The top ten centres of 2025

2025 blessed rugby league fans in a big way. We had an all time Grand Final, an Origin decider, plenty of feel-good stories, and some absolutely magnificent seasons from centres. I have to admit, I have a soft spot for centres. They don't always obtain the attention of the fullbacks and wingers but I'd argue a good centre is key in modern rugby league. They do a mountain of hard work on both sides of the ball, which doesn't always translate to highlights. So here, today, we are going to highlight ten such centres that deserve recognition for monster seasons. Plus an honourable mention who just missed out. Below are the top ten centres from the 2025 season: Honourable Mention: Phillip Sami Bronson Xerri The first of a few underrated centres on this list. I thought Xerri was huge in 2025 and was one Bulldog who didn't suffer a late fall off. He ran out 24 times for the Dogs this year for nine tries, five try assists, 16 line-breaks, 64 tackle breaks and 136 run metres per game. He tackled at 87% also. His 136 run metres per game was affected heavily by having to leave the field four minutes into the Dogs Round 27 game against the Sharks. If Xerri can continue to play as he did this year, that Dog's left edge will be lethal next season. Matthew Timoko There seems to be a subsection of fans who flat chat don't like or rate Matt Timoko. I'm firmly on the other side of that argument. Timoko played 25 times for Canberra this year for 10 tries, six assists, 15 line-breaks, 97 tackle breaks, 150 metres per day and a tackle percentage of 84%. He can be "got" in defence at times but show me a centre who can't. He made up for it in throwing defenders aside with ease while with the ball. Timoko more than earned his Kiwi jersey for the Pacific Championships after playing a big part in his side's run to the Minor Premiership at club level. KL Iro KL Iro enjoyed a monstrous start to the season, and finished powerfully also. Unfortunately injury robbed the Sharks of the full experience. Iro's 14 games netted 12 tries, including crossing in his first nine games of the year, three try assists, 13 line-breaks, 60 tackle breaks and defensive return of over 90%. His 149 run metres per game is skewed due to leaving two games early. Those were the only two games where he didn't top 100 run metres. I make no secret of my fandom of the Sharks left centre and I am certain he would have been in the running for Centre of the Year honours had he played every game. Casey McLean Casey McLean, much like the Panthers as a whole, suffered a slow start to the 2025 season. Then, around Round 13, it all clicked and he became a monster. 23 games saw a return of 16 tries, 11 assists, 16 line-breaks, 61 tackle breaks, 125 run metres per game and 83% of his tackles made. Once McLean shifted into the centre full-time, he became a different beast altogether. His form has continued into the Pacific Championships for New Zealand. At only 19 year's of age, McLean's ceiling is limitless. He won't be shifted from that centre spot any time soon either. Robert Toia Young Roosters centre Robert Toai had a dream season. It was once that ended with Dally M Rookie of the Year honours as well as an Origin series win and caps for Tonga. His 22 games saw him score seven times, assist eight tries, produce nine line-breaks, break 63 tackles, run for almost 115 metres per game and tackle at 93%. His Origin selection was a shock but he more than repaid the faith of Billy Slater and will be a rep regular for many years to come. An incredible rookie season that landed him the ultimate accolade for a young player. Much more to come, too. Tolutau Koula Tolutau Koula was one of very few highlights for Manly fans in 2025. That said, he shone bright! The speedster is now in his fourth season at the NRL level, but looked a far more potent threat in 2025. He has found a home at centre. His 22 games saw him score 17 tries, make 18 line-breaks, lay on six try assists, break 79 tackles, run for 150 metres per game and tackle at almost 87%. An injury 28 minutes into his final game, against the Dragons, hurt his average but it was still a season that very easily could have seen him grab a Dally M Team of the Year spot. Stephen Crichton I will cop massive heat from Bulldogs fans for not placing their skipper higher, but I just believe other centres have bigger 2025s. Crichton was still massive and I don't begrudge his spot in the Dally M Team of the Year. I just would have gone differently. His 21 appearances for the Dogs saw him cross for three tries, make 14 line-breaks, lay on 12 try assists, break 47 tackles and run for 107 metres per game. All while tackling at over 90%. It's a real shame that he wasn't available to represent Samoa in the Pacific Championships as his presence, on and off the field is almost unmatched. Gehamat Shibasaki If you had suggested, this time last year, that Gehamat Shibasaki would even be on this list, my eyebrows would have risen clear off my head. The story is now famous. Shibasaki started the season on a train and trial deal and now has a Premiership, an Origin series win and an Ashes Test series win. Make no mistake, this is not a feel-good story. This is a story of a centre who played out of his skin and earned rep jerseys and an NRL title. His 25 appearances for Brisbane netted 18 tries, 24 line-breaks, 113 tackle breaks, six try assists, 115 run metres per game and over 85% of tackles made. He was massive on Origin debut, in the decider no less. His performances in the Ashes, opposite Herbie Farnworth, have just further cemented his status as an elite centre in 2025. Herbie Farnworth Herbie Farnworth was on track to win Dally M Centre of the Year honours prior to his injury. Even with the injury, I'd still have picked him. His 19 games prior to exiting the game against the Warriors in the 18th minute were such that I wouldn't have held it against the NRL if he was named regardless. Nineteen games produced 12 tries, 17 line-breaks, nine try assists, 117 tackle breaks, 170 run metres per game and a tackle percentage of 94%. He has been one of very few threats for England against the Kangaroos. If he doesn't get hurt, the Dolphins play Finals footy in 2025. Kotoni Staggs Kotoni Staggs has enjoyed some brilliant seasons prior to 2025 but I feel as though this was the year he truly delivered. Staggs was a massive piece of the Broncos Premiership puzzle, was the first centre picked for the Ashes squad and probably should have played Origin. His 24 games produced 12 tries, six try assists, 26 line-breaks, 113 tackle breaks, almost 140 run metres per game and a tackle efficiency of 86%. Staggs seemed to get better as the season went on and peaked in the Finals. His games against the Raiders, Panthers and Storm were arguably his best across the year. I wish there was a stat for the space he created out wide and the number of defenders caught out of position while locking in on Staggs. My guess is it would be astronomical.

		P	W	PTS	+/-
1	NEW	1	1	2	10
2	CAN	1	1	2	1
3	WST	0	0	2	0
4	PAR	0	0	0	0
5	DOL	0	0	0	0
6	MEL	0	0	0	0
7	NZW	0	0	0	0
8	SYD	0	0	0	0

The top ten centres of 2025

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4. Stephen Crichton

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