Last season: Minor premiers (out in week two of finals). Gains: Jayden Brailey (Knights), Sione Finau (Dragons). Losses: Jamal Fogarty (Sea Eagles), Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo (both Knights).
The big question: Who’s going to play halfback? Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has retained most of last season’s minor premiers, except for Manly-bound playmaker Jamal Fogarty. Working out who will partner Ethan Strange in the halves next season shapes as Stuart’s immediate priority.
Canterbury
Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau will be key figures as the Bulldogs strive to build on 2025.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: Third (out in week two of finals). Gains: Leo Thompson (Knights), Kade Dykes (Sharks). Losses: Toby Sexton (Catalans), Reed Mahoney (Cowboys), Blake Wilson (Sea Eagles), Blake Taaffe (Castleford).
The big question: How much will Lachlan Galvin improve in the next 12 months? The 20-year-old now has two full NRL seasons under his belt, and he’ll be hoping to continue his development next year without the hype, hysteria and headlines.
Cronulla
Cronulla are hoping to continue on an upward trajectory.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: Fifth (preliminary final). Gains: None. Losses: Daniel Atkinson (Dragons), Kade Dykes (Bulldogs).
The big question: Can the Sharks take the next step? Coach Craig Fitzgibbon declared after the preliminary final loss to Melbourne that Cronulla were a “really good side that haven’t converted to becoming a great side”. Can he somehow conjure up a better result from basically the same group of players?
Dolphins
The Dolphins are still chasing their first finals appearance.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: Ninth. Gains: Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Brad Schneider (Panthers), Morgan Knowles (St Helens). Losses: Ken Bromwich (retired), Mark Nicholls (retired), Josh Kerr (Dragons), Aublix Tahwa (Broncos).
The big question: Will Thomas Flegler play again? The former Queensland and Kangaroos enforcer has been sidelined since April, 2024, after suffering nerve damage in his shoulder. He remains confident of making a comeback. The return of Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) and Tom Gilbert (pectoral) will further boost the Dolphins’ hopes of making the finals for the first time.
Gold Coast
A new era kicks off for the Titans under rookie coach Josh HannayCredit: Getty Images
Last season: 16th. Gains: Lachlan Ilias (Dragons), Kurtis Morrin (Bulldogs). Losses: David Fifita (Rabbitohs), Kieran Foran (retired), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Warriors), Carter Gordon (rugby union).
The big question: When will new coach Josh Hannay start reinforcing his roster? The Titans have lost several big-name players, without yet signing much in the way of replacements. They need an infusion of fresh blood, ASAP.
Manly
Manly fans have farewelled long-serving skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: 10th. Gains: Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Kobe Hetherington (Broncos), Davvy Moale (Rabbitohs), Blake Wilson (Bulldogs). Losses: Daly Cherry-Evans (Roosters, TBC), Josh Aloiai, Michael Chee-Kam (retired), Toafofoa Sipley (Warrington), Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield).
The big question: How will Jamal Fogarty measure up as DCE’s successor? Fogarty will be under intense scrutiny as he replaces Manly’s longest-serving player, and he’ll be hoping the Sea Eagles’ forwards have more luck with injuries in 2026.
Melbourne
Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Ryan Papenhuyzen will take some replacing.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: Second (lost grand final). Gains: None. Losses: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona (released), Grant Anderson (Broncos), Jonah Pezet (Eels), Bronson Garlick (Rabbitohs).
The big question: How do Melbourne respond to losing two consecutive grand finals? The departures of Ryan Papenhuzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona might not be their biggest concern. Master coach Craig Bellamy faces a huge challenge to pick his players back up mentally after losing back-to-back deciders.
Newcastle
Dylan Brown shares a joke with his future Newcastle teammates after his last game for Parramatta.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: Wooden spoon. Gains: Dylan Brown (Eels), Sandon Smith (Roosters), Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo (both Raiders). Losses: Leo Thompson (Bulldogs), Kai Pearce-Paul (Tigers), Jayden Brailey (Raiders), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Adam Elliott, Jack Hetherington, Jackson Hastings (all released).
The big question: Can Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga justify their massive salaries? When you’re getting paid north of $1.3 million a season, results are expected. A strategy for his top earners shapes as new coach Justin Holbrook’s main project.
North Queensland
Reed Mahoney has joined the Cowboys.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: 12th. Gains: Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs). Losses: Reece Robson (Roosters), Jordan McLean (retired), Tom Duffy (Broncos).
The big question: How many tackles will Reed Mahoney make for the Cowboys over the next three years? They’ll welcome his defence, and feisty persona, after leaking an unacceptable 684 points last season.
Parramatta
There was a lot to like about how Parramatta finished the season.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: 11th. Gains: Jack De Belin (Dragons), Jonah Pezet (Storm). Losses: Dylan Brown (Knights), Dean Hawkins (London), Brendan Hands (Toulouse).
The big question: After an impressive maiden season under Jason Ryles, can Parra’s new-look halves pairing of Mitchell Moses and Jonah Pezet steer the Eels into the finals for the first time since 2022?
Penrith
Penrith’s four-year reign as premiers is over. Can they rise again?Credit: Getty Images
Last season: Seventh (preliminary final). Gains: Jack Cogger (Knights). Losses: Brad Schneider (Dolphins), Mavrik Geyer (Tigers).
The big question: Can the Panthers bounce back with a vengeance? After a four-year reign, coach Ivan Cleary asked “what’s over?” when Penrith bowed out in the preliminary final. With a settled squad, they again appear to be shaping as heavyweight contenders.
St George Illawarra
Lon-serving Jack De Belin has left the Dragons to join Parramatta.
Credit: Getty Images
Last season: 15th. Gains: Daniel Atkinson (Sharks), Josh Kerr (Dolphins). Losses: David Klemmer (St Helens), Lachlan Ilias (Titans), Sione Finau (Raiders), Jack de Belin (Eels), Cody Ramsey (released).
The big question: Will the Dragons prove the bookies right by finishing last? After eight losses in their last 10 games left St George Illawarra 15th on the ladder, they are early favourites for the wooden spoon. Coach Shane Flanagan will have other ideas.
South Sydney
Wayne Bennett delivered underwhelming returns on his return to South Sydney.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: 14th. Gains: David Fifita (Titans), Bronson Garlick (Storm), Jonah Glover (Dragons), Edward Kosi (Warriors). Losses: Lewis Dodd (Catalans), Siliva Havili (London), Jacob Host (St Helens), Mikaele Ravalawa (Castleford).
The big question: Can Wayne Bennett get the best out of two long-time enigmas? David Fifita and Latrell Mitchell are capable of terrorising defenders. Can they do so consistently enough to resurrect the Rabbitohs?
Sydney Roosters
Hugo Savala and Sam Walker established themselves as a promising halves pairing for the Roosters.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: Eighth. Gains: Reece Robson (Cowboys), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles, TBC). Losses: Sandon Smith (Knights), Chad Townsend (retired).
The big question: Can Cherry-Evans have a Cooper Cronk-style impact at the Roosters? If so, where do they play young tyro Hugo Savala?
Warriors
Luke Metcalf was leading the 2025 Dally M count before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in June.Credit: Getty Images
Last season: Sixth (out in finals week one). Gains: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Morgan Gannon (Leeds). Losses: Bunty Afoa (Tigers), Edward Kosi (Rabbitohs).
The big question: When are Luke Metcalf and Mitch Barnett back from their knee reconstructions? The return of their gun playmaker and skipper will give the Wahs a new dimension in 2026.
Wests Tigers
Tigers fans are eyeing a finals berth in 2026.Credit: Getty Images
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Last season: 13th. Gains: Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights), Bunty Afoa (Warriors), Mavrik Geyer (Panthers), Jock Madden (Broncos). Losses: Solomona Faataape, Charlie Staines (Catalans).
The big question: Can the Tigers steer clear of controversy? After all the dramas of last season, most of which surrounded Lachlan Galvin, Tigers coach Benji Marshall will be eager for his team to fly under the radar in 2026.