The 2025 NRL season is less than a month away and every team has players that will be branded with more expectations than others.

Ahead of the season's opening match in Las Vegas, Zero Tackle examines which players enter the 2025 NRL season with the heaviest expectations.

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1. Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)

After a strong 2024, Ponga will aim to maintain his form and lead Newcastle to success.

Ponga silenced his critics with a stellar 2024 campaign, returning to his best at fullback and earning Dally M votes.

The challenge for 2025 will be to back up that performance and push the Knights into premiership contention.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce of the Knights looks on during the round seven NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Newcastle Knights at QCB Stadium on June 27, 2020 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
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