Ahh, the life of an NRL number nine.
Make your 50 tackles. Better not miss any. Tired marker? You better be running the ball!
Today we round out the end-of-year positional rankings by looking at the numbers nines.
As always, this is a list of based purely on 2025 performances and isn't just a blanket top ten list in the position.
Below are the top 10 hookers from the 2025 season:
Honourable Mention: Reece Robson
10. Sam Verrills
Arguably the most underrated number nine on this list, the Titans rake more than held up his end of things for his club.
No one is going to pretend like the Titans weren't terrible in 2025 but I dare suggest a few should write letters of apology to Verrills.
Across 21 games he scored two tries, assisted five, ran for 31 metres per game and tackled at almost 95%.
Not much more the talented hooker could have done really.
I’d drop Starling below Api and Walters; in fact I think I’d have Api at #3 in the rankings. It’s hard to look good in a team that isn’t going well, but he managed it.
Nah, I think Starling has been better than Walters.