The New Zealand Warriors were cruising along in 2025 before Luke Metcalf went down injured and the season wound up hitting the dust.
But the club are still generally on an upward trajectory.
Andrew Webster has brought with him two finals series in three years, and frankly, a club that looks like it isn't all that far away from breaking through at times.
But there are big questions confronting the Warriors in 2026.
Youngsters are looking to break through, experienced veterans are approaching the end of their careers, and a few new recruits will look to push their way into the side, but the headaches are, for the most part, good ones to have for coach Webster.
Which forwards make the cut?
The Warriors' engine room was excellent in 2025, and will go to another level in 2026 with the continuing improvement of a number of players an addition of Morgan Gannon from the English Super League.
James Fisher-Harris will continue to play forward pack leader, and should be joined early in the season by Mitch Barnett, who missed more than half of 2025 with an ACL injury.
The breakout year of Erin Clark at lock means he starts there, while Leka Halasima and Wayde Egan should also feature.
Kurt Capewell's experience should see him into the side, while we expect Jackson Ford, Marata Niukore and Morgan Gannon to come from the bench.
In what is a recurring theme though, the Warriors have depth.
The likes of Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Demitric Vaimauga, Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith have all proven they have what it takes at NRL level, but will be fighting for scraps unless injuries hit.
