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 does a full strength pack mean for Tallis Duncan and Lachlan Hubner?
Exactly where Tallis Duncan and Lachlan Hubner fit in this year is slightly up in the air.
At the start of 2025, with Cameron Murray set to miss the entirety of the campaign, Duncan was tipped as the most likely replacement at lock, but Wayne Bennett pulled a surprise.
Duncan turned himself into more of an edge, playing a mix of second-row and centre, while Hubner became the lock.
Duncan's transformation and obvious talent means he will likely be in the second-row with David Fifita on the other side of the park, while Hubner may be reduced to a bench role, but one would expect he will still feature heavily throughout 2026.
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.