A new year has arrived, with some teams looking to carry on the good times of the last 12 months, and others looking for a 180-degree turn.
Rugby league is a sport full of storylines both on and off the field, and the season ahead will be shaped by some obvious, and some not so obvious ones.
Here are the ten storylines that will shape 2026.
Todd Payten's future
Of all the coaches heading into the 2026 season, it would appear that there are none more under pressure than Todd Payten.
When you run the rule over the bottom half of the 2025 ladder, the Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans have new coaches in Justin Holbrook and Josh Hannay respectively, Shane Flanagan has just re-signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons, Wayne Bennett is safe as a house at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Benji Marshall has more issues to worry about than his future, Jason Ryles has the Eels on the bounce and Kristian Woolf is also safe.
Anthony Seibold at the Manly Sea Eagles is the only other coach where you'd raise an eyebrow on the safety chart, but Payten is certainly the one to follow.
A 12th place finish for a team that should have been in the top eight last year simply wasn't good enough, but inconsistency, eyebrow-raising selections and underperformance have been far too prevalent during his stint as the main man in Townsville.
Expect the pressure gauge to climb quickly on Payten if the Cowboys don't have a brilliant start to 2026.
Hey mate, great article – looking forward to how it all plays out…
Supposing they sack Laurie Daley, I don’t really know who will be able to take the reins at the Blues and take them to somewhere good – I suppose that’s why they had no choice but to put Daley back into the role despite his infamous history with the side.
While you mentioned the likes of Seibold and Payten’s careers on the line, I did notice, as you are indeed a Dragons fan, Scott, that you conveniently forgot to mention Flano. Odds on him lasting the year? I’m saying he’ll be gone by October. Your thoughts, mate?
Cynthia, the article quietly said “Shane Flanagan has just re-signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons”.
I think he will be safe for this year, and for next year too unless the club gets the spoon. Management recognise that no-one can turn around a club in a few seasons: the new manager needs to get rid of underperformers and guys who don’t want to work with him, and hire guys who do.
Yep – Flanno definitely safe for this year.
Re injuries at Souths and recruitment at Perth.
I believe that the unacknowledged key man at every club is the Strength and Conditioning coach. Get a good one and the injury toll is lower; get a poor one and the casualty ward is standing room only.
Well, that’s the way it seems to me, and I’d like to know who currently fills the role at Souths, and who the Perth Bears hire.