The age-old adage of rugby league is that it is always the best team each season that wins the competition, but what if I told you, it wasn't as clear cut as it seems.
You see to win a premiership, a team needs to have these three main things.
- A good squad and depth in each position
- Good defence
- A bit of luck
We have seen over the past few seasons that the team that wins the minor premiership is not always the team that goes on to win it all on grand final day.
Here is what each team needs to have happen during 2026 to be a chance of lifting the Provan-Summons trophy.
St George Illawarra Dragons: Rely on youth
The Dragons have struggled to be a real force in the competition since their inception in 2000, a merger club made up of the Illawarra Steelers and St George Dragons.
2026 has been a horror start for the Dragons, sacking their coach and yet to challenge on the ladder.
If the Dragons are to turn it around this season, they need some big changes, those changes start with getting rid of the older players and blooding the new.
With Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart and the Couchman brothers, the Dragons could go a long way to winning comps in the future.
The Dragons need key players in key positions and those players need to want to play and show up for this club.
Critta is back now and we can’t rely on 1 player. We have good depth but they are too young right now.