The best players of 2025

[Richard de la Riviere]

Who have been the best players of 2025?

With the Woman of Steel shortlist to be revealed this week, we look at the best players from each of the eight teams.

https://womensrl.com/?p=765

[The Blues Ox]

Ive loved watching Wigan play this season and I think we are seeing something special with them in the womens game over here, their spine is just really good so my favorites are Banks, Rowe, and Foubister. 

Lots of questions from that post:-

What next for Warrington?
How do York react to losing Anfield next season?
Can Leeds be a force again?
Can anyone break in to the top 4?
How long can Huddersfield keep their star players?
Can Leigh improve on this season with more backing from the club(possible next club to go "pro"?)

 

[BroncoFan]

I think Huddersfield are 3-4 good players away from being able to match it with the big 4.

They have been good at times and even came within minutes of defeating York Valkyrie.

The positions they need to strengthen is they need a couple of big props and a standoff number 6.

They have really promising halfback coming through in Tegan Sant who could be the answer and a few others from their under 19’s.

Hopefully Kelsey Gentles will add some quality next season and maybe they should go for someone like Grace Field to lead the forward pack.

 

[BroncoFan]

Top 4 for me have been,

Jenna Foubister 

Grace Banks

Eva Hunter

Lucy Murray

[WRLFan]

17 hours ago, BroncoFan said:

I think Huddersfield are 3-4 good players away from being able to match it with the big 4.

They have been good at times and even came within minutes of defeating York Valkyrie.

The positions they need to strengthen is they need a couple of big props and a standoff number 6.

They have really promising halfback coming through in Tegan Sant who could be the answer and a few others from their under 19’s.

Hopefully Kelsey Gentles will add some quality next season and maybe they should go for someone like Grace Field to lead the forward pack.

 

I’ve heard rumours of a player who may opt to leave a top 4 club to go to Hudds who might fit that No6 role

 

[WRLFan]

Don’t be surprised if there are a few more players leaving York in the close season 

Leeds will be strong next year. Difficult season with injuries this year but next year they could replicate what Wigan have done this year

Huddersfield have potential. Depends if the U19’s can make the step up to first team

Next year it’ll be Wigan & Leeds as the dominant 2 followed by Saints & York with maybe Hudds getting a win or 2 against one of the top 4

 

[RigbyLuger]

Do they announce who is on the panel? Not that I'm sure we know who decides the men's and wheelchair award either.

[Richard de la Riviere]

1 hour ago, RigbyLuger said:

Do they announce who is on the panel? Not that I'm sure we know who decides the men's and wheelchair award either.

I think it’s been mentioned in the past but I don’t want to out anyone in case I’m wrong. From memory, it’s Stuart Barrow plus 3 or 4 journalists (not me!)

Edited September 19, 2025 by Richard de la Riviere

[BroncoFan]

On 19/09/2025 at 23:57, WRLFan said:

I’ve heard rumours of a player who may opt to leave a top 4 club to go to Hudds who might fit that No6 role

 

Could that be Caitlin Casey ?

Her body language just screams that she isn’t enjoying her time at Saints.

[WRLFan]

3 hours ago, BroncoFan said:

Could that be Caitlin Casey ?

Her body language just screams that she isn’t enjoying her time at Saints.

Think her dad still coaches U19 at Leeds but can’t see her back there

[The Blues Ox]

She will have burnt a lot of bridges that need fixing once her mates retire. It is hard to watch someone with so much potential as a junior not really fulfilling that promise.

[WRLFan]

5 hours ago, The Blues Ox said:

She will have burnt a lot of bridges that need fixing once her mates retire. It is hard to watch someone with so much potential as a junior not really fulfilling that promise.

Think she went to St Helens for the wrong reason. Certainly wasn’t for playing opportunities. Her place at Leeds wasn’t really under threat

shame really

Can’t see Leeds taking her back. 

[BroncoFan]

On 19/09/2025 at 23:57, WRLFan said:

I’ve heard rumours of a player who may opt to leave a top 4 club to go to Hudds who might fit that No6 role

 

Sade Rihari ?

[BroncoFan]

Or the forgotten Liv Gale ?

[BroncoFan]

Erin Stott ?

[RigbyLuger]

On 22/09/2025 at 21:36, BroncoFan said:

Sade Rihari ?

Her exile from York has been odd. She's not played badly, has she?

[RBKnight]

51 minutes ago, RigbyLuger said:

Her exile from York has been odd. She's not played badly, has she?

As far as York fans are aware, Sade's absence from the playing group has been self-imposed. @andyacko made a brief comment on a Valkyrie commentary that she had chosen to step away from playing in the WSL. She did make one appearance on dual-reg for Sheffield in the Championship, after playing all the Valkyrie games earlier in the season.

Whether this is for personal or work-related issues we don't know - similarly, whether any potential return will be with York or another club is unclear. York have missed her badly, as her passing game would have allowed us to hit our edges in the latter part of the season, rather than eschewing overlaps and trying to force scores through the middle.