2025 NRL Ladder Predictions

Celticman98

Celticman98

Sean Rudder
Thought of putting this thread now.


Ladder Prediction (more detail in post 5 of this thread)

Sharks
Storm
Panthers
Broncos
Sea Eagles
Dolphins
Raiders
Knights
Rabbitohs
Bulldogs
Eels
Cowboys
Roosters
Tigers
Dragons
Warriors
Titans
 
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Storm
Cowboys
Panthers
Sharks
Knights
Bulldogs
Dolphins
Manly
Souths
Broncos
Raiders
Dragons
Titans
Eels
Warriors
Tigers
Roosters
 
1) Storm
2) Panthers
3) Sharks
4) Manly
5) Broncos
6) Rabbitohs
7) Knights
8) Eels
9) Raiders
10) Dolphins
11) Roosters
12) Dogs
13) Cowboys
14) Warriors
15) Titans
16) Tigers
17) Dragons
 
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.

Storm Panthers grand final again.
Ponga wins Dally M
Broncos win the NRLW
Haven't predicted Origin but whoever wins will win 2-1

Edit 2025 NRLW Ladder Prediction
1 Broncos
2 Roosters
3 Sharks
4 Warriors
5 Bulldogs
6 Eels
7 Dragons
8 Raiders
9 Knights (Yes I see us fallen this low)
10 Titans
11 Cowboys
12 Tigers
 
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Celticman98 said:
Ponga wins Dally M
Broncos win the NRLW
Haven't predicted Origin but whoever wins will win 2-1
Click to expand...
If Ponga wins the Dally M we make the 8...then again maybe not...but I cant see him scoring high in the voting if the knights aren't winning.
Going to suck to see the Knights struggle in the NRLW while the Broncos win with Tamika.
I see no reason to believe that Loz is any better a coach than he was when he was sacked last time. NSW never learn, TV commentators (and gambling company spruikers) make terrible coaches. Slater is a commentator but he's also an assistant at the Storm and potentially heir to Bellyache.
 
Seano said:
If Ponga wins the Dally M we make the 8...then again maybe not...but I cant see him scoring high in the voting if the knights aren't winning.
Going to suck to see the Knights struggle in the NRLW while the Broncos win with Tamika.
I see no reason to believe that Loz is any better a coach than he was when he was sacked last time. NSW never learn, TV commentators (and gambling company spruikers) make terrible coaches. Slater is a commentator but he's also an assistant at the Storm and potentially heir to Bellyache.
Click to expand...
Yeah can only see KP winning it if we play finals.

Unfortunately with Tamika back at the Broncos they'll be far too good.
 
My guess would be the Storm, Panthers, Broncos and probably the Sharks who need to think about moving Nicho to FB and Kennedy to the Super League.

The Knights are impossible to pick because there are too many questions unanswered about Leo, the halves, the roster in general, AOB's coaching etc. the talent coming through, Braddy's hamstrings. But given our draw if they don't start well you can probably put a line through them for 2025, the run-in is dire. A good start and we could slip into (or hold on to a spot) in the 8, a bad start and I don't want to think about how bad it could get.

The Tigers won't win the spoon, too many good young players and some good recruitment, Benji has another year of coaching under his belt; the Dragons have a weird side, much depends on Gutho, Cook and Holmes are they discards or bargains?

I think the Tits will be much better this year they have RCG and Tino will be back. Their best team has AJ Brimson on the bench....I wouldn't be writing them off.

My real hope is the Roosters win the spoon. Probably no chance....but they've lost a lot of quality and replaced with it ...Chad Townsend...yikes. I will be interesting to see how patient Uncle Nick is with Robinson if the chooks struggle.
 
I don't know why everyone has Broncos sitting so high next season. Yeah they've got the talent but I still reckon they overachieved massively in 2023
 
slotmachine said:
Their squad was ridiculously stacked, if not for the pure incompetence of kevvie they win the GF comfortably
Click to expand...
This is my reasoning also, stacked with talent and a proper coach now....their NRLW will be good which I think contributes to he positive vibe around the club, all they need now is the NRL to back the judge in giving Ezra the wet lettuce treatment and they should be in for a big year.
 
Seano said:
My guess would be the Storm, Panthers, Broncos and probably the Sharks who need to think about moving Nicho to FB and Kennedy to the Super League.

The Knights are impossible to pick because there are too many questions unanswered about Leo, the halves, the roster in general, AOB's coaching etc. the talent coming through, Braddy's hamstrings. But given our draw if they don't start well you can probably put a line through them for 2025, the run-in is dire. A good start and we could slip into (or hold on to a spot) in the 8, a bad start and I don't want to think about how bad it could get.

The Tigers won't win the spoon, too many good young players and some good recruitment, Benji has another year of coaching under his belt; the Dragons have a weird side, much depends on Gutho, Cook and Holmes are they discards or bargains?

I think the Tits will be much better this year they have RCG and Tino will be back. Their best team has AJ Brimson on the bench....I wouldn't be writing them off.

My real hope is the Roosters win the spoon. Probably no chance....but they've lost a lot of quality and replaced with it ...Chad Townsend...yikes. I will be interesting to see how patient Uncle Nick is with Robinson if the chooks struggle.
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I don't think it will happen but it'd be absolutely hilarious if the Roosters win the spoon.

Nicho is a 6 I reckon. Cronulla have high wraps on Liam Ison as the long term fullback.
 
Not a bad effort from Fox Sports, a fair few of these seem likely to hit. However, I won't be backing Hunt for the Dally M. He will of course have Reece Walsh to contend with for pts and Walsh only has to do one thing spectacular a game to lock up three points despite the missed tackles and errors.

But Hunt's finish at the Dragons was poor. Either a bad attitude which was unprofessional or a sign of declining skills or both but he should have led them to the finals (and we should have missed out, AOB very fortunate with Hunt's poor performances and Bennett bizarrely dropping Katoa for Nikorima).

www.foxsports.com.au

Broncos surge snares Dally M; spoon stunner as Ricky roars: 25 for ’25 NRL bold predictions

Broncos surge snares Dally M; wooden spoon shock: 25 for ’25 NRL bold predictions
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
It would be up there with the best teams *on paper* of the NRL era. Imagine blowing that on Kevvy Walters. My god.
Click to expand...
TV Commentators and media personalities make awful coaches...the days of the "vibe of the thing" even at Origin level are long over. Coaching is a skill about sports science and Xs & Os that requires education, training and experience...not bobbleheads trying to be edgy in the commentary.

I was disgusted that NSWRL went back to Loz, I would have backed a QLD sweep but it looks like NSWRL has realised that Dailey needs some professional coaching support around him. So hopefully Loz will lean on that support (heavily).

PS. In case it gets raised Slater is a specialist assistant at the Storm as well as a commentator, so he's always working with Bellamy and may be his heir apparent.
 
Seano said:
Not a bad effort from Fox Sports, a fair few of these seem likely to hit. However, I won't be backing Hunt for the Dally M. He will of course have Reece Walsh to contend with for pts and Walsh only has to do one thing spectacular a game to lock up three points despite the missed tackles and errors.

But Hunt's finish at the Dragons was poor. Either a bad attitude which was unprofessional or a sign of declining skills or both but he should have led them to the finals (and we should have missed out, AOB very fortunate with Hunt's poor performances and Bennett bizarrely dropping Katoa for Nikorima).

www.foxsports.com.au

Broncos surge snares Dally M; spoon stunner as Ricky roars: 25 for ’25 NRL bold predictions

Broncos surge snares Dally M; wooden spoon shock: 25 for ’25 NRL bold predictions
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au
Click to expand...
Some decent ones in there but I'm supremely confident Lewis Dodd will suck *** in the NRL.
 
Seano said:
Not a bad effort from Fox Sports, a fair few of these seem likely to hit. However, I won't be backing Hunt for the Dally M. He will of course have Reece Walsh to contend with for pts and Walsh only has to do one thing spectacular a game to lock up three points despite the missed tackles and errors.

But Hunt's finish at the Dragons was poor. Either a bad attitude which was unprofessional or a sign of declining skills or both but he should have led them to the finals (and we should have missed out, AOB very fortunate with Hunt's poor performances and Bennett bizarrely dropping Katoa for Nikorima).

www.foxsports.com.au

Broncos surge snares Dally M; spoon stunner as Ricky roars: 25 for ’25 NRL bold predictions

Broncos surge snares Dally M; wooden spoon shock: 25 for ’25 NRL bold predictions
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au
Click to expand...
It isn’t Foxsports biased without them pumping up Ricky’s tyres :lol::lol:
 
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.
 
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