NRL 2025, Round 1, Telstra Premiership, NRL Fantasy, team lists, analysis, opinion, expert advice, cash cows

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 4 Mar 2025, 05:34 PM

The full reveal of the remaining team lists for Round 1 is one of the great occasions on the NRL Fantasy calendar, with potential cash cows aplenty and club or positional switches adding to the intrigue surrounding a number of players.

Latest injury news and returns

For the first time in 2025, we're here to break down the good, the bad and the downright confusing from Team List Tuesday.

NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 1

Roosters v Broncos, Thursday at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: Coach Trent Robinson has delivered an early season treat for Fantasy coaches with the inclusion of not one, but two, potential cash cows in the centres. Mark Nawaqanitawase ($350k) only has Fantasy designation as a WFB right now, but that's likely to change when the first update is done, while Robert Toia is available at bargain basement price. Sandon Smith is close to a must-have at $250k, while there could be some value in Connor Watson as well, even though he starts the year at $663k, with a starting spot at hooker his for the foreseeable future.

Broncos: A couple of surprise inclusions in the run-on side which will have the attention of Fantasy coaches, namely EDG Jack Gosiewski who is available at $250k and Gehamat Shibasaki, who has stormed in from so far out of the blue that he's not even added to the game yet. Brendan Piakura's relegation to the bench means he's probably a stay away for now, while it remains to be seen how a move to prop from lock will impact Patrick Carrigan's scores. Cory Paix, who has DPP status as both a HLF and HOK, gets the start at hooker ahead of Billy Walters.

Round 1 - Thursday 6th March

Full Time

Roosters

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Mark Nawaqanitawase

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Deine Mariner
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon Smith

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ben Hunt
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Patrick Carrigan
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Naufahu Whyte

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jack Gosiewski
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
Lock for Roosters is number 15 Siua Wong

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Blake Steep

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey Jensen
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Salesi Foketi

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Xavier Willison
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Taylor Losalu

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Brendan Piakura

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Hugo Savala

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson Smoothy

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 08:24 pm Monday 10th March 2025

Wests Tigers v Knights, Friday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Wests Tigers: The unavailability of Api Koroisau (suspension) and Jahream Bula (appendix) opens the door for cheapies Heath Mason and Tallyn Da Silva to start in the spine, however neither is a buy given they are likely to drop out once the aforementioned incumbents return. MID Terrell May is on track to open the season as one of the most-owned players in Fantasy and is fast approaching placement in half of all teams picked so far. Jack Bird missing out on a starting spot is a blow to those hoping he might be a cut-price CTR option, but even off the bench he's probably worth having a punt on at $362k. There's been a bit of pre-season hype around WFB Jeral Skelton, but he's awkwardly priced at $500k.

Knights: Phoenix Crossland is an absolute bargain at $382k after being named to start at dummy-half ahead of Jayden Brailey. While the pair will share minutes, Newcastle have been pretty clear that their future at No.9 is away from Brailey, so it's a safe bet that Crossland sees plenty of minutes. Dylan Lucas is a candidate for best CTR eligible player to start the year after being included in the pack, while intrigue surrounds how Fletcher Sharpe (WFB, $550k) might go in the halves after impressing in the backline last season.

Round 1 - Friday 7th March

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Heath Mason

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Solomona Faataape

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jarome Luai

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tristan Hope

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Lock for Knights is number 13 Tyson Frizell

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 9 Tallyn Da Silva

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Royce Hunt

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jack Bird

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione Fainu

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Latu Fainu

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 08:28 pm Monday 10th March 2025

Dolphins v Rabbitohs, Friday at Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins: Max Plath had real 'HOK 1' potential this season when it looked like he might snare a starting middle spot, but a move out to the second row slightly sours the idea now. He's a workaholic defender who is still going to score well though, so in many cases he's likely a better bet than some of the players actually lining up at hooker in the NRL. He's joined in the back row by possible cash cow Kulikefu Finefeuiaki ($400k), while winger Junior Tupou could be set for a breakout year both on the field and in Fantasy too.

Rabbitohs: There are cash cows aplenty in Wayne Bennett's first squad naming since returning to the Rabbitohs. Starting lock Lachlan Hubner (MID, $250k) and No.9 Peter Mamouzelos (HOK, $319k) are close to no-brainers, while those feeling a little more risky might like to take a look at halfback Jamie Humphreys. He gets the start this week, but there's plenty of competition there with English recruit Lewis Dodd due back from suspension soon and Jayden Sullivan on the bench. However, a big factor in Humphreys' favour is that he can also play hooker, meaning he's a chance of retaining a bench spot even if he drops out of the starting 13 at some stage.

Round 1 - Friday 7th March

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Dolphins

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Isaiah Tass

Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack Wighton

Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham

Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone Munro

Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Junior Tupou
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 20 Sean O'Sullivan
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys

Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sean Keppie

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Peter Mamouzelos

Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Davvy Moale

Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Max Plath
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan Hubner

Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Tom Gilbert

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jayden Sullivan

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Kurt Donoghoe
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Connelly Lemuelu
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Tallis Duncan

Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Ray Stone
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tevita Tatola

Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Josh Kerr

Reserves

Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Liam Le Blanc

Replacement for Dolphins is number 23 Oryn Keeley

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 08:30 pm Monday 10th March 2025

Dragons v Bulldogs, Saturday at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Dragons: Not a whole lot in terms of Fantasy-relevant surprises here. Toby Couchman is already too expensive ($528k) to be a worthwhile money-maker in the front row, while I'm also not sold on Lachlan Ilias in the halves at $400k, given Clinton Gutherson is likely to supply a fair chunk of this team's try assists in 2025. Expect Valentine Holmes to be in the elite CTR conversion again.

Bulldogs: There could be some value in Kurt Mann (MID, $496k) after beating Jaeman Salmon to a starting middle spot, while even off the bench Sitili Tupouniua could make some money through the opening few weeks. Matt Burton and Jacob Preston are both likely to feature in the elite tier of HLF and EDG players respectively.

Round 1 - Saturday 8th March

Full Time

Dragons

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Toby Couchman

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Emre Guler

Prop for Bulldogs is number 21 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Bulldogs is number 17 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ryan Couchman

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Hamish Stewart

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Dylan Egan

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake Taaffe

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 08:32 pm Monday 10th March 2025

Sea Eagles v Cowboys, Saturday at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: The inclusion of Siosiua Taukeiaho in the starting front row after two seasons out of the NRL, is really interesting from a Fantasy point of view. A consistent mid-40s scorer for most of his eight-season career prior to leaving for Europe at the end of 2022, if the 33-year-old can get close to that again then he's great value at only $400k. Crucially, outside of Josh Aloiai, the Sea Eagles also don't have an experienced front-rower knocking on the door for inclusion right now. With Lachlan Croker set to miss the opening month of the competition, new recruit Jazz Tevaga gets a run as the starting hooker at Manly and has probably got a few good scores and price rises in him if he gets decent minutes. It's a tradition at this time of the year to talk up Ben Trbojevic, and with designation as both a CTR and EDG, and a price tag of just $415k, I'm (perhaps naively) interested in him given he's starting in the second row.

Cowboys: Thomas Duffy has beaten Jake Clifford in the race for the No.7 jersey and now becomes an immediate must-buy cash cow at just $250k, while at the same price fellow youngster Jaxon Purdue should be a heavily targeted player in Fantasy as well, after earning a starting centre spot. With Heilum Luki gone for the year John Bateman looks a set and forget starting back-rower for Todd Payten in 2025, and there's potential value there given he starts the year at $595k and has a proven track record of being a strong scorer in Fantasy.

Round 1 - Saturday 8th March

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Thomas Duffy

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz Tevaga

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyre
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl Lawton
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess

Reserves

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Kai O'Donnell

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 03:58 am Tuesday 18th March 2025

Storm v Eels, Sunday at AAMI Park

Storm: Tackle-breaking young gun Jack Howarth will get plenty of attention this week after being confirmed to start in the centres. Howarth really kicked on at the back end of last year and is available at $450k with designation as both an EDG and CTR. Ryan Papenhuyzen is good to go after recovering from ankle and knee injuries picked up over the pre-season and is pretty cheap at $530k, if he can rediscover somewhere close to top form in 2025. Provided he stays injury free, Cameron Munster is underpriced at $589k.

Eels: Great news for cash cow hunters with Isaiah Iongi winning the starting fullback job. The rookie had mixed results in his two Witzer Pre-season Challenge games (scoring 13 and 55) but is probably a must have to start the year. After appearing to unseat Brendan Hands as the preferred hooker last year, Joey Lussick has been left out of the 17 for the time being, which makes Hands (HOK, $389k) a player of interest again. Those planning on having Mitchell Moses as one of their big guns to start the season will have to wait, with the newly announced club captain sitting this one out due to a foot injury.

Round 1 - Sunday 9th March

Full Time

Storm

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Eels is number 2 Sean Russell
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney

Centre for Eels is number 4 Zac Lomax
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Eels is number 5 Jake Tago
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Ronald Volkman

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Eels is number 8 Joe Ofahengaue
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ryley Smith
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Matt Doorey
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Charlie Guymer
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Lazarus Vaalepu

Interchange for Eels is number 21 Sam Tuivaiti