By Josh Bianchi
The 2026 season is underway after an off-season of drama, signings, and predictions – the last season with 17 teams in the competition. The Panthers dynasty finally faltered, and we have a new reigning champion.
Will the Broncos go back to back, or will we have another new premiership winner?
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.1: Brisbane Broncos
Reigning 2025 premiers the Brisbane Broncos will stand their ground and dominate the 2026 season. They have kept essentially the same squad and still have coach Michael Maguire leading the team. Reece Walsh and Payne Haas are arguably two of the best in the entire league, so while they stay healthy, I can’t see the Broncos not being a force again in 2026.
No.2: Penrith Panthers
Can Penrith bounce back after failing to hit the five-peat? Similar squad to last season and another year under younger players like Casey Mclean, Blaize Talagi and Lindsey Smith. I believe Penrith will be right back around the top, whether they can win the entire competition, I’m not sure, but while they have Test halfback Nathan Cleary I don’t think you can ever count them out.
No.3: Cronulla Sharks
It’s a make-or-break year for the Sharks. Cronulla has kept almost the exact same squad since 2022, apart from the signing of Addin Fonua-Blake in 2025, and almost half of the squad is coming off contract after this season. It’s been slowly improving year-on-year for Cronulla, seeing them make the Preliminary Finals in 2024 and 2025 but failing to make the big dance on both occasions. This is the final year of their premiership window and if they don’t succeed then I think we’ll see a rebuild in 2027. They should be another good side this year while what happens past the regular season is always a mystery.
No.4: Sydney Roosters
Last season proved to be a year of improvement for the Roosters. Many thought that 2025 was going to be a rebuilding season, which it was, although they still managed to make the finals. This team is very young, and I can only see them improving on last season. While signing veteran Daly Cherry-Evans may add some stability to the team rather than constantly swapping halfbacks in and out last season. After a small drop-off, reigning Dally M Medallist James Tedesco will surge this team back into the top four in 2026.
No.5: Melbourne Storm
The Storm are the arguably the league’s most consistent team over the past 20 years, appearing finals year after year. Although I think we’ll see a bit of a fall in 2026. Losing Ryan Papenhuyzen and starting the season off without Xavier Coates will prove hurtful to this side. Sualauvi Fa’alogo will be the deciding factor for this team, will he fill Papenhuyzen’s shoes, or will he struggle and cause Bellamy headaches for the fullback spot?
No.6: Canterbury–Bankstown Bulldogs
Similar squad to last season for the Bulldogs. Adding Leo Thompson will bolster the forward pack, but I still feel they’re lacking a little bit up front. The 1-7 is pretty strong although the fullback jersey may be passed around a little bit if the season starts poorly. Kade Dykes or Matt Burton moving to fullback has been discussed, but Connor Tracey starts back there. On paper, the Bulldogs have a very strong line-up with plenty of stars, but as a team I can’t see them competing for the title this season. I expect a fourth-to-eighth finish.
No.7: The Dolphins
I believe the Dolphins will take the next step this season. Arguably in their best form at the back end of the regular season, the missing thing for them to make the finals last season was defence. If they can maintain their attacking flare and improve a little in defence, that should be the difference to get them into the top eight this season.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.8: South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney’s hopes of making the top eight revolve around the health of their players. Can guys like Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Alex Johnston stay on the field? If this team stays healthy for the majority of the season, I believe they should make the eight. That left edge of Cody Walker, David Fifita and Latrell Mitchell is deadly. On the other hand, if Latrell sees himself back on the sidelines, then Souths may struggle again. We know how strong their forward pack is, but can the spine including young fellas like Jye Gray and Ashton Ward step up for the Rabbitohs?
Featured image: The fight is on to make it to NRL Grand Final day. Photo: Storm machine/CC/Wikimedia Commons
