Here it is, the 2025 NRL Grand Final between two of the biggest clubs in the competition, as the Brisbane Broncos take on the Melbourne Storm. After years of Penrith dominance, this is the first decider since 2019 without the Panthers — but it still isn’t exactly an unfamiliar sight. Both the Broncos and Storm are perennial contenders, each built on a blend of star power and uncompromising forward packs.
From a daily fantasy sports (DFS) point of view, this matchup has everything you could ask for. It’s a one-game slate with concentrated star talent, a clash of playing styles, and plenty of uncertainty around rotations and game flow — all of which makes for great Draftstars contests.
Draftstars has rolled out several tournaments for the big dance, including single-game showdowns and high roller options, but the headline is the $50,000 Grand Final contest. For just a $15 entry, someone will walk away with a cool $5,000 first prize. It’s the sort of event where sharp roster construction, a bit of luck, and smart leverage can make the difference between finishing in the pack or taking home serious cash.
The beauty of NRL DFS is that every tackle, run metre, and offload matters. Unlike tipping or betting markets where the focus is only on the result, fantasy contests let you sweat every minor involvement. And in a Grand Final where every player is giving 110%, there’s often plenty of value hidden in less-heralded names.
Let’s get into the picks.
NRL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: 2025 NRL Grand Final
When approaching Draftstars single-game contests, you want to think in terms of player archetypes. Premiums can carry your lineup with ceiling scores, mid-priced players are your glue, and value picks are what allow you to fit in the stars without breaking the salary cap.
A useful DFS rule is to balance floor vs ceiling. Floors give you safety (e.g. a forward who will make 40 tackles and run 100 metres), while ceilings give you upside (a half or outside back who can break a game open with tries or line breaks). In a winner-takes-all or top-heavy payout contest, you need some ceiling in your lineup — but you can’t ignore floor completely, or you’ll risk crashing out if your gambles fail.
NRL Grand Final – Our Value Fantasy Picks
Brendan Piakura – $8,820
Piakura is the classic DFS value play: high-upside, low-floor. At under $9k, you’re not asking him to churn out 50 points every week — you’re asking for the possibility of a breakout in a Grand Final environment. He’s only scored two tries all season, but crucially one of them came against the Storm, where he also posted a terrific 46.8 fantasy points in just 56 minutes.
The risk, of course, is that he doesn’t get on the scoreboard. Without a try, he’s more likely a 25–30 scorer, which won’t cut it in a Grand Final DFS lineup. But given his price, he doesn’t need to hit 60 to be worth it — even 40 points will pay off here. Importantly, Piakura’s minutes should remain strong despite Patrick Carrigan’s presence, as Brisbane rely heavily on his athleticism in defence.
From a Draftstars strategy perspective, Piakura is the type of value pick that allows you to fit in two or three premium guns elsewhere. He’s a “salary relief” play who opens up the roster for higher ceilings in your halves or spine players.
Ezra Mam – $9,060
Ezra Mam is DFS gold because he combines opportunity + proven upside. At just over $9k, he’s priced like a role player, but we know what he can do when it matters — three tries in the 2023 Grand Final proved he can handle the stage.
The catch is that Mam starts on the bench, which suppresses his price. But DFS is about minutes, and Mam still projects for 50+ minutes, especially given Brisbane’s rotation with Ben Hunt shifting to hooker around the half-hour mark. Add in the ever-present risk of early injuries creating more minutes, and Mam’s role looks more promising than the “bench” tag suggests.
His floor is about 28 (what he managed last week against Penrith without being overly involved), and his ceiling is well into the 50–60 range if he gets running opportunities. In DFS terms, that’s exactly the type of volatility you want for tournaments — high enough ceiling to separate you from the field, at a price that doesn’t cripple your cap.
NRL Grand Final – Our Mid-Price Fantasy Picks
Ryan Papenhuyzen – $11,750
Papenhuyzen is a polarising DFS play. He isn’t a base-stat accumulator like some fullbacks — he relies heavily on attacking involvement. That means his floor can sit uncomfortably in the 30s, but his ceiling is elite. Case in point: his season-high 106.4 points against the Tigers.
In a Grand Final, you don’t expect triple-digit scores, but 50+ is firmly within reach. Papenhuyzen will be central to Melbourne’s attack, especially with his ability to chime in on sweeping backline plays and kick returns. Yes, he struggled against Brisbane a month ago, but the dynamics of a decider are different — Melbourne will want their star fullback heavily involved.
From a DFS lens, Papenhuyzen is the type of mid-price premium who can tilt a contest. He won’t be owned as highly as Haas or Walsh, which gives you leverage. If he explodes while the majority of the field fades him, you’re instantly ahead.
Shawn Blore – $11,780
Blore is all about reliability with upside. Returning from injury last week, he managed 70 minutes and still posted respectable numbers: 27 tackles, 66 metres, a tackle bust, two offloads, and a line break assist. That’s an excellent base for a player still working back to full match fitness.
If he gets through the full 80 minutes this week — which is more likely after the hit-out — he’s projecting in the 45–55 range without needing attacking stats. That’s a superb “cash-game” style play in DFS. But the kicker is his try-scoring potential. If he barges over, suddenly you’re staring at 60+ at a mid-range salary.
In terms of Draftstars strategy, Blore represents the safe mid-tier glue guy. You can lock him in for stability while still taking swings elsewhere with higher variance plays.
NRL Grand Final – Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Eliesa Katoa – $18,080
Here’s where DFS strategy really comes into play: do you take Payne Haas, or do you fade him? Haas is the most expensive player in the slate ($23k+) and will be the highest owned. If he posts another 85+ score, you probably need him to win. But if he “only” gets 65-75, fading him opens the door to unique builds.
Enter Eliesa Katoa. At $18,080, he’s significantly cheaper, and while his ceiling doesn’t quite match Haas, it’s the closest forward alternative. Against Brisbane this season, he’s scored 61 (without attacking stats) and 78.6. That shows he can reach Haas-like numbers without needing miracle plays.
Katoa gives you a strategic pivot. If Haas is 70% owned and you fade him for Katoa, you’re instantly differentiated from the majority. It’s risky — but in a top-heavy payout contest, that’s the sort of leverage that can win you big prizes.
Jahrome Hughes – $16,600
Hughes looked back to his best in the Preliminary Final, racking up 500 kicking metres, 106 running metres, eight tackle breaks, and a try. He’s the most dangerous half on the slate because he combines running, kicking, and attacking upside.
The risk is his injury history, but in DFS tournaments, risk can equal reward. Compared to Cameron Munster or Harry Grant, Hughes arguably has the best ceiling because he gets points from multiple avenues. If Melbourne win, it’s not hard to see him pushing 70+ and taking out the Clive Churchill Medal.
From a Draftstars perspective, Hughes is the ceiling play at HH. Reynolds is safe but lacks upside, Hunt’s role is volatile, and Munster doesn’t have Hughes’ recent form. If you want to separate in a $50k contest, Hughes is the way.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NRL Grand Final is not just a showcase of two powerhouse teams — it’s also one of the best single-game DFS slates of the year. With $50,000 up for grabs, the margin between winning $5k and finishing in the pack could come down to one pivot decision: fading Haas, picking the right mid-price forward, or banking on a bench spark like Ezra Mam.
Key strategies to keep in mind:
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Balance stars and value: You can’t fit all the premiums, so pick your spots.
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Ownership leverage: In top-heavy contests, being different matters more than being safe.
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Understand roles and rotations: Minutes = money in NRL DFS. Bench players like Mam with expanded roles are gold.
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Don’t ignore floors completely: You still need a foundation — forwards like Blore provide that stability.
It’s a one-game slate, but within that, endless strategy layers. Get creative, trust your process, and don’t be afraid to take a calculated risk. After all, someone’s walking away with $5,000 — and it could be you.
Our Suggested NRL Grand Final Draftstars Lineup
NRL Grand Final Betting Markets
Storm ($1.70) vs Broncos ($2.15)
Line: Storm (-2.5)
Points: 41.5
Also, be sure to check out our full NRL Grand Final Preview and Betting Tips. Our experts break down the final and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
