The wheeling and dealing has been done, the first half of pre-season training is over, and the serious stuff for 2026 is just around the corner.
Players have begun settling at their new clubs after moving during the off-season, but some are under a lot more pressure than the rest.
From big-money recruits, to those thrust into key roles, and others who will essentially be playing for their careers, there are plenty of players who will be in focus throughout the course of the upcoming campaign at new clubs.
Here are our most under-pressure players for 2026.
3. Leo Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs)
The Bulldogs have taken a big gamble in looking to add to their forward pack for 2026 by adding Leo Thompson from the Newcastle Knights.
There is absolutely no doubting the potential of Thompson to become an elite front-rower in this competition.
To this stage of his career, though, it would be tough to mount a case that he has played at a level his new contract, believed to be worth around $800,000 per year, demands.
And he heads to Canterbury, likely tasked with leading the forward pack. He adds size the Belmore-based outfit desperately needed, but has a long way to go to be at the level and standard the Bulldogs have played at in recent years.
You can't win a competition without size in the forwards, so the move for the Bulldogs is understandable, but Thompson is under a mountain of pressure in 2026.
I’d argue Brown isn’t the most under pressure. Sure he signed that massive deal but he’s going to the team that finished last. The injuries Newcastle had to key players and real lack of offensive threat is why they were last. They won’t be last again so he’ll be seen as a success in the short term. I’d argue Thompson and DCE are under more pressure, maybe DCE at number 1. The roosters have signed him and risked the likes of Savala and already lost Smith. Thompson as well was signed on potential for huge money and is going to a top 4 side who’s pack has often been criticised. He has to step up and be the main star in the pack which he has struggled to do on a consistent basis. He’s aggressive but lacks the go forward of other elite middles. Thompson is expected to help turn the dogs into a grand final side and DCE is expected to also turn the roosters into a top 4 side and premiership side again where as Brown is expected to lift the knights off the bottom of the table and judging by comments online people are tipping them to be last again even with the very strong recruitment they’ve done.