Both Dean Evans and Jay Graham have dedicated most of their lives to rugby league.

And yet there is no denying that, when they reflect on the year that was 2025, it was one of the most formative either man has had in the sport.

The pair struck up a friendship in 2024, when Evans joined the North Tamworth Bears where Graham was, at the time, the reserve grade captain-coach.

"We used to get our videos from the game, and I used to watch it at home by myself and look at where I could make improvements," Evans said.

"I'd find myself talking to Jay where I think other people could make improvements. Then it turned into breaking down the games at Jay's house, and that's where the friendship started."

This year, they both elected to join the Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters where Evans was soon prom

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