The South Sydney Rabbitohs arrive in 2026 looking for redemption after a campaign ruined by injury.
At their best, and more importantly, fittest, they should be able to find it as well.
The fact they didn't pick up the wooden spoon in 2025 is actually something of a minor miracle.
Souths broke every record known to the NRL for the number of weeks spent sidelined across their top squad, but breakout seasons for a number of youngsters, as well as questions never answered properly in 2025, mean there is plenty for coach Wayne Bennett to work out heading into the new year.
Here are the key selection questions for the Rabbitohs ahead of 2026.
What position does Campbell Graham play?
Mitchell being in the centres creates an intriguing predicament for the Maroubra-based outfit, although not one that the club couldn't have seen coming the moment they signed Jack Wighton from the Canberra Raiders.
Utilising the former Clive Churchill Medallist in the centres always carried risk for Graham if Mitchell was ever forced to shuffle back there.
While Graham himself has had major injury issues in recent seasons, he was, at one point, an almost guarantee for the Origin side. He is one of the best defensive centres in the competition both in vision and in work rate, and so his move to the wing in 2026 will raise some eyebrows.
Ultimately, he will do no worse on the wing, he is just that sort of player, but there is a train of thought which suggests South Sydney will miss a trick by not having him in the three-quarters.
These are problems for the first few weeks only. One or two players are bound to get injured, and that will – effectively – make the decisions for the coach.