Spectators storm the field as Alex Johnston, of the Rabbitohs, celebrates becoming the highest try scorer in NRL history. Photo / Photosport
3. Robert Toia, Sydney Roosters
In just his second NRL season, 22-year-old Toia will be a dominant NRL centre for years to come. With a devastating step and the ability to break tackles, Toia is one of the hardest players in the competition to stop inside the opposition’s 20. The Roosters edge player boasts 12 tries, 12 try assists, 93 tackle breaks and 13 linebreaks across 20 appearances this year. His tackle efficiency of 88.8% is also ahead of most of the NRL’s top-performing centres.
4. Herbie Farnworth, Redcliffe Dolphins
One of the easiest picks for team of the year, Farnworth is the best centre in the NRL. Warriors fans will have nightmares of the 106kg, 26-year-old terrorising the edge in the lead-up to Saturday’s qualifying final at Go Media Stadium. The numbers tell the story. In 23 appearances, Farnworth has made a staggering 150 tackle breaks, leading to 13 tries, seven try assists and 13 linebreaks. He is also one of the NRL’s best defenders, tackling at 94% efficiency and missing only 22 tackles all season.
5. Thomas Jenkins, Penrith Panthers
Jenkins is on track to be one of the most prolific try-scorers the NRL has ever seen. This season, the Panthers winger became the first player in premiership history to score multiple tries in seven consecutive games and equalled Penrith’s record for the most doubles in a single season. Jenkins has 30 tries in 24 appearances, plus 35 linebreaks and 90 tackle breaks. While not the most physically imposing winger in the competition, Jenkins’ finishing, pace and footwork set him apart.
Thomas Jenkins has scored 30 tries in 24 games in 2026. Photo / Getty Images
6. Braydon Trindall, Cronulla Sharks
Trindall has been a consistent standout in an erratic Cronulla-Sutherland season. While the five-eighth’s absence due to a shoulder injury is an obvious contributor to the Sharks’ struggles over the last month, he will return for their sudden-death elimination final against the Cowboys on Saturday. One half of a formidable halves pairing with Nico Hynes, Trindall’s short kicking game is his biggest strength. The 27-year-old has forced 23 goalline dropouts this season, averaging 421.6 kicking metres per game. Trindall’s 30 try assists and 21 linebreak assists display his connection with Cronulla’s outside backs. The 118-game veteran is also a strong defender, making 271 tackles at 85.8% efficiency in 2026.
7. Nathan Cleary, Penrith Panthers
“Nathan Cleary” was the first and easiest name to select for the Herald’s NRL team of the year. The Dally M contender has only added to his legacy in 2026, as part of a Panthers outfit hurt by not getting a chance to defend their title in last year’s grand final. Cleary’s leadership is a clear separator from the NRL’s other top halfbacks. In 2026, the four-time premier steered New South Wales to another State of Origin title and captained the Panthers to another minor premiership. The 28-year-old’s 27 try assists and 24 linebreak assists are steady work by his standards. Cleary’s 424 tackles at 87.4% efficiency are a quieter part of his game, making him remarkably well-rounded.
Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary is widely regarded as a future “immortal”. Photo / Photosport
8. James Fisher-Harris, New Zealand Warriors
The co-captain has been a battering ram in 2026, helping the Warriors establish the most dominant forward pack in the NRL. The mana the Kiwis skipper holds within the group is evident, and his premiership credentials with Penrith will be invaluable during the playoffs. While the 243-game veteran’s 631 tackles and 1083 post-contact metres across 21 appearances are key, it is Fisher-Harris’ leadership which makes him so crucial. His standards, relentless consistency, and connection to New Zealand make him the face of their team culture.
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris has been in career-best form for the Warriors. Photo/ Photosport
9. Wayde Egan, New Zealand Warriors
Let’s make this crystal clear: if Egan played for the Panthers, Roosters or Storm, he would be widely hailed as the best hooker in the NRL. While Reece Robson, Blayke Brailey and Api Koroisau are all superb, Egan is incredibly underrated. The hooker’s ability to manipulate defenders and create space around the ruck carts the Warriors up the middle of the field, keeping defenders on the back foot and enabling the Warriors backline to take advantage. Egan’s made almost 700 tackles this season, and when factoring in his subtle kicking game, the 29-year-old becomes arguably the Warriors’ most valuable player.
Wayde Egan has made almost 700 tackles this season. Photo / Photosport
10. Stefano Utoikamanu, Melbourne Storm
While Utoikamanu’s selection over the likes of Naufahu Whyte or Addin Fonua-Blake may surprise some, the numbers don’t lie. Somehow the Melbourne Storm front-rower has broken 110 tackles, light years ahead of his rivals. Utoikamanu’s also dished out 30 offloads, made 689 tackles at 96.4% efficiency and played every game this season. With 127 appearances at just 26 years old, Utoikamanu flies under the radar.
11. Haumole Olakau’atu, Manly Sea Eagles
The destructive right-edge Manly forward has been in top form this season, bouncing back from an injury-ravaged 2025 by earning New South Wales State of Origin selection. A dominant ball-runner, Olakau’atu averaged 171 running metres plus a ludicrous 128 tackle breaks. The second-rower also scored nine tries, made 13 line breaks and dished 18 offloads. His 538 tackles at 93.6% efficiency only add to his imposing resume.
Manly Sea Eagles second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu has broken 128 tackles this season. Photo / Getty
12. Tallis Duncan, South Sydney Rabbitohs
In a competition stacked with powerful second-rowers, Duncan wins out because of his ability to break the line and connect with his backs. Duncan is a weapon who can shift to centre if required, contributing 12 tries, 16 line breaks, 10 line break assists and 16 offloads this season. Versatile and reliable, the 24-year-old is reportedly set to sign a hefty contract extension at the Rabbitohs. Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston was a close second for this spot, making an incredible 724 tackles at 94.9% efficiency.
13. Erin Clark, New Zealand Warriors
Last year hailed as the signing of the season, 2026 has seen Clark become the form lock of the NRL. The Aucklander’s subtle handling skills and destructive carrying make him a constant threat in multiple ways in the opposition’s 20. While his attacking prowess earns Clark headlines, his defensive efforts are a reason the Warriors have been so defensively sound through the middle of the park. Clark’s 629 tackles and 95.7% efficiency complement his average 135 running metres per game. The 29-year-old has played in all 24 games for the Warriors so far in 2026, displaying his durability under a heavy workload.
Erin Clark is the form lock of the NRL. Photo / Photosport
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.