The Canberra Raiders took out the minor premiership in 2025, but that was quickly deflated by their straight sets exit from the finals series.
The men from the nation's capital had, frankly, an extraordinary season given where the majority of pundits had them pre-season.
That, maybe, shouldn't be a surprise. The Raiders have pulled off feats like that on more than one occasion over the years under the coaching of Ricky Stuart, who bleeds green himself.
But the Raiders owed so much of their 2025 campaign to Jamal Fogarty's leadership, and there were questions - legitimate ones it should be added - over whether they overperformed.
We aren't here to make a judgment on that today, but in this series, we are unpacking the big team list selection questions which could shape 2026 for each team.
There is no shortage of major ones for the green machine, even though much of the side looks as if it will pick itself for the season ahead.
Is Papalii still the play at prop?
The Raiders don't necessarily have a concern over their engine room, but the way things play out during 2026 will be intriguing.
At the start of last year, Josh Papalii was all set to finish his time in the NRL, and be an English Super League player for the final stages of his career.
But then he had a resurgence.
It was frankly special. Raiders fans loved it, neutral fans admired it. All of a sudden, he was back in the State of Origin side for the decider, and among Canberra's most important players again.
That saw him re-sign for 2026, where he will likely close out his career, but in an era where the game is getting faster and faster, is a combination of two props on the wrong side of 30 the way to go?
Joseph Tapine is an undisputed top three prop in the game, and while Papalii brings experience, there are some questions around agility in the middle third for Canberra.
There could be a world where Papalii plays off the bench in 2026.
