The 2025 NRL season delivered one of the most complete narratives the competition has produced in years. It was a season shaped by long-awaited redemption, historic achievements, tactical evolution, off-field controversy and unmistakable signs that the game is entering a new phase of growth. From Brisbane’s drought-breaking premiership to rule crackdowns, attendance records and expansion momentum, 2025 offered moments that will be referenced well beyond the final siren.
As the competition closes the book on another demanding campaign, here is how the highs, the lows and everything in between defined the 2025 NRL season.
Brisbane’s Ultimate Redemption — A Grand Final for the Ages
The defining image of the 2025 season came on the biggest stage of all. The Brisbane Broncos, trailing by 10 points at halftime, produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat the Melbourne Storm 26–22 in the NRL Grand Final. In doing so, they ended a 19-year premiership drought and claimed the seventh title in the club’s storied history.
They also ended the Penrith Panthers four-year domination of the competition, winning a thrilling prelim final encounter at Suncorp Stadium a week earlier.
It was a Grand Final that had everything — momentum swings, defensive desperation, and individual brilliance under pressure. For Brisbane, the victory represented not just a premiership, but the culmination of a multi-year rebuild that tested patience, belief and resilience.
For Melbourne, the loss was bittersweet. Despite defeat, Craig Bellamy reached his 11th Grand Final as a head coach, surpassing Wayne Bennett to set a new NRL coaching record — a testament to sustained excellence rarely seen in professional sport.
Reece Walsh’s Masterclass on the Biggest Stage
If Brisbane’s premiership was the story of redemption, Reece Walsh’s Grand Final performance was the season’s ultimate individual statement.
The Broncos fullback delivered one of the most complete performances in Grand Final history, scoring a try, laying on three try-assists and producing multiple try-saving defensive plays that turned momentum at critical moments. His influence touched every phase of the contest, earning him the Clive Churchill Medal and placing the performance among the all-time greats on rugby league’s biggest stage.
In a season filled with standout moments, Walsh’s Grand Final stood apart — not just for its highlights, but for its control, composure and defensive resolve under pressure.
A Historic First — Brisbane Complete the Men’s and Women’s Double
Brisbane’s dominance in 2025 extended beyond the men’s competition. Earlier on Grand Final day, the Broncos NRLW side defeated the Sydney Roosters 22–18 to secure the women’s premiership, making Brisbane the first club to win both the NRL and NRLW titles in the same season.
The achievement underscored the strength of Brisbane’s football department across both programs and reflected the continued rise of the women’s game. That growth was also evident elsewhere, most notably in New Zealand, where the Warriors’ return to the NRLW saw multiple attendance and engagement records shattered in standalone fixtures.
Minor Premiers to Straight Sets — Canberra’s Harsh Lesson
Few stories captured the cruelty of finals football better than Canberra’s 2025 campaign. The Raiders claimed the minor premiership for the first time in decades, driven by Joseph Tapine’s leadership and a disciplined, physical style that consistently overwhelmed opponents during the regular season.
Yet September delivered a brutal reversal. Canberra exited the finals in straight sets, undone by narrow margins and the unforgiving nature of knockout football.
The season still carried historic significance. Josh Papalii surpassed Jason Croker to become the Raiders’ all-time appearance leader, while the club’s return to the top of the ladder signalled genuine long-term promise — even if the ending fell short.
Records, Rarities and Statistical Firsts
The 2025 season produced an extraordinary collection of records and anomalies that highlighted both the unpredictability and evolution of the modern game.
James Fisher-Harris etched his name into the record books by scoring the fastest try in NRL history, crossing just nine seconds into a Round 27 contest. Alex Johnston reached the rare milestone of 200 career tries in Round 13, becoming only the second player after Ken Irvine to achieve the feat.
Kayal Iro produced a start never before seen in the NRL era, scoring a try in each of his first nine games. In one extraordinary round, both the Titans and Bulldogs completed 20-point comebacks — the first time such a feat had occurred twice in the same round.
Off the field, crowd numbers surged. A standalone match between Canterbury and South Sydney set a new regular-season attendance record, underlining the league’s growing connection with fans.
Perhaps most remarkably, 2025 became the first season since 2017 without a single send-off — a statistic that spoke volumes about how officiating standards and player discipline evolved across the year.
The Game Under Scrutiny — Crackdowns and Controversy
Early in the season, the NRL placed a heavy emphasis on high tackles and roll-ball infringements. The crackdown peaked during ANZAC Round, when sin-bin numbers reached record levels and sparked widespread debate among fans, coaches and players.
As the season progressed, enforcement softened following backlash, reflecting the league’s ongoing challenge of balancing player safety with game flow.
Trainer interference became another flashpoint. Multiple incidents drew scrutiny, most notably involving Penrith Panthers trainer Corey Bocking, who became embroiled in controversy after moving into the path of Jayden Campbell’s conversion attempt during a Titans golden point loss. The issue prompted league investigations and renewed debate about the role of trainers on the field.
Off-Field Turmoil — Agents, Gambling and the Rebel League
Away from the field, governance and integrity dominated headlines. Several high-profile player agents — including Mario Tartak, Nash Dawson, Chris Orr and Matt Desira — were sanctioned for breaches of the Accredited Agent Scheme Rules. Penalties ranged from six to twelve-month suspensions and substantial fines, with investigations uncovering underage contact, dishonesty and misconduct. The fallout impacted major stars, including Reece Walsh and Josh Addo-Carr.
The Roosters were also embroiled in controversy, with Brandon Smith implicated in an off-field gambling-related case that dragged teammates into the spotlight and tested club culture.
Meanwhile, the proposed R360 rebel league sent shockwaves through the game. After the NRL threatened 10-year bans, players withdrew en masse. Ryan Papenhuyzen and Zac Lomax were released from contracts to pursue the venture, which was ultimately postponed until 2028.
Salary cap and team selection breaches added further complexity, with Melbourne and the Sydney Roosters fined post-season as compliance again became a focal point.
Individual Excellence and Career-Defining Years
While controversy swirled, individual brilliance flourished. James Tedesco swept the Dally M awards, claiming Player of the Year, Captain of the Year and Fullback of the Year honours — though not without debate around interpretations of the voting system.
Cameron Munster enjoyed a fully fit season, dominating for Melbourne, Queensland and Australia in a reminder of his enduring class. Herbie Farnworth delivered a career year for the Dolphins, earning Team of the Year selection despite his club missing the finals.
Cody Ramsey’s return from a career-threatening illness provided one of the season’s most uplifting stories, while Mark Nawaqanitawase’s aerial brilliance earned him Try of the Year honours and the Ken Irvine Medal as the competition’s leading try-scorer.
Finals Chaos and a Changing Landscape
The 2025 finals reinforced a growing truth in the NRL: ladder position offers no guarantees. The Raiders and Bulldogs both exited in straight sets, while momentum and adaptability proved just as important as regular-season consistency.
Depth, versatility and in-game management again emerged as decisive factors — trends that will shape recruitment and tactics moving forward.
Growth Beyond the Premiership
Beyond results, the game continued to expand. The Perth Bears accelerated preparations for their 2027 entry, securing multiple signings including Sean Russell, as expansion discussions intensified.
Internationally, the Kangaroos reclaimed Ashes glory, while New Zealand captured the Pacific Championships, reinforcing the strength and depth of the global game.
What 2025 Revealed About the NRL’s Future
The 2025 NRL season was not defined by a single moment, team or controversy. Instead, it was a year that showcased the competition’s depth, resilience and capacity for renewal.
From Brisbane’s long-awaited triumph to attendance growth, evolving rules, expansion momentum and unforgettable individual performances, 2025 will be remembered as a season that reflected where the NRL has been — and where it is heading next.