2025 has been an NRL season full of stories of brilliance, resilience, and talent. The league's best players are pushing the limits, breaking records, and bringing us great rugby across Australia and New Zealand. From unstoppable forwards to strategic playmakers, here are some of the players who stood out during the 2025 season.
1. Nathan Cleary
Nathan Cleary leads the NRL. Managing pressure and executing plays, he's reached a level few can and in addition to being one of the best players right now, he's also one of the best players ever. 20 try asssists and exceptional kicking accuracy, he's the current gold standard for halfbacks in the game.
try assists during the 2025 NRL season
2. Reece Walsh
Reece Walsh has helped the Broncos' attack become one of the most exciting in the league. Explosive pace and creativity make him almost unstoppable when he's firing on all cylinders. He's only in his early twenties, so he's likely to produce more quality in future seasons, too, which is why he's currently one of the highest-paid players in the league.
The “best NRL players” list is built on a combination of Dally M votes, NRL.com performance ratings, and representative honours like Origin and Kangaroos selection. Analysts assess each player’s consistency, impact, and leadership across the season. These rankings balance stats such as try assists, tackles, and metres gained with intangibles like decision-making under pressure. The goal is to highlight the players who don’t just perform well individually but consistently elevate their clubs and teammates throughout the 2025 season.
3. Cameron Munster
Cameron Munster has shown individual brilliance to turn games. He's one of the NRL's most complete playmakers, combining flair and toughness. His leadership at Melbourne Storm in the 2025 season helped him make this list.
4. Dylan Edwards
Dylan Edwards brought an unrelenting effort and reliability during the 2025 season. His fitness, defence, and kick returns helped keep Penrith at the top of the competition. He was rated one of the best players of the season for his consistency.
5. Kalyn Ponga
Kalyn Ponga regularly produced highlight moments for Newcastle. Footwork and vision helped him unlock defences. He was a central part of almost every success story this season. Ponga is also a proud Māori player.
Modern rugby league is as much about numbers as it is about instinct. Key metrics such as tackle efficiency, try involvements, line breaks, and run metres provide quantifiable measures of a player's effectiveness. While these stats don't tell the whole story, they reveal patterns of influence, showing who controls the tempo, breaks defensive lines, or dominates possession. For the 2025 season, several players, including Nathan Cleary, Reece Walsh, and Payne Haas, consistently rank among the top percentiles in these categories.
6. Payne Haas
Payne Haas brings an unmatched work rate and physicality. One of the most dependable props in the league, whether grinding out metres or making crucial tackles, he sets the standard. The Broncos wouldn't be the same team without him.
tackles in 2025
7. Nicho Hynes
Nicho Hynes controls games for the Sharks with passing and kicking. Mature and intelligent, he's had another consistent season where he's cemented his reputation as one of the league's smartest playmakers.
Being one of the best NRL players isn’t about one standout match; it’s about sustained excellence. Players like James Tedesco and Cameron Munster have remained elite for years through discipline, adaptability, and professionalism. Season after season, they contribute to attack and defence while mentoring younger teammates. Consistency across seasons shows not only skill but mental strength, leadership, and fitness; the hallmarks of truly great NRL players.
8. Tom Dearden
Tom Dearden has composure and tactical awareness beyond his years. One of Queensland's most reliable playmakers, he combines attacking flair with strong defensive structure. His leadership at the Cowboys has made him one of the NRL's top players for the 2025 season.
9. Harry Grant
Harry Grant's speed and timing make him one of the NRL's most dangerous hookers. He reads defences and creates opportunities for his teammates. Another dominant season for Melbourne has cemented his place in this season's list.
The NRL’s strength lies in its state and club rivalries. From powerhouse teams like the Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm, and Brisbane Broncos to rising clubs such as the Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers, and North Queensland Cowboys, each side brings its own legacy and loyal fanbase. Across Queensland and New South Wales, regional passion fuels games between clubs like the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles, and Gold Coast Titans. Even the New Zealand Warriors add an international edge to the competition, reminding fans that rugby league pride extends far beyond one state.
10. James Tedesco
James Tedesco leads by example, consistently demonstrating professionalism in almost every game. His experience, vision, and defensive organisation are all crucial to the Roosters. Season by season, he's cementing his legacy as one of the league's finest.
Top Players By Team
Despite there being a salary cap to control spending and balance teams across the league, you may have noticed that the NZ Warriors, New Zealand's only NRL team, doesn't have any players in the list of the best players right now, nor in the top-earning players, which is probably linked since you have to pay for the best.
| Rank | Player | Club | Position | 2025 Performance Rating | Representative Teams | Key 2025 Stats | Career Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith Panthers | Halfback / Captain | 9.6 / 10 | NSW Blues; Australia Kangaroos | 20 try assists; 87% goal-kicking; 2,450 kicking metres | 3× Premierships; 2× Dally M; Clive Churchill Medal 2021 |
| 2 | Reece Walsh | Brisbane Broncos | Fullback | 9.4 / 10 | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | 18 try assists; 15 line breaks; 2,900 running metres | 2023 Grand Finalist; Origin starter; Rookie finalist 2021 |
| 3 | Cameron Munster | Melbourne Storm | Five-Eighth | 9.3 / 10 | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | 16 try assists; 50 tackle breaks; 12 forced dropouts | 3× Premierships; Clive Churchill Medal 2020 |
| 4 | Dylan Edwards | Penrith Panthers | Fullback | 9.1 / 10 | NSW Blues; Australia Kangaroos | 3,400 running metres; 100 tackle breaks; 10 tries | 3× Premierships; Clive Churchill Medal 2022 |
| 5 | Kalyn Ponga | Newcastle Knights | Fullback / Five-Eighth | 9.0 / 10 | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | 14 try assists; 12 line breaks; 8 tries | Dally M Medal 2023; Knights captain |
| 6 | Payne Haas | Brisbane Broncos | Prop Forward | 9.0 / 10 | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | 3,200m gained; 700 tackles; 185m avg per game | 4× Dally M Prop; Broncos POTY 2022–24 |
| 7 | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Halfback / Five-Eighth | 8.9 / 10 | NSW Blues | 17 try assists; 90% goal-kicking; 2,100 kicking metres | Dally M 2022; record for try assists (2022) |
| 8 | Tom Dearden | North Queensland Cowboys | Five-Eighth | 8.8 / 10 | QLD Maroons; NRL All Stars | 10 try assists; 450 tackles; 5 tries | Origin debut winner 2022; led Cowboys to Prelim Final |
| 9 | Harry Grant | Melbourne Storm | Hooker | 8.8 / 10 | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | 1,200 tackles; 15 try assists; 12 line break assists | Dally M Hooker (2021, 2023); World Cup 2022 |
| 10 | James Tedesco | Sydney Roosters | Fullback / Captain | 8.7 / 10 | NSW Blues (C); Australia (C) | 3,000 running metres; 8 tries; 9 try assists | 2× Dally M; 2× Premierships; Golden Boot 2019 |
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