Side-by-side comparison: How every NRL team has changed from 2024

The NRL is a constantly evolving landscape of teams changing through injuries, players being signed, players being released, and youngsters breaking through. New coaches, new talents, and varying form also have a significant say in who is and who isn't in the best 17. Zero Tackle have run the rule over what every team looked like at the end of 2024 against what it looks like at the end of 2025 to determine where the changes, improvements, and failures are. Brisbane Broncos It has to be noted that the Broncos did have some injuries for the final round of 2024, when they were blown out 50-12 against the Storm. Tristan Sailor, who filled in for Reece Walsh at fullback, is no longer at the club, while Corey Oates is retired, and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped. Adam Reynolds has been injured this year, while Ben Hunt has arrived and forms the new halves alongside Billy Walters, with Ezra Mam also injured from both of these games. Payne Haas missed the final round last year, so he slots straight back in, while Brendan Piakura has struggled to hang onto his spot throughout this season. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526724 home_team_id="brisbane-broncos" away_match_id=7768755 away_team_id="brisbane-broncos"] Canberra Raiders We are using the Raiders' team from Round 26 this year, given they have rested much of their Best 17 for the final round clash against the Dolphins. Ricky Stuart's focus on promoting youth has been evident, with Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale (who joined in the off-season from the Dragons), Jed Stuart (who has replaced the injured Xavier Savage) and Zac Hosking all playing key roles in a Raiders' backline which has fired the side into the minor premiership. Danny Levi is nowhere to be seen, while Corey Horsburgh, Hudson Young and Zac Hosking have all been outstanding. The bench features Owen Pattie, Ata Mariota, and Noah Martin, alongside off-season signing Morgan Smithies from England, who has been excellent for the Green Machine this campaign. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526728 home_team_id="canberra-raiders" away_match_id=7768356 away_team_id="canberra-raiders"] Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs The Bulldogs' big change is in the halves, with Lachlan Galvin arriving at the club in the middle of the campaign and displacing Toby Sexton to reserve grade. Injuries at the end of last season mean there is a new wing combination for the final round this year, although Jacob Kiraz, who lined up in the centres last go round, would have been on the wing this year. Marcelo Montoya and Bronson Xerri have been excellent. Matt Burton was also injured in the final round last year, while the forward pack is otherwise identical, with the exception of Reed Mahoney at dummy half, who has been replaced by Bailey Hayward. Mahoney still holds a spot on the bench in his final weeks with the club before relocating to Townsville. Kurtis Morrin and Harry Hayes are also out of action, with Sitili Tupouniua's arrival this year being a mixed bag of results for the blue and white. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526730 home_team_id="canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs" away_match_id=7768760 away_team_id="canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs"] Cronulla SharksCraig Fitzgibbon is accused by some of being the NRL's most boring coach, and it's hard to argue when you look at the minimal amount of change for the Sharks throughout 2025. The back seven is identical to last year - there have been injuries throughout the year, but Fitzgibbon's first-choice stars are all fit for the crucial clash against Canterbury, which could help the men in black, white and blue into fourth spot. Addin Fonua-Blake missed the final round last year and is into the side for Royce Hunt, who has had a difficult season at the Wests Tigers, while Briton Nikora is missing at the moment and is replaced by Billy Burns. Cameron McInnes is also out injured, replaced at lock by Jesse Colquhoun, while there are moves on the bench, with both Hohepa Puru and Braden Hamlin-Uele getting a run for Daniel Atkinson, who is 18th man ahead of joining the Dragons next year, and Jack Williams, who has been a sneaky contender for buy of the year at the Parramatta Eels. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526735 home_team_id="cronulla-sharks" away_match_id=7768760 away_team_id="cronulla-sharks"] Gold Coast Titans The Titans head into their final game with Des Hasler as head coach as one of the teams that have undergone more change than most this year, but without any real results to show for it. In all likelihood, they will pick up the wooden spoon. Tanah Boyd has left the club in what is a major change, although the spine has been a revolving door at times this year for the men from the glitter strip. Jayden Campbell is the new halfback, while AJ Brimson is back from the injury that kept him out at the end of last year, but playing in the centres with Keano Kini at the back. Carter Gordon and Cooper Bai make their debuts this weekend, while the forward pack features Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who has had a difficult season following his move from the Parramatta Eels, as well as Beau Fermor, who played in the centres during the final game last year. There could be more upheaval on the way at the Titans as Josh Hannay prepares to take over the head coaching role. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526732 home_team_id="gold-coast-titans" away_match_id=7768759 away_team_id="gold-coast-titans"] Manly Sea Eagles The often-injured Tom Trbojevic is fit to play the final round this year as the Sea Eagles hang onto the slimmest of mathematical chances to play finals footy. Lehi Hopoate's emergence has continued to be a good news story for the men from the Northern Beaches, while Tolutau Koula was injured at the end of last year, as he is this year, albeit now joined by Reuben Garrick. The halves combination is the same, while Siosiua Taukeiaho has been a starring addition for the club in the middle third, particularly with Taniela Paseka spending a large chunk of time out injured. Jake Simpkin is currently running around at dummy half with Lachlan Croker out, while Corey Waddell and Ben Trbojevic are the second-row, with Haumole Olakau'atu injured and Karl Lawton at the Cowboys. Jake Trbojevic is also out with a concussion, so Jazz Tevaga, another off-season arrival, is at lock, while Joey Walsh makes his debut off the bench this weekend ahead of Daly Cherry-Evans' departure from the club. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526735 home_team_id="manly-sea-eagles" away_match_id=7768756 away_team_id="manly-sea-eagles"] Melbourne Storm The Storm have managed to stay relatively stable from one year to the next, with the only changes really relating to injuries. Ryan Papenhuyzen missed the final game against the Broncos last year, so he slots back into the number one this time around, while Jack Howarth is out and replaced by Grant Anderson. Bronson Garlick is currently in the number nine jumper with Harry Grant out suspended, while Shawn Blore has a fractured larynx and has been replaced by Ativalu Lisati. Joe Chan has also come onto the bench over Lazarus Vaalepu, with the only Storm player being rested this weekend off-season recruit Stefano Utoikamanu, who will come straight back into this side next weekend for the start of the finals. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526724 home_team_id="melbourne-storm" away_match_id=7768755 away_team_id="melbourne-storm"] New Zealand Warriors The Warriors had the bye in the final round last year, so we instead revert to their Round 26 team for the purposes of this exercise. Injuries do mean there are changes, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad back in his more favoured number one jumper and Adam Pompey joining Rocco Berry in the centres. The exit of Marcelo Montoya to the Bulldogs has been swapped for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's shuffle to the wing, while Shaun Johnson's retirement meant Luke Metcalf played halfback for much of the year before an ACL injury ended his campaign. Tanah Boyd was then pushed into first grade after his move from the Gold Coast Titans left him in reserve grade for much of the year, with Chanel Harris-Tavita joining him in the halves. Addin Fonua-Blake's move to the Cronulla Sharks means there was an opening in the middle third, with James Fisher-Harris coming straight in to replace him. Wayde Egan, who actually played from the bench in the Warriors' last game last year, is being rested this week, so Samuel Healey is at hooker. Jazz Tevaga has left the club, and so too has Dylan Walker, while Mitchell Barnett is out injured, creating opportunities for the likes of Tanner Stowers-Smith, Marata Niukore, and off-season recruit Erin Clark to be in the run on side, while rookie of the year candidate Leka Halasima has been a good news story throughout the course of 2025. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526712 home_team_id="new-zealand-warriors" away_match_id=7768756 away_team_id="new-zealand-warriors"] Newcastle Knights The Knights are without Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Lucas and Adam Elliott to injury in the last round this year, while Daniel Saifiti is also now at the Dolphins. Dominic Young has returned to the club from the Sydney Roosters, while Fletcher Hunt is the current fullback. Jake Arthur is currently in the revolving door that is the club's halves, while Jack Cogger has survived, but could be about to play his final game as a Knight. Jacob Saifiti has replaced brother Daniel at prop after missing the final weeks of last year to injury, while Phoenix Crossland is at hooker with Jayden Brailey back to the bench ahead of his move to Canberra. Kai Pearce-Paul is also about to play his final game for the club, while Tyson Frizell is at lock, and the bench features Thomas Cant and Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526737 home_team_id="newcastle-knights" away_match_id=7768762 away_team_id="newcastle-knights"] North Queensland Cowboys We have used the Round 26 team for the Cowboys, given they have the bye in the final round this season. The spine is similar, although Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford have switched roles, while Reece Robson has played his last game for the club ahead of his move to the Sydney Roosters next year. The outside backs are almost entirely different. Jaxon Purdue has been a breakout star this year, Zac Laybutt has returned from injury, and Semi Valemei and Braidon Burns finished the year on the wing. Kyle Feldt is now in the English Super League, while Murray Taulagi has had an awful run with injuries throughout 2025. In the forwards, Jordan McLean was back in the starting team but will now retire, while John Bateman joined the club during the off-season from the Wests Tigers. Heilum Luki, who started the final game of 2024, is out injured but will be back for 2026. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526730 home_team_id="north-queensland-cowboys" away_match_id=7768358 away_team_id="north-queensland-cowboys"] Parramatta Eels The Eels are almost unrecognisable at the end of Jason Ryles' first year in charge. Clint Gutherson is now at the Dragons, Reagan Campbell-Gillard is at the Titans, and the likes of Maika Sivo, Blaize Talagi, Daejarn Asi, Ofahiki Ogden, Bryce Cartwright, Joe Ofahengaue, Shaun Lane and Makahesi Makatoa are no longer at the club. Zac Lomax and Josh Addo-Carr have found their feet on the wings for Parramatta, while Mitchell Moses' absence has allowed them to escape the very bottom of the table. Joash Papalii has come in as the number six in recent weeks, although he won't play the final game of the year as Dylan Brown is given a send-off against his future club. Ryley Smith is the new dummy half, while Tallyn Da Silva has joined to play off the bench, while J'maine Hopgood, Junior Paulo and off-season recruit Jack Williams, as well as mid-season recruit Dylan Walker, form the nucleus of the forward pack who will look for further improvement in 2026. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526726 home_team_id="parramatta-eels" away_match_id=7768762 away_team_id="parramatta-eels"] Penrith Panthers With the exception of Nathan Cleary being out injured, the team listed in 2024 was essentially Penrith's full-strength outfit. Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris are the two big absences for the men from the foot of the mountains into 2025, but there have been other changes, with Sunia Turuva also missing. Brian To'o is being rested this year alongside Liam Martin, so Paul Alamoti claims a wing spot he otherwise hasn't had throughout the year, with Thomas Jenkins and Casey McLean part of the best 17. Blaize Talagi has been an excellent addition at five-eighth, while Luke Garner takes Martin's spot in the second-row but would otherwise revert back to the bench role he held last year. Brad Schneider is also likely to hang onto a bench spot during the finals, with Matthew Eisenhuth the likely man to drop out, owing to the continued emergence of Liam Henry and off-season signing of Isaiah Papali'i. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526732 home_team_id="penrith-panthers" away_match_id=7768758 away_team_id="penrith-panthers"] South Sydney Rabbitohs The Rabbitohs have plenty of changes from last year, owing predominantly to injuries. Latrell Mitchell is still out, meaning Jye Gray is the fullback, while Ashton Ward is the current five-eighth, but would likely lose his spot back to Cody Walker next year. Jamie Humphreys has come in at halfback following his move from Manly, while Thomas Burgess and Damien Cook are no longer at the club. Keaon Koloamatangi has become a prop, while Sean Keppie and Lachlan Hubner round out the middle third this weekend, with Jai Arrow and Tallis Duncan in the second-row. Off the bench, Cody Walker and Cameron Murray are named, with Murray to play his first game of the year, while off-season recruit Euan Aitken can only grab a spot at 18th man. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526727 home_team_id="south-sydney-rabbitohs" away_match_id=7768757 away_team_id="south-sydney-rabbitohs"] St George Illawarra Dragons The Dragons have had some big arrivals this season, with Clint Gutherson at fullback, Damien Cook at hooker, and Valentine Holmes currently injured. Injuries are a common theme for the Dragons, with a host of regulars out of action at the back-end of the season. Tyrell Sloan, who could be set to leave the club, is currently on the wing, while Mathew Feagai is in the centres and Savelio Tamale is now at the Raiders. Moses Suli is injured, so Hayden Buchanan has come into the centres. Kyle Flanagan is back in the halves with Ben Hunt no longer at the club, while Francis Molo's departure has led to an increased role for Emre Guler in the second half of the season. Luciano Leilua is back to the bench with Jacob Halangahu impressing, while Tom Eisenhuth has retired. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526728 home_team_id="st-george-illawarra-dragons" away_match_id=7768758 away_team_id="st-george-illawarra-dragons"] Sydney Roosters The Roosters are a different-looking side from the one that played last year. James Tedesco might still be the fullback, but that's where it stops. Robert Toia and Billy Smith have had breakout seasons, while Mark Nawaqanitawase has gone to a new level. Joseph Suaalii is now in rugby union, and so too is Joseph Manu, while Luke Keary is in the English Super League. Sam Walker's return from injury has been boosted by the breakout form of Hugo Savala. The forwards are a little more settled, although Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua are no longer at the club, replaced internally by young Roosters who have all had strong seasons, led by Naufahu Whyte, who could genuinely be considered among the best middle forwards in the game at the end of 2025. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526727 home_team_id="sydney-roosters" away_match_id=7768757 away_team_id="sydney-roosters"] The DolphinsThe Dolphins are relatively settled heading into the end of the 2025 season, with only Jack Bostock's injury upsetting their back five. Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikoria have stamped their authority as the club's first-choice halves, while Francis Molo, who joined mid-season from the Dragons, has been a suitable replacement for the retiring Jesse Bromwich. Injuries in the forwards have certainly made things tough, with Max Plath and Tom Gilbert leading that list. Kulikefi Finefeuiaki has been a strong in from the North Queensland Cowboys, while Kurt Dongohoe's form has been one of the season's good news stories. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526737 home_team_id="dolphins" away_match_id=7768761 away_team_id="dolphins"] Wests Tigers The Tigers have injuries to deal with and a host of new faces on their side as the end of the season hits. Taylan May, Jarome Luai and Terrell May have been among their best, while Royce Hunt has struggled since his move across from the Cronulla Sharks. On the outgoing list, the Tigers have lost Stefano Utoikamanu and David Klemmer in the front-row, and Isaiah Papali'i from lock, allowing Terrell May, Fonua Pole and Alex Twal to form a new look middle third, while the form of the three Fainu's has been a positive for Benji Marshall throughout the course of this year. Heamasi Makasini is also set to debut in the final round of this year. [teamlist_compare home_match_id=2526726 home_team_id="wests-tigers" away_match_id=7768759 away_team_id="wests-tigers"]

1	Trai FullerTrai Fuller
2	Jamayne IsaakoJamayne Isaako
3	H. Tabuai-FidowHamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4	Herbie FarnworthHerbie Farnworth
5	Jack BostockJack Bostock
6	Jake AverilloJake Averillo
7	Sean O'SullivanSean O'Sullivan
8	Jesse BromwichJesse Bromwich
9	Max PlathMax Plath
10	T. Pangai JuniorTevita Pangai Junior
11	Felise KaufusiFelise Kaufusi
12	Connelly LemueluConnelly Lemuelu
16	Mark NichollsMark Nicholls
INTERCHANGE
13	Kenneath BromwichKenneath Bromwich
14	J. Marshall-KingJeremy Marshall-King
15	Ray StoneRay Stone
17	Kodi NikorimaKodi Nikorima
RESERVES
20	Oryn KeeleyOryn Keeley

Trai FullerTrai Fuller	1
Jamayne IsaakoJamayne Isaako	2
Jake AverilloJake Averillo	3
H. Tabuai-FidowHamiso Tabuai-Fidow	4
Tevita NaufahuTevita Naufahu	5
Kodi NikorimaKodi Nikorima	6
Isaiya KatoaIsaiya Katoa	7
Francis MoloFrancis Molo	8
J. Marshall-KingJeremy Marshall-King	9
Felise KaufusiFelise Kaufusi	10
K. FinefeuiakiKulikefu Finefeuiaki	11
Oryn KeeleyOryn Keeley	12
Kurt DonoghoeKurt Donoghoe	13
INTERCHANGE
Aublix TawhaAublix Tawha	14
Ray StoneRay Stone	15
Mark NichollsMark Nicholls	16
Josh KerrJosh Kerr	17
RESERVES
James WalshJames Walsh	20

		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	CBR	24	19	5	44	148
2	MEL	24	17	7	40	212
3	CAN	24	16	8	38	120
4	BRI	24	15	9	36	172
5	CRO	24	15	9	36	109
6	NZW	24	14	10	34	21
7	PEN	24	13	10	33	107
8	SYD	24	13	11	32	132

Side-by-side comparison: How every NRL team has changed from 2024

Here is how your team looked at the end of last season, matched up against today.

The Dolphins

2024 Dolphins

2025 Dolphins

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