The 2025 NRL season featured new champions and unexpected performances from various teams.
Each NRL season brings with it a spectrum of expectations among teams.
Some teams set their sights on winning the premiership, while others hope to make a playoff appearance, some aim to halt a downward trend, and a few just want to avoid finishing at the bottom after a series of disappointing seasons.
The 2025 season saw new champions emerge, finally ending the reign of the Penrith Panthers. Several clubs performed beyond expectations, particularly the Canterbury Bulldogs and Canberra Raiders, while others, like the North Queensland Cowboys and South Sydney Rabbitohs, fell short of their potential.