Back in February I wrote an article, linking your team’s Head Coach to their ultimate success, or failure, in 2025.

At just over the halfway mark of the season, this is how your side’s chances of success are looking.

Brisbane Broncos

Before a ball was kicked I questioned how the young Broncos players were going to gel with Michael Maguire’s tough training methods. Well, it appears not too well. The Broncos should be sitting much higher on the ladder than what they are, with the roster they have.

So how will the season end for the Brisbane? Madge’s methods will be questioned, his appointment heavily scrutinised, and the Broncos will just miss the top eight. A disaster for such a hyped team.

Canterbury Bulldogs

Coach Cameron Ciraldo has built on the success of 2024, and have the Bulldogs sitting pretty atop the ladder with 13 wins and just two losses.

A top-four finish, and two home semi-finals beckon.

Canberra Raiders

Coach Ricky Stuart has the Raiders humming, against all pundits’ expectations, including mine!

Ricky has uncovered a lot of young talent in Canberra, and Ethan Strange, alongside veteran half Jamal Fogarty looks like a future Origin player in the making.

A strong pack, together with a willingness to throw the ball around, the Raiders are shaping as the surprise packets of 2025. Can they go all the way? You wouldn’t be betting against them.

Tom Starling celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Cronulla Sharks

I said at the start of the season the Sharks look like they could go all the way in 2025. With a smart coach and a great roster, I thought they would threaten for the premiership.

However their mixed start to the year coincides with the mixed form of Nicho Hynes. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has a few big calls to make to end the year if the Sharks are to improve on their eight wins and six losses start to the year.

Dolphins

I said at the start of the year that Isaiya Katoa was shaping up to be a superstar, and he is proving it every single week.

Coach Kristian Woolf looks like he has overcome the Wayne Bennet curse, and in posting 158 points in just three weeks of footy, they look like a real threat to the top four at the back end of the year.

Gold Coast Titans

I opened my analysis at the start of the season asking, ‘is Des Hasler still a first grade coach? The answer is a resounding no.’ And nothing has changed my opinion.

The Titans are a mess, and have gone backwards under Des. They are running last, and a wooden spoon is not only possible, but likely.

Des should be looking to retire at the end of this season (aka forced out the door).

Manly Sea Eagles

I shared this view on Anthony Seibold: ‘The jury is still out on Seibold as a first grade coach’ before a ball had been kicked.

Well the jury has convened, and it’s time to show Seibold the door. Manly are an overrated and underperforming team, with more issues than all the other clubs combined (except maybe the Tigers).

Seibold recently convened seven-minute meetings with all his players to deliver stinging feedback. The club should give him seven minutes to plead for his job, and then show him the door.

Melbourne Storm

Not the complete package yet in 2025, but have shown glimpses of the champion team they are. Currently sitting fourth, with a ton of improvement in them.

They will click into gear as the season really heats up, and Bellamy will ride them like a Melbourne Cup-winning jockey to have them primed for yet another premiership.

Bellamy just added another year as Head Coach – give him 10 years!

North Queensland Cowboys

Todd Payten has a very testing back half of the year. Currently sitting on five wins and seven losses, Payten has to get this team into the eight to keep his job safe.

The champion halfback Tom Dearden will lift his team to the fringe of the finals, but will it be enough for Payten?Anyone’s guess.

Newcastle Knights

I shared with readers the following: ‘If there was a market for first coach sacked in 2025, Adam O’Brien would be odds on.’

And how he still has a job, this long into the season, is down to his agent managing to sneak a $2 million payout into his contract, should the Knights sack him.

Kalyn Ponga is not interested in playing there, they have no forwards signed for 2026, and have spent massive overs signing Dylan Brown. Flick the board, flick the recruitment manager and coach, and start all over again.

They are currently 15th, and are lucky not to be running last.

Penrith Panthers

The biggest talking point at the halfway mark of the season is the Panthers.

How a very good coach in Ivan Cleary can get them back into the eight will be through hard work and still holding a great team together. But have they lost too much talent to compete for a title?

Parramatta Eels

Coach Jason Ryles was tested early in the season with the loss of star halfback Mitch Moses.

Since Moses has returned, they look a lot better, scoring more points and much better organised in defence. With the playmaker once again injured, the next few weeks will be a huge test for Ryles and the Eels.

St George Illawarra Dragons

The Dragons currently sit 12th on the ladder, with coach Shane Flanagan having them sitting one place below where they finished 2024.

Whilst the Dragons have shown improvement at times, they have also been horrible in some matches.

Flanno and the Dragons need a big end to the year to keep his job safe for another year.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Bunnies have had more than their fare share of injury setbacks to start 2025.

Wily old fox Wayne Bennet has upped their fitness levels and grit to keep them in most matches, but will be hoping for a host of stars to return at the end of the season to make a run to the finals.

Cody Walker’s continued injury run and age are concerning, whereas Latrell Mitchell is arguably playing his best footy for the club. Get Brandon Smith to wear the famous jersey in a few weeks, together with Jack Wighton and Jamie Humpreys fit, and Souths should make a charge for the top eight.

Sydney Roosters

After looking awful to begin the season, coach Trent Robinson has the Roosters humming.

A young, mobile forward pack and the emergence of Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala has got the Roosters sitting in eighth spot, and ready to pounce once Sam Walker returns.

Sandon Smith of the Roosters celebrates with teammates (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

I had my doubts over Robinson at the start of the year, but he is proving me wrong in 2025.

Warriors

Andrew Webster, take your hat off!

Proving to be a very, very good coach this year after a sub-standard 2024. Lost plenty of experience in the offseason, but has a group of young players mixed with old veterans combining well in 2025.

Luke Metcalf has been a revelation (wouldn’t the Sharks like him back!) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and James Fisher-Harris outstanding with their leadership.

With 10 wins and three losses, coach Webster could be in line for coach of the year honours again.

Wests Tigers

Benji Marshall is battling, but not as much as some other coaches mentioned in this article.

The Wests Tigers effort and style of play has improved markedly from years past, and it would be a shame not to see them climb further on the ladder.

Currently sitting 13th, if Benji can get Jerome Luai, Terrell May and the Tigers team purring at the back end of the season, they might even push for the top eight.