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‘Get it out, stop players from diving’ | 01:11
The first trial matches of the year are in the books, meaning the new NRL season is less than three weeks away.
Watch every game of the 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge Live & Exclusive on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
There are still plenty of selection decisions that teams have yet to figure out, but most clubs are close to locking in their best 17.
Factoring in injuries, suspensions, roster moves and potential shake-ups, here’s how we think the teams could look for Round 1.
PANTHERS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cole 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner
Analysis: New signing Isaiah Papali’i ran out for the Panthers in their trial loss against the Raiders. The former Warriors, Eels and Tigers gun had seven runs for 41 metres in his 50-minute stint, showing why he’s likely to take a starting back row spot under Ivan Cleary, with could see Scott Sorensen return to the middle rotation and play edge minutes when needed. With Liam Martin likely featuring on the right side, Papali’i could line up on the left edge come Round 1, and Cleary will be hoping he can forge a strong partnership with the club’s five-eighth, with fellow recruit Blaize Talagi and Jack Cole hunting to wear the No.6. Talagi has been nursing a shoulder that was operated on during the off-season, so the former Eels gun is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1.
STORM
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Christian Welch 17. Tui Kamikamica
Analysis: Winger Xavier Coates has escaped any serious injury despite leaving training on-board a medical cab on Thursday. Coates suffered a slightly sprained ankle but is expected to feature in the Storm’s round 1 clash against Parramatta. A Storm spokesperson said Coates was only taken in a medical cab due to the distance between the field and the club’s medical room. Should he be unable to take the field, Grant Anderson is the frontrunner to take his place on the wing.
ROOSTERS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Naufahu Whyte 15. Siua Wong 16. De La Salle Va’a 17. Egan Butcher
Analysis: The biggest question for the Roosters is who replaces Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii in the backline and there’s a three horse race to fill the centre spots. Billy Smith,Mark Nawaqanitawase and Robert Toia are all in contention, with Smith having played 27 NRL games in an injury-riddled stint at the Tricolours. Nawaqanitawase has featured once in first grade, while Toia is a highly-touted young gun who has also battled to return from a pair of ACL injuries. Nawaqanitawase and Smith could get first crack, but Toia will be breathing down their necks and the rookie is one of the club’s next generation of stars.
SHARKS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Nicho Hynes 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10 Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Siosifa Talakai
Analysis: Star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake has revealed that he could play less minutes this season in an explosive new role. The former Warrior joins a loaded front row room that includes Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tom Hazelton, Toby Rudolf and Oregon Kaufusi. “I think we have a quality rotation of props here at the moment, it might be shorter minutes (for me) which might be a bit more of an output but you have to have fitness for that,” he told Code Sports. Meanwhile, Hazelton started in the club’s 12-all draw with the Warriors, scoring yet another try after getting over the white line seven times in his 25 games in 2024. The 26-year-old’s future at the Sharks remains unclear, however he could push for a starting spot alongside Fonua-Blake with further strong trials performances.
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 17. Griffin Neame
Analysis: Cowboys young gun Viliami Vailea has reportedly won the battle to replace Val Holmes in the centres and could even take on the kicking duties. Vailea forced his way into North Queensland’s side in Round 9 last year and didn’t look back, starting all 18 games for the rest of the season. The 22-year-old Tongan started the summer training on both edges but has now cemented his spot on the right, according to Code Sports. Vailea is also in the running to replace Holmes as a goalkicking option and coach Todd Payten already has him practising.
BULLDOGS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tom Amone 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Jaeman Salmon 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Josh Curran
Analysis: Connor Tracey will retain the No.1 jersey after a breakout season at fullback. But the backline is set for a shake-up after Josh Addo-Carr’s switch to the Eels and Jeral Skelton’s defection to the Tigers. Marcelo Montoya and Enari Tuala will battle it out for the vacant wing spot, with Montoya potentially set to get first cricket. Another interesting selection battle looms in the forward pack, with English forward Ryan Sutton gunning for a return to the field after an injury-riddled 2024 campaign that saw him feature in NSW Cup in a single game. He is contracted for the 2025 season, but will be hopeful of adding starch to Bulldogs’ forward pack once he strings together a patch of games in reserve grade.
SEA EAGLES
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Nathan Brown 16. Siosiua Taukeiaho 17. Jazz Tevaga
Analysis: Anthony Seibold has confirmed that Tom Trbojevic will be his fullback, despite competition from Lehi Hopoate, who is pushing for a spot on the wing or in the centres. “No, Turbo (Trbojevic) will not be playing six this year,” Seibold told SEN 1170. “He will play fullback. He still is, if not the elite fullback in the game, certainly in the top two of fullbacks. In the meantime, Lehi (Hopoate) will compete for a spot on the wing or in the centres.” Hopoate will have plenty of competition, with Tommy Talau, Reuben Garrick, Tolu Koula and Jason Saab all gunning for outside back spots.
KNIGHTS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker
Analysis: Knights star Tyson Frizell is set for a shift into the middle according to captain Kalyn Ponga, with rising stars Dylan Lucas and Kai Pearce-Paul to be the team’s starting second row pairing. There’s a vacancy in the front row with Daniel Saifiti now at the Dolphins. “We’re moving Friz (Frizell) from the back row into the middle,” Ponga told foxsports.com.au. James Schiller and young gun Fletcher Sharpe are in a battle for the
Tyson Frizell is set for a positional switch in 2025.Source: Getty ImagesRAIDERS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Ata Mariota 17. Pasami Saulo
Analysis: Ricky Stuart’s rebuild is in full swing. Ethan Sanders in his first game in Raiders colours steered Canberra to victory over the Panthers in the first week of the Pre-Season Challenge. The 21-year-old is pushing to take Jamal Fogarty’s No.7 jersey, and he did nothing to hurt his chances of debuting for his new club sooner rather than later on Saturday night. Meanwhile, English recruit Matty Nicholson started in the back row, making 23 tackles and running for 56 metres. But the big story of the night was hooker Owen Pattie, who was impressive out of dummy-half. The young gun was labelled a “young Harry Grant” by Fox League’s Paul Crawley, who predicted he could beat out Danny Levi for a spot in the hooker rotation in Vegas alongside Tom Starling.
DOLPHINS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Max Plath 14. Ray Stone 15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Mark Nicholls
Analysis: Dolphins veteran Kenny Bromwich revealed to foxsports.com.au that Kristian Woolf is plotting a way to unleash both Max Plath and Tom Gilbert in his forward pack ahead of Round 1. Plath had a breakout season in 2024, while Gilbert was sidelined due to an ACL rupture he suffered in February last year. Plath took over in the No.13, but Gilbert is an Origin level lock, handing rookie coach Kristian Woolf a healthy headache ahead of his debut season. “We have to find a way to fit them both in,” Bromwich said. “They are both great players, but that’s a job for Woolfy, but I think we are trying to fit them in in some way.” Meanwhile, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been confirmed to wear the No.1 jersey.
DRAGONS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Moses Suli 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Damien Cook 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hame Sele 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Toby Couchman
Analysis: Dragons co-captain Clint Gutherson has confirmed young gun Tyrell Sloan is well and truly in the mix to remain in the starting side in Round 1. The 22-year-old has been ousted from the fullback slot due to Gutherson’s arrival, but the former NSW star had nothing but praise for Sloan who could be set to feature on the wing under Shane Flanagan. “He’s probably a generational talent in some words, he’s played at the highest level for a number of years now,” Gutherson told foxsports.com.au. “We’ve seen what he can do on the field, he can do things probably 99 per cent of people can’t.” When asked if he will take the field, Gutherson said: “Definitely, we will find a spot”.
WARRIORS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Rocco Berry 5. Taine Tuaupiki 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Tom Ale 17. Bunty Afoa
Analysis: Warriors star winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is racing the clock to be fit for the club’s season opener in Las Vegas. He suffered a wrist injury against the Sharks in the first week of the pre-season challenge, landing awkwardly outside the field of play after throwing it back infield. Taine Tuaupiki replaced him on the wing, while Ali Leiataua could also push to take that spot alongside Edward Kosi should the veteran winger be unable to take the field in Vegas.
BRONCOS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Payne Haas 9. Blake Mozer 10. Corey Jensen 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Xavier Willison
Analysis: Patrick Carrigan could make a switch to the front row in 2025, opening a path for Kobe Hetherington to start at lock under new coach Michael Maguire. It remains to be seen if that move will eventuate, but a host of first grade hopefuls took the field for the first time against Queensland Cup side the Burleigh Bears on Saturday. Hooker Tyson Smoothy, prop Ben Te Kura and centre Josiah Karapani all played, while Jock Madden also featured at halfback. But the real story came at fullback, with Latrell Siegwalt showing he has what it takes to be Reece Walsh’s deputy in 2025, competing with Hayze Perham and Selwyn Cobbo as the preferred No.1 should the club’s Origin superstar go down injured.
TITANS
Predicted Round 2 team (Bye in Round 1): 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Josiah Pahulu 17. Kieran Foran
Analysis: Foxsports.com.au understands that AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell will be the team’s halves pairing to start the season, meaning last year’s Titans Player of the Year Keano Kini will continue wearing the No. 1 jersey. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui isn’t quite 100% yet, meaning the extra week (Titans have bye in Rd 1) will do him the world of good as he readies to be right by the start of the season.
EELS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Joey Lussick 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Jack Williams 17. Kelma Tuilagi
Analysis: Eels star Shaun Lane is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1 after undergoing knee surgery. Lane won’t play the trials, according to The Daily Telegraph, and suffered the injury while rehabbing a hamstring strain. The 30-year-old reported knee soreness to Parramatta’s medical staff and an ensuing scan revealed a minor meniscus issue. Jack Williams, Kelma Tuilagi, Kitione Kautoga and Charlie Guymer will all be in contention to replace him in the back row.
RABBITOHS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Campbell Graham 4. Jack Wighton 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jai Arrow 14. Siliva Havili 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Lachlan Hubner 17. Sean Keppie
Analysis: New Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett may pull a shocker and start an inexperienced recruit in the halves over a highly spruiked UK star to begin the season. It’s been reported by WWOS that Jamie Humphreys has been impressing all pre-season and pushing to be named in the No. 7 jersey for the Round 1 clash against the Dolphins over Lewis Dodd. Dodd, who starred in the Super League before linking up with the Rabbitohs in the off-season, was pegged to be South Sydney’s halfback to start the 2025 season. However, Humphreys is keeping Dodd honest and making a strong case for the prized spot, having played a single NRL game for Manly in 2024. Humphreys could also push for selection at hooker, having played dummy-half in NSW Cup last season. Meanwhile, five-eighth Cody Walker is reportedly in doubt for the opening round after suffering a calf injury last month. According to Code Sports, Walker is unlikely to play in the two South Sydney trial matches as he aims to be fit for the Rabbitohs’ Round 1 clash against the Dolphins. While Walker’s rehab is on target, he’s still in some doubt for the 2025 opener.
WESTS TIGERS
Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Justin Olam 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Royce Hunt 9. Latu Fainu 10. Terrell May 11. Jack Bird 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Fonua Pole 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. David Klemmer 17. Alex Twal
Analysis: Jahream Bula is due back from a shoulder injury in the trials and will be the fullback with former Panthers premiership winners Sunia Turuva in his first season at the Tigers and new recruit Jeral Skelton on the wing. With the halves pairing (Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin) seemingly sorted, utility Adam Doueihi will be fighting for a centre spot in Round 1.
