LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
David Middleton has recently unveiled his Team of the Year for the 2025 NRL season, just a week after naming his top five players. A well-respected historian of rugby league and the author of the 2025 Official Rugby League Annual, Middleton made a surprising choice by excluding 2025 Dally M Medallist James Tedesco from his lineup. Instead, he has selected Reece Walsh, who played a pivotal role in guiding the Brisbane Broncos to the premiership and also made his international debut for Australia.
Joining Walsh in this prestigious team are his Kangaroos teammates: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary, Harry Grant, and Hudson Young. In a notable exception, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth was included despite not participating in the 2025 NRL Finals; he represented England in the 2025 Ashes Series.
Additionally, the lineup features New Zealand Kiwis duo Erin Clark and Joseph Tapine, along with front-rower Payne Haas from Samoa and back-rower Eliesa Katoa from Tonga, both of whom showcased their talents during the 2025 Pacific Championships.
The complete team is as follows:
1. Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)
2. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)
3. Herbie Farnworth (The Dolphins)
4. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
5. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)
6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
10. Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)
11. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
12. Eliesa Katoa (Melbourne Storm)
13. Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors)