Calling it the “league of legends” is a pretty big name, and the big names sure came to play in this brand new 2026 SuperCoach NRL Draft comp.
Unveiled last week at the SuperCoach NRL season launch, the draft league featured the Bloke in a Bar Crew – Denan Kemp, Rugby League Guru, Tim Williams, Hammy Goodman and Matty the Waterboy – taking on Chad Townsend, Kat Haddad and some of SuperCoach’s finest including Tommy Sangster, Draft expert Wilson Smith and yours truly.
The 10-man league will see some of the biggest voices in NRL podcasting go head to head for glory all season long.
And right from Draft Day there was plenty of controversy in the air.
Can Tim Williams take down Guru in his own format?
Which former NRL star (and SuperCoach rookie) will come out on top; Kempy or Chad?
Are Wilson and myself ready to put our ‘expert’ tags on the line?
One thing is for sure – the group chat for the league has been absolutely popping off with banter and barbs.
Now if you’re a draft diehard too, we’re here to give you one final pep talk before your own big day.
Here’s everything we learned from the League of Legends SuperCoach draft plus a ton more info gleaned from over a dozen mock drafts this Preseason.
Join in the fun by creating a Draft at SuperCoach NRL today.
Lesson 1: The Top 10 picks are more wide open than ever before
We recently published a list of the Top 50 NRL SuperCoach draft picks, but the truth is you can throw a blanket over the field in the Top 10.
Between the new scoring changes and big swings to overall positional depth at both halfback and fullback, this is the year where you should really just take the player you like the best.
From my projected number 1 pick, Payne Haas, to the number 10 in Kayal Iro, there might only be five points between their season averages in 2026.
In previous years, that gap might’ve been closer to 15 points.
Obviously there’s no need to get too silly – like Denan Kemp taking Ezra Mam in the first round – but if you’ve got a gut feeling about any player having an outstanding year then just take them.
Lesson 2: The depth at halfback is incredible
Obtaining a ‘gun’ halfback in Draft used to be an absolute cheat code.
The difference between the best and worst was over 25 points and the ripple effect was often coaches panicking and taking poor quality players early in the draft just to escape that feeling that they would miss out.
But the halfback position has been flipped on its head this year and is now arguably the deepest in the game.
The 12th ranked halfback in my pre-season draft board is Jamal Fogarty who could average 65. When you look at other spine positions – hooker, five-eighth and even fullback – the 12th best player could honestly be averaging 55 or less.
What this means is there’s no longer a need to rush to fill the position.
And in fact, it’s been quite prudent to wait in mock drafts until Round 6 or even later before picking one up because there’s often late round sleepers available.
Having this lesson in the back of your mind come draft day could be the ultimate cheat code.
Lesson 3: The fullback depth is questionable, and it’s great to lock down a gun early
We’re used to fullback being the Ferrari in the garage.
But between injuries, the new scoring system and some player movement, the depth is now really questionable.
There’s really two clear tiers to the position for me.
Tedesco, Walsh, Drinky, Edwards and Kini feel trustworthy and capable of a 75 plus average. And then there’s a step down towards Turbo, Ponga, Hammer, Iongi, Gray, Gutherson and co who might be closer to a 65.
You might think that’s disrespectful to some SuperCoach greats of the past in Ponga and Turbo, but Draft is not really the format to be mucking around with too many injury prone guys.
In mocks, this depth has meant that I’m hell bent on trying to land a fullback in Round 1 or early Round 2.
More than any other position, it’s the one I am keen to get right and I’m happy to let the likes of Haas and Herbie slip as overall my side feels better when I take a fullback first.
As you’ll see from the teams below, I prefer the current balance of those who grabbed a fullback in Round 1 – Sangster, Chad Townsend, and Kat Haddad – compared with those who grabbed a half like Tim Williams and Wilson Smith.
Albeit in a 10-man league with only 8 players, all of the sides are stacked.
Of course those second tier fullbacks will all have to go to someone’s team, and if you can get one of them in Round 3 or later you’d be pretty happy assuming that you’ve been able to stack other parts of your team.
But again, every team I’ve drafted so far this year feels better when there’s a certified gun at the back.
Lesson 4: The new scoring system helps CTWs and raises questions about second-row depth
Try assists will be awarded to the last pass in 2026 which is a boon for the likes of Herbie, Iro and Val but it doesn’t stop there.
The big names have grabbed the headlines but even mid-rangers like Starford To’a, Moses Suli and Jesse Ramien should see an uptick this year.
In all, it means the position is now higher scoring at the top end, but also way deeper than before.
And where there’s depth, it means you don’t need to prioritise filling all of your CTW spots as early.
In contrast, once you get past picks 80 or 90 in any 10 or 12 man mock drafts, the quality of the second rowers presenting is quite stark.
It feels like there’s fewer guys than ever who could confidently score you a 60.
So if you’re playing in a league where you need to own multiple second rowers, do not leave it too late as otherwise you’ll be fishing for scraps.
Lesson 5: Draft is the absolute best
If you’ve made it this far in the article this might be something you already know, but Draft is just one of the most fun things you can do with your friends who like footy.
Before the League of Legends draft there was a lot of excitement and chatter in the room. But once the clock started and picks were flying off the board, there were concentration levels like I have never seen before – this really mattered to everyone.
Speaking to Chad and Kempy – first time drafters – at the conclusion of the Draft, they both were both pumped about the experience and excited for the season to commence.
And it was just another great reminder that this format of the game brings groups of people together in the best way.
So if you haven’t got a league yet, grab your mates and get started.
And after all that, here’s a preview of everyone’s team from the League of Legends.
Let us know in the comments who you think is going to be matchup in the Final come Round 25.
Pick 1 – Ru’s Rooters, Rugby League Guru
Pick 2 – Cooma Stallions, Tim Williams
Pick 3 – Sangster’s Paradise, Tom Sangster
Pick 4 – Who’s Ur Hadady, Kat Haddad
Pick 5 – Hamberra Raiders, Hammy Goodman
Pick 6 – Waterboys, Matty the Waterboy
Pick 7, Big SuperCoach Guy, Chad Townsend
Pick 8, Backseat Bandits, Wilson Smith
Pick 9 – The Flying Beaks, Denan Kemp
Pick 10 – Jaroman Empire, Max Bryden