By Jesse Bullock
The NRL is back and round one is in the books after the season kicked off in Las Vegas.
Here are the 10 players to keep your eye on in 2026.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.1: Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
After premiership success in 2025 Haas shocked the world by signing with the South Sydney Rabbitohs
on a three-year deal starting in 2027, marking 2026 as his last year in Brisbane. The six-time Broncos Player of the Year will look to make a major statement before moving to the competition’s oldest club.
No.2: Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
With four premierships to his name already, and reviving his side from last position at the end of Round 12 in 2025 to play a sixth consecutive preliminary final, the game’s best halfback will try hit back and prove the dynasty of Penrith isn’t over as they chase a fifth out of the past six NRL premierships.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.3: Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)
Arguably the greatest finals run of all time was led by Broncos fullback Walsh. He stamped his authority on the NRL in 2025 then starred for Australia in The Ashes series vs England. Only 23 years old and yet to hit his best, he has kicked off a run of success and will dominate in 2026.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.4: Addin Fonua Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
The new State of Origin eligibility rules mean that one of the game’s best big men is now able to wear the sky blue of NSW. Having the most post-contact metres in the NRL in 2025 and winning three Dally M Prop of the Year awards in a row, the Cronulla superstar and captain of the Tongan national team may now partner Payne Haas in the NSW forward pack.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.5: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
After being dropped from the NSW Blues side it’s safe to say Teddy is back to his best, claiming a second Dally M Medal in 2025. Now playing with the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans, the Roosters skipper will have his eyes set on a premiership in 2026 and possibly the Australian jersey again in the upcoming World Cup.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.6: Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
After two Grand Final losses in a row for the Storm, Harry Grant will be determined to get over the hump and become the first Melbourne hooker to win a premiership since the great Cameron Smith.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.7: Blayke Brailey (Cronulla Sharks)
After re-signing with the Sharks, team captain Brailey received the Dally M Hooker of the Year award and was honoured to be a part of the Australian Ashes squad in England – a NSW jersey is not too far from the star 27-year-old hooker’s reach. Brailey has played 130 consecutive NRL games and will look to lead Cronulla back to premiership glory.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.8: Dylan Brown (Newcastle Knights)
The new highest-paid player in the NRL on a $14 million contract for the next 10 years, Brown will have major pressure on him to deliver for the Knights in 2026 after they claimed the wooden spoon in 2025. Brown started positively, shining alongside Kaylen Ponga in the Knights’ Round 1 win over the Cowboys in Las Vegas.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.9: Heamasi Makasini (Wests Tigers)
Already causing havoc at 18 years old, the teen from Newington College made his NRL debut in Round 27, 2025, scoring a try against the Gold Coast Titans. A near-favourite to win Rookie of the Year in 2026, the young gun will lace the boots up again in Round 2 when the Tigers play the Cowboys after opening with a bye. Tigers fans have every right to be excited about this prodigy after his highlight try against Penrith in the pre-season challenge, running over the top of Dylan Edwards to let the NRL know he is here.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.10: Kaeo Weekes (Canberra Raiders)
The Canberra fullback was a huge shock in 2025 – just like the Canberra side was in general. Weekes was nominated for Dally M Fullback of the Year after shining all season. In 2026 the Raiders will be one side to look out for, hungry to get back to the top after finals heartbreak going out in straight sets to Brisbane and Cronulla.
Featured image: Watch out for the NRL stars who will have fans on the edge of their seats in 2026. Photo: DLow23Wiki/CC/Wikimedia Commons
