They are the 30 best players over the age of 30 in the NRL, but in a scary omen for the rest of the competition, they have shown no signs of slowing down any time soon.
From 31-year-old Eels halfback Mitchell Moses to 33-year-old Roosters skipper James Tedesco and 30-year-old Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards, these are the best players in the game that keep defying father time.
The above trio are current and past representative players, which was weighted heavily in selection of the list of 30 best NRL stars over 30.
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So too were other individual accolades and consistent match-day output, with leadership and premiership winning credentials also playing a part, as well longevity and the ability to stay at the top of their game over a long period.
As such, some incredibly brilliant players are missing — high among them Souths five-eighth Cody Walker, who was regarded as one of the best playmakers in the game a couple of seasons ago.
The same can be said for Cowboys veteran Jason Taumalolo and Roosters flyer Daniel Tupou, while Knights centre Dane Gagai was another near-miss. (Check out the honourable mentions at the bottom).
Most clubs are represented in our top 25, but the Cowboys, Knights, Titans and Dolphins were the four teams that missed out, in part due to their youthful squads.
By the time the 2026 season kicks off there will be nearly 80 players over 30 lining up for their clubs, but we have narrowed that list down to the best 30.
Note: For players to be eligible for this list, they must be over the age of 30 at the start of next season. (For example: an eligible player must be 30 or older in Round 1.)
Read on for the 30 best NRL players over the age of 30.
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30. JACK WIGHTON (RABBITOHS) — 33 (Age as of Round 1, 2026)
Turning 33 on the eve of the 2026 trials, Jack Wighton has not been at his best since joining the Rabbitohs, but his career prior sees him squeak into the top 30 players over 30.
Wighton has scored 87 tries in 278 games for the Raiders and Rabbitohs since his debut in 2012, including winning the Clive Churchill Medal in a beaten Raiders side in the 20219 Grand Final.
The following year Wighton won the Dally M Medal and played 10 Origins for the Blues and seven Tests for the Kangaroos, including the 2022 World Cup win before retiring from rep footy.
The versatile star can cover the halves, centres and fullback, but the challenge will be to get back to his best on the edge, in a bid to win a title with Souths in the next two years before hanging up the boots.
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29. CAMERON MCINNES (SHARKS) — 32
The Sharks skipper turns 32 on the eve of the 2026 trials and while an ACL injury will keep him out for the start of the season, he still has plenty left to offer.
McInnes burst onto the scene as a dummyhalf with the Rabbitohs in 2014, before shifting to the Dragons for four seasons, but he has blossomed into a superb lock at the Sharks.
McInnes debuted for the Blues in Origin in 2024 and is considered one of the toughest players in the game, after breaking the record for most tackles in a game with 81 against the Panthers in 2023.
Rumoured to be in the sights of the Perth Bears, McInnes is the ideal man to build a new club around with his epic work ethic and leadership skills, if he is forced out of the Sharks.
28. KURT MANN (BULLDOGS) — 33
The Bulldogs veteran turns 33 on the day of his side’s season opener against the Dragons in Las Vegas, but it is fair to say he is in the best form of his whole career.
Mann played 22 games for the Bulldogs last season, which is the most he has played in a campaign since 2018, having also had stints with the Storm, Dragons, Knights and Bulldogs since his debut in 2014.
The versatile star can cover lock, hooker, centre, second row and even five-eighth at a pinch, but it is his work ethic that has drawn high praise from his coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Mann was rewarded with an Origin debut last season, playing two games for Queensland in their comeback series win and don’t be surprised if he adds to that tally as he fights for an extension in a contract year in 2026.
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27. MOSES LEOTA (PANTHERS) — 30
The Panthers’ chief enforcer turns 31 in July but seems to be just getting better with age, after playing 26 games in each of the last three seasons.
Leota has established himself as one of the best enforcers in the game for the Panthers since his debut in 2016, including four premiership wins from five grand finals and has been one of the few constants in their dynasty.
The hulking prop has gone from a bench impact player to the cornerstone of the Panthers pack in recent seasons and has also played 10 Tests for Samoa and New Zealand to date.
Leota’s next challenge is to lead the new wave of Panthers forwards as the club tries to get back on top of the NRL mountain following their prelim final exit last year, and don’t be surprised if plays well beyond his contract which expires in 2027.
26. ALEX JOHNSTON (RABBITOHS) — 32
The man that needs just three tries to be crowned the greatest NRL try-scorer ever in 2026 turned 31 over the off-season, but with two seasons remaining on his deal he is set to shatter it and make an unreachable mark.
Johnston has scored 210 tries in 243 games for Souths since his debut in 2014, winning a title in his rookie season after scoring 21 tries and he has been scoring them for fun ever since, including 15 in just 16 games last year.
While Johnston’s body type has prevented him from cracking the Origin arena, he has played 13 Tests for Papua New Guinea and Australia and is one of the best finishers the game has ever seen.
Johnston is widely tipped to join the PNG Chiefs expansion side in 2028 and if he plays into his late 30s he could set a try-scoring record closer to the 300 mark before he hangs up the boots.
25. CLINT GUTHERSON (DRAGONS) — 31
The Dragons skipper turns 32 during the 2026 finals series and will be hellbent on getting his new club back in the top eight in time to celebrate in style.
Gutherson was the Dragons’ best player in 2025 with seven tries and 16 try assists in 24 games in his first season at the club, after a distinguished 206-game career at the Eels.
The tireless fullback has scored 107 tries in 235 games for the Sea Eagles, Eels and Dragons since his debut in 2013, to go with four Origins for NSW.
Considered one of the fittest and most committed players in the NRL, Gutherson still has two years remaining on his Dragons deal and don’t write him off playing on beyond that and pushing to reach the magical 300-game mark.
24. JAMAL FOGARTY (SEA EAGLES) — 32
The new Manly halfback turned 32 over the off-season after helping guide the Raiders to a drought-breaking minor premiership in his final season at the club, finishing third on the point-scorers list with 192.
Fogarty has scored 654 points in 118 games for the Titans and Raiders since his debut in 2017 and has established himself as one of the game’s most reliable chief playmakers.
The late bloomer signed a three-year deal to be Daly Cherry-Evans’ successor at Manly and while he has some big shoes to fill, the selfless Fogarty could be the ideal man to fill the void.
Fogarty has an excellent kicking game in general play and from the tee and while his best running days might be behind him, he can be the general Manly need to get back to the finals in 2026 and beyond.
23. JEREMY MARSHALL-KING (DOLPHINS) — 30
The Dolphins dummyhalf turned 30 over the off-season and has gone from a makeshift rake at the Bulldogs to one of the best hookers in the game at the Dolphins.
The brother of Tigers legend Benji Marshall has come out of his famous sibling’s shadow to establish himself as one of the Dolphins’ most important players since joining the competition.
Marshall-King will be looking to go past the 200-game mark over the course of his three-year deal in the coming seasons.
An injury will keep him out of the start of the 2026 campaign, but Marshall-King will be targeting a big end to the season to lead the Dolphins to a maiden finals appearance and earn himself a berth in the Kiwis’ World Cup squad.
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22. JAI ARROW (RABBITOHS) — 30
He may turn 31 in July, but Jai Arrow is coming off one of his best seasons individually after being named the Rabbitohs’ best player in 2025, despite a horror campaign for the club due to injuries.
Arrow played every game for Souths in 2025 taking his career tally to 178 for the Broncos, Titans and Rabbitohs since his debut in 2016.
The fiery forward has also played 12 Origins for Queensland and he wouldn’t look out of place in a Maroons jersey this season, despite not playing a rep game since 2023.
The versatile enforcer has blossomed into a reliable front-rower, after spending most of his career at lock and in the second row, and will be hellbent on winning an elusive title over the course of his deal, which expires in 2027.
21. JOSH ADDO-CARR (EELS) — 30
The man they call the Foxx turns 31 in July, but is still one of the best finishers in the game and was equal third on the 2025 try-scorers list with 19.
That took his career tally to 159, which is the equal 10th most ever and with two years left on his contract, he could join Ken Irvine and Alex Johnston as the only men to crack the 200 barrier.
The veteran of 201 games for the Tigers, Storm, Bulldogs and Eels has also scored 11 tries in 15 Origins for the Blues and 14 tries in 10 Tests for the Kangaroos, including a World Cup win in 2022.
Addo-Carr will have his sights set on returning to the Blues team in 2026 and capping the year with another World Cup win, after playing all three Ashes Tests against England last year.
20. CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD (WARRIORS) — 30
The Warriors fullback debuted for the club back in 2017, before rising to fame over four seasons at the Raiders, including the 2019 Grand Final run.
Nicoll-Klokstad turned 30 on the eve of the 2025 finals series and was a big reason why the Warriors were in the top four for most of the season, despite injuries to two of their biggest stars in Luke Metcalf and Mitch Barnett.
The veteran No.1 has scored 45 tries in 136 NRL games to go with six tries in 19 Tests for New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
The versatile back can also cover centre and wing and will be a big part of the Warriors’ title charge in 2026 and the Kiwis’ bid for a World Cup title win at the end of the year.
19. VALENTINE HOLMES (DRAGONS) — 30
The veteran centre turns 31 in July and is still one of the best centres in the game, despite an injury plagued first season with the Dragons, which saw him play just 14 games in 2025.
Holmes burst onto the NRL scene with the Sharks in 2014 as a winger and was a member of Cronulla’s drought-breaking first title team in 2016, before moving to the Cowboys after a short stint with the New York Jets in the NFL.
The 2022 Dally M centre of the year has scored 114 tries and 1,354 points in 217 NRL games to go with 13 tries in 22 Origins for the Maroons and 20 tries in 21 Tests for the Kangaroos to date.
Holmes is one of the more dependable finishers in the league and a handy goal-kicker too. He will be looking to get back to the Origin arena and will represent the Cook Islands at the 2026 World Cup after winning two World Cups for Australia.
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18. ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (WARRIORS) — 32
The Warriors veteran turns 33 in June as he potentially enters the final year of his NRL career amid interest from overseas rugby union clubs, but he is still one of the most dangerous players in the game on his day.
Tuivasa-Sheck has had to take a back seat on the wing and in the centres since returning to the Warriors, but he would still be a walk-up start at fullback at many NRL clubs.
The 2018 Dally M player of the year has scored 75 tries in 232 games for the Roosters and Warriors since his debut in 2012 and won a premiership with the Chooks in 2013.
The dual international has also played three Tests for the All Blacks and 25 Tests for the Kiwis and Samoa and looks set to play for the latter at the 2026 World Cup to cap a remarkable career in the 13-man game.
17. ANGUS CRICHTON (ROOSTERS) — 30
The Roosters enforcer turns 30 on the eve of the 2026 trials in what is shaping as potentially his last NRL season amid reports of a potential code switch.
Crichton has done it all in rugby league after scoring 50 tries in 198 games for the Rabbitohs and Roosters since his debut in 2016, including a premiership in 2019.
Crichton is a reliable back-rower, who rarely makes a mistake in defence and his hole running makes him a dream for halves and a nightmare for opposition defences on the edge.
The 2024 Dally M second-rower of the year has also played 17 Origins for the Blues and 11 Tests for the Kangaroos and will look to cap his career with another title and a World Cup defence in 2026.
16. VILIAME KIKAU (BULLDOGS) — 30
Turning 31 in April, Viliame Kikau is still one of the best strike second-rowers in the game, after recently inking a two-year extension through until the end of 2028.
The three-time Dally M second-rower of the year has scored 50 tries in 177 games for the Panthers and Bulldogs since his debut in 2017.
Kikau is a devastating enforcer, who can change a game on both sides of the ball with his decisive hole running and passing skills and his brutal defence.
The dual premiership winner with Penrith has also scored 11 tries in 18 Tests for Fiji and has become the cornerstone of the Bulldogs pack over the last three seasons.
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15. MITCH BARNETT (WARRIORS) — 31
He may turn 32 in April and is coming off an ACL injury, but before he went down Mitch Barnett was one of the best and most reliable props in the game.
The Warriors skipper, who also played for the Raiders, Knights and Warriors, has already proven himself one of the most dependable workhorses in the league and was rewarded with representative debuts for the Blues and Kangaroos.
Barnett has gone from a hot and cold second-rower with the Knights to a consistent and reliable enforcer up front for the Warriors.
It is no coincidence that when Barnett went down last season the Warriors lost their way, but with him leading from the front, they were on track for a historic maiden title push.
14. DALY CHERRY-EVANS (ROOSTERS) — 37
By the standards he has set his whole career, 2025 was not Daly Cherry-Evans’ best season, but he was still better than most of the halfbacks in the NRL.
He may turn 37 before the 2026 season kicks off, but with a stacked Roosters team around him, don’t write off DCE getting back to his best and leading the Chooks to a first title since 2019.
Cherry-Evans knows how to win having claimed a premiership in his rookie season and Clive Churchill Medal in a losing side in 2013, to go with 26 Origins for the Maroons and 21 Tests for the Kangaroos. In other words, Cherry-Evans’ legacy is already set in stone.
But if he can cap his remarkable career with a title or two at the Roosters, it will only enhance his reputation as one of the best halfbacks of the modern era.
13. JOSEPH TAPINE (RAIDERS) — 31
The Raiders skipper has blossomed into an excellent leader and was a massive reason for Canberra’s charge to a drought-breaking minor premiership in 2025.
Turning 32 during the first week of the 2026 season, Tapine still has two years to run on his contract and given his form last season, don’t write him off playing on well past that.
Tapine is a versatile enforcer, who looks equally at home at lock or in the front row and could even do a job on the edge if called upon, and he has become one of the most reliable and destructive middles in the game.
12. APISAI KOROISAU (TIGERS) — 33
He may have turned 33 in November, but the Tigers skipper is still one of the best hookers in the game and after inking an extension will play until he is 36 at least.
Koroisau burst onto the scene in 2014 winning a title in his rookie season with Souths and has gone on to win two more premierships with the Panthers, before joining the Tigers in 2023.
The brilliant rake established himself as one of the craftiest players at the position in his career, which has included stops at the Rabbitohs, Panthers, Sea Eagles and Tigers. He has also played four Origins for the Blues and 13 Tests for Fiji.
At his best Koroisau is up there with Harry Grant as the best dummyhalf in the game and he has been a big reason for the Tigers’ turnaround over the last couple of seasons.
11. JOSH PAPALII (RAIDERS) — 33
Like a fine wine, the Raiders veteran seems to be just getting better with age and despite turning 34 in May, he is coming off one of his best seasons in 2025.
Papalii averaged over 100 metres a game as he helped lead the Raiders to a stunning minor premiership in 2025 and he also made a triumphant return to the Origin arena.
The hulking front-rower has played a record 329 games for Green Machine since his debut in 2011, scoring 67 tries and has played 24 Origins for Queensland to go with 24 Tests for the Kangaroos and Samoa.
Papalii’s form was so good last season that the Raiders went back on releasing him to the Super League and locked him up for 2026 and don’t rule out him playing on in 2027, whether it be in Canberra or overseas.
10. ADAM REYNOLDS (BRONCOS) — 35
His body may be starting to let him down, but Adam Reynolds still deserves plenty of credit for captaining the Broncos to a drought-breaking premiership in 2025.
Turning 36 in July, Reynolds hasn’t ruled out playing on in 2027, despite the Broncos signing Jonah Pezet as their long-term No.7, with his kicking game as good as ever both in general play and from the tee.
Reynolds has scored 2,524 points in 309 games for the Rabbitohs and Broncos since his debut in 2012 and could surpass Cameron Smith as the greatest point-scorer of all time.
With two titles from four Grand Finals, Reynolds will go down as a great of two clubs and if he can get his body right, he is a big chance to add a third title and back-to-back premierships to his resume in 2026.
9. JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (WARRIORS) — 30
The Warriors’ star replacement for Addin Fonua-Blake turned 30 earlier in January and is still one of the top handful of front-rowers in the game.
After winning four titles from five grand finals at the Panthers over a 203-game career from 2016 to 2024, Fisher-Harris took his talent and leadership to New Zealand in 2025.
While it wasn’t his best season as he dealt with injuries, Fisher-Harris stepped up in the absence of Mitch Barnett and put the Warriors on his back at times.
With 21 Tests for New Zealand to his name, Fisher-Harris could be the leader to bring the Warriors an elusive maiden title and with his professionalism and fitness he still has plenty of good years ahead of him for club and country.
8. BEN HUNT (BRONCOS) — 35
The fairytale man of the 2025 season, Hunt returned to the Broncos to exorcise the demons from his 2015 Grand Final blunder and help lead the club to a drought-breaking title.
He might turn 36 in March, but Hunt hasn’t ruled out playing on in 2027 and a switch to full-time hooker in 2026 could very well prolong his illustrious career.
Hunt has scored 86 tries in 355 games for the Broncos and Dragons since his debut in 2009 and has 20 Origins for Queensland and 15 Tests for the Kangaroos to his name.
An excellent halfback at club level, Hunt has shone as a hooker in rep football and he could cap his remarkable career with a Broncos dynasty over the next season or two.
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7. DYLAN EDWARDS (PANTHERS) — 30
The Panthers fullback seems like he has been around forever, but only turned 30 in early January and has scored 58 tries in 171 games for Penrith since his debut in 2016.
Edwards didn’t have his best season by his own lofty standards in 2025, but still finished third in run metres with an NRL best 218 metres and 24 runs a game.
The incumbent Blues fullback has played five Origins for NSW and six Tests for the Kangaroos and will be a big chance for the World Cup squad, despite Reece Walsh taking the No.1 jersey during the Ashes series.
Edwards is a big reason why the Panthers won four titles from five straight grand finals and his Clive Churchill Medal win in 2022 shows he is a big game player, who rarely has a bad performance.
6. ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE (SHARKS) — 30
The Sharks enforcer quietly turned 30 over the off-season, but he is still one of the best props in the game and arguably the best, after toping the post contact metres with 1,918 ahead of Payne Haas.
Fonua-Blake scored six tries in 27 games last year, finishing with the fourth most run metres behind three fullbacks, and his motor was something to behold for the injury hit Sharks last season on route to a second straight prelim final for the club.
Fonua-Blake’s career spans 209 games for the Sea Eagles, Warriors and Sharks since his debut in 2016, while he has also made his mark on the international stage with 19 Tests for New Zealand and Tonga to date.
The three-time Dally M prop of the year could be the man to lead the Sharks to a first title since 2016 and he still has plenty of good footy ahead of him.
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5. JAHROME HUGHES (STORM) — 31
It is hard to believe Jahrome Hughes started his career as a fullback struggling to get a crack at the Titans and Cowboys because he has gone on to become one of the best halfbacks in the game at the Storm.
Hughes turned 31 days after guiding the Storm to back-to-back grand finals and while they were both heartbreaking defeats, he has already tasted premiership glory in 2020.
Despite an injury plagued 2025 season, Hughes still finished with 19 try assists in 18 games last year and after inking a long-term extension, the 2024 Dally M Medallist still has plenty left to offer as an organising halfback with creative flair and a lethal running game.
4. MITCHELL MOSES (EELS) — 31
The Eels skipper quietly turned 31 during last year’s finals series, which he was not a part of, but his form at the back end of last year gives fans hope of a return to the top eight in 2026.
It is amazing the difference Moses made to the Eels after returning from injury and he is up there with Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Hughes as one of the elite halfbacks in the game, while some experts believe he is the best.
With 1,330 points for the Tigers and Eels since his debut back in 2014 and six Origins for NSW and 11 Tests for the Kangaroos and Lebanon, Moses has done everything in the game apart from winning an elusive premiership.
But with Jason Ryles getting the Eels back on track, Moses has renewed hope to bring a long-awaited title to the Eels and on his current form, he won’t be hanging up the boots any time soon.
3. ISAAH YEO (PANTHERS) — 31
The Panthers skipper has a resume most players would only dream of and he is still at the top of his game, despite turning 31 in November last year.
Yeo has led the Panthers to four premierships from five grand finals and will be hellbent on getting his team back to the big dance, after falling at the final hurdle to the Broncos last season.
The four time Dally M lock of the year became the first Panthers player to record over 250 career games last year, while he has also played 17 Origins for the Blues and 13 Tests for the Kangaroos in his already accomplished career.
Yeo is regarded as one of the best and most valuable players in the game and his versatility allows him to be an enforcer on both sides of the ball, as well as a playmaker for club, state and country and the Kangaroos and Blues captain isn’t slowing down any time soon.
2. CAMERON MUNSTER (STORM) — 31
Munster turned 31 during last year’s finals series, but is arguably playing better than he ever has after a stunning 2025 campaign for club, state and country.
The brilliant five-eighth finished third in try assists (21) last season and led the Storm to back-to-back grand finals, despite again falling at the final hurdle.
However, his rep form was even better after captaining Queensland to a comeback 2-1 series win on the back of a player of the match award in game two and a heroic display in the decider after the passing of his father.
The veteran of 236 games capped his remarkable season by winning player of the series in the Kangaroos’ 3-0 Ashes whitewash and is a lock to play No.6 at the World Cup, as he tries to avenge the Storm’s Grand Final anguish in 2026.
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1. JAMES TEDESCO (ROOSTERS) — 33
The Roosters skipper seems to just keep getting better with age after picking up his second Dally M Medal last season in a landslide victory, finishing 22 points ahead of Nathan Cleary in second.
Tedesco will be nearly 35 by the time his current contract comes to an end in 2027, but don’t be surprised if he plays on beyond that, given his stunning form least season.
Last year Tedesco led the NRL in runs (521), run metres (4,854) and tackle breaks (164), while he had the third most linebreak assists (27).
The 276-game veteran is a huge chance to regain his NSW Blues jersey in 2026 and don’t write him off for a World Cup berth, especially if he can lead a stacked Roosters side to a drought-breaking title.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Cody Walker (Rabbitohs) — 36, Toby Rudolf (Sharks) — 30, Dane Gagai (Knights) — 35, Jack de Belin (Eels) — 34, Daniel Tupou (Roosters) — 34, Damien Cook (Dragons) — 34, Tyson Frizell (Knights) — 34, Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) —31, Kurt Capewell (Warriors) — 32, Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sea Eagles) — 34, Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins) — 33, Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys) — 32, Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles) — 31