Predicted Teams: NRL Round 1
Our predicted teams to line-up in Round 1 of the 2026 NRL Season
See below all predicted 1-18s for Round 1 of the 2026 NRL Season
- Brisbane Broncos
- Canberra Raiders
- Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
- Dolphins
- Gold Coast Titans
- Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
- Melbourne Storm
- Newcastle Knights
- NZ Warriors
- North Queensland Cowboys
- Parramatta Eels
- Penrith Panthers
- South Sydney Rabbitohs
- St George Illawarra Dragons
- Sydney Roosters
- Wests Tigers
Brisbane Broncos
Ezra Mam made an impact upon his NRL return in 2025 (Image: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images)
- Reece Walsh (GK 2)
- Jesse Arthars
- Kotoni Staggs
- Gehamat Shibasaki
- Deine Mariner
- Ezra Mam
- Adam Reynolds (C, GK 1)
- Payne Haas
- Ben Hunt
- Xavier Willison
- Brendan Piakura
- Jordan Riki
- Patrick Carrigan
- Cory Paix
- Cory Jensen
- Jaiyden Hunt
- Ben Te Kura
- Grant Anderson
Broncos notes: A very settled line-up. Brendan Piakura is narrowly favoured over Jack Gosiewski at left second-row. New signing Grant Anderson may need an injury to one of the grand final-winning outside backs to force his way into Michael Maguire's team. Unavailable: Billy Walters (ACL, Season)
Canberra Raiders
Young Guns: Ethan Strange and Kaeo Weekes will shoulder more responsibility following Jamal Fogarty's move to Manly (Image: Mark Evans / Getty Images)
- Kaeo Weekes
- Albert Hopoate
- Sebastian Kris
- Matt Timoko
- Xavier Savage
- Ethan Strange (GK 1)
- Ethan Sanders (GK 2)
- Josh Papalii
- Jayden Brailey
- Joseph Tapine (C)
- Hudson Young
- Matty Nicholson
- Corey Horsburgh
- Tom Starling
- Zac Hosking
- Ata Mariota
- Simi Sisagi
- Daine Laurie
Raiders notes: Ethan Strange takes on the kicking duties following Jamal Fogarty's departure. Forms an all-Ethan halves pairing with ex-Eel, Ethan Sanders. Zac Hosking is narrowly preferred to Morgan Smithies on the bench. There's no room for Owen Pattie, with Tom Starling to wear 14 and Daine Laurie's versatility favoured at 18th man.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Lachlan Galvin had a disrupted 2025 season – will he be the Bulldogs' answer at halfback? (Image: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images)
- Connor Tracey
- Marcelo Montoya
- Bronson Xerri
- Stephen Crichton (C, GK 2)
- Jacob Kiraz
- Matt Burton (GK 1)
- Lachlan Galvin
- Leo Thompson
- Bailey Hayward
- Max King
- Viliame Kikau
- Jacob Preston
- Kurt Mann
- Josh Curran
- Jaeman Salmon
- Harry Hayes
- Sitili Tupouniua
- Jack Todd
Bulldogs notes: Lachlan Galvin gets first crack at the No.7 jersey over the highly-touted Mitchell Woods. Woods at halfback would see Galvin shift to five-eighth, and Burton back to left centre – a role he famously played in the 2021 premiership-winning Panthers side. Not a deep squad so injuries will really test this Bulldogs side. Sean O'Sullivan and Enari Tuala are likely the next men up. Hard to split Crichton and Burton for who is the first-elect goal-kicker, watch the trials.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Try machine: Sam Stonestreet made a habit of scoring tries in bunches last season (Image: Janelle St Pierre / Getty Images)
- William Kennedy
- Sione Katoa
- Jesse Ramien
- KL Iro
- Sam Stonestreet
- Braydon Trindall (GK 2)
- Nicho Hynes (GK 1)
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Blayke Brailey (C)
- Oregon Kaufusi
- Teig Wilton
- Briton Nikora
- Jesse Colqhoun
- Siosifa Talakai
- Billy Burns
- Braden Hamlin-Uele
- Tom Hazelton
- Mawene Hiroti
Sharks notes: Blayke Brailey captains the side in the absence of Cameron McInnes. Sam Stonestreet gets a good look at first grade given Ronaldo Mulitalo's injury. Hazelton or Rudolph could swap – Mawene Hiroti provides more coverage as 18th man. Unavailable: Liam Ison (ACL, Round 4), Cameron McInnes (ACL, Round 10), Ronaldo Mulitalo (ACL, Season).
Dolphins
Hamiso Tabuai Fidow scored 22 tries in 2025 (Image: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images)
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Selwyn Cobbo
- Jake Averillo
- Herbie Farnworth
- Jamayne Isaako (GK 1)
- Kodi Nikorima
- Isaiya Katoa (GK 2)
- Francis Molo
- Kurt Donoghue
- Daniel Saifiti
- Connelly Lemuelu
- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
- Tom Gilbert (C)
- Oryn Keeley
- Morgan Knowles
- Ray Stone
- Felise Kaufusi
- Trai Fuller
Dolphins notes: A prized signing ahead of the 2024 season, Thomas Flegler's availability remains up in the air, but would come straight back into the run-on side if fit. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow holds the fullback role despite calls to play him in the centres to afford Trai Fuller a starting role. Selwyn Cobbo gets the jump on Tevita Naufahu, who is also an option on the left wing. Connelly Lemuelu starts at left second-row over Oryn Keeley. Injury to Jeremy Marshall-King sees a reshuffle in the forward pack. Kurt Donoghue moves to No.9. Fuller is next-man-up, new signing Brad Schneider is another utility option. Unavailable: Thomas Flegler (Shoulder, Indefinite) Max Plath (Knee, Round 4), Jack Bostock (ACL, Round 12)
Gold Coast Titans
Point to prove: Keano Kini missed a large chunk of the 2025 season (Image: Izhar Khan / Getty Images)
- Keano Kini
- Phil Sami (GK 2)
- Max Feagai
- AJ Brimson
- Jojo Fifita
- Jayden Campbell (GK 1)
- Lachlan Ilias
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Sam Verills
- Jaimin Jolliffe
- Klese Haas
- Beau Fermor
- Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (C)
- Chris Randall
- Cooper Bai
- Tukimihia Simpkins
- Kurtis Morrin
- Tony Francis
Titans notes: One of the thinnest squads in the NRL. Lachlan Ilias is a specialist No.7 and wouldn't have moved for anything less than first-team football. His arrival shifts Jayden Campbell to 6, meaning AJ Brimson reverts to the left centre role, vacated by the departed Brian Kelly. Max Feagai and Jojo Fifita look the most-likely right-side pairing, although Jaylan De Groot, Allan Fitzgibbon and Tony Francis could all challenge that.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Tom Trbojevic takes over the Sea Eagles captaincy from the departed Daly Cherry-Evans (Image: Jason McCawley / Getty Images)
- Tom Trbojevic (C)
- Jason Saab
- Tolutau Koula
- Reuben Garrick (GK 1)
- Lehi Hopoate
- Luke Brooks
- Jamal Fogarty (GK 2)
- Taniela Paseka
- Jake Simpkin
- Jake Trbojevic
- Ben Trbojevic
- Haumole Olakau'atu
- Kobe Hethrington
- Aaron Schoupp
- Ethan Bullemor
- Siosiua Taukeiaho
- Nathan Brown
- Blake Wilson
Sea Eagles notes: With a squad like this, it's hard not to see a world where Anthony Siebold is under huge pressure to retain his job. Taniela Paseka's return from an injury which saw him miss the bulk of the 2025 campaign is a big inclusion. Jamal Fogarty, 32, brings experience to offset the loss of Daly Cherry-Evans. Jake Trbojevic could move from lock to prop to free up the No.13 for Broncos premiership-winner, Kobe Hethrington. Ethan Bullemor had a standout season last year, and could start in place of Jake Trbojevic. Aaron Schoupp is one of very few bench utility options. Ex-Bulldog Blake Wilson is on the periphery.
Melbourne Storm
Cameron Munster will be tasked with more attack in 2026 (Image: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images)
- Sualauvi Fa'alogo
- William Warbrick
- Jack Howarth
- Nick Meaney (GK 1)
- Xavier Coates
- Cameron Munster
- Jahrome Hughes
- Stefano Utoikamanu
- Harry Grant (C, GK 2)
- Josh King
- Shawn Blore
- Joe Chan
- Trent Loiero
- Tyran Wishart
- Alec MacDonald
- Tui Kamikamica
- Jack Hethrington
- Marion Seve
Storm notes: Melbourne must overcome the shock loss of Ryan Papenhuyzen (Indefinite break) and Eli Katoa (Brain injury) – two of their most-dangerous attacking outlets in 2025. Sua Fa'alogo looks the obvious answer at fullback, but Nick Meaney always remains an option. Tyran Wishart provides great coverage from the bench. Newcomer Jack Hethrington will look to earn a place in Craig Bellamy's squad, but young-gun Cooper Clarke is mounting a serious charge for an NRL debut.
Newcastle Knights
Kalyn Ponga is hoping to be fit to lead the new-look Knights in Round 1 (Image: Janelle St Pierre / Getty Images)
- Kalyn Ponga (C, GK 2)
- Greg Marzhew
- Dane Gagai
- Bradman Best
- Dominic Young
- Dylan Brown
- Sandon Smith (GK1)
- Jacob Saifiti
- Phoenix Crossland
- Mat Croker
- Dylan Lucas
- Jermaine McEwen
- Tyson Frizell
- Fletcher Sharpe
- Trey Mooney
- Pasami Saulo
- Tom Cant
- James Schiller
Knights notes: Sandon Smith is the most-natural No.7 in this squad and so gets the nod at halfback, ahead of Dylan Brown. Smith kicked goals at 84 per cent last season, Kalyn Ponga just 76 per cent, so don't be shocked if the former Rooster takes the tee. Fletcher Sharpe looks set to be the odd man out, but brings an X-factor from the bench that others wouldn't. Ponga starts at fullback if fit to return from the foot injury that ended his 2025 season. Sharpe, or Fletcher Hunt, could deputise at fullback if Ponga isn't ready.
NZ Warriors
Domino effect: Mitchell Barnett will be touch-and-go to return in Round 1 (Image: Jason McCawley/ Getty Images)
- Taine Tuaupiki
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Chanel Harris-Tavita (GK 2)
- Tannah Boyd (GK 1)
- James Fisher-Harris
- Wayde Egan
- Mitch Barnett
- Jackson Ford
- Kurt Capewell
- Erin Clark
- Te Maire Martin
- Demitric Vaimauga
- Leka Halasima
- Marata Niukore
- Samuel Healey
Warriors notes: Luke Metcalf won't be ready to return from injury so Tannah Boyd starts the year at halfback. Taine Tuaupiki should be handed the No.1, with CNK moving to centres on a full-time basis. Wayde Egan narrowly pips Sam Healey at hooker, with Te Maire Martin to provide coverage at No.14. If Mitch Barnett (ACL) isn't fit for Round 1, expect Jackson Ford to shift to prop and Leka Halasima to starting second-row. Tanner Stowers-Smith would likely earn a bench spot if that was to be the case. New signing Morgan Gannon, who arrives from Leeds Rhinos, is the unknown commodity. Unavailable: Luke Metcalf (ACL, Round 8), Rocco Berry (Shoulder, Indefinite)
North Queensland Cowboys
SuperCoach Gun: Scott Drinkwater proved a serious SC asset again in 2025 (Image: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images)
- Scott Drinkwater (GK 1)
- Murray Taulagi
- Jaxon Purdue
- Zac Laybutt (GK 2)
- Braidon Burns
- Jake Clifford
- Tom Dearden (C)
- Coen Hess
- Reed Mahoney
- Jason Taumalolo
- Heilum Luki
- John Bateman
- Reuben Cotter
- Harrison Edwards
- Thomas Mikaele
- Sam McIntyre
- Kai O'Donnell
- Tom Chester
Cowboys notes: Forwards Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame are set to be sidelined for the start of the 2026 NRL season due to respective shoulder injuries. Drinkwater and Laybutt shared the goal-kicking responsibilities in last season – it could be a talking point amongst SuperCoaches again in 2026, but expect Drinkwater to own the duties to start the season.
Parramatta Eels
Main man: Mitchell Moses missed a lot of the 2025 season, injured. (Image: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images)
- Isaiah Iongi
- Sean Russell
- Will Penisini
- Brian Kelly
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Jonah Pezet (GK 2)
- Mitchell Moses (GK 1)
- J'maine Hopgood
- Ryley Smith
- Junior Paulo (C)
- Kitione Kautoga
- Jack Williams
- Jack De Belin
- Dylan Walker
- Kelma Tuilagi
- Jordan Samrani
- Charlie Guymer
- Joash Papalii
Eels notes: Jonah Pezet is expected to start the year at No.6, alongside Mitchell Moses in the halves. That relegates Joash Papalii – who spent time at five-eighth last season – to 18th man. Dylan Walker is preferred at the No.14 role. Hopgood and De Belin could swap jerseys, their roles won't change all that much. Kelma Tuilagi and Jack Williams will fight for the starting edge role. Tallyn Da Silva, Matt Doorey and Bailey Simonsson are likely to be overlooked for Round 1.