The league is booming but there’s a wrinkle: one team has overcome built-in anti-dynasty safeguards and the game threatens to become predictable

The NRL is doing pretty well lately. Last week’s annual report contained numbers any code would crow about. Record revenue, record TV viewership, record crowds, a booming women’s game, an eight-figure surplus, an international game that’s starting to look half-decent. No wonder Peter V’landys felt good enough to make more of his trademark digs at union and the AFL.

Even if V’landys’ simping for Donald Trump to show up at the season launch in Vegas pays off and he says or does something consistent with his being Donald Trump, it’s hard to see how the NRL in 2025 can screw up this golden era. The game is faster and more telegenic than ever. There’s only one wrinkle: even in this glittering new age, the game is threatening to become predictable.