We reveal the No.1 player in the game

9. Payne Haas (Brisbane 219 points)

If he’s not the most damaging prime mover in the NRL, he is surely in the grand final. The Broncos have had some truly great props over the years, in particular Glenn Lazarus, Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva. Haas compares favourably with any of them, and he is still only 25, which is when the big men up front traditionally start to come of age. Injuries restricted the NSW and Kangaroos bulldozer to only 14 games last season, which perhaps explains Brisbane’s dramatic fall from grace. If he’s back to full capacity, you can expect Payne to inflict plenty of suffering on his opponents in 2025.

8. Tom Trbojevic (Manly, 233 points)

Which storyline will it be for “Tommy Turbo” this year? The champion in rude health, back to his brilliant best and lifting Manly into premiership contention? Or the forlorn hero limping from one physio appointment to the next? There is no more influential player in the NRL than Trbojevic at his best. The form he showed in 2021 – when he scored 28 tries in 18 games to win the Dally M medal – was simply mind-boggling, and if he can return to that phenomenal level, anything appears possible for the Sea Eagles. With a good squad around him, this shapes as potentially Turbo’s best shot at a title. If, that is, he can stay on the park.

7. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta 233 points)

Despite spending the majority of his career in the shadow of the omnipotent Nathan Cleary, Moses finished last season as the incumbent NSW and Kangaroos halfback – helping both teams win the silverware they were chasing. Does he retain those jobs if Cleary is fit and available for selection? Probably not, but at least Moses has proven himself a game-winner at representative level. Indeed, there is even a case to say he could play alongside Cleary in the halves in rep teams. Faces a new challenge in 2025, leading a rebuilding Parramatta outfit after the departure of former skipper Clint Gutherson. Moses shapes as the linchpin for the Eels as they launch a new era under rookie coach Jason Ryles.

6. Isaah Yeo (Penrith, 257 points)

What a year 2024 was for Penrith’s ultra-reliable co-captain. The towering lock not only helped lead the Panthers to a fourth straight premiership, he starred in NSW’s Origin series win and then skippered the Kangaroos to victory in the Pacific Championships, winning the Golden Boot as the IRB’s player of the year in the process. A workhorse with a rare ability to distribute the ball as first receiver, Yeo’s greatest asset is his consistency. He rarely makes a mistake, let alone hands in a sub-par game. The Panthers have built a dynasty around him. It might continue for a while yet, too.

5. Dylan Edwards (Penrith 264 points)

In an era of outstanding fullbacks, Edwards has entrenched himself as the gun No.1. Or should that be the No.1 gun? Whatever your preference, there is no denying the sheer class of the Penrith custodian, who has been a cornerstone of four consecutive premiership conquests. He also helped NSW win a State of Origin series last year at his first attempt, then starred for Australia in their Pacific Championships victory. Perhaps the best gauge of the elite level Edwards has reached is that the long-serving incumbent he replaced in the NSW and Australian teams, James Tedesco, had an 2024 outstanding season in his own right.

4. Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle, 274 points)

Is there a more watchable player in the NRL? Newcastle’s talisman boasts a unique skill set and can unlock any defence with pace, footwork and sublime ball-playing nous. That’s been enough to earn him a huge bank balance and social media following, but clearly the 26-year-old is far from satisfied. As he enters his eighth season with Newcastle, the 2023 Dally M medallist still boasts only a single win in finals football. There is no such thing as a one-man team, but most would agree Ponga is the key if the Knights are any hope of challenging for a title. If he is fit and firing in the finals, Newcastle shape as a wildcard who will worry any opponent.

Loading

3. Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne 278 points)

Came of age last season and was rewarded with the Dally M medal. The New Zealand Test half has been a quality player for years and is finally getting the credit he deserves. With Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuzen, Hughes completes arguably the best spine in the business. Their presence ensures that Melbourne, minor premiers and runners-up last year, kick off 2025 as title favourites. If Hughes can reproduce last year’s heroics, the Storm will be there or thereabouts when the whips are cracking.

2. Harry Grant (Melbourne 293 points)

Inheriting the No.9 Storm jersey from Cameron Smith is surely the rugby league equivalent of batting after Bradman. It says plenty about Harry Grant that he has not only succeeded Smith as Melbourne’s dummy-half, but also in the Queensland and Australian Test teams, too. The 26-year-old has an amazing ability to sneak over for a try, and most weeks he chimes in with 40 or 50 tackles. Promoted to Storm skipper last season, he led them to a grand final defeat, and you can guarantee he will be hell-bent on going one better this year. He’ll be hoping to become the first Storm skipper to hold the premiership trophy aloft since Smith in 2020.

1. Nathan Cleary (Penrith, 354 points)

It’s not even really up for debate these days. After calling the shots in four consecutive grand final triumphs, Penrith maestro Nathan Cleary is widely acknowledged as the premier player in rugby league. Daylight second. The only question appears to be if he has yet reached his peak. At just 26, he could conceivably continue to become even better, although that would involve improving upon perfection. The champion half faces new challenges this season after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction and the departure of his long-time partner Jarome Luai, but he still has enough quality around him to ensure the Panthers are again among the short-priced favourites for a fifth title. Only the brave (or foolhardy) would back against a player seemingly destined to join the game’s Immortals.

NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now