NRL Offseason: 25 Wishes for 2025 (Part 3)

NRL Offseason: 25 Wishes for 2025 (Part 3)

Oscar Pannifex

We’ve spent the last two weeks kicking off our list of 25 rugby league wishes for the 2025 NRL season. For those just tuning in, here’s what we’ve touched on so far (in no particular order):

Part 1 (1 – 5) : Breaking the Bennett curse, Munster magic, Redemption for Ilias, Burton to kick on, a Bunnies bounce back

Part 2 (6 – 10) : Less Bunker howlers, Parra back on track, Titans to find first-choice spine, Tohu Harris comeback, Willison breakout season

Let’s keep the ball rolling with Part 3 of our 25 Wishes for NRL 2025.

11. Penrith to come back to the pack

This is usually where hardcore footy fans or analysts will take the high road and tell you it’s important to appreciate what the Penrith Panthers are doing right now.

I can certainly see that side of the coin, but after four dominant seasons surely it’s time for the Panthers to come back to the pack.

Jarome Luai is being billed as the loss that will have the most impact but was he really any more important to this Penrith squad than Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau or Api Koroisau before him? His absence will undeniably be felt, but I’m looking more towards the hole left by James Fisher-Harris as a difference maker in NRL season 2025.

Given the quality they’ve lost heading into next year, for the four-time defending champs to bring in Blaize Talagi and Isaiah Papali’i is evidence of their elite roster management.

Penrith set the bar in this rugby league era and while it’s comforting to think they might come back to the pack soon, in reality it’s going to take an almighty ‘25 campaign from a rival club to disrupt this Panthers juggernaut.

12. Redemption in Red Hill

As a long-time Michael Maguire believer, I’m excited to see what he does with this young Broncos squad in 2025.

Fitness, discipline and roster depth were issues for Brisbane this season but history suggests ‘Madge’ is the perfect guy to remedy those issues, moving forward.

Ben Hunt is of course an appealing addition to a playing squad that lacked experience and leadership in key positions this year – particularly when Adam Reynolds was sidelined. The luxury of having a guy like Hunt to cover 6, 7, 9 & 13 at different stages of the year cannot be understated and the threats Brisbane will pose heading into finals with Hunt, Reynolds, Walsh, Carrigan and Mam all on the field together is a scary prospect.

We know there are points in this Broncos outfit but how they apply themselves defensively is what I’m most excited for. If ‘Madge’ can help guys like Kotoni Staggs, Brendan Piakura and Jordan Riki take the next step off the ball, Brisbane will very quickly become a genuine premiership threat once again.

13. Redemption in Red Hill (NRLW)

Staying in Brisbane, fans of the growing women’s game will tell you that the Brisbane Broncos missed a golden opportunity in the 2024 NRLW season.

A stacked and beautifully balanced roster had me very keen on the Broncos this year but injuries, suspensions and poor form hampered them at different stages throughout the regular season.

Despite ranking as the best attacking side in the competition after nine rounds played, Brisbane failed to score a point against Cronulla in the semi final and will roll into next season with a fairly similar squad and a point to prove.

Ali Brigginshaw doesn’t have long left in the game but she does have her old partner in crime – Tamika Upton – back in Brisbane for season 2025.

The best player in the women’s game paired with the most experienced female half we’ve ever seen – and both playing behind a dynamic forward pack and within a productive backline – should see Brisbane start as firm favourites in the 2025 NRLW premiership race.

14. Blayke Brailey & AFB

On paper, Addin Fonua-Blake is a wonderful addition to this Cronulla Sharks outfit.

One of the most productive middle forwards in the game and a prolific try scorer, AFB brings size, mobility and variety to what is currently a hard-working and fairly one-dimensional Sharks pack.

Fonua-Blake’s ability to bend the line and disrupt the defence is the perfect foil for a guy like Nicho Hynes who reads ques and punishes errors as well as any half in the NRL.

We can expect both of these guys to be a focal point of the Sharks attack in 2025; AFB promoting the ball or generating some ruck speed before Hynes pulls the trigger on the following play.

How Cronulla set up for Fonua-Blake is another thing I’m keen for, however.

Blayke Brailey is sorely underrated at this point in his development but is coming off a career-year and can have some joy linking with AFB around the ruck. He plays with great tempo and deception to engage markers and isolate defenders close to the line; Tom Hazelton was the beneficiary of Brailey’s playmaking at different times this year.

Now with the most destructive middle forward in the NRL pushing off his hip, I like Brailey to kick on again in season 2025.

15. Robbo to prove his credentials

Trent Robinson’s reputation as one of the elite coaches of the NRL modern era is under threat following a mass exodus of key players in Bondi over the summer.

Despite featuring in every finals series since their back-to-back premierships of ‘18 and ‘19, the general consensus is that Easts have underperformed over the past few seasons given the quality of their roster and coaching staff.

Now faced with the biggest player turnover Easts have undergone in recent years, I’m very curious to see how Robinson manages the next 12-24 months.

The Reece Robson signing may be evidence that Robinson is preparing to take the Roosters in a different direction.

Under Robinson, Easts have always been a high-risk, high-reward style team. They will roll the dice in attack and back themselves to defend any errors they make along the way.

In Robson however, the Roosters have acquired an ultra-consistent, ultra-reliable dummy-half who can play nice and direct (albeit while still offering plenty of upside as an underrated playmaking hooker) and will tackle for days.

Is this a sign that Robinson will look to change the Roosters playing style, moving forward?

With Sam Walker and Brandon Smith sidelined to begin NRL season 2025, Robinson’s hand may be forced. With all players fit in the back end of the regular season though, we’re going to get a much better idea of what direction Robinson and the Roosters are headed in the short-term future.

What’s on your NRL wish list for season 2025? Let us know in the comments

 

Written by Oscar Pannifex | RLWAPPAREL.COM