Christmas wishlist: What every NRL team wants under the tree

Players are on leave, presents are being opened, and food is being prepared to be consumed. But what does your club want under the Christmas tree in 2025? Here is what's on the wishlist for every team this year. To all our readers, the Zero Tackle team wishes you a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Brisbane Broncos Reece Walsh to close the gap between floor and ceiling The final eight weeks of the 2025 NRL season from Reece Walsh were among the best we have ever seen from an individual player. But finding consistency on a level - even if not quite as high as what he was able to produced during Brisbane's incredible run to the premiership - will be the next key to Reece Walsh's development. What we have seen with the game's greatest players of all-time is a level of consistency unparalleled. Certainly, the modern day greatest fullback in the sport, James Tedesco, has done just that. Walsh's ceiling may actually be greater than that of Tedesco, and if he can find some consistency, there is no reason to believe the Broncos can't be favourites to go back-to-back. Canberra Raiders Replace Jamal Fogarty smoothly The Raiders were good enough to grab the minor premiership in 2025, but they then collapsed out of the finals in straight sets. To add to that heading into 2026, the key to their 2025 campaign, Jamal Fogarty, has made the move to the Manly Sea Eagles. The Raiders had earmarked Ethan Sanders as their long-term number seven, but his progression being slower than anticipated in reserve grade sent the Raiders to the open market for an experienced replacement. They failed to find that, but did sign prodigious youngster Coby Black from the Brisbane Broncos, with the duo now to fight for the number seven jersey. Who wins that race is anyone's guess, but Canberra need someone to do Fogarty's role if they are to again compete for a spot near the top of the table in 2026. Canterbury Bulldogs An answer at halfback The Bulldogs were a constant source of headlines in 2025. After leading the competition for much of the first half of the campaign, they elected to make changes in their spine, with Reed Mahoney and Toby Sexton losing their spots. They held onto a top-four berth with Lachlan Galvin at the helm, but, like the Raiders, were quickly bundled out of the finals in straight sets, with a campaign that left more questions than answers despite the obvious improvement from previous seasons. The Bulldogs head into 2026 with the likelihood of either Galvin, or rookie Mitchell Woods, starting in the number seven jumper. That is a concern whichever way you look at it, but the Bulldogs are a side who should be entering a premiership window if they can sort out their issues at halfback. Cronulla Sharks Nicho Hynes to recapture Dally M form The Sharks are another club who should be in a premiership window, but have been bundled out at the preliminary final stage in each of the last two seasons. There was a strong feeling around the competition coming out of 2024 that they were probably one key forward short of being able to properly compete. Addin Fonua-Blake's arrival however saw the club get to exactly the same stage as the year before. It's not Fonua-Blake who needs to pick things up though. Nicho Hynes, on seven figures, enters 2026 as one of the competition's most under pressure players. His Dally M season was one of the best individual seasons ever witnessed, but he has struggled to make it back to that level since. Braydon Trindall is now almost undisputably Cronulla's number one half, but the Sharks would be a far better side if Hynes got back to his absolute best when it counts in 2026. Gold Coast Titans Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's signature This is a simple one. The Titans have had plenty of turmoil off the field, contract discussions played out in the open, and now Josh Hannay becomes their new coach after an ill-fated stint for Des Hasler. What he needs more than anything is the re-signing of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. The club captain, and both state and international representative player is one of the best forwards in the game, and it's little surprise to see money - big money - being thrown at him by the St George Illawarra Dragons and Perth Bears. Fa'asuamaleaui, who has options in his contract from 2027, has indicated he will give things a chance to turn the corner on the Gold Coast, so for the long-term viability of the club, a fast start to 2026 is critical, and would make all the difference in attempting to retain Fa'asuamaleaui. Manly Sea Eagles Jamal Fogarty to be an upgrade at halfback The Sea Eagles did have some issues with Daly Cherry-Evans throughout 2025. The claim that his off-field decision to leave the club wasn't a distraction, frankly, seems impossible. Manly struggled, and Cherry-Evans struggled. Despite a long-term stint at Manly where he has been one of the best halfbacks in the league, maybe it was time to go, and for fresh direction to arrive. That comes in the form of Jamal Fogarty. We did comment in the Raiders wishlist exactly how important he was to the club throughout 2025, but now, it's time for him to take those talents to Manly. He should fit their system like a glove, and it could well be that he is the difference between Manly finishing where they did in 2025, and shooting up the ladder in 2026. Melbourne Storm Craig Bellamy's career to continue What do you get the club who has just about everything apart from a premiership in the last couple of years? They don't need a whole lot on the playing side of the coin, although another big-name forward could be ideal. The performance of Sua Fa'alogo replacing Ryan Papenhuyzen is also something they'll be keen on. But all that is trumped by Craig Bellamy's future. The longer he stays in charge of the club, the longer the Storm will feel they are simply an automatic, guaranteed finals team. He has weighed up retirement during each year of his current deal, which expires at the end of 2026. He is still going though, and signing a new contract would be the best present the Storm could possibly ask for. Newcastle Knights Kalyn Ponga's fitness and Dylan Brown's form Yeah, okay, this is technically two for the price of one, but the Knights won't be going anywhere without both of them falling into place. Justin Holbrook takes over the wooden spooners with immediate improvement on the mind. Dylan Brown moves to the Hunter with him, and will need to very quickly justify why the Knights decided to make him the highest-paid player in the game. Brown's form could well be directly tied to that of Ponga, who spent the second half of 2025 out injured, but always makes a difference to Newcastle when he is on the park. The duo, if the forwards can hold their own, could form one of the most lethal combinations in the NRL, and that is exactly what the Knights will be sweating on. New Zealand Warriors Luke Metcalf to return quickly and effectively The Warriors' 2025 season can really be broken up into two parts. Before Luke Metcalf's injury, and after it. Before the injury, they looked a team who could have been a bolter for the premiership. After it, they were anything but, and it showed on the results sheet. The fact Metcalf finished so high up in the Dally M Medal race is testament to exactly how strong his form was. That's not to say the Warriors can't be good without the halfback, but they will be hanging out for his return, expected in Round 6, and hopeful his form goes straight back to the same level. North Queensland Cowboys Reed Mahoney to provide an aggressive edge The Cowboys were a middling team at times in 2025, and worse than that at others. Their lack of consistency, and lack of results, were alarming, with Todd Payten seemingly under all sorts of pressure now. While the Cowboys have backed their coach to continue, it's hard to see that continuing if 2026 is a season like the one in 2025. The biggest change heading into the new year is the arrival of Reed Mahoney, who takes over from Reece Robson. Robson was strong in 2025, but Mahoney is a totally different player. The Cowboys really lacked any sort of fearsome edge in 2025, and the hope will be Mahoney can provide it in the new campaign. Parramatta Eels No injuries for Mitchell Moses The Eels are a club who look like they could make a bounce up the ladder in 2026. What they really need for that to happen though is a fit Mitchell Moses. He is one of the NRL's most influential players when you consider the impact to an individual club. If Moses plays, the Eels look a chance of beating anyone. If he doesn't, then they look more likely to lose. It's as simple as that. That's not to say he can guide Parramatta to a premiership, but for any sembelance of a successful season, they need Moses on the park. Penrith Panthers A fast start The Panthers managed to crack a preliminary final appearance in 2025, falling agonisingly short of their sixth straight grand final, and a chance at their fifth straight premiership. When that sentence is read in isolation,you'd consider 2025 to be a failure. It wasn't though. In the middle of the season, Penrith sat at the bottom of the table. The second half of their campaign was simply phenomenal as they won game after game to qualify for the top eight. The simple fact of life for Penrith in 2026 is that they must start faster in the new year if they want to go back to the top. South Sydney Rabbitohs No injuries This is a simple one really. The Rabbitohs were the most injured team in 2026. They had to reach down to the bottom of their squad and beyond to fill a team some weeks. They unearthed some talent, for sure, but spending so much time without so many of their big guns, led by Cameron Murray was never going to be a simple task. As it turned out it was more than a simple bridge too far, and the Rabbitohs were locked to the bottom reaches of the table. They are far better than that though, and if they stay fit, it would be a surprise to see the results indicate anything other than an upwards trajectory in 2026. St George Illawarra Dragons Learn how to win close games 2025 was a disappointing season on so many levels for the Red V. They struggled from start to finish, really, but lost ten games by less than ten points, including three by a single point. That really is unheard of, and Shane Flanagan's side need to learn how to win close games. Even picking up the chocolates in half of those games would have been enough to be in the mix for the finals. Daniel Atkinson's arrival, another year of experience for their youngsters, and the ongoing work of Damien Cook, Valentine Holmes and Clint Gutherson will be enough to convince them they have what it takes to compete higher up the table. Sydney Roosters Daly Cherry-Evans to fit in and not cost any more youngsters We have already seen the departure of Sandon Smith from the tri-colours on the back of Cherry-Evans' arrival, while all talk has been that Hugo Savala has tested the open market. At the time of writing, it seems Savala is more likely to stay than depart, but there are no guarantees there. If he stays, then the Roosters could well consider Cherry-Evans' signing a win for the 2026 campaign. He will certainly help the development of Savala, Sam Walker and youngster Toby Rodwell, but there are still questions around his form. There is no doubt he struggled throughout 2025. His form simply wasn't where it needed to be for Manly. More of that in 2026 could see him struggle to hold his starting spot. The Dolphins Increased defensive output The Dolphins had the best attacking record in 2025, and were a joy to watch with the footy in hand. Where they did fall down was in defence though, and it ultimately was what cost them a spot in the top eight. Their attack isn't going anywhere. Isaiya Katoa is a freak, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth just keep getting better, and Jeremy Marshall-King has turned into an excellent starting, big minutes dummy half. But if they can't defend better, none of it will matter. They will be hoping the likes of Thomas Flegerl, Tom Gilbert and Max Plath among others in the forwards returning from injury will help, but they also need substantial structure and hustle work. Wests Tigers Off-field dramas to cease The Tigers finally took a step in the right direction on the field throughout 2025, shuffling themselves off the bottom of the ladder. What they need more than anything though is the off-field issues, featuring the Holamn Barnes Group and their board of directors to cease. It's a diabolical distraction for head coach Benji Marshall and his playing group, and will continue to cast a shadow over the club's efforets in both retention of their own players, and recruitment of rival stars. The joint-venture need to continue improving on the field, and to do that, they need to continue to reshape their playing roster. The off-field issues must cease for the good of the club, and the long-suffering fans of both sides of the joint-venture who haven't witnessed a finals series in more than a decade.