Ranking every NRL spine for 2026

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. St George Illawarra Dragons Likely first choice spine: Clint Gutherson, Kyle Flanagan, Daniel Atkinson, Damien Cook Other options: Tyrell Sloan, Valentine Holmes, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kade Reed, Jacob Liddle The Dragons won't pick up the wooden spoon despite plenty of claims that they are the favourites, but they do have the spine you have to rank worst in the competition heading into the season. While Clint Gutherson is still an elite fullback, there were signs his movement isn't quite what it used to be during 2025. Kyle Flanagan had an awful season, and while he had a strong 2024 at the number six, that was alongside Ben Hunt. This time he is alongside Daniel Atkinson, an unproven halfback despite his excellent utility value. Damien Cook and Jacob Liddle in a one-two punch adds plenty to the dummy half spot, but Cook's career is also winding down. Gold Coast Titans Likely first choice spine: Keano Kini, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Sam Verrills Other options: Jaylan de Groot, Zane Harrison, Lachlan Ilias, Luke Sommerton, Oliver Pascoe It feels somewhat harsh to suggest a spine with one of the brightest young talents in the game and an ex-Origin representative in it sits second last, but that's exactly where the Titans find themselves heading into 2026. It should really be noted this may not be the case by the end of the year. Keano Kini has plenty of talent, Jayden Campbell is developing into a halfback, and maybe this will be the year AJ Brimson works at five-eighth. Sam Verrills is solid too. There is a lack of depth and continuity there though. Josh Hannay will have his work cut out for him. Newcastle Knights Likely first choice spine: Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Brown, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith Other options: Fletcher Hunt, Dane Gagai, Tyson Gamble, Phoenix Crossland, Matthew Arthur The Knights could be anything this season, but in truth, they have a long, long climb away from the bottom of the NRL. Kalyn Ponga is one of the most talented players in the game, but has to find a way to stay on the field, while Dylan Brown slotting into the Knights system after a disappointing finish at Parramatta is hard to judge. Fletcher Sharpe and Sandon Smith appear to be battling to join him in the halves, while Phoenix Crossland will also have his role to play. Either way, it's hard to suggest their ranking is much higher than somewhere near the bottom. Wests Tigers Likely first choice spine: Jahream Bula, Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Apisai Koroisau Other options: Heath Mason, Latu Fainu, Tristan Hope The Tigers are another side who could be tough to get a read on heading into 2026. The spine, on paper, is not all that bad, but Jahream Bula is still proving himself, Apisai Koroisau's career is winding down, and Jarome Luai needs to get back to his Penrith consistency. The question mark, in truth, is at halfback, the most critical position on the field. Adam Doueihi has been earmarked to take over the number seven jumper, and while he looked impressive during the pre-season challenge, it's a big leap for a guy who has spent more time injured than playing in recent seasons. Watch this space. Canterbury Bulldogs Likely first choice spine: Connor Tracey, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Bailey Hayward Other options: Jacob Kiraz, Stephen Crichton, Mitchell Woods, Sean O'Sullivan, Patrick Woods, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Jake Turpin The Bulldogs do have plenty of depth in the spine, but that's where the surety ends heading into 2026. Connor Tracey is a good, solid fullback, although certainly doesn't have the flash, style and substance of many others in the competition. Matt Burton has been a strong five-eighth for a long time, but there are plenty who suggest his best position is elsewhere, and with a halves partner who is also a five-eighth in 2026, the pressure is on. Lachlan Galvin will need a career-defining season if the Bulldogs are to hang in the top eight again, and so too will Bailey Hayward who steps up to replace Reed Mahoney, despite struggling with missed tackle counts when he did so in 2025. Manly Sea Eagles Likely first choice spine: Tom Trbojevic, Luke Brooks, Jamal Fogarty, Jake Simpkin Other options: Lehi Hopoate, Clayton Faulalo, Joey Walsh, Zaidas Muagututia, Zach Dockar-Clay The Sea Eagles come into 2026 with maybe the biggest question lingering around how exactly to replace Lachlan Croker who has retired after repeated concussions. Jake Simpkin seems the most likely candidate, although he will be under pressure from Zaidas Muagututia and Zach Dockar-Clay. The departure of Daly Cherry-Evans was going to present an extraordinary headache for Manly too until they landed the signing of Jamal Fogarty. Luke Brooks at five-eighth and the injury-prone Tom Trboejvic are more locked into the side, but by no stretch are they leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. Canberra Raiders Likely first choice spine: Kaeo Weekes, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Tom Starling Other options: Sebastian Kris, Chevy Stewart, Coby Black, Owen Pattie, Jayden Brailey The Raiders had one of the NRL's most efficient spines and, as a result, attacks, in 2025, but the departure of Jamal Fogarty has all the potential to upset the apple cart there. South Sydney Rabbitohs Likely first choice spine: Jye Gray, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Brandon Smith Other options: Latrell Mitchell, Ashton Ward, Jayden Sullivan, Jonah Glover, Peter Mamouzelos, Bronson Garlick The Rabbitohs have more depth than most in the spine, but also more potential to wind up a lot higher than their ranking when compared to a lot of teams at the bottom. The only reason they frankly can't go higher is because of the question marks. Is Jye Gray up to the task of being the fullback for an entire season? Will he fend off Latrell Mitchel for continuity? Can Cody Walker stay fit? Is Jamie Humphreys going to avoid second-year syndrome? Can Brandon Smith get back to his best? If the answer to all those questions is in the positive, the Rabbitohs will be well and truly inside the top half, and could possess one of the most dangerous attacks in the competition this year. New Zealand Warriors Likely first choice spine: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, Wayde Egan Other options: Taine Tuaupiki, Te Maire Martin, Tanah Boyd, Jett Cleary, Samuel Healey The Warriors come into the season with a real point to prove after their fadeout following Luke Metcalf's injury in 2025. He will miss the first six weeks of the new year, but will return immediately as one of the game's best halfbacks. Add Wayde Egan into that spine and the nucleus is there. The jury is still very much out on Chanel Harris-Tavita at six, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is one of the game's best ball-runners, but probably needs to find another level to his creativity for the Warriors to be a real success. Parramatta Eels Likely first choice spine: Isaiah Iongi, Jonah Pezet, Mitchell Moses, Ryley Smith Other options: Joash Papalii, Ronald Volkman, Tallyn Da Silva The Eels look a little short on depth in the spine, but there is certainly nothing wrong with the starting group. Isaiah Iongi should only take his game to another level this year, Ryley Smith is working his way onto the scene strongly, and Mitchell Moses may be the most important player to his team anywhere in the sport. Jonah Pezet is potentially the big question mark. He is, without doubt, more of a halfback than a five-eighth, but also hasn't done a whole lot wrong when filling in for Cameron Munster at the Storm. He could wind up being a game-changer for the blue and gold. Cronulla Sharks Likely first choice spine: William Kennedy, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey Other options: Liam Ison, Riley Pollard, Niwhai Puru, Riley Jones, Jayden Berrell The Sharks crack the top eight spines in the competition heading into 2026, and with excellent reason. Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes are one of the better halves pairings in the competition at their best. While Hynes hasn't produced his potential in some years, Trindall has gone from strength to strength in recent times. Blayke Brailey has also fast become the game's best dummy half not named Harry Grant. William Kennedy is the player the jury are out on. Liam Ison will be snapping at his heels throughout 2026, with Kennedy likely to leave the Shire at the end of the coming campaign after signing a cut-price one-year deal to remain there in 2025. North Queensland Cowboys Likely first choice spine: Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden, Jake Clifford, Reed Mahoney Other options: Tom Chester, Jaxon Pudue, Zac Herdegen, Xavier Kerrisk, Soni Luke The Cowboys have some of the game's best attacking weapons, which makes you raise a serious eyebrow over how they missed the finals in 2025. It's fair to say Todd Payten won't see out the season if he can't find a way to get the best from them. Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden are both representative calibre players, while Jake Clifford is a good game manager. The arrival of Reed Mahoney's big minutes should offset the departure of Reece Robson. Maybe the biggest question for the Cowboys is whether Purdue plays in the centres or at five-eighth. Either way, this spot feels about right for the Townsville-based side. 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. Penrith Panthers Likely first choice spine: Dylan Edwards, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Mitchell Kenny Other options: Jaxen Edgar, Sione Fonua, Jack Cogger, Jack Cole, Billy Scott The Panthers come into the new year looking to more or less pick up where they left off after they dragged themselves from the bottom half way through the year into the finals. They fell short of a fifth straight premiership, but enter the new year with a stable spine. Dylan Edwards performed well below expectations in 2025, but could bounce back, while Blaize Talagi grew into his role as the year went on. Nathan Cleary is one of the best in the game, and Mitch Kenny is certainly among the most solid hookers. Brisbane Broncos Likely first choice spine: Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Ben Hunt Other options: Hayze Perham, Josh Rogers, Thomas Duffy, Billy Walters (injured), Blake Mozer, Cory Paix The Broncos have one of the competition's elite spines, and that was on display throughout, and particularly at the end of, 2025. Reece Walsh is the key, really. He could well be the game's best player by the end of this year if he can find any level of consistency playing anywhere near his best. His final eight weeks of 2025 prove that beyond all reasonable doubt. The halves are a great mix of flare and experience with Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds lining up, and the versatile Ben Hunt adds plenty at hooker, although not a whole lot will be lost if either Cory Paix or Blake Mozer get the nod. Melbourne Storm Likely first choice spine: Sua Fa'alogo, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant Other options: Hugo Peel, Tyran Wishart, Gabriel Satrick The Storm's depth looks skinny heading into 2026, but the talent in the starting group isn't. Despite Ryan Papenhuyzen departing the club, Sua Fa'alogo will slot straight into the number one jumper. The rest of the spine remains the same bunch of excellent players it has been in recent years, with Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant still in purple this year. Stay fit and the sky is the limit once again. Sydney Roosters Likely first choice spine: James Tedesco, Sam Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans, Reece Robson Other options: Rex Bassingthwaighte, Cody Ramsey, Hugo Savala, Toby Rodwell, Jake Elliott, Connor Watson, Benaiah Ioelu The Roosters have the best spine in the NRL, and it's not really all that debatable. James Tedesco was the game's best and most consistent player by a country mile in 2025. Sam Walker, when he came back from injury, looked a million dollars and is now joined by one of the game's most experienced in Daly Cherry-Evans. Reece Robson, who will start the year injured, is an Origin hooker and with good reason. Hard to see the Roosters struggling to find points in 2026, particularly when you look at the quality of their depth.

		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	CBR	24	19	5	44	148
2	MEL	24	17	7	40	212
3	CAN	24	16	8	38	120
4	BRI	24	15	9	36	172
5	CRO	24	15	9	36	109
6	NZW	24	14	10	34	21
7	PEN	24	13	10	33	107
8	SYD	24	13	11	32	132

Ranking every NRL spine for 2026

Who has the best players in the 1, 6, 7 and 9?

15. Newcastle Knights

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