Early NRL predictions, fan hopes and the players under pressure in 2026
We’ve only seen preseason trials and Round 1 of the competition, but the conversation around the 2026 NRL season has been in full swing.
Every year before a ball is kicked, fans, experts and commentators make bold predictions. Some will eventually be remembered as oracles, seeing the season unfold before it happened. Others will be remembered as dreamers, swept up in hope, faith or imagination.
Because in rugby league, belief starts long before kickoff.
The competition might not be won in February or March, but in the minds of fans across the country there is always that feeling: this could be our year.
Through polls on the Fans Have Your Say app and predictions from commentators and analysts, we already have a snapshot of what fans believe the 2026 season will look like.
The big question now is simple: how many of these predictions will actually come true?
The Early Premiership Favourites
According to fan polling, several teams have emerged as early contenders for the 2026 Premiership.
Leading the way is the Melbourne Storm, who attracted 18% of votes as the team most likely to win the Grand Final. It’s no surprise considering their consistency and culture under coach Craig Bellamy.
Close behind are four clubs tied at 13%:
- Penrith Panthers
- South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Sydney Roosters
- Canterbury Bulldogs
The Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels sit slightly behind on 9%, while the Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks collected 4%.
Interestingly, several clubs received no votes at all, including:
- North Queensland Cowboys
- Dolphins
- Canberra Raiders
- Manly Sea Eagles
- Gold Coast Titans
- New Zealand Warriors
That doesn’t mean they can’t surprise, but it shows how quickly perceptions form before the season truly settles.
Minor Premiership: Storm the Team to Beat
When it comes to finishing top of the ladder, fan opinion is even clearer.
The Melbourne Storm dominated predictions with 32% of votes for the Minor Premiership.
Behind them were:
- Brisbane Broncos – 17%
- Sydney Roosters – 17%
- Penrith Panthers – 9%
- Dolphins – 9%
The Storm’s structured system and year-after-year competitiveness clearly still command respect across the league.
Wooden Spoon Fears
At the opposite end of the table sits the question no club wants to answer:
Who finishes last?
Fans were very decisive.
The Gold Coast Titans were the overwhelming favourites for the wooden spoon with 49% of votes.
Other teams considered at risk include:
- St George-Illawarra Dragons – 16%
- Newcastle Knights – 15%
- South Sydney Rabbitohs – 9%
- North Queensland Cowboys – 6%
- Parramatta Eels – 5%
Predictions like this often say as much about perception as performance, but they also highlight the pressure certain clubs will face early in the season.
Who Makes the Top Four?
If fans are correct, the 2026 top four could look something like this:
- Brisbane Broncos – 27%
- Melbourne Storm – 18%
- Penrith Panthers – 16%
- Sydney Roosters – 10%
These four clubs dominate the early predictions, although the Canterbury Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders also received moderate support.
In reality, the race for the top four often comes down to injuries, momentum and timing — something that can’t be predicted before the season begins.
The Finals Picture
When fans were asked which teams would play finals football, the strongest support went to:
- Brisbane Broncos
- Penrith Panthers
- Sydney Roosters
- Melbourne Storm
- Canterbury Bulldogs
- Cronulla Sharks
- Canberra Raiders
- Dolphins
That list reflects a mix of traditional powerhouses and rising clubs trying to establish themselves as genuine contenders.
Potential Surprise Teams
Two clubs that did not make the 2025 finals are tipped by fans to push into the eight in 2026.
Leading the way:
- Dolphins – 29%
- Parramatta Eels – 18%
- South Sydney Rabbitohs – 18%
- St George-Illawarra Dragons – 15%
The Dolphins in particular appear to have strong belief from fans that they could take the next step this season.
Teams That Could Slide
Every year some teams fall out of the finals picture.
Fans believe the clubs most at risk of dropping out in 2026 include:
- New Zealand Warriors – 37%
- Canberra Raiders – 16%
- Cronulla Sharks – 16%
- Canterbury Bulldogs – 11%
The Warriors prediction is particularly interesting given their strong recent performances. It shows how quickly expectations can change from year to year.
Best Signings for 2026
Player movement always creates excitement, and several recruits are tipped to have major impacts this season.
Fans believe the best buys could include:
- Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins) – 17%
- David Fifita (Rabbitohs) – 15%
- Dylan Brown (Knights) – 11%
- Jonah Pezet (Eels) – 11%
- Jamal Fogarty (Sea Eagles) – 9%
These players arrive with high expectations and could shape the fortunes of their new clubs.
Players With the Most to Prove
Pressure is a constant in the NRL, but some players enter 2026 with more eyes on them than others.
The players fans believe have the biggest point to prove include:
- Dylan Brown – 14%
- Lachlan Galvin – 12%
- Latrell Mitchell – 8%
- David Fifita – 8%
- Daly Cherry-Evans – 8%
For some it’s about justifying a new contract or club move. For others it’s about rediscovering the form that once made them superstars.
Pressure can break players — or bring out their best football.
Coaches Feeling the Heat
Coaches rarely escape scrutiny in the NRL.
According to fans, the coaches most likely to face pressure in 2026 include:
- Todd Payten (Cowboys) – 29%
- Anthony Seibold (Sea Eagles) – 21%
- Justin Holbrook (Knights) – 13%
- Shane Flanagan (Dragons) – 13%
- Benji Marshall (Tigers) – 10%
In modern rugby league, a poor start to the season can quickly turn speculation into headlines.
The Back-to-Back Question
One interesting fan question asked whether supporters wanted the Broncos to win back-to-back premierships if their own team could not win.
The result says a lot about rugby league fans.
- 64% said no — share the glory
- 26% said they just want an exciting grand final
- Only 10% supported the Broncos doing it.
In rugby league, rivalry runs deep.
So Who Were the Oracles?
Right now, all of these predictions are simply opinions and expectations.
Some will look brilliant by September.
Others will look completely wrong.
That’s the beauty of rugby league. The game rarely follows the script.
Unknown players become stars.
Premiership favourites stumble.
Underdogs rise.
So while fans debate premiership winners, wooden spooners and breakout players, the real story of the 2026 NRL season is only just beginning.
By the time the Grand Final arrives, we will know who were the true oracles — and who were simply dreaming before the first whistle blew.
Have your Say….
Download Fans Have Your Say now on the App Store or Google Play, vote today, and help shape the future of the NRL.
There are a variety of polls ready for your opinion…no writing, no trolls and it’s free.
