2026 NRL General Discussion Thread

[The Strapper]

NRL has announced no Friday game in finals week 2, Sat night and Sunday arvo games only.

That is how it used to be years ago but then nein demanded a friday night game and the nrl duly bent over.
Don't know what has changed but I like it.
Hope the prelim finals are also sat and sunday too.
Now all we need is for the grand final to go back to sunday arvo as well but that is probably hoping for too much.

 

[Foordy]

I've got to say that the NRL are a bit lazy with their Vegas advertising campaign.

For the 2026 Vegas game ad, they're using the exact same script with the exact same video ... the only changes are the year / dates and Russell Crowe has been replaced by some woman

https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/09/09/this-is-rugby-league/

 

[ningnangnong]

Am I the only one who is over the whole Vegas thing?

I hope the Broncos never have to do that shit again.

 

[Dexter]

Am I the only one who is over the whole Vegas thing?

I hope the Broncos never have to do that shit again.

As long as the crowd travels it probably stays on the calendar.
Even some talk of other cities bidding for the games because of the tourist influx.

 

[Waynesaurus]

So does this mean we won't have to listen to him on FOX anymore?

Dragons appoint Michael Ennis as Assistant Coach

The Dragons are pleased to announce that Michael Ennis will join the club as an Assistant Coach for 2026.

www.dragons.com.au

 

[BroncsFan]

So does this mean we won't have to listen to him on FOX anymore?

Dragons appoint Michael Ennis as Assistant Coach

The Dragons are pleased to announce that Michael Ennis will join the club as an Assistant Coach for 2026.

www.dragons.com.au

Doubtful... hes been an assistant coach at like 5 different clubs at this point.

I think that may have been specialist hooker, so unsure if this one is a permanent assistant role.

If so then we may be done with him in commentary which would be great

 

[kman]

Ive read that Latell Mitchell has pulled out of the Australian squad due to injury. Surely that lazy, injury ridden, overrated show off wasn't getting picked.

 

[BroncsFan]

Ive read that Latell Mitchell has pulled out of the Australian squad due to injury. Surely that lazy, injury ridden, overrated show off wasn't getting picked.

Will there be anyone left

Feel for Kev... ARL/NRL have let it get to the point where players arent signing up most likely because they dont want the disruption to the NRL regular season more than anything.

Im assuming the tour takes place around November, so theyre not back to preseason training until January after required time off and then playing catch up to get their fitness up

 

[Sproj]

I'll have a go at an Aus side:
1. Walsh
2. Coates
3. Staggs
4. Toia / Shibasaki
5. Lomax
6. Munster
7. Moses / Cleary
8. Carrigan
9. Grant
10. Tino
11. Young
12. Martin
13. Yeo

14. Dearden / Burton
15. Collins
16. Cotter
17. Koloamatagi / Crichton

I'm forgetting someone/s obvious aren't I.

 

[LittleDavey]

I'll have a go at an Aus side:
1. Walsh
2. Coates
3. Staggs
4. Toia / Shibasaki
5. Lomax
6. Munster
7. Moses / Cleary
8. Carrigan
9. Grant
10. Tino
11. Young
12. Martin
13. Yeo

14. Dearden / Burton
15. Collins
16. Cotter
17. Koloamatagi / Crichton

I'm forgetting someone/s obvious aren't I.

**** that, pick no Broncos.

Teddy or Edwards at #1, I don't care who else plays in the centres and put anyone else at #8.

 

[john1420]

Am I the only one who is over the whole Vegas thing?

I hope the Broncos never have to do that shit again.

I was never a fan in the first place. Dumb idea from a dumb administration, led by the dumbest of all.

 

[Organix]

Am I the only one who is over the whole Vegas thing?

I hope the Broncos never have to do that shit again.

I hate it as a concept. I hate even more that the Broncos were ever involved. Ruins any kind of pre-season, and basically serves as Mad Monday for the start of the season.

 

[Foordy]

I hate it as a concept. I hate even more that the Broncos were ever involved. Ruins any kind of pre-season, and basically serves as Mad Monday for the start of the season.

Unless you get a draw like the Raiders

 

[Organix]

Unless you get a draw like the Raiders

People in Canberra and getting kissed on the dick. Iconic duo.

 

[BroncosFever]

Am I the only one who is over the whole Vegas thing?

I hope the Broncos never have to do that shit again.

There's no doubt it derails the season of a few teams, not many come back better for it.

Penrith never got out of the blocks this year. Us last year.

 

[Sproj]

In fairness, Canberra didn’t have their first bye until after everyone else and are 7-1 against top 8 sides.

They deserve premiership favouritism.

 

[Foordy]

In fairness, Canberra didn’t have their first bye until after everyone else and are 7-1 against top 8 sides.

They deserve premiership favouritism.

Although they have only played one top eight side since round 13 ... That's not the best preparation for finals.

They've also played the Dragons, Knights and Tigers twice each since round 13

 

[Sproj]

Although they have only played one top eight side since round 13 ... That's not the best preparation for finals.

They've also played the Dragons, Knights and Tigers twice each since round 13

For sure but I thought the same with Geelong v Lions and we got belted because they were fresh and we were pretty banged up.