Skip to main content

Posted by RLPA

September 22, 2025

History made as players pick their Dream Team from the NRL

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is proud to announce the 2025 Players’ Dream Team – the best 14 players by their positions, as voted by NRL players.

The 2025 Players’ Dream Team:

Fullback: James Tedesco

Wingers: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Xavier Coates

Centres: Stephen Crichton, Herbie Farnworth

Five-Eighth: Ethan Strange

Halfback: Isaiya Katoa

Props: Payne Haas, Joseph Tapine

Hooker: Harry Grant

Second Rowers: Eliesa Katoa, Hudson Young

Lock: Erin Clark

Impact: Kurt Mann

It is a historic Players’ Dream Team in 2025, with James Tedesco becoming the first-ever player to be selected by the players five times. The fullback returns to the Players’ Dream Team following selections in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022. Payne Haas equals Cameron Munster’s four Dream Team selections, returning for the first time since 2023.

Tedesco and Haas’s experience is counterbalanced with an injection of youth, with boom playmakers Ethan Strange and Isaiya Katoa making their Players’ Dream Team debuts. 2025 Players’ Rookie of the Year Mark Nawaqanitawase is joined by Xavier Coates, Hudson Young, Erin Clark and Kurt Mann as first-time picks by the players.

Harry Grant, Stephen Crichton and Herbie Farnworth become the first players to ever feature in three straight Dream Teams, cementing their status as three of the game’s most consistent and dominant players.

Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders both have the most Players’ Dream Team picks (3), followed by the Sydney Roosters, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Dolphins (2).

“On behalf of the RLPA, I would like to send a huge congratulations to the 14 incredible players who have been selected by the players in their Dream Team of 2025,” said Clint Newton OAM, CEO of the RLPA.

“This team of 14 players has shown week in, week out during the 2025 NRL season how influential they have been to their respective teams. To be selected in the season’s best team by the players you battle against every round is an impressive recognition of a player’s performances.

“The Players’ Dream Team is one of the most significant awards in rugby league because it is player voted, and this team – along with all NRL players – delivered for their clubs and fans to produce one of the most memorable and successful years in the game’s history.”

The 2025 RLPA Players' Dream Team from the NRL

Most appearances in the Players’ Dream Team from the NRL:

  • 5 – James Tedesco
  • 4 – Cameron Munster, Payne Haas
  • 3 – Cameron Smith, Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Harry Grant, Stephen Crichton, Herbie Farnworth
  • 2 – Joseph Manu, Justin Olam, Daniel Tupou, James Fisher-Harris, Isaiah Papali’i, David Nofoaluma, Josh Papali’i, Viliame Kikau, Latrell Mitchell, Jake Trbojevic, Addin Fonua-Blake, Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo, Eliesa Katoa, Joseph Tapine.

How the Players’ Dream Team voting works:

  • Players are eligible for selection in a position they primarily played for the relevant season. This means a player cannot be eligible for selection in more than one position (excluding Impact Players, who can be eligible for an on-field position as well).
  • Each player will be able to nominate a maximum of one player per position, out of the list of eligible players, however, are not able to vote for players on their current team.
  • The player/s with the most votes for each position will be selected in the Players’ Dream Team.
  • Voting is open to all contracted NRL players.

All The Players’ Awards will be announced on Channel 9 on the following dates:

  • September 24: Players’ Dream Team from the NRLW
  • October 2: The Players’ Champion from the NRL and NRLW
Partner Promotion

Visit our Partners