2025 NRL Ladder Predictions

[Thieves Like Us]

Where did it all go wrong?

Great song, even in their later years they could create some good stuff! Do you know where the title inspiration for that song came from @jamesgould ?

 

[jamesgould]

Great song, even in their later years they could create some good stuff! Do you know where the title inspiration for that song came from @jamesgould ?

Nope! Agree it's a great song though, underrated album SOTSOG.

 

[Thieves Like Us]

Nope! Agree it's a great song though, underrated album SOTSOG.

Get ready for a knowledge bomb…..

In the 60s / 70s there was a footballer who played for Manchester United called George Best. He was exceptional and courted fame like no footballer before him. So much so that he was known as the Fifth Beatle. With his fame came the usual accompaniments of women, wine and song which ultimately meant he didn’t live up to his amazing potential.

Towards the end of his career he was staying in a hotel on another bender. A waiter was delivering champagne to his hotel room, only to be confronted by thousands of pounds of gambling winnings and the current Miss World lying on the bed. Without missing a beat, the waiter looked at the Manchester United icon and uttered the immortal words: “Where did it all go wrong?”

 

[jamesgould]

Get ready for a knowledge bomb…..

In the 60s / 70s there was a footballer who played for Manchester United called George Best. He was exceptional and courted fame like no footballer before him. So much so that he was known as the Fifth Beatle. With his fame came the usual accompaniments of women, wine and song which ultimately meant he didn’t live up to his amazing potential.

Towards the end of his career he was staying in a hotel on another bender. A waiter was delivering champagne to his hotel room, only to be confronted by thousands of pounds of gambling winnings and the current Miss World lying on the bed. Without missing a beat, the waiter looked at the Manchester United icon and uttered the immortal words: “Where did it all go wrong?”

I know all about Best, but had never heard that quote in that context before. So Noel is probably singing the song with a sense of joy since he's a City fan.

 

[Thieves Like Us]

I know all about Best, but had never heard that quote in that context before. So Noel is probably singing the song with a sense of joy since he's a City fan.

Despite most people being fans of rival clubs, I think there is a part of everyone that wishes Best had fulfilled his potential. The same with Paul Gascogne.

 

[jamesgould]

Despite most people being fans of rival clubs, I think there is a part of everyone that wishes Best had fulfilled his potential. The same with Paul Gascogne.

Gascoigne looks bloody terrifying now, it’s very sad to see.

 

[Thieves Like Us]

Gascoigne looks bloody terrifying now, it’s very sad to see.

Completely agree.

 

[BTP]

Listening now. The best thing they said is something I've been big on since end of last season.

Think our top 30 is finally at an NRL standard. Years gone by our reserves would come in and just get lapped.

Last year 3-4 debuts all of them did great and out back up players in Brodie Jones, Matty Croker, Jack Hetherington, Tommy Cant are really finding their ability to be some of our best players in the 17 when they play.

The next batch in McEwen, Hopwood, Sua, McCarthy, Votano, Taukamo, De Courcey are next up and I think they will be see and continue the impressive next man up players. Kudos to Obi and rest of coaching team to have this top 30 starting to really hitting the straps.

 

[HarVeeGee13]

Alright I've thought about it and I'm going to take a crack.

1. Storm - I think they're gonna do it very easy this year, they'll win 20+ games and come into the finals raging hot favourites to win the comp. The question will be whether other teams can lift to match them because Bellamy teams don't tend to have a massive extra gear.

2. Bronco - Still an incredibly strong lineup and getting Ben Hunt back - durable, versatile little **** that he is - fixes their biggest issue; they now have cover in case Reynolds gets injured. I think you'd be bold to predict the same injury dramas as in 2024 and Madge will get much better play out of their roster filler than Kev did. If Haas and Carrigan are fit come finals time, I think they'll win the comp.

3. Shark - Actually a little nervy about this pick as they have a tough draw for once, but it's still hard to see a Fitz coached team winning fewer than 14-16 games and AFB is a huge addition.

4. Panther - Slow slide down the ladder will continue but no one will want to play them in the finals. Like Cronulla I can't see them winning fewer than 14-16 games. Defence too good.

5. Knight - Maybe a lot of you will think this overly optimistic, but I think the boys will have a chip on their shoulder & also our draw is easy. Say what you like about our halves options, we certainly have depth. ='D Also: Kalyn exists.

6. Sea Eagle - I don't think they'll actually be good, they just have a settled lineup, lots of class at the top end of the roster. That wins you close games.

7. Dolphin - Hottest take so far but I think they'll overcome the Bennett curse and IMO they have a strong group of players & prospects on paper.

8. Raider - Usual thing of them grinding out a bunch of ugly wins and sneaking in to the 8 with a negative 100+ differential.

9. Cowboy - I hate them and their fans + I think Payten is a fraud + I look at their draw and think they haven't been looked after as much this time.

10. Bulldog - Rinse and repeat of the Cowboys in 2023 and Warriors in 2024. Think their lack of size in the pack will be finally exposed in 2025 but still have enough in their side that they won't drop off too far. Yes I did literally copy and paste this from Celticman above, but I think he's right + a lot of their overachieving in 2024 was other teams taking them lightly.

11. Tiger - Like us in 2018, a "follow me" leader like Luai (or Pearce) will improve their floor a lot. But they'll get absolutely belted by good teams.

12. Rooster - Maybe this is too big a slide but this is clearly a transitional year and that's a tough thing to overcome psychologically. They're a team that won a lot in 2024 on the basis of a stacked roster, not toughness. Robbo will get sacked.

13. Warrior - Yes, even with that front row. I think they're going to struggle with scoring points & their 2023 run was built more than anything on Shaun Johnson converting a higher % of their attacking 20 sets into points than any other player did that year. Hard to replicate.

14. Rabbitoh - I don't care that Wayne is back. I think a lot of their key players are shot ducks to a degree which can't be painted over.

15. Eel - I know they have some great players, but I think there are some really ominous signs. I think a huge number of their players are totally out on the club, physically cooked, or both. Brown wanting to leave is because he thinks things are really about to fall apart. I think Ryles is going to be a flop, I get very strong Seibold Broncos vibes from him, the puff pieces about how the dude thinks he is going to reinvent the art of coaching and turn it into a science. That would scare the **** out of me as an Eel fan.

16. Titan - They just suck and there's no way to fix it. Fold the club.

17. Dragon - That playing list is disgusting and that "yeah they suck, but they don't beat themselves" vibe was propped up by Ben Hunt & Zac Lomax's attacking ability and now that's gone. Gutho and Cook are both on the verge of medical retirement if you ask me. LACHLAN ILIAS. They won't win more than 4 games.

Premiers: Bronco.
Runner up: Storm.
Clive Churchill Medal: Patrick Carrigan.
Dally M: Kalyn Ponga.
Coach of the Year: Madge.
Top Try Scorer: Selwyn Cobbo.
Top Points Scorer: Nick Meaney.

After the Cam Murray injury news & thinking about it a bit more, would now amend this to Titans 17th Rabbitohs 16th Dragons 15th.

 

[Celticman98]

2025 Predicted Ladder
1 Sharks- Think the Sharks might benefit more from AFB than the other way around. He's what they've missing for quite some time. Still have them missing the gf but they'll be a much better side in 2025 and are quite settled.

2 Storm - Think they might win the comp in 2025. Best spine in the game and sign one of the best young props who will be a breakthrough player. Such a well oiled consistent side.

3 Panthers - Even with there departures theyll absolutely **** in into the top 4 again but replacing JFH and Luai won't be easy. Too many class players will lead them to a 6th straight grand final.

4 Broncos- Think they'll be back in the hunt for a spot in the gf in 2025. Madge will toughen them up and can actually coach. Their roster is too good to miss out again despite how laughable 2024 was.

5 Sea Eagles - Wouldn't be surprised if it's last dance for DCE. If Turbos fully fit they're probably in the top 4 but I think Manly have a good enough roster in 2025 to cover Turbo should he go down injured again. Forward pack needs to stand up more though.

6 Dolphins - This is the year they play finals for the first time. Good forward pack even if Flegler doesn't play and a very good backline. Katoa will get better this year. Got a feeling Woolf will actually break the Bennett curse and help this side become a consistent finals side from now on.

7 Raiders - My bold tip here, quietly confident they'll make the 8. Every year pundits myself included write this team off but they find a way to play finals or go close. Have a very good pack and solid halves now. Lack the star power out wide but would have played finals footy over us had Fogarty not been injured.

8 Knights - I'm not actually confident we'll actually make the 8 but predicting Kalyn to bail us out again and go on a great run to win the Dally M and sneak us in after a inconsistent start for the 3rd straight year. Have a solid enough pack with some handy backs but halves is the obvious concern. Hopefully we actually play some decent attacking footy eg Round 18 to Finals 2023 in 2025.

9 Rabbitohs - Wayne will improve them but just missing out on finals in 9th. Got a feeling Dodd is going to be meh at 7 which will probably cost them a finals spot and lack a genuine front rower eg Tapine, AFB to lift them. Have got some useful players when all fit but think they missed their shot a few years back.

10 Bulldogs- Rinse and repeat of the Cowboys in 2023 and Warriors in 2024. Think their lack of size in the pack will be finally exposed in 2025 but still have enough in their side that they won't drop off too far.

11 Eels - I think they'll go better than expected for most of the year but run out of steam with a couple of rounds. Moses and Lomax will be crucial to any chance of finals and expect them to go away from the power game and play more of a attacking style.

12 Cowboys - Up and down side and think they miss the 8 in 2025. Far too inconsistent imo and can be really bad defensively. Payten probably end up pressure. Not sure if Clifford lasts the year at 7 either.

13 Roosters- I'm overreacting probably but I think this will be Robinson's last year. He looks tired and looks less innovative every year. Their roster is also a lot worse. Premiership window is closed for a year and will be looking at 2026 and beyond. Also not having Sam Walker for most of the year will weaken their chances of finals.

14 Tigers- They won't come last in 2025. I'm prepared to say that with confidence but still have questions on Benji. Luai will make a difference as he has the swagger and confidence I think the side lacks and Terrell May will be a handy addition. Still lacking a bit in their forwards but their spine is good better than ours in fact.

15 Dragons - Same prediction as 2024, won't come last and won't beat themselves but a seriously limited roster. Worst halves pairing and very average pack which will rely on effort players eg Gutho and Cook and Holmes as the X factor. 2022 Knights 2.0 in 2025 for the red v.

16 Warriors - Earlier in 2024 I thought heading into 2025 the Wahs would be a premiership contender instead I've got concerns that 2023 was a outlier and they'll really struggle this upcoming year. Great middles with JFH and Barnett but spine is a concern especially at halves. Metcalf is a good player but is injury prone, TMM solid but the other options aren't NRL standard. Slowest backs in the comp and their style needs changing if they go anywhere in 2025. Were far too predictable this year on attack.

17 Titans - I'm not convinced with the Titans at all. Their forward pack looks good on paper but I think lacks leg speed. Halves/fullback are a mess and defence is still diabolical. They've also been underratedly bad since 2022 with 3 straight bottom 4 finishes and don't see 2025 being any better. I've got high wraps on Carter Gordon but I don't know where he ends up in the starting 17.

If I redid the ladder now the Rabbitohs wouldn't even be 9th that's for sure.

Probably have the Bulldogs move to 9th, Cowboys 10, Roosters 11, Tigers 12, Wahs 13 Eels 14, and Rabbitohs in 15th.

Moving the Wahs to 13th from 16th due to Metcalf showing enough at 7 and I think their home fortress will be enough to avoid bottom 4 but still won't play finals.

 

[frankLauda]

Found another punter picking us last. The poddy dudes are really hating on the knights. It’s funny they are really nice about it. Saying how close it will be, how hard it is to pick, etc, etc, but picking us!

 

[Sheent14]

Found another punter picking us last. The poddy dudes are really hating on the knights. It’s funny they are really nice about it. Saying how close it will be, how hard it is to pick, etc, etc, but picking us!

Just stumbled upon a doggies podcast (wish I didn't) and they were laughing and going off on a "Siri predicted top 8" placing us at 8th. Like that's some outrageous spot to put the knights. Nothing would be better than seeing the dogs miss the top 8, probably after Roosters.

 

[slotmachine]

Early days but imo there are about 5 teams that are clearly better than us and 5 or 6 teams clearly worse. Looks like we'll be scrapping with a few other sides to sneak into the 8 again.

 

[HarVeeGee13]

Early days but imo there are about 5 teams that are clearly better than us and 5 or 6 teams clearly worse. Looks like we'll be scrapping with a few other sides to sneak into the 8 again.

Melbourne, Penrith, Brisbane, Cronulla, Manly-Warringah?

 

[HarVeeGee13]

Yeah 100% with you slots and those five + Newy were my pre-season top six too... how boring!

On the flip side, for once Penrith doesn't look like the clear runaway favourite. As predicted JFH is the toughest loss they've had to overcome so far. There are extenuating circumstances but he's probably the best defensive player in the comp and that's hard to replace. Lindsay Smith is good but not the same kind of player.

If there was a guarantee of a fit Turbo all season I would have had Manly above us.

Just goes to show the importance of settled spine talent hey. Both in terms of consistency of combinations + you don't want to be carrying *bad* spine players. Manly has a lot of weaknesses in their roster but that spine gets them enough easy W's that it's hard to see them missing the 8 (congratulations Luke Brooks, you're not the great halfback you were hyped to be... but you're not a bad five-eighth!).

 

[Celticman98]

Looking at that ladder prediction, I'm very confident teams I had between 1-5 on the ladder will be those exact teams.

Even with our loss on Saturday, I think we will be a top 8 side.

Overrated the Dolphins hugely and had the Eels far too high at 11th albeit was expecting Moses to play and make a difference.

Warriors will finish higher than 16th.

 

[mozza]

Manly and Broncos are wildcards. Either are capable of winning the comp or completely falling apart.
Christ I hope it’s the latter.

 

[HarVeeGee13]

Alright I've thought about it and I'm going to take a crack.

1. Storm - I think they're gonna do it very easy this year, they'll win 20+ games and come into the finals raging hot favourites to win the comp. The question will be whether other teams can lift to match them because Bellamy teams don't tend to have a massive extra gear.

2. Bronco - Still an incredibly strong lineup and getting Ben Hunt back - durable, versatile little **** that he is - fixes their biggest issue; they now have cover in case Reynolds gets injured. I think you'd be bold to predict the same injury dramas as in 2024 and Madge will get much better play out of their roster filler than Kev did. If Haas and Carrigan are fit come finals time, I think they'll win the comp.

3. Shark - Actually a little nervy about this pick as they have a tough draw for once, but it's still hard to see a Fitz coached team winning fewer than 14-16 games and AFB is a huge addition.

4. Panther - Slow slide down the ladder will continue but no one will want to play them in the finals. Like Cronulla I can't see them winning fewer than 14-16 games. Defence too good.

5. Knight - Maybe a lot of you will think this overly optimistic, but I think the boys will have a chip on their shoulder & also our draw is easy. Say what you like about our halves options, we certainly have depth. ='D Also: Kalyn exists.

6. Sea Eagle - I don't think they'll actually be good, they just have a settled lineup, lots of class at the top end of the roster. That wins you close games.

7. Dolphin - Hottest take so far but I think they'll overcome the Bennett curse and IMO they have a strong group of players & prospects on paper.

8. Raider - Usual thing of them grinding out a bunch of ugly wins and sneaking in to the 8 with a negative 100+ differential.

9. Cowboy - I hate them and their fans + I think Payten is a fraud + I look at their draw and think they haven't been looked after as much this time.

10. Bulldog - Rinse and repeat of the Cowboys in 2023 and Warriors in 2024. Think their lack of size in the pack will be finally exposed in 2025 but still have enough in their side that they won't drop off too far. Yes I did literally copy and paste this from Celticman above, but I think he's right + a lot of their overachieving in 2024 was other teams taking them lightly.

11. Tiger - Like us in 2018, a "follow me" leader like Luai (or Pearce) will improve their floor a lot. But they'll get absolutely belted by good teams.

12. Rooster - Maybe this is too big a slide but this is clearly a transitional year and that's a tough thing to overcome psychologically. They're a team that won a lot in 2024 on the basis of a stacked roster, not toughness. Robbo will get sacked.

13. Warrior - Yes, even with that front row. I think they're going to struggle with scoring points & their 2023 run was built more than anything on Shaun Johnson converting a higher % of their attacking 20 sets into points than any other player did that year. Hard to replicate.

14. Rabbitoh - I don't care that Wayne is back. I think a lot of their key players are shot ducks to a degree which can't be painted over.

15. Eel - I know they have some great players, but I think there are some really ominous signs. I think a huge number of their players are totally out on the club, physically cooked, or both. Brown wanting to leave is because he thinks things are really about to fall apart. I think Ryles is going to be a flop, I get very strong Seibold Broncos vibes from him, the puff pieces about how the dude thinks he is going to reinvent the art of coaching and turn it into a science. That would scare the **** out of me as an Eel fan.

16. Titan - They just suck and there's no way to fix it. Fold the club.

17. Dragon - That playing list is disgusting and that "yeah they suck, but they don't beat themselves" vibe was propped up by Ben Hunt & Zac Lomax's attacking ability and now that's gone. Gutho and Cook are both on the verge of medical retirement if you ask me. LACHLAN ILIAS. They won't win more than 4 games.

Premiers: Bronco.
Runner up: Storm.
Clive Churchill Medal: Patrick Carrigan.
Dally M: Kalyn Ponga.
Coach of the Year: Madge.
Top Try Scorer: Selwyn Cobbo.
Top Points Scorer: Nick Meaney.

Revisiting this to give myself a pat on the back/wag of the finger:

1. Storm - Got more injuries than I expected and have actually looked pretty shaky at times compared to 2024, so they’ve delivered an embarrassing 17 or 18 win season instead. Real black mark for them.

If they were in 2024 form again this year I don’t think there’d be any doubt about them winning the comp, but at their best they and Canberra have looked dead even, so it’s an intriguing likely grand final match up. I think it’s a coin flip & Melbourne may be in trouble if Hughes isn’t at 100%. I don’t think they can win it with spine players playing with one arm the way Penrith and the Roosters could: They win because their key players create magic and everyone else holds their gloves up, rather than because their forwards/backs win the arm wrestle & the spine rams home the advantage. Real difference.

2. Bronco - I was kind of right and yep it looks like they’re really going to need Ben Hunt, but I overrated them a little. I do think guys who took the **** last year have played better under Madge. But their defence still isn’t good, Reynolds & Hunt were surprisingly non-complimentary as a halves duo and that messed up the first half of their season I think, and they can’t win the comp without Mam. The Mam/Walsh combo is what takes them from a very dangerous attacking team to nearly unstoppable when they get going. They’ll be a scary finals team though I think because due to injuries there’s far less pressure or expectation on them. They’ll just go for it and see what happens. Shibasaki good now? What?

3. Shark - They’re not as good as I and a lot of other people thought. No real comment other than that, they still look like the same team. I find it hard to pinpoint what AFB hasn’t made more of a difference outside of him being a bleh defender. If this was an American sports league with trades I guarantee they’d be trying to turn Nicho, Tricky or Kennedy + a forward into something else, eg chasing Ponga or something. Good players but they’re missing that special difference maker.

4. Panther - Yeah didn’t predict just how many problems they’d have at the start of the season, but no one will want to play them in a finals game, and I think they’ll be contending again next year. Special mindset at that club to come back from where they were. They have nothing to prove.

5. Knight - Moving on…

6. Sea Eagle - Don’t think this was “wrong” per se, but there were too many actually good teams so the same team is going to finish about 10th or whatever instead.

7. Dolphin - I think I would have gotten this right if they had better injury luck.

8. Raider - Well I did better than people who said they’d come last for some reason but if you had them turning into the Harlem Globetrotters, you’re a genius. They can absolutely win the comp.

9. Cowboy - Kind of right but they’re even worse than I said.

10. Bulldog - Bzzzt, wrongo! They look like this is just who they are for now. The Dogs Of Bore are back. They need Galvin to be what he was hyped to be to actually win a comp though.

11. Tiger - I absolutely nailed this one, well done me.

12. Rooster - Overstated the slide. Robbo isn’t getting sacked either.

13. Warrior - Hear me out: I maintain I was pretty close to right. They’re not a good attacking team. They won basically every close game, and there is luck involved in this. I think if you replay this season ten times, this is the highest they could have possibly finished. I probably underestimated just how tough to break down defensively JFH would make them, but they should be around 8th/9th. Metcalf had a good season but I think him leading the Dally M at the halfway point was giving him too much credit for them winning.

14. Rabbitoh - Does this count as a correct prediction if the “shot duckedness” comes out in the form of no one being able to stay fit?

15. Eel - I reckon I was right. Signs of life late in the season but let’s see it when they have pressure on them and something to play for.

16. Titans - Yep.

17. Dragons - Well they sure showed me by winning double the win total I said they’d fail to get to but whatever, they’re not good and they don’t have any real way to improve soon as far as I can see.


I think the Dally M winner will be Teddy and deservedly so, with Izzy Katoa in second.

Grand final Raider v Storm and I think it’s a coin flip. Won’t offer a prediction till we see how Hughes is travelling.

 

[alexwilliams]

Knights top 4

Don't care about the rest

Well, I was close...

 

[Celticman98]

2025 Predicted Ladder
1 Sharks- Think the Sharks might benefit more from AFB than the other way around. He's what they've missing for quite some time. Still have them missing the gf but they'll be a much better side in 2025 and are quite settled.

2 Storm - Think they might win the comp in 2025. Best spine in the game and sign one of the best young props who will be a breakthrough player. Such a well oiled consistent side.

3 Panthers - Even with there departures theyll absolutely **** in into the top 4 again but replacing JFH and Luai won't be easy. Too many class players will lead them to a 6th straight grand final.

4 Broncos- Think they'll be back in the hunt for a spot in the gf in 2025. Madge will toughen them up and can actually coach. Their roster is too good to miss out again despite how laughable 2024 was.

5 Sea Eagles - Wouldn't be surprised if it's last dance for DCE. If Turbos fully fit they're probably in the top 4 but I think Manly have a good enough roster in 2025 to cover Turbo should he go down injured again. Forward pack needs to stand up more though.

6 Dolphins - This is the year they play finals for the first time. Good forward pack even if Flegler doesn't play and a very good backline. Katoa will get better this year. Got a feeling Woolf will actually break the Bennett curse and help this side become a consistent finals side from now on.

7 Raiders - My bold tip here, quietly confident they'll make the 8. Every year pundits myself included write this team off but they find a way to play finals or go close. Have a very good pack and solid halves now. Lack the star power out wide but would have played finals footy over us had Fogarty not been injured.

8 Knights - I'm not actually confident we'll actually make the 8 but predicting Kalyn to bail us out again and go on a great run to win the Dally M and sneak us in after a inconsistent start for the 3rd straight year. Have a solid enough pack with some handy backs but halves is the obvious concern. Hopefully we actually play some decent attacking footy eg Round 18 to Finals 2023 in 2025.

9 Rabbitohs - Wayne will improve them but just missing out on finals in 9th. Got a feeling Dodd is going to be meh at 7 which will probably cost them a finals spot and lack a genuine front rower eg Tapine, AFB to lift them. Have got some useful players when all fit but think they missed their shot a few years back.

10 Bulldogs- Rinse and repeat of the Cowboys in 2023 and Warriors in 2024. Think their lack of size in the pack will be finally exposed in 2025 but still have enough in their side that they won't drop off too far.

11 Eels - I think they'll go better than expected for most of the year but run out of steam with a couple of rounds. Moses and Lomax will be crucial to any chance of finals and expect them to go away from the power game and play more of a attacking style.

12 Cowboys - Up and down side and think they miss the 8 in 2025. Far too inconsistent imo and can be really bad defensively. Payten probably end up pressure. Not sure if Clifford lasts the year at 7 either.

13 Roosters- I'm overreacting probably but I think this will be Robinson's last year. He looks tired and looks less innovative every year. Their roster is also a lot worse. Premiership window is closed for a year and will be looking at 2026 and beyond. Also not having Sam Walker for most of the year will weaken their chances of finals.

14 Tigers- They won't come last in 2025. I'm prepared to say that with confidence but still have questions on Benji. Luai will make a difference as he has the swagger and confidence I think the side lacks and Terrell May will be a handy addition. Still lacking a bit in their forwards but their spine is good better than ours in fact.

15 Dragons - Same prediction as 2024, won't come last and won't beat themselves but a seriously limited roster. Worst halves pairing and very average pack which will rely on effort players eg Gutho and Cook and Holmes as the X factor. 2022 Knights 2.0 in 2025 for the red v.

16 Warriors - Earlier in 2024 I thought heading into 2025 the Wahs would be a premiership contender instead I've got concerns that 2023 was a outlier and they'll really struggle this upcoming year. Great middles with JFH and Barnett but spine is a concern especially at halves. Metcalf is a good player but is injury prone, TMM solid but the other options aren't NRL standard. Slowest backs in the comp and their style needs changing if they go anywhere in 2025. Were far too predictable this year on attack.

17 Titans - I'm not convinced with the Titans at all. Their forward pack looks good on paper but I think lacks leg speed. Halves/fullback are a mess and defence is still diabolical. They've also been underratedly bad since 2022 with 3 straight bottom 4 finishes and don't see 2025 being any better. I've got high wraps on Carter Gordon but I don't know where he ends up in the starting 17.

Mixed bag predictions there.

Had Canberra in my 8 but certainly didn't they'd become the juggernaut that they are right now.

Dolphins 100% play finals at full strength. Injuries ruined them.

Less said about the Knights and Souths the better.

Titans went as I expected.

Underrated the Roosters, Wahs and Bulldogs.

Manly disappointing also and to make a early 2026 prediction, Seibold will be the first coach sacked.

Sharks not as good as I thought they'd be. AFB hasn't been changed the side too much. Still much of the same.