Welcome back for another blockbuster season of NRL action. It has been 4 seasons since someone other than the Panthers have lifted the trophy, so teams will be out to end their reign. Just when it looked possible towards the end of 2024, their class dominated at the business end of the season. Now, with more players departing, others will believe that it is their time.
This time of the year holds the hopes of all teams higher than they should be. The preseason filled with hard work off the field is aiming to provide rewards on it. Unfortunately, there can only be 8 teams who make the finals and 1 who is named as Premiers.
Before You Bet will be here to guide you through every single match each week, so stay tuned for insights and other articles on our NRL Tips page as we look to add a return to enhance your viewing enjoyment. Let’s look at the chances of each team in NRL season 2025.
NRL 2025 Season Preview & Betting Tips
Contenders
Penrith Panthers
The Panthers are hungrier than ever to keep their successful run going. It will also be amazing if it does considering the players they have lost over the years. Most recently, the departure of Luai and Fisher-Harris tests the depth of a strong program. It’s time for the next crop of players to step up. If there is one club that can do this, it is the Panthers. Cleary is as crucial to their success as ever but watch for emerging players to stamp their authority on this team. There is no reason to doubt them; winning is a habit in Penrith and they appear to enjoy the challenge of being ‘the hunted’.
Melbourne Storm
They were unlucky to some extent in the Grand Final against the Panthers. They played with consistency throughout 2024, building pressure on teams with a simple, no-nonsense style of play. The fact that they performed so well with their spine barely playing any matches together indicates how strong this team is. Adding power to their pack will only enhance their chances. The Storm will feature strongly in September and will want to be able to use their home ground to their advantage.
Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos missed the Top 8 last season after coming close to winning the competition in 2023. There was an overhaul of the club, with Michael Maguire replacing Kevin Walters as coach. His arrival is expected to add a hard edge to a talented squad of players; he will hold them accountable and has a proven record of success. The arrival of Ben Hunt also adds another dimension to this side. They are expected to climb back up the ladder, to the point of challenging again for the Premiership.
Cronulla Sharks
It’s now or never for the Sharks. They have been a contender for several years with little reward to show for it. The talent of their squad is evident, and they establish victories on the foundation of strong, rigid defence. A similar game plan is expected this year, while the inclusion of Fonua-Blake adds power up front for them. The next challenge is getting the team to stay healthy; when they are at full-strength, there is no doubting their premiership credentials. The other major hurdle for them to overcome is the mental scars of previous seasons; again, the time for excuses is over.
Keep an eye on them…
North Queensland Cowboys
Littered with talent, the Cowboys have continually underachieved. The stability created within their halves following the departure of Townsend will allow players to settle; it is time for this squad to do something with factors in their favour. This includes turning their home ground back into a ‘fortress’. Teams will look to target their weaknesses and being ‘fit’ will not be enough. They need to tighten up their defence and play with poise in attack.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Powering their way into the Finals last year, the Sea Eagles quickly lost momentum when it mattered most. Under the guide of Siebold, they played a brand of rugby league which delivered rocks and diamonds in equal measure. The highs are very good, but they also have their fair share of ordinary performances. If they have Tommy Turbo for majority of the season, they will be a force in the competition. Previous seasons indicate that this will be tough to manage; an aging squad of key players doesn’t make their task any easier also.
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters will be without two key players in Smith and Walker to start the season. This will hurt their chances and despite having capable replacements, there is a level of class which is still missing. Furthermore, the firepower absent from their forward pack makes them vulnerable. Coach Robinson should not be underestimated though; years of experience indicates that he has what it takes to get his team to another Finals series. He will be earning every cent of his money this season.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The second coming of coach Bennett brings high aspirations but the injury news for Mitchell and Murray damages their hopes. The loss of their captain for majority of the season rips the heart out of this team. Injuries have plagued them recently and they will want to field a fit and healthy team as much as possible; it will have a direct impact on their success. The loss of Cook and questions lingering about their halfback only impacts their chances further. They are closer to missing the Top 8 in season 2025 than making it.
Newcastle Knights
One of the greatest unknowns heading into this season is how the Knights will perform. If Ponga remains fit, they should make the Top 8. If their star player is absent, their season could unravel quickly. Pinning your hopes on one player is never ideal and the Knights will want to continue to build combinations across the park to cover for their star if he is absent. O’Brien is another coach who could feel the pressure if the performances of his team are not up to a suitable standard at the start of the season.
Gold Coast Titans
Des Hasler has his second year in charge of this club and will welcome back his power forwards with open arms. Big Tino and Fifita are crucial; losing Foran will hurt for the first half of the season but a new combination involving Jayden Campbell in the halves is emerging. Hasler has a proven record of success, and he will not tolerate inconsistent or poor performances. They are a team which has potential to push for a spot in the Top 4; if they underachieve, the coach could be looking for a job by the end of the season.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Were the surprise packet of 2024 and now with teams wary of what they offer, game plans will be adjusted to ensure their opponents are prepared for their style of play. The challenge for them isn’t maintaining their standard, it is improving on it and evolving each week. Their success was built around defence, and it will again be a focus for them in 2025. They are talented enough to feature in the Top 8 but lack a genuine half who can control the team…at this stage anyway. That could change quickly if success is achieved.
New Zealand Warriors
2024 was a year to forget for the Warriors as they failed to make the Finals. The talent is still evident within their team and the departure of Shaun Johnson will allow for consistency within their spine; it was time for the veteran playmaker to move on. If they can rediscover their disciplined play and turn that into points, they will be back into the Top 8. Assisting this will be their home ground advantage; it is one of the best in the NRL and the Warriors players will want to reward their loyal fans for sticking with them through last season. You will know early on what lies ahead for this team and it makes for interesting viewing.
No Chance
Canberra Raiders
A young squad of players, the Raiders are a team who is rebuilding. They will have you believe otherwise; a start in Vegas will allow this team to showcase their talents. They will experience their fair share of success throughout the season but inconsistencies in their game still plague them. Providing their team learns from their mistakes, this could be a good year for this team to launch towards a successful 2026 campaign.
Wests Tigers
Luai travels to the Tigers with high hopes of transforming this club. He is a proven winner and a man who drives culture. The transformation of this club is happening before our eyes and while they will not enjoy the success their fans so desperately desire, expect them to move up the ladder. Said with confidence: the Tigers will not win the Wooden Spoon in 2025.
St George-Illawarra Dragons
Much like the Tigers, they too are in a rebuilding phase. One thing is for sure under Flanagan, they will be a tough, gritty team who will rarely give their opponents multiple opportunities. The coach will not stand for that. This will make them competitive, but it will not lead them towards the title in season 2025. Yes, this is almost identical to what was written in 2024 but again, the Dragons have a lot more to improve on in this club than just their on-field play.
The Dolphins
Bennett has departed this club and a dip in performance is expected. They have built themselves up well over the years, but it can be a steep fall without an experienced voice at the helm. That isn’t to cast doubt of Wolfe; he is well credentialed, and some would argue that he was doing most of the tactical work last season. The fact that there is doubt around this team and uncertainty about their depth (still), means that it is another year of building this club towards success in years to come.
Parramatta Eels
Jason Ryles takes over this club with the hopes of transforming them into a winning squad. Some tough calls early in his tenure have set a standard; he will not tolerate underperforming or underachieving players. It will take a full season before he is able to properly impact this team but powerbrokers at the club are prepared to wait. Make no mistake though, the difference between success and failure for this club isn’t much at this stage and it will not take them long to turn around their fortunes.
Suggested Bets
Premiers
They are the favourites for the competition. Most are doubting the Panthers ability to go again, and it will be the Storm who have the largest say in this outcome. The talent they possess in key areas makes them a genuine threat. The representative period will diminish their squad, but it will also offer the opportunity to freshen their squad.
TIP: Storm to be Premiers – $3.75 at Ladbrokes (2 Units)
To Make the Top 4
As mentioned above, now is the time for the Sharks to make a stand. Having such a valuable price for them to maintain their consistency is enticing for punters. Their squad hasn’t lost much in the offseason, and some would argue that they are better placed to succeed in 2025.
TIP: Sharks to Make Top 4 – $2.50 at Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
To Miss the Top 8
This isn’t a nice bet to suggest as it is banking on the fact that there will be injuries to key players within their squad. Unfortunately, they appear to lack the depth of most others in key areas. Invest on this option sparingly because they are talented enough to prove this humble tipster very, very wrong.
TIP: Sea Eagles to Miss Top 8 – $2.20 at Neds (1 Unit)
