I know I say this about every position, but the lock forward role may be my favourite in rugby league.<\/p>\n
These blokes are required to do the defensive work of a front rower, while often being asked to play bigger minutes.<\/p>\n
The instructions for our 13s are simple: Make your 40 tackles a game, oh and we need some try assists too. Easy, right?<\/p>\n
Truthfully, this may have been the most difficult position to rank.<\/p>\n
There were some genuine standout performances that were hard to split, while filling the final two spots was a bit of a chore.<\/p>\n
As always, the below list is compiled using only 2025 performances and it not a flat chat top ten locks in the game.<\/p>\n
Below are the top ten locks from the 2025 season:<\/p>\n
Dylan Walker<\/p>\n
The Parramatta recruit enjoyed a career resurgence year in 2025. He ranks here despite only starting six games. The rest of his appearances came from the bench.<\/p>\n
Only once did he not play more than 40 minutes, posing the question of why he didn’t start if he was the preferred lock way more often than not?<\/p>\n
His 23 games this year for the Eels saw him cross for a try, break 27 tackles, produce six offloads, run for just under 100 metres per game and tackle at 90%.<\/p>\n
The Eels were a far better side when Dylan Walker<\/a> was on the park. He’ll likely start next season if J’maine Hopgood’s move to prop becomes permanent.<\/p>\n Reuben Cotter<\/p>\n The Cowboys may have endured a horror 2025 season but their number 13 was as consistent as always.<\/p>\n His numbers weren’t huge but without him, I hate to think what may have become of the Cowboys this year.<\/p>\n Eighteen games saw him break 20 tackles, record over 666 post-contact metres, run for 92 metres per game and tackle at over 92%.<\/p>\n Only once this season was Cotter asked to make less than 30 tackles, showing how hard he works for his side. His efforts deserve recognition.<\/p>\n Cameron McInnes<\/p>\n A horror injury may have ended his season in Round 24, but McInnes lead the way for his Sharks for the large majority of the season.<\/p>\n The way the former Dragon endeared himself to the Sharks faithful should be studied.<\/p>\n His 22 games this season saw him score three tries, run for exactly 100 metres per game and tackle at a ridiculous 97%.<\/p>\n McInnes was a rock in the middle for Cronulla in 2025 and his leadership on and off the field is priceless.<\/p>\n Jack De Belin<\/p>\n The Dragons were another side who did not achieve what they perhaps expected to.<\/p>\n That said, Jack De Belin held up his end of the bargain.<\/p>\n In 2025 De Belin played 23 games in the Red V for a try, just under 110 run metres per game and a tackle percentage of 94%.<\/p>\n De Belin has been such a large part of the Dragons’ set-up for many years. It’s going to be strange to see him in Eels colours next year.<\/p>\n Corey Horsburgh<\/p>\n This time last year it looked as though Corey Horsburgh’s days in Canberra were done. His days as a first-grade footballer looked shaky.<\/p>\n “Big Red” spent the year proving why Ricky Stewart’s choice to keep him in the capital was the right one, producing a career-best year.<\/p>\n His 25 games saw him cross for two tries, break 48 tackles, produce 35 offloads, run for over 130 metres per game and tackle at almost 96%.<\/p>\n His 1292 post-contact metres show just how hard he is to bring down. What a season from the Raiders firebrand.<\/p>\n Trent Loiero<\/p>\n Trent Loiero<\/a> is yet another story of Craig Bellamy<\/a> discovering a young footballer and developing him into an Origin-level talent.<\/p>\n Loiero won’t grab the headlines in a side consisting of names such as Munster, Hughes and Grant, but he was every bit as important this year.<\/p>\n 25 games for the Storm saw him score four tries, produce 23 offloads, run for over 100 metres per game and tackle at 96%.<\/p>\n His Origin series was way better than critics will represent. He was massive in games two and three as the starting lock for the Maroons<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tino Fa’asuamaleaui<\/p>\n The Titans were pretty average in 2025. A few players should consider making a donation back to the club. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui<\/a> is absolutely not one of those players.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old giant is the heart and soul of the entire club. That is why they keep upping his contract every time he’s linked with a move away. He earns it!<\/p>\n 2025 saw him play 19 games for his club for three tries, 30 offloads, 38 tackle breaks, 1066 post-contact metres, 146 run metres per game and 92% tackles completed.<\/p>\n Fa’asuamaleaui is linked to the Storm and Bears. The Titans simply have to retain him, yet again, or it’s time to fold the Titans. I say that in jest, but also not really.<\/p>\n Isaah Yeo<\/p>\n I shouldn’t be shocked, but some parts of the NRL<\/a> online community believe Isaah Yeo<\/a> had a bad year. If you’re one of those few, please just stop it!<\/p>\n