10 NRL Fantasy Players to Keep an Eye On for the 2025 Season

Article by John

As we approach the final rounds of an injury-affected NRL Fantasy season and the head-to-head finals wrap up, many coaches are already looking ahead to the 2025 NRL Fantasy season. Whether you're aiming to improve your overall rank or dominate your head-to-head leagues next year, it's never too early to start planning. Here are the top 10 NRL Fantasy players to keep an eye on for the 2025 season.

1. Zac Hosking (Edge)

With the departure of Elliott Whitehead, there is an open starting second-row spot at the Canberra Raiders. The leading candidate to fill this role is Zac Hosking. In the 2024 NRL Fantasy season, Hosking averaged 81 points when playing 80 minutes in the second row. His career average stands at 62.6 when playing a full game in this position. Although Fantasy coaches should be aware of the Raiders' new signing Matty Nicholson, who will also be competing for this spot with a season average of 43.6, Hosking should be priced around $600,000. This presents excellent value, making him a top target for Fantasy coaches heading into 2025.

2. Isaiah Papali’i (Edge)

With a move to the Penrith Panthers, a much better system, Isaiah Papali’i has the potential to return to his damaging best. If Papali’i secures the starting second-row spot, he could once again produce eye-watering Fantasy scores in 2025. At the Parramatta Eels, Papali’i averaged 73 points in 2021 and 61.8 points in 2022 while playing 80 minutes on the edge. His career average in a full game at second row is 54. Additionally, Papali’i could gain the desirable MID/EDG dual-position status in 2025. With a season average of 48.2, he should be priced around $650,000, offering great value for your NRL Fantasy team.

3. Peter Mamouzelos (Hooker)

With Damien Cook departing the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, a vacant starting hooker spot opens up at the Rabbitohs. Although Peter Mamouzelos has only a small sample size of three games, he averaged 50.3 points when starting at hooker and has a career points-per-minute (PPM) rate of 0.66. If Mamouzelos can secure the starting hooker role, he could be one of the best cheap picks for the 2025 season. With a season average of 22, Mamouzelos should be priced around $300,000 and should be in every coach's NRL Fantasy side in 2025.

4. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Edge)

With a move south to the Dolphins and the departure of Euan Aitken to the Rabbitohs, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is poised to lock down a starting second-row spot. When starting at second row, Finefeuiaki has averaged 37.1 points, and when playing the full 80 minutes, he has averaged 40 points. At just 20 years old, Finefeuiaki's performances are expected to improve further. With a season average of 30, Finefeuiaki should be priced around $400,000, offering great value for your NRL Fantasy side.

5. Jarome Luai (Half)

As Jarome Luai moves to the Wests Tigers, he will likely be playing at halfback alongside Jayden Galvin. In 2024, Luai averaged a keeper-level 65.2 points when playing halfback and has a career average of 52.3 in this position. Although Luai will not be in as strong a system as the Penrith Panthers, he should become the dominant playmaker at the Tigers, taking on more kicking duties and ball-handling responsibilities than he did alongside Nathan Cleary. With a season average of 44.3, Luai should be priced around $600,000, making him a valuable option for coaches in 2025.

6. Cameron Munster (Half)

Cameron Munster is scheduled to undergo surgery on his groin in the off-season, and if he returns fully fit, he should be back to his dominant best in the 2025 season. Over the past three seasons, Munster has averaged 58.4, 62, and 54.8 points, compared to his 2024 season average of 43.1. This should see Munster priced around $600,000, making him a potential steal for NRL Fantasy coaches in 2025 if he can return to top form.

7. Kai Pearce-Paul (Edge)

If Kai Pearce-Paul can recapture his early 2024 form and secure the second-row position at the Newcastle Knights, he could be of great value to Fantasy coaches in 2025. Between Rounds 3-7 in 2024, Pearce-Paul averaged 56.6 points without any attacking stats. However, his tackles and metres gained have since dropped. With a season average of 45.2, Pearce-Paul should be priced around $600,000. If he can return to his best, he could be a great asset for your NRL Fantasy team in 2025.

8. Sean O’Sullivan (Half)

With the Dolphins locking in halves Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima, Sean O’Sullivan might be looking for a move where he can secure a starting halves spot. When starting at halfback and playing 80 minutes, O’Sullivan averages 47 points, which is a whopping 27.5 points above his season average of 19.5. This should see him priced around the high $200,000 range, making him immense value for coaches in 2025 if he finds a starting role.

9. Greg Marzhew (Winger/Fullback)

If the Newcastle Knights and Greg Marzhew can recapture their 2023 form, Marzhew could be one of the top WFBs for the 2025 season. In 2023, Marzhew averaged 53.4 points, nearly 20 points above his 2024 season average of 35.1. Marzhew should be priced between $450,000 and $500,000 in 2025. If you're willing to take a punt on him and the Knights returning to their best form, Marzhew could provide great value for your Fantasy side.

10. Matt Arthur (Hooker)

With the Parramatta Eels granting Matt Arthur a release from the remainder of his contract, there are rumors he could be heading to the Newcastle Knights. If so, and with Jayden Brailey reportedly told to look elsewhere and Phoenix Crossland potentially moving to halfback, Matt Arthur could become the starting hooker for the Knights in 2025. Although Arthur has never started at hooker in his short three-game career, he has scored at a rate of 0.71 PPM. If he secures the starting hooker role at another club like the Knights, and at a base price of $230,000, Arthur could be one of the best cheap hookers for the 2025 season.

Honourable Mention: Blaize Talagi (Centre/Winger/Fullback)

With a recently announced move to the Penrith Panthers, Blaize Talagi is definitely someone to keep an eye on as a potential replacement for Jarome Luai as the five-eighth. However, even with an average of 26.5 points when starting at five-eighth for the Eels, Talagi would be partnered with Nathan Cleary, a dominant halves partner. Priced around $450,000, I personally do not see much value in Talagi for 2025, but with his immense talent, he could easily prove me wrong and be a fantastic pick-up for coaches.