The role of the five-eighth is fun!
They play a hybrid attacking game of a fullback mixed with the halfback. Throw in the movement of a centre and often the defensive work of a second rower.
2025 produced some magnificent efforts in the number six. We are here today to try and rank those.
This was the most difficult position to rank. Fletcher Sharpe was on track until his injury. Huge Savala was dropped more than once. Luke Brooks had some great heights and some horror lows.
Again, this is a list of the best ten performers for 2025 only. This isn't a list of the top five-eighths outright.
With that said, below are the top 10 five-eighths for the 2025 season:
6. Kodi Nikorima
Kodi Nikorima does not receive anywhere near the recognition he deserves. I guarantee someone in the comments will question his place here. They shouldn't.
His 20 games in 2025 produced eight tries, 19 try assists, four forced dropouts, 18 line-break assists and 62 run metres per game. He defended at just under 89%.
I honestly don't know what more Nikorima needs to do to garner the respect of the NRL fan base. He was so good beside Isaiya Katoa, again for the Phins.
All of his attacking stats were up on last season, so there's no reason he can't reach an even higher level next year and take the Dolphins to their first Finals appearance.
I share your uncertainty as to how to classify Ben Hunt. To me, he’s simply the ultimate utility player. If his team needs him to play 6, he’ll play 6 – or 7 or 9, and he probably has the skill to play 1 if he ever ended up at club that needed a replacement full-back for the weekend.
Trindall at 3 ? Hmmm. No. I see him as a 7 rather than a 6 but whilst Nicho is on the big money and is the face of the club, Nicho gets to wear the 7 if that’s what he wants, even though I think 6 is his natural spot.