The NRL pre-season is upon us and every club has burning questions to answer if they are to have a decent crack at the 2026 premiership.
From star recruits that need to build combinations with new teammates, to key departures that have created massive voids, there are make-or-break issues to solve.
How each coach and playing roster adapts and shapes their game plans begins now — and here we tackle the hottest question at each club.
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Read on for the burning questions facing every team this pre-season.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Burning question: Is Ethan Sanders up to taking the reins as chief playmaker?
Analysis: Not many teams in the NRL lose their starting halfback and get better, especially a minor premiership-winning team that has traded a veteran playmaker for a rookie. That is the challenge for the Raiders next season after Jamal Fogarty took his 118 games of NRL experience to Manly, with Ethan Sanders set to fill the void despite just four first grade games to his credit. The 21-year-old played two games for the Raiders last season and two in his rookie season for the Eels in 2024, and it is a big ask to take over from a seasoned veteran to pilot a team around the park full-time in the NRL at such a tender age. Sanders is highly regarded but also very green, no pun intended, and he has deficiencies with his defence that you can’t hide from in first grade. Helping him is the fact that Ethan Strange is coming off a Kangaroos tour and can take some pressure off Sanders as a chief playmaker while he gets up to speed. It also helps having one of the greatest halfbacks ever as your coach in Ricky Stuart, so that can help fast-track his development. But there is no preparation like time in the saddle, and there will no doubt be growing pains. Sanders just needs to get out there and rip in with his new teammates, to build combinations and learn from his mistakes on the run.
Ethan Sanders replaces Jamal Fogarty in 2026.Source: Supplied
MELBOURNE STORM
Burning question: Who will step up at fullback in the post Papenhuyzen era?
Analysis: The Storm are beginning a new era without Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jonah Pezet after they were released by the club following their second straight grand final defeat. While Melbourne have a settled spine led by Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, replacing Papenhuyzen’s brilliance at fullback could make or break their 2026 title bid. The club has been linked with Cowboys young gun Jaxon Purdue as a potential replacement, while Sualauvi Fa’alogo and Nick Meaney loom as potential No.1s already on their books. Fa’alogo, 22, is signed until 2028 and is considered Papenhuyzen’s heir apparent, with 14 tries in just 22 games since his debut in 2023, yet it’s hardly a like-for-like replacement. Fa’alogo has immense potential, but his 14 games in 2024 is the most he has played in a season and he will need to step up big time after filling in for Papenhuyzen and also playing wing in the past. Meaney at 28 and with 62 tries in 159 games in the NRL is the safer choice after playing plenty of fullback in his career. Meaney struggled defensively in the grand final and he is a specialist fullback, who has been turned into a centre, so he may better serve the team at No.1 and allow another player a shot at partnering Jack Howarth in the centres. The Storm could also move Munster to fullback and play Tyran Wishart in the halves, but that seems unlikely. Fullback is such an important position in the modern game and Craig Bellamy can’t afford to get this one wrong.
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CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Burning question: Where will Lachlan Galvin play?
Analysis: It was the question that haunted the Bulldogs since he arrived at the club midway through last season, where does Lachlan Galvin fit in their side. Many experts believe Galvin is a five-eighth, but with Matt Burton holding a mortgage on the No.6 jersey and Toby Sexton dropped before being moved on by the club, Galvin has to play halfback until another No.7 emerges. That could be Mitchell Woods, who the club have earmarked as a potential long-term halfback option, but he is yet to debut in the NRL and may be a year or two off being ready for full time first grade. Woods will likely get a shot at some stage next season, which could see Galvin shift to five-eighth and Burton to the centres or even fullback, as has previously been reported. Burton has also been linked with a move to the Perth Bears amid doubts he is the long-term solution at five-eighth for the Bulldogs. Galvin has the potential to be one of the best five-eighths in the game, but he may need to stay at halfback until Woods is ready to come into the No.7 jersey. But whether Galvin can be the halfback to lead the Bulldogs all the way to a title in the interim remains to be seen and it is a call Cameron Ciraldo can’t afford to get wrong, after the Bulldogs went out of the finals in straight sets after finishing in the top four in 2025.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Burning question: Can their ageing halves lead the Broncos to back-to-back titles?
Analysis: Apart from the disaster of potentially losing Payne Haas, the biggest question surrounding the Broncos is are they too old to go back-to-back? The Broncos came back from three big deficits to win the 2025 title on the back of Reece Walsh’s sparkling run of form, but they needed it after injuries to key playmakers Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds in the decider. Ezra Mam is expected to start at five-eighth next year, with Hunt moving to hooker full-time and skipper Reynolds at No.7. But there are doubts around Hunt and Reynolds, given they will both be 36 next year and are likely to hang up the boots at the end of next season. Jonah Pezet is set to join the Broncos in 2027, after one season at the Eels and partner Mam long-term in the Broncos halves. However, Reynolds hasn’t ruled out playing on in 2027, which could make for an awkward conversation with coach Michael Maguire. Reynolds in particular has battled soft tissue injuries in recent years, most notably a hamstring injury on the eve of the 2025 finals and a calf injury in the decider. If Reynolds and Hunt can stay fit, the Broncos are a real chance of being the first team since the Roosters in 2019 to go back-to-back, but if he breaks down again, Maguire may have to make a tough call. Then it is up to Reynolds to decide if he wants to retire or play on at another club in 2027.
Adam Reynolds an injury concern for the Broncos.Source: News Corp Australia
CRONULLA SHARKS
Burning question: Can Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall lead the Sharks to a title?
Analysis: It seems to be the question every year for the Sharks, but fairly or unfairly there will be doubts Hynes and Trindall can lead them all the way until they do it. The Sharks have been a consistent team for the past couple of seasons and have made back-to-back preliminary finals, but they keep falling at the final hurdle to get into a grand final and it is fair to say, Hynes and Trindall didn’t stand up when it counted against the Storm last year. The Sharks have a formidable forward pack led by Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora, while they have a special backline consisting of KL Iro, Jesse Ramien, Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo when he is fit. But unless you have got Reece Walsh in your team, halves win premierships and if the Sharks are to continue to put faith in Hynes and Trindall each season, they need them to iron out the deficiencies in their game and step up when it matters in the pressure cooker of big games.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Burning question: Can Luke Metcalf get back to his brilliant best?
Analysis: It was no coincidence that the Warriors went from a top four team early in the season to scraping through to the finals and going out in straight sets, after Luke Metcalf went down with an ACL injury. Metcalf was leading the Dally M Medal count and unlocked the Warriors’ attack to announce himself as the heir apparent to Shaun Johnson’s Warriors No.7 jersey. However, Metcalf’s career has been cruelled by injuries that have seen the 26-year-old play just 40 games over five seasons for the Sharks and Warriors since his debut in 2021. His 15 games for the Warriors last season was the most he has played in an NRL season and the Warriors will need for him to put his injury troubles behind him to be a legitimate title contender in 2026. At his best Metcalf can be the difference between a Warriors team that is full of promising forwards and exciting youngsters going all the way to a maiden title, but if his injuries continue they suddenly look like a team battling to make the top eight. Metcalf has enormous potential, but it will be tough to bounce back from an ACL injury to get back to the form he was in when he went down and the Warriors need him at his best to be a contender next season.
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Jillaroos win 2025 Pacific Champs title | 02:22
PENRITH PANTHERS
Burning question: Is the Panthers dynasty over or is it just beginning?
Analysis: Ivan Cleary is adamant the Panthers’ dynasty is not over despite their run of four straight premierships and five straight grand finals coming to an end at the hands of eventual title winners the Broncos in 2025. And on the evidence of their back end to the 2025 season he is probably right, after Penrith stormed back from last place in Round 12 to go within one half of footy of another grand final appearance. However, for the first time in the last four years the Panthers haven’t lost a star player with Mavrik Geyer (Tigers), Brad Schneider (Dolphins) and Luke Sommerton (Titans) all replaceable and Jack Cogger (Knights) and Tom Ale and Kalani Going (Warriors) coming in. Nathan Cleary loves a challenge and the pain of last year’s defeat to the Broncos after leading 14-0 at half-time will be driving him to get back to the big dance next season, especially after a sub par rep season in 2025. Blaize Talagi will also be better for another pre-season alongside Cleary and Casey McLean is a potential superstar, given his age and output so far in a stunning start to his career. The challenge for Ivan Cleary is that he has a number of players coming to the end of their careers, while some young guns led by Lindsay Smith are being targeted by other clubs, so 2026 looms as a bit of a last dance for the current group, if they went to get the dynasty back on track.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Burning question: Can DCE be the missing link in Roosters’ title push?
Analysis: The worst kept secret in the NRL is finally official with Daly Cherry-Evans joining the Roosters in a bid to take a solid team with some excellent youngsters back to the pinnacle of the sport. The Roosters haven’t won a title since the last time they tried a similar tactic by poaching veteran playmaker Cooper Cronk from the Storm and one feels they believe DCE can help serve a similar role in 2026. The only difference is that Cronk was still at the top of his game when he quit the Storm to join the Roosters, while Cherry-Evans’ form was far from his best in his final campaign at Manly. Cherry-Evans will be 37 by the time next season kicks off and only time will tell if his poor year in 2025 had more to do with the players around him at his former club and the conjecture over his future or whether he is no longer the player the Roosters hoped he would be when they agreed to sign him. Cherry-Evans is also expected to switch to five-eighth at the Roosters, with Sam Walker holding onto the No.7 jersey and while the positions are similar in modern rugby league, it may be an adjustment for the veteran playmaker, as he tries to build a combination with his new halves partner. The other factor the Roosters have to deal with is that DCE’s arrival means star playmaker Hugo Savala has no place in the starting team next year, which could force him out of the club; especially given that there’s a contract option for DCE to have a second season. If DCE fails and the Roosters lose Savala, this may go down as one of the worst signings in the Roosters’ history.
Daly Cherry-Evans joins the Roosters in 2026.Source: News Corp Australia
DOLPHINS
Burning question: Can Kristian Woolf get Selwyn Cobbo back to his best and where will he play?
Analysis: The Dolphins were a rocks and diamonds team last season, thrashing elite teams one week only to be thrashed the next, as they battled with a horror casualty ward in 2025. However, the addition of Selwyn Cobbo will make their formidable backline even better in 2026 and if they can have some luck with injuries, they could be a real dark horse next season as they bid for a maiden finals berth. Cobbo’s one year deal is interesting amid reports he could return to the Broncos after onext season when Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds potentially retire and open up the salary cap space that forced him out of the club. However, the Dolphins have a year to convince him that he should stay with them long-term. Firstly, Woolf needs to find the best spot for Cobbo in his backline and with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, that will likely be on the wing. Cobbo has played his best footy in the NRL on the wing and could have a field day scoring tries on the end of a backline that includes Isaiya Katoa, Herbie Farnworth and Tabuai-Fidow. However, in Jamayne Isaako and Jack Bostock, the Dolphins already have some star wingers and Cobbo may be picked in the centres to sure up their defence, which has been a problem for them in their short history in the NRL.
Kangaroos claim whitewash over England | 02:59
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Burning question: Can Jamal Fogarty replace DCE as new Manly era dawns?
Analysis: For the first time since 2010, Manly will start their season without Daly Cherry-Evans as their halfback, after the former skipper joined the Roosters following the Sea Eagles’ 10th place finish in 2025. Jamal Fogarty has joined the club on a three-year deal to be the club’s halfback as a new post DCE era begins at Manly in 2026. Fogarty is coming off his best season in the NRL after guiding the Raiders to the minor premiership last season, but Canberra had a disappointing finals exit exposed some doubts around his ability to deliver in games. While no one can expect Fogarty to be what DCE was for Manly, if he can play his role and form a strong combination with Luke Brooks, they can help cover for the loss of the club legend by committee. Anthony Seibold will likely have to change Manly’s approach with Fogarty driving the ship and produce a game plan tailored more to the skill sets of Tom Trbojevic at fullback and Brooks at five-eighth. But there is an argument DCE ate up too much of their salary cap and with him off their books, the Sea Eagles arguably could have a more balanced roster and improve without their long-time captain next season, as they make a push to return to the finals.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Burning question: Can Jonah Pezet be the missing piece in Eels’ top eight push?
Analysis: The Eels finished the 2025 season strongly to finish 11th in their first year under Jason Ryles, but they still have a way to go to get back in the top eight next season. The arrival of Jonah Pezet from the Storm will be a huge boost to their top eight hopes in 2026, even though he will only be there for one season, before linking with the Broncos on a three-year deal. Pezet is the perfect halves partner for Mitchell Moses after the departure of Dylan Brown to the Knights and will give Joash Papalii more time to develop his game to be the full-time No.6 in 2027 and beyond. Pezet has a history with Ryles form their time together at the Storm and the Eels coach will back himself to get the best out of the playmaker in 2026. However, Pezet is yet to establish himself as a full-time playmaker in the NRL and while that is because he was behind two of the best in the game in Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, he still has plenty to prove at the Eels. Pezet is also a halfback, who is trying to fit in at five-eighth for the Eels and while he has the talent to make it work, there might be growing pains alongside dominant playmaker and Eels skipper Moses. If the pair can gel, the Eels can be a huge dark horse next season, but it will be short and sweet at best, before Pezet joins the Broncos in 2027.
‘Going to improve’ Walsh | 04:13
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Burning question: Can Jaxon Purdue cement the five-eighth role amid contract uncertainty?
Analysis: Todd Payten has made no secret that he wants Jaxon Purdue to be his long-term halves partner for skipper Tom Dearden, but unfortunately he is off-contract in 2026 and free to negotiate with rivals as of November 1. Purdue has the makings of an excellent No.6, but his best footy in first grade to date has come in the centres, while the Storm have earmarked him as a potential replacement for Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback or centre. Payten firstly has to convince Purdue that the Cowboys is the place for him to be and sign him to a long-term extension. Then he needs to work with Purdue to make him a consistent and reliable No.6 and improve his combination with Dearden at halfback to get the Cowboys’ attack firing in 2026. Another option would be to play Purdue at centre or even fullback and keep veteran playmaker Jake Clifford at five-eighth. Scott Drinkwater is one of the Cowboys’ best attacking players in the No.1, but he has deficiencies in his defence that have hurt the team in recent years and defence has been a huge issue for North Queensland across the board since they made the 2022 preliminary final. The Cowboys also need Purdue in the centres, given their horror edge defence, but Payten needs to keep his star young gun happy to lock him up long-term and that may mean keeping him at his preferred position at five-eighth.
WESTS TIGERS
Burning question: How does Benji Marshall get the best out of big money man Jarome Luai?
Analysis: The Tigers paid $6 million over five years for Jarome Luai to be their chief playmaker, but it is fair to say they didn’t get bang for their buck in his first season at Concord, at least on the field. Luai is the ultimate professional and was a strong leader and good for the team’s culture in 2025. But he needs to do more to create try-scoring opportunities now that he doesn’t have Nathan Cleary alongside him. The Lachlan Galvin saga no doubt disrupted him last season and we will likely see more from Luai now that he is back at No.6, with Adam Doueihi and Latu Fainu bidding for the No.7 jersey alongside him next season. Marshall needs to firstly work out which halfback compliments Luai best and then design a game plan that allows his skipper to play to his strengths and create more in attack for the Tigers. Luai is at his best when he is using his running game and his instinctive style to break open defences. Asking him to be the general and main kicker in general play is just short changing the Tigers and Luai himself as a player.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Burning question: Can Wayne Bennett get David Fifita back to his best?
Analysis: At his peak David Fifita is one of the most damaging forwards in the game, but it is fair to say we haven’t seen him at his consistent best in a couple of seasons and it is up to Wayne Bennett to get him firing again next season. One option could be to simplify Fifita’s role and playing him as a prop, which worked wonders for Keaon Koloamatangi last year, as he finished the season a Kangaroos star. Souths are flush with back-rowers including Jai Arrow, who was their player of the season in 2025, Tallis Duncan, who wasn’t far behind him and Cameron Murray, who returns from a long-term injury at lock in 2026. Fifita could also play lock with Murray shifting to the edge, as he has done for NSW and Australia. Fifita could also be used as a bench option, given his X-factor and ability to wreak havoc in small busts, but that role didn’t get the best out of him at the Titans over the last couple of seasons. The first challenge is to get Fifita fit, after he was plagued by ankle injuries last year. But then Bennett needs to find the best position for his star signing, that not only suits the balance of Souths’ side, but also gets Fifita back to the form that saw him dominate for the Maroons a couple of seasons ago.
FREAK! Robinson goes to the sky again | 00:45
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Burning question: Can Shane Flanagan find the right halves combination?
Analysis: The Dragons have struggled to land a big fish to improve their forward pack, but if Shane Flanagan can’t get his halves combination right, they won’t climb up the ladder in a hurry in 2026. Flanagan stuck solid with son Kyle Flanagan at halfback, with Lykhan King-Togia at five-eighth for most of the 2025 season, as the club finished third last. While that is not all on their halves, the Dragons need more from their playmakers in terms of creating try-scoring opportunities if they want to get back in the top eight. The arrival of Daniel Atkinson from the Sharks should help their depth, after the Dragons released Lachlan Ilias to join the Titans. However, Atkinson still has to prove himself as a full-time playmaker in the NRL. One option could be to play Atkinson at No.7 and King-Togia at five-eighth, with Flanagan switching to the bench utility role and play more dummy-half next season, with Damien Cook likely in his last season before hanging up the boots. But that would cost Jacob Liddle a spot in the 17 and he was one of their best players last year. More likely, Atkinson will start at halfback with Flanagan switching back to five-eighth and King-Togia fighting for a bench role. Whichever way Flanagan goes, he can’t just roll out the same team as last year and expect a different result.
GOLD COAST TITANS
Burning question: How does Josh Hannay solve his spine conundrum?
Analysis: New coach Josh Hannay has correctly identified a top heavy roster and the need for depth, but he also needs to do something Des Hasler couldn’t and that is find a spine combination that works. Hannay is not short on spine options and the signing of halfback Lachlan Ilias will help their depth, but he still needs to find the best spot for all his stars. The Titans have three NRL calibre fullbacks in AJ Brimson, Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell, but they can’t all play in their best position at No.1. Kini is returning from a serious neck injury, but he showed for New Zealand he should be the Titans fullback long-term. Brimson is the England fullback and his best footy for the Titans has come at No.1, but he needs to try and make the No.6 jersey his own, after a failed bid to switch to the centres. Campbell’s best spot is also fullback, but he played most of last season at halfback, despite being more suited to a running five-eighth role. Ilias is the only specialist halfback with NRL experience in the squad, but he has failed to cement himself as a reliable chief No.7 at the Rabbitohs and the Dragons and he needs to prove his critics wrong to play halfback on the Gold Coast. In the interest of getting all his stars in the team, Campbell might have to start at No.7, with Brimson at five-eighth and Kini at fullback, but playing Ilias at halfback may be better for the balance of the side.
Walsh dazzles with solo scrum try | 01:01
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Burning question: How do their star recruits fit into their spine?
Analysis: The Knights couldn’t find a playmaker last season as their horror attack plagued their year on route to the wooden spoon, but now they are suddenly flush with options. Jack Cogger and Jackson Hastings have left, but Dylan Brown joins the club on a record $13 million 10-year deal, while Sandon Smith joins the club from the Roosters on a four-year contract. But with incumbent five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe returning from injury, three into two doesn’t go. New coach Justin Holbrook has said, Sharpe is likely to be retained in the halves and that means he will partner Brown given the money they have paid for the former Eels playmaker. However, Brown is not a halfback and playing him there might take away from what makes him so dangerous, which is his running game and instinctive approach, which he showed in a stunning Pacific Championships title win with the Kiwis, that could see him crowned the Golden Boot winner in 2025. Sharpe could switch to halfback, but again that might take away from his own strengths, as he is a similar player to Brown. Smith is the best halfback in the squad and a better fit for the side would be playing him at No.7, Brown at No.6 and pushing Sharpe to the wing or centres, as a back-up option for Kalyn Ponga at fullback if he gets injured. However, given Holbrook’s comments Smith looks set to start the season as the bench utility and act as cover at hooker and in the halves, which will put pressure on Brown or Sharpe to be the chief playmaker at No.7.
Dylan Brown is set to be the Knights’ halfback.Source: News Corp Australia