The 2026 NRL season is set to kick-off on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, with 16 teams out to chase the Brisbane Broncos in the new campaign.
Every club will see key reasons why they can and can't perform in 2026, and Zero Tackle have pulled the key one on each side of the coin.
The Dolphins
Why they can: All-out attacking star power
The Dolphins move into the 2026 season with high expectations, welcoming back Tom Gilbert and Thomas Flegler blisters their forward stocks, a pack which is well-balanced and strong on paper.
The addition of a fit-looking Selwyn Cobbo into the backline adds star power to an already stacked line-up, including Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, Jamayne Isaako and Jake Averillo.
Promising halfback Isaiya Katoa is going from strength to strength will only see the side improve on the field. It'll be about how they can get the most out of livewire Trai Fuller into the side in an already busy backline.
Why they can't: Lack of big-game experience
The halves pairing in Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima haven't got much experience in big finals games, especially the young halfback. All the best sides who go on to win the premiership have halves who have already been there, done that.
It might not be the Dolphins' year if they make it into September, but they will be better for it with more experience Katoa gets in the big games.
The Dolphins' spine, in general, don't have a bunch of NRL Finals experience, with Tabuai-Fidow carrying the mantle of playing for Queensland Maroons as the player with the most experience.
Objective: To say in one article what everyone else says, and to say what everyone else does _not_ say.
Who said that ? Was it Nietzsche ?
Well, whoever it was, he’d be proud to have written this one, Scott.