NRL Leaderboard 2025: Standings, Top Players, Grand Final Picks

The 2025 NRL season is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about in years, with Canberra Raiders storming to the top of the ladder after Round 2. But beyond the standings, there’s a whole world of record-breaking contracts, historic premiership streaks, and early grand final whispers that make this season worth following.

Current leader after Round 2 (2025): Canberra Raiders ·
Most consecutive premierships: 11 by St. George Dragons (1956-1966) ·
Highest paid player (reported): Dylan Brown – $13 million (Newcastle Knights)

The snapshot above shows a season rich with data certainty and open questions.

The table shows five key metrics that define the 2025 season landscape—a mix of confirmed standings and pending details.

What is the current NRL leaderboard for 2025?

The 2025 NRL ladder after Round 2 shows Canberra Raiders in first place with a strong start. Across multiple sources, the early-season standings are consistent: the Raiders lead with 44 points after 24 games (19 wins, 5 losses, +142 differential), according to Legz sports data. Zero Tackle and Flashscore confirm the same data.

Melbourne Storm sit second with 17 wins, 40 points, and a +209 points differential. Canterbury Bulldogs round out the top three with 38 points (16-8). The top four spots guarantee home finals advantage, a critical edge in the playoffs. The official NRL.com ladder currently defaults to 2026 as of May 2026, but historical data from the 2025 season is archived on independent trackers.

The 2025 season comprised 27 rounds with each team having three byes, resulting in 24 games per club. The top eight teams qualify for the finals series, with the grand final pencilled for early October.

Who is the highest paid NRL player?

The biggest contract in the NRL belongs to Dylan Brown, who signed a reported $13 million deal with the Newcastle Knights. This total contract value dwarfs annual salaries, though Nathan Cleary remains one of the highest-paid players on a per-season basis, earning around $1.3 million per year according to NRL.com salary data. Payne Haas follows closely at $1.2 million annually, as reported by Fox Sports.

What is Nathan Cleary’s salary?

Cleary’s exact salary has not been officially disclosed, but multiple sources peg it at approximately $1.3 million per year, making him one of the premier earners in the competition alongside Dylan Brown’s landmark deal.

Who is the $13 million NRL player?

That’s Dylan Brown. The five-eighth signed a long-term contract with the Newcastle Knights worth $13 million, the richest reported deal in NRL history. The contract underscores the increasing financial muscle of clubs and the rising market value of elite playmakers.

Gap between top earners and the rest is widening, but the salary cap limits still apply, meaning star players are commanding an ever-larger share of team budgets.

What NRL team has never won a premiership?

Despite the competition’s deep history, several teams have never tasted grand final glory. The New Zealand Warriors, along with newer expansion sides like the Dolphins, have yet to win a premiership. The only team with a perfect record since entering the NRL is the St. George Illawarra Dragons (one title in 2010), but their joint-venture status complicates the lineage. The original St. George Dragons won 11 consecutive titles from 1956 to 1966 – a record that still stands as the longest premiership streak in Australian rugby league history, as documented on Wikipedia.

Who won 11 premierships in a row?

The St. George Dragons, under the guidance of legendary coach Harry Bath, built an unmatched dynasty from 1956 through 1966. That streak included stars like Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, and Graeme Langlands. No other club has come close; the nearest modern streak is three consecutive titles (e.g., Penrith Panthers 2021–2023).

Who is likely to be in the NRL Grand Final 2025?

As of early in the season, predictions are speculative, but early ladder positions offer clues. Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos both sit in the top four after Round 2, according to Footy Forecaster data. The grand final is scheduled for early October 2025, with the exact date yet to be confirmed.

One surprising off-field twist: American singer Teddy Swims had been booked to perform at the grand final, but cancelled two shows due to illness. The cancellation left event organisers scrambling for a replacement act, adding a logistical wrinkle to the big day.

Why did Teddy Swims cancel?

Teddy Swims cancelled his scheduled performances citing illness, according to news reports. The cancellation affected both pre-grand-final entertainment and the half-time show, though the NRL has not yet announced a substitute.

What is the most loved team in the NRL?

Fan affection is hard to measure, but Brandirectory’s 2025 report ranks NRL teams by brand value, with the Brisbane Broncos often leading in supporter base size. Fan polls repeatedly place the Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs among the most beloved clubs, though loyalty runs deep for historical heavyweights like the St. George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Market size and on-field success correlate with fanbase size, but smaller clubs like the Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders enjoy fiercely devoted followings that punch above their market weight.

Who is considered the best NRL player ever?

The debate is perennial, but several names dominate the conversation. Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights) is widely regarded as the greatest halfback ever, with two premierships and multiple Dally M medals. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys) earned a reputation for clutch plays and leadership, while fullbacks Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) and Cameron Smith (Melbourne) sustained excellence over long careers. According to Superprof’s ranking, Johns is often top of the list, but Lockyer’s longevity and Smith’s positional mastery keep the debate alive.

The 2025 NRL season offers a rare convergence of early-season ladder intrigue, blockbuster contracts, and historical echoes. For fans of the Canberra Raiders, this is a moment to enjoy being the team to beat – but the road to October is long. For the rest of the league, the message is clear: adapt to the new financial realities, or risk being left behind in the race for rugby league’s ultimate prize.