12 teams will take to the park for the first time in 2026, while the four Las Vegas-bound teams have their final hit out before Round 1 in Week 2 of the NRL's pre-season challenge.
From players returning from injury, to those fighting for spots, and youngsters looking to impress, there will be plenty of storylines to follow out of the weekend ahead.
Here are all the key players to watch across every game.
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View the full team lists for Week 2 of the pre-season challenge here
Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm
Daine Laurie (Canberra Raiders)
The former Tiger and Panther is looking for a permanent spot in the Canberra Raiders side that finished at the top of the table last season.
Having signed a three-year deal late in the 2025 season, Laurie left Penrith, where he showed value as a backup fullback, to a Canberra side looking to solve the halves puzzle.
With battle-tested versatility at fullback and coming through the NRL ranks as a five-eighth, Laurie is competing for a spot in a talented side or potentially land one of the spots on the end of the interchange bench.
Moses Leo (Melbourne Storm)
The Kiwi outside back spent a lot of last season managing shoulder and hamstring injuries, which slowed down his development in the Storm system.
Moses Leo debuted for the Storm and played two games last season, while playing five games in the NSW Cup for the North Sydney Bears.
With the club chasing Zac Lomax this off-season, there is a clear need for outside backs to perform and to be durable for the club and with a lot of rugby union experience, particularly at the Olympics stage, there is an opportunity for the winger to showcase that he deserves a spot in the NRL.
Hugo Peel (Melbourne Storm)
The Storm continue to have young and upcoming talent, especially when key players leave the club, and Hugo Peel has a lot of offensive upside in his game that makes it not hard to see why he has NRL upside.
One of the more versatile young players on the rise, Peel's best position is fullback, but he has also shown glimpses of his ability to play wing, centre and five-eighth.
Although Sua Fa'alogo will be the first to take a crack as the full-time number one for the Storm, he can play a role with and without the ball and could push for a debut later this year.
Cooper Clarke (Melbourne Storm)
The Storm's Under-19s Player of the Year in 2025 has club officials excited about his future in the NRL.
Cooper Clarke won the “Weapon of the Year” award in 2024 for his outstanding performance in the 2024 Mal Meninga Cup season, as well as represented the Blues in the Under 19s State of Origin last year and led the Storm to their club's first Jersey Flegg premiership and scored a try in the Grand Final
Storm front-rower Josh King praised Clarke's improved fitness and his mobility, and although the club has addressed the front-row depth by signing Davvy Moale and Jack Hetherington, there is real confidence Clarke will make his debut in first grade.
Owen Pattie (Canberra Raiders)
The crafty dummy half showed glimpses of being a serious game-breaker last year, with a booming kick and the ability to isolate markers; he's in for an impressive 2026 campaign.
Playing every game for the green machine last year, he was instrumental in their run for the Minor Premiership.
He finds himself in a three-way chase for the dummy half position, along with Jaiden Brailey and Tom Starling, and a strong trials run will go a long way to cementing himself in the side's 19.
Vena Patuki-Case (Canberra Raiders)
The Raiders junior made his way to the NSW Cup side last year after coming up through the club's junior pathways.
Vena Patuki-Case is a front-rower with size and a lot of energy, and in 16 NSW Cup games, he managed to score three tries.
With Josh Papalii's career nearly at the end and Trey Mooney having left for Newcastle, there is an opportunity for the 21-year-old to impress Ricky Stuart this season.
