Top 10 NRL Fantasy Players of 2025

By Longy – The Casual Athlete

The 2025 NRL Fantasy season delivered one of the wildest rides we’ve ever seen — from breakout forwards to injury dramas and mid-season hot streaks that made or broke your rank. Here’s the definitive look at the Top 10 Fantasy performers of 2025, based on averages and overall consistency.

1. Payne Haas – 73.7 AVG

Ownership: 100% in Top 100 | 99.9% in Top 1000
Average Stats: 167m run, 5.6 tackle busts, 34 tackles, 3 offloads per game

A true must-have. Haas finished the season on fire - five straight scores over 75, including two tries in his final three games. One of the greatest forward fantasy seasons of all time, and the rock every elite coach built around.

2. Terrell May – 73.1 AVG

Ownership: 100% in Top 1000
Average Stats: 43 tackles, 166m run, 2.9 tackle busts, 2.8 offloads per game

May’s late-season 58 dropped him just below Haas, but what a season it was. Starting the year at $670k, he became one of the best buys of 2025. Only one try, one try assist, and one line break across the whole season - pure base stats beast.

3. Nathan Cleary – 68.8 AVG (72.8 adjusted)

Average Stats: 600 kick metres, 100m run, 0.8 try assists, 3.5 goals per game

“Mr NRL Fantasy” lived up to the name again. A round 3 injury hurt, but he stormed home to finish with a 115 in the final round. Cleary also forced five errors in his last five games, showing that signature work rate and creativity we’ve come to expect.

4. Herbie Farnworth – 63.2 AVG

Average Stats: 170m run, 6.2 tackle busts, 2.6 offloads, 1 line break per game

The greatest Fantasy centre of all time? You could argue it. Farnworth’s consistency was unmatched — he scored below 50 only twice all year. His final game (45 points in 18 minutes before injury) teased what could’ve been a monster.
We’ve never seen a centre do it like Herbie - can he back it up?

5. Jayden Campbell – 60.2 AVG

Average Stats: 110m run, 400 kick metres, 4.1 tackle busts, 0.5 try assists, 3.3 goals per game

A quiet achiever who ended up a Fantasy gun. Campbell’s seven-game hot streak to close the year included a 103 vs Penrith. No one stat stood out - he was just solid across the board. A pricey but intriguing pick heading into 2026.

6. Hudson Young – 60.1 AVG

Average Stats: 145m run, 31 tackles, 3.4 tackle busts, 1.8 offloads per game

The top-scoring edge forward of 2025. Young’s six tries in three games (Rounds 5-7) set him apart early, and while the strike dried up later, his combination with Ethan Strange looked lethal. His best season yet — but can the tries keep coming?

7. Isaah Yeo – 58 AVG

Average Stats: 41 tackles, 130m run per game

Yeo copped plenty of criticism early after a 30-point game in Round 2, but bounced back with five straight 60+ scores. His output dipped post-Origin as minutes fluctuated, yet he remained reliable. Could be sneaky value early in 2026 - history says he starts hot.

8. Erin Clark – 57.7 AVG

Average Stats: 35 tackles, 150m run, 2.7 tackle busts, 1.5 offloads in 57.5 mins

One of the Fantasy MVPs of 2025. Clark grabbed the lock role in Round 2 and never looked back, pumping elite PPM numbers and peaking with a 108-point game late in the year. A workhorse through Origin and a breakout fantasy favourite.

I still can't believe I didn't buy him...

9. Joseph Tapine – 57 AVG

Average Stats: 32 tackles, 143m run, 2 tackle busts, 2 offloads per game

Tapine’s strong early-season run inflated his average, but he still produced solid numbers despite Canberra’s messy middle rotation. A reminder that elite base stats can keep you relevant — even without the big attacking plays.

10. Latrell Mitchell – 56.8 AVG

Average Stats: 106m run, 2.2 tackle busts, 433 kick metres, 1.1 try assists per game

Say what you want - when Latrell plays, he scores. Two tries in 11 games sounds underwhelming, but his playmaking (and massive kick metres) gave him plenty of upside. Still, his durability remains the biggest risk heading into 2026.
The ultimate Fantasy rollercoaster - will you ride again?

Final Thoughts

2025 was the year of the middle forwards - Haas, May, Clark, Tapine, Yeo - all in the Top 10. But the emergence of Jayden Campbell and Herbie Farnworth added some fresh flavour to the Fantasy elite.

Who’s your early pick to top this list in 2026?