The 2026 NRL season is approaching, and it could well be one of the most wide-open campaigns in recent history.
While arguments could be made for why plenty of teams are in the mix for the premiership, realistically, there are only a small handful likely to take out the Provan-Summons trophy on that first Sunday in October.
The usual suspects - the teams who have dominated recent seasons - are all likely to be in the mix again, but there is also a smokey or two in the mix.
Here are the teams that can win the premiership in 2026.
5. South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs are maybe our smokey on this list, and in truth, there was consideration given to another bottom-half finisher from 2025 in the Dolphins.
We think the Redcliffe-based side, while in the finals this year, might be at least 12 months away from competing for a premiership, though.
The same can't be said for Wayne Bennett's Rabbitohs.
South Sydney had the NRL's heaviest injury toll during 2025, and at points, in their record-breaking - not a record you want, mind you - season, struggled to fill out their squad on a Tuesday afternoon.
The Rabbitohs played the entire season without Cameron Murray, rarely had their first-choice spine on the field, and struggled all over the park.
If they can sort out their injuries and have Jye Gray kick on at fullback, a premiership push could well be on the cards in the coming 12 months.
It would be an incredible rise from their bottom-four finish of 2025, but it hardly looks that much of a stretch on paper, at least.
Souths do NOT have as much of a chance to win compared to the Canberra Raiders and the Bulldogs.
They definitely have more of a chance than Canterbury if they stay fit. What area do the dogs have that’s better than the bunnies?
Might just be the Bunnies fan in me, but I hope the DCE move goes so wrong that by the end of the season, people are discussing whether or not the cocks should relocate.