This was published 1 year ago

Team of the Year: Tragic finals absence highlighted by two stars who shone brightly in 2025

September 11, 2025 - 8.19pm

The regular season is done and dusted, which means it's time to dive into who the standout performers were across the entire NRL.

This year, Canberra finished with an unlikely minor premiership as Ricky Stuart's mix of youth and experience paid off in the form of the coveted JJ Giltinan Shield.

Melbourne were right near the top of the ladder once again with their star spine and a host of other exciting players leading the way, while the Bulldogs and Broncos gave their fans plenty to cheer about at different stages of the year.

After a slow start, reigning premiers Penrith surged into September and clinched a top-eight spot, while the Roosters followed a similar path into the finals off the back of their inspirational leader - more on him shortly - and cheeky halfback.

After a massive 27 rounds of action, seven members of the Wide World of Sports team contributed and voted on a 3-2-1 basis for every position, as well as a rookie, coach and overall player of the year, leading to some obvious calls and surprise selections.

The judging panel consisted of: Ben Glover, Simon Brunsdon, Liam O'Loughlin, The Mole, Alyssa Bone, Lachlan Harper and Zachary Gates.

So without further ado, here is the WWOS Team of the Year for the 2025 season.

- Graphics by Polly Hanning

Fullback: James Tedesco - Sydney Roosters

Kicking off our WWOS Team of the Year is the timeless Roosters captain, who produced one of the best seasons of his career and looks destined to clinch a second Dally M.

Tedesco has led the Tricolours into the finals, stepping up and filling the leadership void almost single-handedly after some key off-season exits from the club.

The champion fullback topped the NRL for tackle breaks this season with 158, while his 21 linebreaks was the most of any fullback in the competition.

The 32-year-old's ball-playing was also a key component, laying on 21 try assists with Scott Drinkwater (23) the only fullback to register more.

Tedesco also led the competition for most runs (498) and total run metres (4668).

His form this season has put him right back in the mix for a Kangaroos recall and coach Kevin Walters could do a lot worse then booking Tedesco's plane ticket to England.

A true marvel of the game and it's incredible to see Tedesco get better with age.

Also gained votes: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kaeo Weekes, Dylan Edwards, Reece Walsh, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Scott Drinkwater

Wing: Xavier Coates - Melbourne Storm

One of the most clear-cut decisions in the WWOS Team of the Year came out wide and it will come as no surprise that the towering Storm speedster sat above his peers.

Coates has continued to go from strength-to-strength and is now undoubtedly in the top handful of wingers in the competition and is now doing it at both ends of the field.

His 19 tries in 19 games was not only an impressive strike rate, but it also placed Coates just one behind the NRL's leader in Mark Nawaqanitawase this season, with his aerial skills and athleticism making him a nightmare for opposition defenders.

But what has become a crucial part in the 24-year-old's game is his work out of the backfield, where he more often than not laid the platform for Melbourne to get out of trouble, averaging 149 run metres per game and 56 tackle breaks for the year.

Coates is one player who is all-but guaranteed to be travelling overseas for the Ashes as he looks to continue to build an impressive resume at representative level with Australia and Queensland - and the scary part is, he's only getting better.

Also gained votes: Daniel Tupou, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jacob Kiraz, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tom Jenkins, Lehi Hopoate, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Josh Addo-Carr

Centre: Herbie Farnworth - Dolphins

This wasn't a cut-and-dry selection in the WWOS Team of the Year, but there's no way anyone could deny the impact Farnworth had on the Dolphins this season and what was perhaps even more noticeable was what happened when he wasn't on the field.

One of the most exciting and popular players in the game today, Farnworth was lighting the game on fire until he went down with a hamstring injury in round 22.

With 12 tries, nine try assists, 17 linebreaks, 117 tackle breaks and 170 run metres per game, Farnworth was borderline untouchable with ball in hand and also continued to establish himself as an elite defensive centre, operating at 94 per cent tackle efficiency.

In the weeks that followed his injury, the Dolphins fell out of the finals picture - but few will forget what the England international was producing and the results he was helping to dictate before he was snipered against the Warriors in a heartbreaking moment.

Also gained votes: Stephen Crichton, Tolutau Koula, Gehamat Shibasaki, Sebastian Kris, Kotoni Staggs, Casey McLean

Five-Eighth: Ethan Strange - Canberra Raiders

Quite easily the toughest position for our voting panel to decide on was five-eighth.

But in the end, youth got the nod over experience as the Canberra whiz kid bolted into the No.6 jersey in the WWOS Team of the Year after a breakout season.

Strange was absolutely brilliant for the Green Machine as they claimed their first minor premiership in more than three decades and is quickly becoming a household name.

The 21-year-old has formed a lethal combination with the rest of the Raiders spine and has earned comparisons to the likes of Jack Wighton and Laurie Daley for his running game and toughness in one of the most important positions on the field.

Strange's heroics in the late-season clash against reigning premiers Penrith, which saw him break clear and set up Kaeo Weekes for the match-winning try in Mudgee, was up there with the most incredible finishes to a game in recent memory.

His statlines don't jump off the page compared to some of his rivals, but Strange has a level of X-factor and rawness that has turned him into a genuine NRL sensation.

The youngster has helped revitalise the Raiders towards premiership glory and there are even calls for him to be included in the Kangaroos squad for the Ashes tour.

Also gained votes: Cameron Munster, Matt Burton, Blaize Talagi, Braydon Trindall

Halfback: Isaiya Katoa - Dolphins

Rounding out the backline in the WWOS Team of the Year is one of the game's brightest talents and a player who has the likes of Andrew Johns salivating on a weekly basis.

Katoa has gradually improved since bursting onto the scene as a teenager for the Dolphins' inaugural 2023 campaign, but has now developed into a bona-fide superstar.

Still only 21 years of age, the crafty playmaker is rapidly following in the footsteps of the man he spent time working underneath in Nathan Cleary and many are tipping Katoa to usurp the four-time premiership winner as the NRL's best halfback one day.

There is not a player in the competition who takes the ball to the line more and the stats are there to back it up, with Katoa engaging the line on 246 occasions this season.

Katoa also had the second-most try assists for the season across the league and was one of the main reasons why the Dolphins finished as the best attacking team.

The classy Tongan international has also grown in maturity, captaining the Dolphins for a large portion of the season and while he couldn't lift the side to a maiden finals berth, it's impossible to take away from the continued rise of Katoa in the No.7 pecking order.

Also gained votes: Jahrome Hughes, Jamal Fogarty, Nathan Cleary, Tom Dearden

Prop: Payne Haas - Brisbane Broncos

His legacy as one of the greatest big men rugby league has ever seen is already set in stone and now the Broncos enforcer storms his way into the WWOS Team of the Year.

Haas endured a disrupted season due to a few niggling injuries, but whether he was 100 per cent fit or not, still managed to set the bar ridiculously high on the field.

Sitting equal-third in the NRL for post-contact metres (1418) is an impressive feat, but the fact that Haas broke 39 more tackles this season than any other forward is unbelievable, with his total of 117 pitting him in the top-five for any player in the NRL.

Haas also ran for 167 metres per game on average and his work in defence was top-notch, missing just 11 tackles and making 711 for the entire year.

The 25-year-old sometimes single-handedly lifted Brisbane over the line and with him starting up front, anything is possible when the finals series rolls around.

A freak of nature and someone who is well on track to go down as the best prop ever.

Also gained votes: Addin Fonua-Blake, Joseph Tapine, Naufahu Whyte, Terrell May, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Max King

Hooker: Harry Grant - Melbourne Storm

It was another lopsided vote for the WWOS Team of the Year when it came to hooker as the Storm skipper raced away to get the nod from our judges.

Grant has not only cemented himself as the best No.9 in the game today, but is already putting himself alongside the all-time greats like Cameron Smith and Danny Buderus.

The 27-year-old has been absolutely phenomenal in leading Melbourne to yet another top-four finish this season, despite only featuring in a limited amount of games.

His attacking prowess out of dummy-half is second to none and there have been games this season where Grant has lifted the Victorian-based outfit to victory on his own.

But his work without the ball flies under the radar, making 40 tackles per game and operating at an efficiency of more than 90 per cent - which for a man of his stature who plays 80 minutes a lot of the time, is a feat that shouldn't be ignored.

Grant won't be eligible for the Dally M award, but he was never in doubt from our end.

Also gained votes: Blayke Brailey, Apisai Koroisau, Wayde Egan, Tom Starling, Jeremy Marshall-King, Mitch Kenny, Connor Watson

Second-Row: Eliesa Katoa - Melbourne Storm

Arguably the most improved player in the NRL over the past 18 months, the try-scoring Storm edge forward bolts into our WWOS Team of the Year with relative ease.

After showing promise with the Warriors and slowly adapting to life in Melbourne over the past two years, Katoa has enjoyed a real breakout season in 2025.

The back-rower has become a real attacking weapon for the Storm, with his leaping ability and footwork making him a consistent target in good-ball territory.

The 25-year-old has crossed for a dozen tries this season and his work without the ball is just as impressive, making 32 tackles per game at an efficiency rate of 92 per cent.

Katoa isn't as high-profile as some other players who polled votes from our judging panel, but it's hard to argue with him being placed above them for his efforts this year.

Also gained votes: Hudson Young, Jacob Preston, Angus Crichton, Briton Nikora, Viliame Kikau

Lock: Erin Clark - New Zealand Warriors

Perhaps the most surprising inclusion in the WWOS Team of the Year comes in the lock-forward role, with the Warriors workhorse holding out two Origin stars.

Clark was seen as an astute signing for the Auckland-based outfit after a solid five-year stint on the Gold Coast, but few could have predicted the impact he would have.

The 28-year-old has offered a point of difference in the middle for the Wahs with his ball-playing, but is also never shy to tuck it under his arm and make a tough carry, adding some late footwork that always keeps the defenders guessing.

Clark's defence is also top-notch, doing a lot of the tidy-up work that goes unnoticed.

One of the best buys of the 2025 season and someone who played a pivotal role in getting the Warriors back into the finals.

Also gained votes: Patrick Carrigan, Isaah Yeo, Corey Horsburgh, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Cameron McInnes, Victor Radley

Interchange: Tyran Wishart - Melbourne Storm

Another tight battle for our judges to decide came with the interchange spot in the WWOS Team of the Year, but in the end it was hard to go past the Storm utility.

Wishart's ability over the past few years to become Melbourne's Mr. Fix-It has really saved the powerhouse club on numerous occasions and the fact he has played almost every position on the field is testament to his unparalleled versatility.

While it can be a blessing and a curse, Wishart is never one to kick stones and has continued to turn up and perform, regardless of what number is on his back.

The 26-year-old will play a crucial role in Melbourne's push for a premiership, especially with halfback Jahrome Hughes likely to miss the entire finals series due to injury.

Wishart has developed from a Dragons discard to a future representative star, once again proving that Craig Bellamy has the Midas touch when it comes to getting the best out of players who might not have been afforded opportunities elsewhere.

Also gained votes: Kurt Mann, Leka Halasima, Jacob Liddle, Billy Walters, Bailey Hayward, Harry Hayes, Owen Pattie

Rookie of the Year: Robert Toia - Sydney Roosters

Sticking with the NRL's guidelines, we opted not to include Mark Nawaqanitawase in this category given he had already played Test rugby union for the Wallabies.

However, the nod still goes to a Roosters player in the form of Toia, who has finally put a miserable few years of injuries behind him and lived up to his enormous hype.

The 21-year-old started the season as a relative unknown to casual footy fans, but by the halfway point of the year, was a name on just about everyone's lips.

Toia was one of the most surprising State of Origin selections in recent memory and he certainly repaid the faith shown by Queensland coach Billy Slater, producing strong performances in the centres and defending Latrell Mitchell with poise and patience.

His form in club land has perhaps gone under the radar due to his exploits in Origin, but the powerful centre has been more than solid with seven tries and eight try assists.

The future is bright at Bondi with this young gun in the team.

Also gained votes: Leka Halasima, Isaiah Iongi, Savelio Tamale, Owen Pattie

Coach of the Year: Ricky Stuart - Canberra Raiders

This was a no-brainer choice after Canberra's unlikely rise to the top of the ladder.

While many had written them off before a ball was kicked, Stuart always showed a high level of belief in his squad publicly. So, imagine what it was like behind closed doors?

The club legend has been at the helm for more than a decade and hasn't found a lot of success, with one grand final appearance and another two prelim finals.

However, the 2025 season feels like the Green Machine's best chance of premiership glory and a lot of that has to do with Stuart's passion, care and love for his players.

From young guns Ethan Strange and Savelio Tamale to seasoned pros Josh Papalii and Hudson Young, this squad has been firing on all cylinders under Stuart's guidance.

There would be very few who would argue with Stuart being named as the best coach this season - but the biggest test may come over the next four weeks.

Also gained votes: Ivan Cleary, Cameron Ciraldo, Craig Bellamy, Kristian Woolf, Trent Robinson

Player of the Year: James Tedesco - Sydney Roosters

This can't be a surprise, surely?

As we mentioned right off the top of this piece, Tedesco has been absolutely incredible this year and has cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

The inspirational Roosters captain held off five other superstars to clinch the WWOS Player of the Year award and really, there's not much else that needs to be said when it comes to Tedesco's work with the ball and as a leader for the Tricolours.

A second Dally M Medal awaits him in the coming weeks. Could he take home a third premiership ring to go with it? It's unlikely, but never say never.

Also gained votes: Isaiya Katoa, Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster, Ethan Strange Harry Grant