The votes are in from the Rugby League Zone writer panel — and the message is loud and clear: 2026 is shaping up as a heavyweight clash between the Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers, with the Brisbane Broncos lurking as the big local hope.

Our panel’s predictions echo a rivalry that last boiled over in a Grand Final back on October 5, 2003, when the Panthers stunned the heavily favoured Roosters 18-6 at Telstra (now Accor) Stadium. That night is still remembered for Luke Priddis’s masterful performance (earning him the Clive Churchill Medal) and, of course, “that tackle” — Scott Sattler’s desperate, game-saving effort on Todd Byrne that preserved the lead and sealed Penrith’s breakthrough premiership. Fast-forward 23 years, and our writers see a potential rematch brewing but with a result in reverse – the Sydney Roosters winning the title.

After tallying every prediction, here’s what our crew sees coming:

Premiers: Roosters lead the way, just edging the Broncos and Panthers. One wild-card Bulldogs call from Matt Pritchard keeps things spicy.Runners Up: Panthers dominate — the clear consensus silver-medal pick.Minor Premiers: Panthers and Roosters split the honours (both on 4 votes), showing belief in their regular-season firepower.Top 8 Ladder Consensus: Panthers top the top 8 favourites, followed closely by Roosters — both appear in every single Top 8 list. Storm, Sharks, Bulldogs, Broncos and Raiders round out a very tight top tier.Wooden Spoon: Dragons are the heavy favourites, with Titans next. Bottom end looks grim for St George Illawarra.Origin: Blues hold a 7–5 edge — NSW backers slightly outnumber the Maroons crew.Dally M POTY: Nathan Cleary, Isaiya Katoa, James Tedesco and now Mitch Moses all in the mix.

The panel sees a season where the Roosters’ new-look spine and Panthers’ relentless system could define September, while Broncos fans have plenty of reason to dream — high ladder finishes and title contention feature heavily.

Full predictions table below. Who do you have winning it all in 2026? Drop your ladder, premiers pick or bold call below — let’s see if you can out-predict the panel!

WriterPremiersRunners UpMinor PremiersTop 8 (in order)Wooden SpoonOrigin SeriesDally M POTYMatt PritchardBulldogsSharksSharks1. Sharks
2. Roosters
3. Panthers
4. Bulldogs
5. Storm
6. Broncos
7. Eels
8. CowboysDragonsMaroonsIsaiya KatoaMatt AttardRoostersPanthersRoosters1. Roosters
2. Panthers
3. Bulldogs
4. Raiders
5. Sharks
6. Storm
7. Eels
8. DolphinsKnightsBluesJames TedescoLachlan JefferyRoostersPanthersPanthers1. Panthers
2. Roosters
3. Sharks
4. Eels
5. Broncos
6. Storm
7. Warriors
8. DolphinsCowboysMaroonsNathan ClearyRyan KuzioBroncosRoostersRoosters1. Roosters
2. Broncos
3. Panthers
4. Storm
5. Bulldogs
6. Raiders
7. Dolphins
8. SharksTitansBluesReece WalshShannon MeyerPanthersRaidersPanthers1. Raiders
2. Panthers
3. Roosters
4. Dolphins
5. Storm
6. Eels
7. Bulldogs
8. WarriorsDragonsMaroonsIsaiya KatoaJem NashRoostersPanthersPanthers1. Panthers
2. Broncos
3. Roosters
4. Storm
5. Raiders
6. Bulldogs
7. Sharks
8. RabbitohsDragonsBluesMitch MosesAndrew PelechatyBroncosPanthersBroncos1. Broncos
2. Panthers
3. Bulldogs
4. Sharks
5. Storm
6. Roosters
7. Raiders
8. DolphinsDragonsMaroonsAdam ReynoldsChris PetrieStormRoostersStorm1. Storm
2. Panthers
3. Roosters
4. Broncos
5. Bulldogs
6. Sharks
7. RaidersTitansBluesEthan StrangeDeb SherwoodSharksRaidersSharks1. Sharks
2. Raiders
3. Storm
4. Roosters
5. Panthers
6. Tigers
7. Warriors
8. DragonsTitansBluesKaeo WeekesNathan SmithRoostersPanthersBroncos1. Broncos
2. Roosters
3. Panthers
4. Storm
5. Bulldogs
6. Raiders
7. Eels
8. SharksDragonsBluesMitch MosesMathew WilliamsPanthersSharksPanthers1. Panthers
2. Broncos
3. Sharks
4. Bulldogs
5. Storm
6. Warriors
7. Roosters
8. DolphinsSea EaglesBluesNathan ClearyBrendan WoodBroncosRoostersRoosters1. Roosters
2. Broncos
3. Bulldogs
4. Panthers
5. Sharks
6. Raiders
7. Storm
8. DolphinsDragonsMaroonsJames TedescoRelated Articles