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NRL Teams' Predicted Best 17 Lineups for 2026 Season Detailed

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An analysis of each NRL club's predicted best 17 players for the 2026 premiership race has been conducted, considering new recruits and optimal squad balance. The selections aim to determine the strongest possible lineup for each team in a scenario without injuries or suspensions.

Rabbitohs

  • Key Lineup: Jye Gray (FB), Alex Johnston (W), Jack Wighton (C), Latrell Mitchell (C), Campbell Graham (W), Cody Walker (HF), Jamie Humphreys (HF), Jai Arrow (FR), Brandon Smith (HK), Keaon Koloamatangi (FR), Tallis Duncan (SR), David Fifita (SR), Cameron Murray (LK).
  • Changes: Latrell Mitchell moves to centre, Campbell Graham shifts to wing. David Fifita is a new recruit in the second row.

Panthers

  • Key Lineup: Dylan Edwards (FB), Paul Alamoti (W), Izack Tago (C), Casey McLean (C), Brian To’o (W), Blaize Talagi (HF), Nathan Cleary (HF), Moses Leota (FR), Mitch Kenny (HK), Lindsay Smith (FR), Scott Sorensen (SR), Liam Martin (SR), Isaah Yeo (LK).
  • Changes: Jack Cogger returns to the bench utility role.

Broncos

  • Key Lineup: Reece Walsh (FB), Deine Mariner (W), Kotoni Staggs (C), Gehamat Shibasaki (C), Josiah Karapani (W), Ezra Mam (HF), Adam Reynolds (HF), Xavier Willison (FR), Ben Hunt (HK), Payne Haas (FR), Brendan Piakura (SR), Jordan Riki (SR), Patrick Carrigan (LK).
  • Changes: Ezra Mam moves to five-eighth, and Ben Hunt shifts to full-time hooker.

Bulldogs

  • Key Lineup: Connor Tracey (FB), Marcelo Montoya (W), Bronson Xerri (C), Stephen Crichton (C), Jacob Kiraz (W), Matt Burton (HF), Lachlan Galvin (HF), Max King (FR), Bailey Hayward (HK), Leo Thompson (FR), Viliame Kikau (SR), Jacob Preston (SR), Jaeman Salmon (LK).
  • Changes: Bailey Hayward moves to full-time hooker. Leo Thompson is a new recruit in the front row.

Roosters

  • Key Lineup: James Tedesco (FB), Daniel Tupou (W), Billy Smith (C), Robert Toia (C), Mark Nawaqanitawase (W), Daly Cherry-Evans (HF), Sam Walker (HF), Spencer Leniu (FR), Reece Robson (HK), Lindsay Collins (FR), Angus Crichton (SR), Nat Butcher (SR), Naufahu Whyte (LK).
  • Changes: Daly Cherry-Evans (five-eighth) and Reece Robson (hooker) are new recruits.

Wests Tigers

  • Key Lineup: Jahream Bula (FB), Sunia Turuva (W), Taylan May (C), Starford To’a (C), Jeral Skelton (W), Jarome Luai (HF), Adam Doueihi (HF), Terrell May (FR), Api Koroisau (HK), Fonua Pole (FR), Samuela Fainu (SR), Kai Pearce-Paul (SR), Alex Twal (LK).
  • Changes: Jarome Luai (five-eighth) and Kai Pearce-Paul (second row) are new recruits.

Eels

  • Key Lineup: Isaiah Iongi (FB), Sean Russell (W), Will Penisini (C), Brian Kelly (C), Josh Addo-Carr (W), Jonah Pezet (HF), Mitchell Moses (HF), Junior Paulo (FR), Ryley Smith (HK), Jack de Belin (FR), Jack Williams (SR), Kelma Tuilagi (SR), J’maine Hopgood (LK).
  • Changes: Brian Kelly (centre), Jonah Pezet (five-eighth), and Jack de Belin (front row) are new recruits.

Knights

  • Key Lineup: Kalyn Ponga (FB), Fletcher Sharpe (W), Bradman Best (C), Dane Gagai (C), Dom Young (W), Dylan Brown (HF), Sandon Smith (HF), Jacob Saifiti (FR), Phoenix Crossland (HK), Trey Mooney (FR), Jermaine McEwen (SR), Dylan Lucas (SR), Tyson Frizell (LK).
  • Changes: Fletcher Sharpe moves to wing. Dylan Brown (five-eighth), Sandon Smith (halfback), and Trey Mooney (front row) are new recruits.

Dragons

  • Key Lineup: Clint Gutherson (FB), Christian Tuipulotu (W), Moses Suli (C), Valentine Holmes (C), Tyrell Sloan (W), Kyle Flanagan (HF), Daniel Atkinson (HF), Toby Couchman (FR), Damien Cook (HK), Emre Guler (FR), Jaydn Su’A (SR), Dylan Egan (SR), Hamish Stewart (LK).
  • Changes: Clint Gutherson (fullback), Valentine Holmes (centre), Damien Cook (hooker), and Daniel Atkinson (halfback) are new recruits.

Raiders

  • Key Lineup: Kaeo Weekes (FB), Savelio Tamale (W), Matthew Timoko (C), Sebastian Kris (C), Xavier Savage (W), Ethan Strange (HF), Ethan Sanders (HF), Josh Papalii (FR), Jayden Brailey (HK), Joe Tapine (FR), Hudson Young (SR), Zac Hosking (SR), Corey Horsburgh (LK).
  • Changes: Jayden Brailey is a new recruit at hooker.

Dolphins

  • Key Lineup: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (FB), Jamayne Isaako (W), Selwyn Cobbo (C), Herbie Farnworth (C), Jack Bostock (W), Kodi Nikorima (HF), Isaiya Katoa (HF), Daniel Saifiti (FR), Jeremy Marshall-King (HK), Thomas Flegler (FR), Felise Kaufusi (SR), Connelly Lemuelu (SR), Tom Gilbert (LK).
  • Changes: Selwyn Cobbo (centre), Daniel Saifiti (front row), and Morgan Knowles (bench) are new recruits.

Cowboys

  • Key Lineup: Scott Drinkwater (FB), Murray Taulagi (W), Zac Laybutt (C), Jaxon Purdue (C), Robert Derby (W), Jake Clifford (HF), Tom Dearden (HF), Jason Taumalolo (FR), Reed Mahoney (HK), Coen Hess (FR), Heilum Luki (SR), Jeremiah Nanai (SR), Reuben Cotter (LK).
  • Changes: Reed Mahoney (hooker) and Matt Lodge (bench) are new recruits.

Sharks

  • Key Lineup: William Kennedy (FB), Sione Katoa (W), Jesse Ramien (C), KL Iro (C), Ronaldo Mulitalo (W), Braydon Trindall (HF), Nicho Hynes (HF), Addin Fonua-Blake (FR), Blayke Brailey (HK), Toby Rudolf (FR), Briton Nikora (SR), Teig Wilton (SR), Cameron McInnes (LK).
  • Changes: Addin Fonua-Blake is a new recruit in the front row.

Warriors

  • Key Lineup: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (FB), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (W), Rocco Berry (C), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (C), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (W), Chanel Harris-Tavita (HF), Luke Metcalf (HF), James Fisher-Harris (FR), Wayde Egan (HK), Mitch Barnett (FR), Kurt Capewell (SR), Leka Halasima (SR), Erin Clark (LK).
  • Changes: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (wing), James Fisher-Harris (front row), and Morgan Gannon (bench) are new recruits. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moves to centre.

Sea Eagles

  • Key Lineup: Tom Trbojevic (FB), Jason Saab (W), Tolutau Koula (C), Reuben Garrick (C), Lehi Hopoate (W), Luke Brooks (HF), Jamal Fogarty (HF), Taniela Paseka (FR), Jake Simpkin (HK), Jake Trbojevic (FR), Haumole Olakau’atu (SR), Ben Trbojevic (SR), Kobe Hetherington (LK).
  • Changes: Jamal Fogarty (halfback), Jake Simpkin (hooker), Kobe Hetherington (lock), and Siosiua Taukeiaho (bench) are new recruits.

Titans

  • Key Lineup: Keano Kini (FB), Jaylan De Groot (W), Max Feagai (C), Phillip Sami (C), Jojo Fifita (W), AJ Brimson (HF), Jayden Campbell (HF), Moeaki Fotuaika (FR), Sam Verrills (HK), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (FR), Klese Haas (SR), Beau Fermor (SR), Chris Randall (LK).
  • Changes: Max Feagai (centre) and Luke Sommerton (bench) are new recruits.

Storm

  • Key Lineup: Sualauvi Fa’alogo (FB), Will Warbrick (W), Jack Howarth (C), Nick Meaney (C), Xavier Coates (W), Cameron Munster (HF), Jahrome Hughes (HF), Stefano Utoikamanu (FR), Harry Grant (HK), Josh King (FR), Shawn Blore (SR), Ativalu Lisati (SR), Trent Loiero (LK).
  • Changes: Sualauvi Fa’alogo takes the full-time fullback role. Stefano Utoikamanu (front row), Shawn Blore (second row), and Davvy Moale (bench) are new recruits.