The 2026 NRL season is just around the corner, and final preparations are well underway around the competition.
The first teams are not all that far away, but for most clubs, the all-important spine is all but locked away.
The fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker are the players who ultimately drive the team forward, set up the points and dictate the way footy is going to be played throughout the course of the season.
There are important positions all over the park, but no team have won a competition without a strong spine.
Here are the rankings ahead of the 2026 campaign.
5. The Dolphins
Likely first choice spine: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Jeremy Marshall-King
Other options: Trai Fuller, Selwyn Cobbo, Jake Averillo, John Fineanganofo, Brad Schneider, Max Plath
The Dolphins scored the most points in 2025, and with attacking weapons all over the park, could be primed to do the same in 2026.
This is a team led by Isaiya Katoa in the halves. The rising talent left the Panthers for the Dolphins at the start of the expansion club's life cycle, and hasn't taken a look over his shoulder since.
He was phenomenal in 2025, and if he can continue it, then this ranking ultimately might be too low for the Dolphins.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow lacks the flash of some of his rival fullbacks, but is still a great option, while Kodi Nikorima had a career-best 2025, and Jeremy Marshall-King has fast become an excellent dummy half, although will miss the first portion of 2026 injured.
I would not put the Roosters above the Storm or the Panthers because DCE hasn’t played 6 for years. Maybe the Roosters think two half-backs will work (like it does at Cronulla) but until we have seen how they actually function working together as a pair, I wouldn’t be saying that they are the best in the game.