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.
Melbourne Storm: Defence on the edge
Melbourne have been a premiership force every year for the past 20 yearsl since Craig Bellamy has been at the helm. Every year, there are calls of Melbourne's demise - that they will surely the Storm drop out of the top four.
Every year they continue to defy the odds and prove even the most casual fan wrong.
2026 hasn't started the way we predicted for the Storm and they look a shade of themselves.
To win the premiership in 2026, they need to strengthen their right side which has leaked plenty of points this season. If they can defend better out wide, they will go along way to another grand final.
Critta is back now and we can’t rely on 1 player. We have good depth but they are too young right now.