The dust has settled on the 2025 NRL season, but the post mortems continue.
Wide World of Sports has analysed the transfer market over the past 12 months, identifying the best signings and the ones who failed to live up to the hype.
Later this week, we’ll examine the best signings for next season.
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Here’s who starred and who struggled at their new clubs this season:
THE BESTBen Hunt – Dragons to Broncos
Ben Hunt Getty
A fairytale return to his spiritual home, playing a key role in Brisbane’s rise to champions.
Without his field goal, the Broncos may not have beaten Canberra in extra time in the finals and he was also very professional in the grand final win over the Storm, erasing nightmares of his gaffe in the big game a decade earlier.
Erin Clark – Titans to Warriors
Little fuss was made when Clark, who played one game for the Warriors in 2017 before five years on the Gold Coast, decided to move back home at the start of the season.
But there were few more effective or consistent middle forwards in the NRL this season, with Clark giving the Kiwi outfit a new hard edge.
He played every game for the club during a long campaign and his determination helped the Warriors into the finals.
A very underrated performer week in, week out.
Clint Gutherson – Eels to Dragons
Clint Gutherson Getty
Some critics doubted the wisdom of the Dragons signing a 31-year-old fullback whose pace has diminished over the past couple of seasons and was allowed to leave by Parra.
But Gutherson soon had them eating their words, producing a stellar season in a struggling Dragons team.
His whatever-it-takes attitude rubbed off on the younger players at the Red V and while Gutho may not have been the fastest fullback running around, he was, as the great Jack Gibson used to say, “quick between the ears”.
Blaize Talagi – Eels to Panthers
The heat was on 20-year-old Talagi from the moment he put on Jarome Luai’s No.6 jersey early in the season.
With the Panthers having a horror start to the year, Talagi also struggled early on, but after a few rounds, he found his feet.
The youngster took some of the heat off Nathan Cleary and he grew in confidence as Penrith charged from last spot mid-season to within a game of the grand final.
With six tries and 11 try assists, he had a fine year and will only get better in 2026.
Gehamat Shibasaki – QLD Cup to Broncos
Gehamat Shibasaki Getty
There isn’t a more inspirational story in the NRL in recent years than Shibasaki, who was set to quit the game at the end of last season before being persuaded to trial for a contract with the Broncos by former juniors teammate Pat Carrigan.
The 26-year-old journeyman shone in the trials, won himself a contract, from there a State of Origin berth, then a grand final ring.
Now, he’s touring England with the Kangaroos.
Terrell May – Roosters to Tigers
The decision from the Roosters to cut May loose after he shone in 2024 was one of the great mysteries of the NRL season.
May was snapped up by the Tigers and played every game like a man with a point to prove. The mobile forward dominated the middle for the Tigers and was among the most effective props in the league.
May was snubbed by NSW selectors despite his super season and, with the benefit of hindsight, the Blues may well have won the series had they taken a punt on the big guy who played all 24 games for the Tigers.
Lachlan Galvin – Tigers to Bulldogs
Lachlan Galvin Getty
Some will see this as a controversial choice given the Bulldogs’ mixed run of form when Galvin joined the club mid-season.
But coach Cameron Ciraldo and general manager Gus Gould are playing the long game and I’ll be very surprised if Galvin doesn’t lead the Dogs to a grand final in the next two to three years.
Still only 20, he struggled with the limelight of his high-profile switch of colours and also took time to adapt to the halfback spot.
But if Galvin clicks at five-eighth alongside boom rookie Mitch Woods in 2026, the Bulldogs will have a very special attacking arsenal.
Addin Fonua-Blake – Warriors to Sharks
Cronulla had a ‘sameness’ to their team in recent seasons – but AFB changed all that with his arrival from Auckland.
Right up there with Payne Haas in terms of impact and ability to bend back the line on his day, he brought a new dimension to the Cronulla attack.
The Sharks became a real force as a result and buried their finals hoodoo with back-to-back wins before being bundled out by the Storm one game short of the big dance – much due to the AFB factor.
Stefano Utoikamanu – Tigers to Storm
Stefano Utoikamanu. NRL Imagery
Over the years, Craig Bellamy has turned countless fair players into very good footballers and Utoikamanu is the latest name to join that long list.
The lanky prop hit the line harder than he had in previous years, developed an offload and few were surprised when he won selection in the NSW squad mid-season.
Young by front-row standards, he will only get better in coming years.
Josh Addo-Carr – Bulldogs to Eels
The Foxx was at the crossroads when the Bulldogs cut him last year, and a poor 2025 season may well have been the end of him in the NRL.
But the wiry winger, knowing his future was on the line, turned back the clock, producing a vintage season.
In an Eels backline that often struggled for creativity, he made the most of the chances that came his way and showed he had lost none of his pace with several trademark long distance tries.
Watch the 2025 Pacific Championships live and free on Nine and 9Now.
THE WORSTLewis Dodd – St Helens to Rabbitohs
Lewis Dodd NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous
You have to feel sorry for Dodd, who made the tough move from Super League to the NRL with high hopes at the struggling Bunnies.
Right from the pre-season, the word out of Redfern was that Dodd was struggling with the step up in class and coach Wayne Bennett, a tough marker, clearly wasn’t a fan.
Dodd ended up playing just six NRL games – losing them all – before Souths paid a substantial fee to move him on back to Europe.
Lachlan Ilias – Rabbitohs to Dragons
It’s hard to fathom why Dragons coach Shane Flanagan signed Ilias because he clearly had little intention of using him.
Ilias started the season in the NRL, played the first seven games, and was then dropped and starred week in, week out in the NSW Cup but was never given another chance despite the Dragons’ woes in the NRL.
He is likely to try his luck elsewhere in 2026 – no point staying.
Josh Schuster – Sea Eagles to Rabbitohs
Josh Schuster. Getty
A real shame because this guy is a genuine talent but never played a game for Souths.
Not in the right frame of mind to play football at the moment due to some mental demons and Souths probably should not have signed him.
Hopefully after a good break he will give the game another go in a year or two before it passes him by.
Royce Hunt – Sharks to Tigers
Played 16 games for the Tigers but just didn’t seem the same attacking force he was at the Sharks in recent seasons.
Looked to be carrying a few extra kilos and in those 16 games, had just one offload.
Really needs to knuckle down at pre-season training because there is no doubt the ability is there if he applies himself.
Brandon Smith – Roosters to Rabbitohs
Brandon Smith Getty
Another gamble by Souths that failed to bear fruit.
The controversial hooker had issues off the field and niggling injuries on it, restricting his game time.
His career is at the crossroads and he needs to get his life in order next season or else.
Junior Tupou – Tigers to Dolphins
Had high hopes when he moved north from Tiger town but played just two games on the wing without scoring at Redcliffe.
The Dolphins were happy to offload him late in the year to the Roosters when they were going through an injury crisis.
Carter Gordon – Rugby union to Titans
Carter Gordon Getty
Gold Coast liked the look of the 24-year-old Wallaby and decided to take a punt – but it ended in tears.
Gordon managed just one NRL game and by the end of the season, the Titans were happy to let him go back to union.
At least he can say he left undefeated – his lone game game a victory over the Tigers.