Scandal-free season, free agent coups: What is on your NRL club’s Christmas wish list
Some clubs want new players, while some want their current players to perform better. Others just want a season without any off-field shenanigans. We take a look at what’s on every NRL club’s wish list this Christmas.
Some NRL club’s Christmas wish lists are more extensive than others.
For some, it’s as simple as getting through the year without any off-field distractions.
For others, it’s raiding the transfer market to recruit some fresh talent and give their playing rosters an overhaul.
We take a look at what’s on every NRL club’s Christmas wish list this festive season.
BRONCOS
Wish: A scandal-free season
What the Broncos would give for no off-field distractions.
Coach Michael Maguire has already gone about improving the culture, setting new standards for the players.
Brisbane bookended 2024 with Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan’s boozy argy bargy and
Ezra Mam’s car crash drama. In between was the Spencer Leniu-Mam Las Vegas racism scandal, Reece Walsh twice being sidelined by illegal hits from opposition players and Payne Haas dealing with both his mother and father being behind bars.
It’s no surprise it ended with the Broncos crashing out of finals contention and coach Kevin Walters sacked.
BULLDOGS
Wish: Leo Thompson
The Bulldogs are desperate to bulk up their middle and
securing Newcastle prop Leo Thompson would be the perfect present.
They have money to spend, having missed out on Addin Fonua-Blake, Stefano Utoikamanu, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Ben Hunt in the free agent stakes. Landing a big scalp like Thompson, who is still just 24, would catapult Canterbury into top-four calculations.
COWBOYS
Wish: The old John Bateman
the
signing of English veteran John Bateman on a two-year deal could be a real blessing.
At 31, he’s no spring chicken, and his acrimonious split from the Wests Tigers raises concerns. But Bateman is a tough, talented footballer with a great offload and he should be motivated to prove the critics wrong.
DOLPHINS
Wish: A witch doctor for the Bennett curse
The Dolphins’ succession plan with Kristian Woolf has been long established, however so was Souths’ with Jason Demetriou.
In Woolf’s favour is his relationship with key Dolphins: half Isaiya Katoa and veteran forward Felise Kaufusi while coaching Tonga, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow during his time at North Queensland.
He’s also a proven winner, having led St Helens to English Super League titles in each of his three seasons.
They could also do with a magic fix for Tom Flegler’s nerve issue in his shoulder.
DRAGONS
Wish: Production line gold
They are relying on veteran recruits Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook to further coach Shane Flanagan’s revival in 2025.
They have invested heavily in their juniors, with the likes of back-rowers Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart tipped to make their NRL debuts at some stage, joining twins Toby and Ryan Coachman.
A steady production line of talent will make the Dragons less reliant on securing big-name free agents, giving them more salary cap flexibility. While having a local flavour to the Red-V will help elevate support among the fans.
EELS
Wish: Eradicate contract exit clauses
Mitchell Moses is among the Eels players with exit clauses. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Forget Santa Claus, it’s all about exit clauses at Parramatta.
Three of the Eels’ best players — halves
Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown, as well as strike centre Will Penisini — all have contract options in their favour where they could opt out of the Eels in the next two years.
It’s a key cause of angst among the blue-and-gold faithful, who fear an exodus of talent could set the club back years.
Parramatta are working with Moses’ management to remove his options, but the immediate concern is Brown and Penisini, who both have until May to commit for the 2026 season.
KNIGHTS
Wish: More instruments for the one-man band
The Knights have been finalists in five of Adam O’Brien’s six seasons but are yet to get past week two of the post-season.
Someone needs to step up.
PANTHERS
Wish: Pundits’ death knell
Blaize Talagi needs to back up a strong rookie season, the McLean brothers need to prove they can restock the backline, while Isaiah Papali’i will be out to rekindle the form that made him one of the NRL’s most damaging edge players
RABBITOHS
Wish: Wayne Bennett magic
Forget about their lack of depth in their middles, Cameron Murray and Alex Johnston’s long-term injuries, question marks over the hooker position and the enigmatic Latrell Mitchell, it’s the
Bennett elixir the Rabbitohs are banking on.
The Rabbitohs are coming off a disastrous 2024 campaign, and have significant challenges already mounting up to break back in among the NRL’s elite, but Bennett has a way of managing the storm.
He could be the man to rejuvenate Josh Schuster and Jayden Sullivan, introduce Lewis Dodd to the NRL and get the best out of Mitchell.
RAIDERS
Wish: Proof-of-age cards
Ricky Stuart has gone on a signing spree, securing a bulk of talent who were part of the NSW under-19s team.
Banking on a bunch of teenagers to lead your NRL campaign is a tough ask, with the roster looking like an exceptionally Green Machine.
However, if these youngsters can live up to the hype, in the way that Ethan Strange stepped up to NRL level last year and owned the No.6 jersey, there is hope for the Raiders.
Chevy Stewart, Ethan Sanders, Myles Martin, Savelio Tamale, Jack Clydsdale and Strange all have the talent to be stars of the future, but the Raiders need them to perform now.
ROOSTERS
Wish: Lift the injury curse
Sam Walker and Brandon Smith are also recovering from ACL injuries and will miss a significant part of the season.
They’ll also be hoping there’s still enough hairspray in the can of veteran Chad Townsend, who brings the best bouffant in the NRL to Bondi, where he will be charged with leading the halves during a real season of change at the club.
SEA EAGLES
Wish: More No.1 jumpers
Tom Trbojevic. Tolutau Koula. Lehi Hopoate.
Manly have three quality fullback options who they need to somehow fit into their 17-man squad.
SHARKS
Wish: Rejuvenated Hynes and no more hold-ups
Cronulla are praying the only red tape they have will be around their Christmas presents, not the stymied redevelopment of their stadium, leagues club and adjacent precinct.
The Sharks’ crowd capacity has been restricted to just 13,500
STORM
Wish: Nelson off the naughty list
The addition of Stefano Utoikamanu shows why Melbourne are premiership favourites.
TITANS
Wish: Protein powder & Elastoplast
f the Gold Coast can bulk up Jayden Campbell this off-season, he could be the answer to their longstanding halves puzzle.
WARRIORS
Wish: A new Shaun Johnson
Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Tanah Boyd are all vying to be the Warriors’ starting halves.
Johnson’s retirement means one of these men need to step up and be the organising No.7 the club needs.
TIGERS
Wish: No more cutlery
Tigers fans have suffered enough. A fourth wooden spoon would just be cruel, especially after the quality recruiting spree the club has just completed.
However, no finals appearances since 2011 is a big monkey to get off their backs.
While they might not be a top-eight side next season, improvement will be seen as a positive.
