The race for the NRL's minor premiership is beginning to heat up, and the top four looks to have cemented itself as the Warriors, Panthers, Roosters and Dolphins are expected to hold their spots.
History heavily suggests teams only have a chance at the title if they finish the regular season in one of the top four positions.
Let's run through why each of the four sides can win the 2026 premiership and what's working in their favour.
New Zealand Warriors
Hunger
The Warriors are on a warpath and are building strongly for a raid in September. With the club having the backing of a whole nation behind them, there's plenty of hype developing every time they run out onto the field.
The Warriors have had minimal success in the finals for quite some time, and it will be a massive occasion when they host a final in Auckland. Andrew Webster is a quality coach and will no-doubt have his side fired up and hungry every time they play during September.
As we saw against Penrith three weeks ago, the pre-game Haka had the team focused and ready for the occasion, and it will be very difficult to get over them physically with all that's at stake for them.
Balanced outside backs
The Warriors have the greatest balance in their backline out of all the teams in the competition. Perfect stability of pace and agility with Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, while Ali Leiataua and Leka Halasima have raw strength, power, and are a nightmare to handle close to the line.
It gives them so many angles of attack and leaves opponents second-guessing where they can strike when they throw shape.
Depth
It's no secret the Warriors have been dealt a nightmare run of injuries in key positions in 2026. The cursed halfback jersey has claimed Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin and Tanah Boyd, who's been in career-best form.
It's a miracle they are where they are, given the horror card they've been dealt.
The club's depth is to thank for why they've managed to adapt and keep performing. Not only in the halves, but the forward stocks have been stretched thin from injuries to Jackson Ford and James Fisher-Harris, while Golden Boot winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been sidelined for the season without his presence feeling overly missed.
It's the best system in the NRL. A player goes down and the next man comes in and does the job needed for the side.
Proven to have beaten the best
The Warriors have already beaten the three other teams that have made up the top four, so it's not like they're in for a shock when they face quality opponents.
They already have and succeeded.
It will give the playing group major confidence heading into the big games, knowing they've beaten the upper echelon of the competition and come out the other side.
Powerful forward pack
With Jackson Ford due back in Week 1 of the finals, the Warriors forward pack is just too strong when they get on a roll. It gives the halves and outside backs plenty of time to work their magic.
When the team is going forward and generating lightning play-the-ball speeds, hooker Wayde Egan is too smart out of dummy half and gets the team down the attacking end in rapid time.
