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<\/p>\nRugby league.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a sport that is never short of a controversy, or a special moment that captivates the hearts of fans across the world.<\/p>\n
And no different was 2025, a year in which the Broncos took out the premiership, Queensland secured a comeback Origin series victory, and James Tedesco won the Dally M Medal.<\/p>\n
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WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n
Watch The Ashes 2025\/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n But what were the top 10 most read rugby league stories on foxsports.com.au in 2025?<\/p>\n Scroll down for the full list! <\/p>\n 10. Daly Cherry-Evans axed as QLD skipper in mid-series bombshell<\/a><\/p>\n Billy Slater became the first Queensland coach to drop a Maroons captain mid-series since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996 when he made a mammoth call.<\/p>\n After a disappointing series opener at Suncorp Stadium, Slater axed Daly Cherry-Evans, handing the captaincy to Cameron Munster and the No.7 jersey to Tom Dearden.<\/p>\n The move worked out to be an inspired decision, with the Maroons coming back to win the series, with the decider being played in Blues territory.<\/p>\n Daly Cherry-Evans was axed after Queensland\u2019s Game I loss.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n 9. Zac Lomax\u2019s next move, Cameron Munster targeted by shock R360 raid<\/a><\/p>\n Zac Lomax\u2019s next career move after securing a release from his Eels contract was huge news, with French rugby on the cards at the time.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, R360 powerbrokers approached Cameron Munster regarding a shock switch \u2014 at a time when their competition was still going ahead in 2026.<\/p>\n Both of those potential moves, alongside the Bears unveiling their recruitment of English centre Harry Newman, got the punters excited.<\/p>\n Zac Lomax kissed the Eels goodbye.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n 8. Laurie Daley unveils his NSW team for the Origin series opener<\/a><\/p>\n Laurie Daley, in his second stint as Blues head coach, named Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses in the halves ahead of a trip to Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n Dylan Edwards won the No.1 jersey, Max King was handed an Origin debut and Tigers enforcer Terrell May was nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n Fitness concerns were also the reason behind Tom Trbojevic\u2019s omission, while Campbell Graham earned a call-up as 18th man.<\/p>\n NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley returned to Origin coaching.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n 7. Billy Slater names his Queensland team for the Origin series opener<\/a><\/p>\n Billy Slater named three debutants ahead of Origin I, including a shock Roosters bolter.<\/p>\n Robert Toia was handed a Queensland cap after only 10 NRL games, with Selwyn Cobbo and Murray Taulagi both sidelined due to injury.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Titans gun Beau Fermor and Storm middle forward Trent Loeiro were included in the Maroons\u2019 17 as they prepared to host the Blues.<\/p>\n Billy Slaternamed his team for the Origin series opener.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n 6. Brandon Smith charged by police in betting, drug scandal<\/a><\/p>\n Brandon Smith was charged with drug supply and betting charges in August.<\/p>\n The betting charge surrounded claims he provided \u201cinside knowledge to a changed starting team\u201d due to allegedly telling an accused drug dealer that he would start his first game for the Rabbitohs \u2014 on July 6 against Manly \u2014 after returning from a knee injury.<\/p>\n His drug charge centres around a Sunshine Coast trip in June last year that involved at least seven Roosters players, during a bye round, with Smith alleged to have contacted a drug dealer in order to supply Victor Radley with cocaine.<\/p>\n As it stands, his matter remains before the courts.<\/p>\n NRL player and Rabbitohs star Brandon Smith leaves Southport Court with his legal team after facing court for the first time charged with supplying dangerous drugs and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.Source: NewsWire<\/p>\n 5. Every NRL team\u2019s exits<\/a><\/p>\n At the conclusion of each season, every team bids farewell to a host of players \u2014 some more than others.<\/p>\n This year there were a huge amount of players departing their respective clubs, with the Tigers letting six go, the Dragons saying goodbye to 12 and the Dolphins losing nine.<\/p>\n But none more than the Panthers, who had a whopping 13 players depart in a mammoth squad overhaul.<\/p>\n Ivan Cleary let 13 players go at the end of the 2025 season.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n 4. Zac Lomax\u2019s shock super rugby switch, Coby Black\u2019s immediate switch<\/a><\/p>\n Once again Zac Lomax features on his list, but this time the story came after the failed launch of rebel rugby competition R360.<\/p>\n The former Eels star was rumoured to be signing with the Western Force, joining the Super Rugby before eyeing off a R360 move in years to come.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Broncos prodigy Coby Black was released by the club to begin his time at the Raiders a year early, having already signed on for 2027.<\/p>\n Zac Lomax\u2019s Super Rugby switch was floated.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n 3. Round 1 NRL Teams<\/a><\/p>\n Every NRL fan waits eagerly every summer to get a glimpse of what their team\u2019s 17 could look like ahead of Round 1.<\/p>\n Team news was huge leading into the 2025 season and Wayne Bennett\u2019s shock call to snub English recruit Lewis Dodd and instead pick Jamie Humphreys in the No.7 came as a shock.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, there was doubt surrounding whether Souths stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker would be able to take the field in Round 1 due to suspension and a calf injury respectively.<\/p>\n NSW trainer cops earful from referee | 00:28<\/p>\n