Thoughts on NRL Season 2026

[TheEnz]

This is probably the first time in the last 5 years where I am not nervous and uncertain about what we see from the team in the trials and game one next season. There has been so much uncertainty about players and positions, especially in the halves in the past few seasons...I think this is the first year we go in with a spine that is pretty much set, just a question mark over which of two players (already playing for us) start at 7 in game one. Is it just me or are others feeling the same way.

 

[TheEnz]

Maybe I should swap uncertain and nervous with "a sense of dread"

 

[tigahhh]

definitely feels the most settled the roster has been for a long time. no contract question marks like galvin etc hanging over our heads. only bula which is still a couple years away.

 

[jadtiger]

As long as nothing major "blows up" during the off season i feel more confident about 2026 than i have for years.Stability at the club is what is required for long term success and that seems to be happening.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Yeah, when was the last time coming to the end of a season we felt satisfied and thinking I cannot wait for the next one, it's been yonks.

Knowing that Richo will be on the prowl to continue improving the roster during the summer as well sets us up for improving more into the future, all positive stuff.

My thoughts on Bula are if he can see that the team is on the way up there is no reason to leave and as you said jad fingers crossed that we have no destabilizing affect that seems to plague us every season we have had a gutful of those setbacks.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Team gets a pass , Galvin departure didn’t help us and also game 1 Newcastle.
Richo , going along nice, quietly , couple more signing be great.
Benji finally got them going ok but we still need to learn how to score , we get close a lot but no points , replace 1 assistant with outsider / Cronk or similar

 

[Tom Shines]

They say it’s the hope that kills you…

I think Benji has reached the stage of Top 8 or big disappointment for 2026… they still need a couple of pieces though for the squad, to make it easier

 

[TIGERS]

Basically if we can be as good as this season, minus any galvin-esq turbulence or injuries, we'll go well. Especially if Taylan May kicks on.

I don't expect us to be red hot every round, but certainly no more 6+ game losing streaks in a season. Please.

 

[bbobb]

If someone said to me at the start of the season that we would be a live finals chance albeit slim in August, I’d probably taken that as a win.
Galvingate and to lesser extent Talyn’s departure were major disruptions both media wise but more importantly how we functioned as a team and we needed to basically reinvent ourselves mid-season.
Out latter season performances have shown the style we want to play which augurs well for the future. We still need to tweak the roster as I don’t think we are a top four team yet but we are heading in the right direction.