35. REECE ROBSON (North Queensland, 23 points)

This softly spoken hooker is built like a fridge and is now considered one of the best dummy-halves in the NRL. Robson has quietly plied his trade for the Cowboys for several seasons and has only recently been recognised by those outside his club. He is now the starting NSW No.9 and is probably behind only Harry Grant in terms of Australian selection.

- by Simon Brunsdon

34. ISAIYA KATOA (Dolphins, 23 points)

Despite being dropped last year with the Dolphins' season on the line, the young playmaker is still held in incredibly high regard among the game's smartest judges. Katoa has all the tools to become one of the NRL's elite halfbacks and make the No.7 jumper his own at all levels of the sport, while also possessing a level of poise that players this early in their careers rarely show. His position on this list is a deserved gift on his 21st birthday. The Dolphins are in safe hands for as long as Katoa is at the club.

- by Liam O'Loughlin

33. NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA (Melbourne, 27 points)

One of the game's most feared enforcers, Asofa-Solomona is an incredibly unique type of front-rower in the modern game. While many clubs have leaned towards smaller middle-forwards due to the speed of the game, the Storm star is a towering figure who makes an impact in short bursts. His absence was well and truly felt during Melbourne's grand final loss against the Panthers and the only thing that lets Asofa-Solomona down from time to time is his discipline, spending plenty of time on the sidelines through suspension.

- by Liam O'Loughlin

32. JOSEPH TAPINE (Canberra, 41 points)

There's a reason Canberra have made him captain this year. Tapine has continued to elevate his game over an extended period to become one of the most reliable big men in the competition. Last season, the Raiders front-rower finished just behind Addin Fonua-Blake for total run metres and total post-contact metres, placing him in the upper echelon across the league. Tapine has dominated the game at international level as well for New Zealand and still has plenty of gas left in the tank.

- by Liam O'Loughlin

31. HAUMOLE OLAKAU'ATU (Manly, 46 points)

A force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball, Olakau'atu has gone from strength to strength for Manly in recent years to establish himself as perhaps the best edge forward in the competition. Possessing a hulking frame and unbelievable athleticism, the Tongan international has proved to be unstoppable for opposition defenders, while also producing his own fair share of genuine highlight reel big hits. Earned a spot in the NSW Blues squad last year and there's reason to believe he will be a long-term State of Origin player given the fact he is only now entering the prime of his career.

- by Liam O'Loughlin