Canterbury-Bankstown captain Stephen Crichton has etched his name into an elite group after being unveiled in the 2025 RLPA Dream Team.
Voted in by his fellow professionals, the 24-year-old centre became just the third player to secure selection for three consecutive seasons – joining Melbourne Storm’s Harry Grant and Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth in that rare company.
It marks yet another milestone for Crichton, who has led the Bulldogs with distinction since taking on the captaincy and remains one of the competition’s most influential strike weapons.
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Mann earns long-awaited recognition
The players’ team of the year also delivered a moment to savour for veteran Kurt Mann. Thirteen seasons into his NRL career, the Bulldogs utility finally earned his first Dream Team call-up, recognised as the league’s premier Impact player. The honour follows his standout year in blue and white and a State of Origin debut for Queensland during their emphatic series victory.
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton OAM praised the calibre of the chosen 14, describing the award as one of the most meaningful in the game.
“On behalf of the RLPA, I would like to send a huge congratulations to the 14 incredible players who have been selected by the players in their Dream Team of 2025,” he said. “To be selected in the season’s best team by the players you battle against every round is an impressive recognition of a player’s performances.”
The full Dream Team included James Tedesco, Xavier Coates, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ethan Strange, Isaiya Katoa, Payne Haas, Joseph Tapine, Eliesa Katoa, Hudson Young and Erin Clark.