The Mole's 2025 NRL season predictions: 'Shock' Madge reality facing Broncos, grim race for wooden spoon

The countdown is on until the start of what is shaping up to be a cracking NRL season.

Will the Bulldogs continue their impressive upwards trajectory? Will the Panthers go five-straight?

The Mole gives his predictions on who will sink, swim and star in 2025.

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Grand Final

The Panthers will miss James Fisher-Harris and Jarome Luai, but will still make it five titles on the trot – as long as the phenomenal Nathan Cleary stays healthy.

They have the squad, the depth and the confidence to do it all again.

But who will they meet in the big one? The Bulldogs!

Gus Gould has the Doggies getting better and better by the year and after returning to finals footy last season, they are set to take the next step.

Most improved club

After imploding last season following their 2023 grand final heartache, the Broncos will be the big improvers next season.

But the players are in for a shock. Michael Maguire will push many of them harder than they have ever been pushed before, and some may not like it.

Wooden spoon

Plenty of Dragons fans were happy to see the back of Ben Hunt, but I think he will have the last laugh on them and prove the buy of the year. After 32 try assists in a poor Dragons side last season, he will revel in the strong Broncos team.

While on the Dragons, the rest of the squad managed just 41 try assists in 2024 and will sorely miss the strike power of both Hunt and Zac Lomax. Big call, but I think they will beat the Tigers home to finish as wooden spooners.

Dally M

Nathan Cleary may be king, but for consistency it's hard to go past Melbourne's main man, Jahrome Hughes. For that reason, I see the Storm halfback claiming back-to-back Dally M Medals.

As for the women's Dally M, I like Titans utility Lauren Brown to take the medal. A firefighter, she ignited Queensland in Origin last year and is a danger with her classy ball play around the rucks.

NRLW rookie to watch

I believe Lily Dick could be the signing of the year for North Queensland Toyota Cowboys.

The 24-year-old Australian Rugby Sevens star has signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys and her ability to play both middle forward and second-rower will be a great boost for the team.

Ups and downs

The Titans have had a lean time in recent seasons but I see them as another team on the up. With Reagan Campbell-Gillard adding starch to the pack, the Gold Coast will come close to making the top eight with their speed out wide creating many long-distance tries.

If the Titans play finals footy, who misses out? The Roosters are going through a transitional phase and have lost a heap of experience over the summer. Their depth will be tested over a long season and I think they may struggle to keep pace with the league's big dogs.

Another team I see struggling is the Warriors, who had a great 2023 season before lossing their way last year. The retirement of star playmaker Shaun Johnson and Addin Fonua-Blake's move to the Sharks will make things very tough for the Kiwi club.

State of Origin

Laurie Daley was a somewhat controversial choice to replace Michael Maguire for a second stint as Blues coach, but I can see NSW making it back-to-back Origin wins.

They have slightly the better players to choose from, and master coach Craig Bellamy on board to see things run smoothly.

My two Origin bolters for 2025 - Tyran Wishart for the Blues and Brendan Piakura for Queensland. Both were great performers at club level last season and are versatile enough to handle the step up. Look for both to be named on their respective benches.

In the women's Origin, NSW were hot favourites last season but fell to a classic Queensland ambush. The Blues were outplayed and out-enthused but have the talent to turn the tables on the Maroons if they apply themselves for the three games.

Rookie of the Year

Remember the name Robert Toia - he's my early pick for rookie of the year.

The young Roosters centre is likely to start the season filling Joey Manu's big boots but has all the skills and speed to be a star.

Who goes where?

Player transfers will come thick and fast over the next few months, and I think we will see Selwyn Cobbo leaving the Broncos for the Cowboys.

The talented utility back didn't look happy last season and was well down on his best. A change of clubs may be what the doctor ordered.

There's plenty of excitement around Papua New Guinea's arrival into the NRL, and don't be surprised if Storm flyer Xavier Coates becomes their first signing.

Born in PNG and already a huge favourite of the Kumul faithful, he would be the ideal player to kick off the new franchise.