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.
Melbourne Storm
Why they can: It's the Melbourne Storm
The last time the Storm missed the top eight was 2010, and since then they've lifted three premiership trophies, proving their dominance.
Last season they just fell short, undone by a fired-up Brisbane Broncos and an electric performance from Reece Walsh, showing how close they always are.
Their spine, led by Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, is experienced, composed, and capable of controlling games under pressure.
With Craig Bellamy still at the helm, hungry to bring the premiership home one more time, the Storm remain a well-oiled machine and perennial premiership contender.
Why they can't: Unable to fill the void of missing players
The absence of Eliesa Katoa leaves a huge hole in their forward pack, as he was one of their best players last year, a dominant ball runner and key attacking threat.
Having lost two straight grand finals, there's a risk that fatigue—both physical and mental—could creep into the squad this year.
Key departures, including Ryan Papenhuyzen, mean the team must rebuild combinations, raising the question of how long it will take for the Storm to regain their usual relentless momentum and attacking rhythm
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.