With the 2025 NRL season just around the corner, the usual powerhouses dominate the headlines. However, a few teams are lurking in the shadows, ready to shake things up.
Here are three dark horses who could surprise everyone with a deep finals run.
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders head into 2025 without several key figures, most notably long-time captain Elliott Whitehead. On paper, their recruitment hasn’t made up for those losses, but Ricky Stuart has a knack for getting the best out of young talent and lesser-known players.
The real key to Canberra’s success lies in their spine. While they lack experience, they make up for it with raw talent and potential, which we saw glimpses of last season.
Combine that with a hard-working forward pack and the trademark Raiders grit, and they might just shock a few teams this year.
St George Illawarra Dragons
There were signs of progress in a disappointing 2024 season for the Dragons under Coach Shane Flanagan. Now, with a full season under his leadership, they could be primed for a resurgence.
While they’ve lost key players in Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax, their recruitment has been outstanding. Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook, and Valentine Holmes bring star power, while underrated signings like Emre Guler and Lachlan Ilias add depth.
Ilias, in particular, could thrive under Coach Flanagan, steering a spine that now includes Gutherson at fullback, Kyle Flanagan in the halves (who the Red V missed at the backend of last season), and Cook at dummy half. If they gel quickly, the Dragons could push not just for the top eight, but even for a top-four finish.
Wests Tigers
The Tigers have been at the centre of off-field drama for years, but if they can put internal issues aside, they have one of the most exciting rosters heading into 2025.
Their recruitment drive has been nothing short of impressive. Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Jack Bird, Sunia Turuva, Jeral Skelton, and Royce Hunt all bring serious firepower. The premiership-winning experience of Luai, Turuva and Bird could be the missing ingredient to turn the Tigers into contenders.
Then there’s Benji Marshall. His leadership last season, despite all the challenges, showed he won’t accept mediocrity. His no-excuses approach, combined with the high-quality recruits, mirrors the Bulldogs’ transformation last year. If Wests can channel that same mentality, they’ll be a team to watch.
With the season almost here, don’t be surprised if at least one of these teams goes from underdog to contender. Bring on 2025!