The outside backs have grown more and more important in recent years at both ends of the park.
Gone are the days where wingers in the NRL were simply there to finish plays, and long gone are the days when centres were seen as expendable.
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Instead, wingers are required to run the ball, get sets off to a good start, break tackles and be able to pass while having incredible finishing ability.
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Centres are also more important than ever, particularly in defence.
Here is every club's centres and wingers ranked.
5. Melbourne Storm
Wingers: Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick
Centres: Jack Howarth and Nick Meaney
Other options: Moses Leo, Marion Seve, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere
The Storm just keep rolling, even with departures and injuries haunting them as we head into 2026.
One of those injuries is Xavier Coates, who when fit adds so much to the Storm's backline and try-scoring threat.
Will Warbrick will be the other winger for Melbourne, with his barnstorming running game bringing them a point of difference over the last two or so years.
Jack Howarth, who could well wind up in the second-row by the end of the year, starts at centre, while Nick Meaney is the other and will continue to play a role off the kicking tee for Melbourne as he prepares for a move to Perth at the end of the season.
” there are issues that need to be addressed though, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak – not a star by any means, but important to the Warriors – to line up on the other side of the park ”
I’d quibble with your assessment of DWZ as “not a star”. I’d rate him better than plenty of the wingers in clubs that you’ve got higher on the table.