From celebrated stalwarts to rising rookies, here are the players to watch when the 2026 NRL season kicks off.
THE ROOKIES TO WATCH IN THE 2026 NRL SEASON:
Cooper Bai – Gold Coast
This headgear hero played one game last year and, encouragingly for new coach Josh Hannay, committed his long-term future to the Titans over the summer. He’s the son of Papua New Guinea legend Marcus Bai and has all of his father’s blistering ball-running ability, but plies his trade up the guts rather than on the wing. Will be tough for any opposition defence to handle.
Heamasi Makasini – Wests Tigers
An absolute wrecking ball on an edge, Makasini made his NRL debut as a high-school student last year and followed it up with a pair of impressive pre-season performances. Expect him to be well in contention for a starting spot as Benji Marshall’s rebuild continues this season.
Ethan Sanders – Canberra
The wait is over for Sanders to have a crack at a full-time starting spot in the halves, and the reigning minor premiers will be hopeful he can hit the ground running after last year’s finals capitulation. The Raiders’ fortunes this season may well rest on his ability to find chemistry with halves partner Ethan Strange, who is coming off his own breakout year. Still eligible for Dally M Rookie of the Year despite playing two games in each of 2024 and 2025.
DALLY M CONTENDERS
Nathan Cleary – Penrith
It’s hard to believe the NRL’s top individual honour has still eluded the man widely considered the greatest halfback of his generation. The Panthers will be smarting after having their run of premiership wins broken at four, and for the first time since their dynasty began, Cleary has a settled squad to play behind. Overturned a two-match suspension so is right to go for round one.
James Tedesco – Sydney Roosters
The incumbent Dally M Medallist, Tedesco was outstanding last season, helping ensure a Sydney Roosters side tipped for a down year still made it to the finals. This time around the Roosters have added Daly Cherry-Evans, whose own leadership skills could give captain Tedesco even more room to shine.
Reece Walsh – Brisbane
No one else can break games open like Brisbane’s livewire fullback, who completely epitomised the crash-or-crash-through approach that won the Broncos their first premiership in 19 years last year. There’ll be no shortage of motivation for the Broncos this season with Adam Reynolds retiring at season’s end and Payne Haas off to the Rabbitohs. The question may be how many votes those superstar teammates pull from Walsh.
