The 2025 NRL season might still be four months away, but it's never too early to look ahead and predict the future.
It's what fans love to do, and we are in that glorious time of year where everyone is happy, and more importantly, every team has a chance of achieving something next year.
That's what the optimist would love you to believe, anyway.
In the real world, the fragrance of optimism doesn't actually exist everywhere, and some teams are going to struggle, whether you like it or not.
With that said, Zero Tackle have looked at the chances of every single NRL team to determine where they are most likely to finish in the coming campaign.
The premiership contenders
Penrith Panthers, Melbourne Storm, Cronulla Sharks
The Panthers will be there and there abouts again. There is almost no doubt about that. Nothing can slow this juggernaut down. Craig Bellamy's Melbourne Storm outfit will be near the top too. Stefano Utoikamanu's signature should only improve them. The Cronulla Sharks are the team we see as the most likely challengers to the top two with the addition of Addin Fonua-Blake filling an enormous need for the Shire-based side. Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters, Manly Sea Eagles The Roosters are only grouped here and not amongst the contenders due to the injuries heading into the season, with Sam Walker and Brandon Smith set to miss at least the first half of 2025, while Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii headline the departures. Brisbane Broncos, South Sydney Rabbitohs, North Queensland Cowboys, The Dolphins, Newcastle Knights The Cowboys and Knights could well go backwards after over achieving in 2024, while the Dolphins are something of an unknown quantity under Kristian Woolf, but should have more than enough to run with the finalists. Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors Parramatta are under new coaching in Jason Ryles, while the Tigers have made a string of big signings which should see them improve. Whether any of these sides make the finals remains to be seen. Canberra Raiders, Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons The Raiders, on the other hand, haven't been able to string any consistency together for some time and will likely have a young halves pairing, while the Titans' squad balance is all wrong, with most of their cash spent in the forwards and still no strong option at halfback to guide the side around the park.The top eight likely teams
We see the next three sides being the Bulldogs, Roosters and Sea Eagles. The Bulldogs are hardly about to go backwards after their return to the finals and should be better for the first season under Cameron Ciraldo. The Sea Eagles too should improve, although are still heavily reliant on Tom Trbojevic's fitness.Middle of the road
We expect two of this group to make the finals. The Brisbane Broncos are far better than they showed in 2024 and will be better for Michael Maguire's arrival, while the South Sydney Rabbitohs too should improve under Wayne Bennett.A chance of improving
The three big disappointments in 2024 were the Tigers, Eels and Warriors. The Warriors in particular slumped from the finals to the bottom four, and with Shaun Johnson now retired, can move into a new chapter.Closer to the bottom than the top
At the bottom, we expectt the Raiders, Titans and Dragons. The Dragons losing Ben Hunt - despite the coaching of Shane Flanagan - will simply be too much to overcome.
