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Carayannis' Crystal Ball: The big headlines for the Sharks, Roosters, Panthers and Storm
Charles Goodsir • February 7th, 2025 1:01 pm
The 2025 NRL season begins in under a month with the double header season opener at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Ahead of the season getting underway, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis has looked into his crystal ball and forecast the big headline for every team in 2025.
Cronulla Sharks
“Brayden Brailey will make his representative debut,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“This will be off the back of Addin Fonua-Blake who will lay the platform for Brailey. We’ll see Brailey run a fair more.
“He will be battling Reece Robson for that NSW spot and also Harry Grant for the Kangaroos.
“I think he will come into the mix to make his rep debut.”
Sydney Roosters
“(Prepare) for a Roosters spending spree.
“They have already signed Reece Robson and they still have a lot of salary cap room.
“The Roosters armed with a lot of salary cap space is a dangerous proposition.
“Forget about the blokes coming off contract, I expect them to land one or two more marquee signings into 2026.
“They need a half because I don’t know what happens with Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend is only on a short-term deal.
“If Joey Manu doesn’t come back, they will need another big game centre.”
Penrith Panthers
“The Panthers will fall short.
“The run is over. They’ll get very close and be in the top four.
“Do they make the Grand Final? Probably.
“You won't want to play them in a final. Even if they finish seventh, you do not want to play the Panthers in a final.”
Melbourne Storm
“Craig Bellamy will extend.
“The ‘will he or won’t he’ happens every year when it comes to Bellamy and if he will go on and coach.
“As long as he still thinks he can win a Premiership, he will still coach.
“He has the core of Harry Grant, Cam Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen. They will always compete for a title so I think he extends for another year.
“I don’t think he’s quite ready to pull the pin yet.”
