Why Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr are the big winners in All Stars draw

The NRL has confirmed its All Stars clash will remain the opening rugby league fixture of the year in a move that could result in suspended stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr shaving one regular-season game from their suspensions.

The full 2025 draw will be released on Thursday, allowing clubs and fans to begin preparing for the upcoming season. The latest teaser is the timing of the All Stars clash, which will take place at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium on February 15.

Head office had considered shifting the All Stars match to the weekend after the NRL grand final, as part of a celebration of Indigenous football that tied in with Queensland’s Murray Carnival, Sydney’s Koori Knockout and the Indigenous-Maori clash across three weekends in late September and early October.

However, the NRL has listened to senior Indigenous players, who wanted the game staged at the start of the year. It will mark just the third time the event has been held in Sydney and only the second time in Parramatta.

The biggest beneficiaries could be Mitchell and Addo-Carr’s club sides. South Sydney’s Mitchell has a one-game suspension to serve for bringing the game into disrepute, while new Eels signing Addo-Carr has a further three matches to sit out after testing positive to cocaine during a police roadside test.

The pair are likely to apply to serve one game of their bans in the All Stars fixture, meaning Mitchell could start the season proper for the Rabbitohs, while Parramatta could have new signing Addo-Carr available as soon as round three.

One of the highlights of the 2025 draw will be the opening of the season at Allegiant Stadium, where four games will be played. The Raiders will take on the Warriors and then the Panthers will play the Sharks as part of an NRL double-header. Super League sides Wigan and Warrington will meet, with the action to be completed by an Australian Jillaroos v England women’s Test match.