After three months of the 2026 NRL season, it is time again to evaluate the teams. Who is capable of winning the premiership? Who are the legitimate contenders? And which teams should be looking towards the 2027 season? There has been plenty of movement since our first evaluation.
Top contenders
Panthers
Warriors
The Panthers remain the team to beat for the 2026 premiership, having lost just the one game so far this season. The Warriors join them in the top tier as the team most likely to challenge them for the title. They met just last week and the Panthers came out on top in a 20-18 victory, despite missing three of their Origin stars, including Nathan Cleary. If the Warriors can sort out their issues in the halves and return to the open attacking football of earlier in the season, they could have another shot at the Panthers in the grand final.
Serious threats, once they get their act together
Roosters
Knights
Dolphins
This tier contains three completely different teams from the last review. The Warriors have moved up a tier, while the Storm and Broncos have slipped down. The Roosters have shown that they are a match for just about any team, but have struggled for the consistency they need to maintain their Top 4 position. The Knights have been the surprise packets of the season and currently sit in fourth place. They face a tough Round 14 test as they fly to Melbourne to take on the improving Storm.
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The Dolphins were really slow out of the blocks, hampered by injuries to key players. They have started to field their best lineup and have played accordingly. At their best they play exciting football that is very hard to contain. They have worked their way into the Top 8 and if they can keep the A-Team on the field they should make a move towards a Top 4 finish and their first ever finals campaign.
Plenty of improvement left in these
Sea Eagles
Storm
Rabbitohs
Sharks
Who would have thought the Sea Eagles would work their way up the tiers after their ordinary start to the season? All it took was a change of coach and they haven't looked back since. They still have yet to prove themselves to be serious title contenders, but sitting in fifth place, they really must be over the moon with their improvement.
The Storm were in a higher tier last review, simply because their sluggish start was so uncharacteristic. Everyone expected them to improve, but it really has been a slow and painful process. While their attack is starting to come together and their swarming defence is looking more effective, they still need to cut down on the errors. Once they do they could easily return to the higher tiers.
The Rabbitohs have suffered some serious injury setbacks and haven't had the depth to see them through. Still, they have managed to cling onto sixth place on the ladder, as the stars trickle back into the starting side. Their improvement will come when they reassemble their best team.
The Sharks? Well the Sharks have been the Sharks this season. They must be up there among the most unpredictable teams in the league. They have won six games and lost five with each victory as inexplicable as each loss. It is very hard to map out their season, when its almost impossible to know how they will go from week to week. If they can find some consistency though, they will make a run at the Top 4.
Season pretenders
Broncos
Raiders
Tigers
Cowboys
These are the teams that are going to break the hearts of their fans. Showing plenty of potential, but just falling short when everything is on the line.
The Broncos have had some injury troubles this season, but their loss to the Dragons, despite being nearly at full strength has alarm bells ringing everywhere. Prior to that loss they were smashed by the Warriors, Sea Eagles and Roosters. To be fair, the Broncos are not far from being ready to book their end-of-season trip.
The Raiders look to be a good couple of wins away from having a run of success, but something is not quite right with the Green Machine. They have the third worst defence in the league, behind only the Dragons and Eels in points conceded. Any team leaking that many points is only going to disappoint their fans.
The Tigers were quick out of the blocks, before injuries and suspension slowed their progress. They can turn things around with a full-strength lineup, but they have that familiar feeling about them, likely to just miss the Top 8 again.
The Cowboys looked to be back to their best before a couple of stumbles, They are venturing into Sharks territory when it comes to predicting how good or bad they will be each week. In recent rounds they have been beaten by the Eels, toppled both the Roosters and Rabbitohs, before losing to the Raiders. They are the worst kind of pretender, they really can beat anyone, but somehow lose the easier games.
Pack up the witches hats, start planning for 2027
Eels
Bulldogs
Dragons
Titans
The Eels are a little unlucky to be in this tier. Despite being the victims of multiple injuries, they have fought hard in almost every contest. Trouble is, they have THE worst defensive record in the league, and there is just no coming back from that.
The Bulldogs continue to confound and disappoint in equal measure. With coach Cameron Ciraldo increasingly blaming the match officials, it is time to tear up the play book and start all over again. Anyone who has watched the Bulldogs play this year, knows that the playbook is no more than half a page of A4 paper with notes scratched on it by Adam O'Brien.
The Titans find it completely impossible to play a full 80 minutes of football. Their only two victories this year have come against the Dragons and Eels, the teams with the worst defence in the league.
The Dragons have finally broken their duck! With a raft of exciting signings, next year is looking much more promising.