2026 NRL Predictions

Big Pete said:
Supposedly Gray is locked in at fullback, with Latrell shifting to left centre. I'm not sure where that leaves Wighton, whether Wayne will play him on the right-side with Graham going to the wing but it definitely appears to be a surplus to their needs.

They did extremely well to avoid the spoon last year. They had so much going against them, but Wayne was just able to eek out enough wins to get them over the line. I'm not convinced if they'll pull a 180. If they do make the 8, I expect it will be barely just and they'll be horribly inconsistent.

If Latrell and Cody can stay on the field, that left edge is going to win them a lot of games. With Fifita in toe, that's a lot of strike.

In the long term, they still need to sort their 7 and 9 out. Those two can do a job but I'm not convinced they have a higher ceiling.
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If Gray is playing fullback then I'm not sure they make the 8... I think it would last a month or so and Wayne would pull the plug on it and Latrell to fullback or pull a Hodgo where he defends at centre but plays fullback inside the 20m... except Gray wouldn't be great filling in at centre.

Wayne already had Cody off the bench last year, so it feels like he's trying to nurse him through already.

If their two strike players cant play 80mins in their best positions then they might be in trouble.
 
Think gray gives you far better consistancy performance wise than latrell who can go missing
 
The souths halves are pretty dreadful. They have the choice of 7. Humphreys, 6. Walker or 7. Walker, 6. Wighton. Both options have pretty shocking kicking games and organisation
 
BroncsFan said:
If Gray is playing fullback then I'm not sure they make the 8... I think it would last a month or so and Wayne would pull the plug on it and Latrell to fullback or pull a Hodgo where he defends at centre but plays fullback inside the 20m... except Gray wouldn't be great filling in at centre.

Wayne already had Cody off the bench last year, so it feels like he's trying to nurse him through already.

If their two strike players cant play 80mins in their best positions then they might be in trouble.
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It appears Bennett learned his lesson from last year. I don't think he was sold on Gray and wanted to give Trell the opportunity to nail down the #1 and it didn't work out. Gray is locked in long term so he'll receive an extended go and I think he'll go well.

I completely forgot about the Cheese. I see him as a 14 and he could prove valuable coming in for either Murray or Mamouzelos.

I still see them as a fringe top 8 side but his inclusion certainly adds to their case.
 
Supposedly this is the line-up the Titans are training with.

1. Keano Kini
2. Siale Faeamani
3. Max Feagai
4. Phillip Sami
5. Jojo Fifita
6. AJ Brimson
7. Jayden Campbell
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Sam Verrills
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
11. Josh Patston
12. Beau Fermor
13. Chad Randall

With de Groot filling in at centre and pushing Sami to the wing as an alternative.

I'd expect the trials will iron a few things out but it's looking rough for Hannay.
 
Big Pete said:
Supposedly this is the line-up the Titans are training with.

1. Keano Kini
2. Siale Faeamani
3. Max Feagai
4. Phillip Sami
5. Jojo Fifita
6. AJ Brimson
7. Jayden Campbell
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Sam Verrills
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
11. Josh Patston
12. Beau Fermor
13. Chad Randall

With de Groot filling in at centre and pushing Sami to the wing as an alternative.

I'd expect the trials will iron a few things out but it's looking rough for Hannay.
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5 guys that their last names finish with an 'I'
And 2 with an A.

More than half finishing with vowels...

Is that a record for a Australian league team?
 
Big Pete said:
It appears Bennett learned his lesson from last year. I don't think he was sold on Gray and wanted to give Trell the opportunity to nail down the #1 and it didn't work out. Gray is locked in long term so he'll receive an extended go and I think he'll go well.

I completely forgot about the Cheese. I see him as a 14 and he could prove valuable coming in for either Murray or Mamouzelos.

I still see them as a fringe top 8 side but his inclusion certainly adds to their case.
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Yep I completely forgot about Smith as well... another rep player to add to their stacked squad.

I'm not entirely sold on Gray just yet... he's got a lot of great characteristics for a fullback, but it feels like he's just missing something in attack and when you're losing what Latrell brings to fullback you better be providing the points.

It's why I think Bennett will figure out a way to have Latrell as fullback in attack, but Gray in defence, kick returns, etc.

Thinking about it off the top of my head, they could go Cody and Wighton as the halves, Gray at fullback and Latrell left centre... instead of Gray switching with Latrell, Wighton switches and plays left centre.

Then you can have Latrell being the fullback linking with Cody and Gray can just park on the right in the same way that Edwards just sits on the right in the panthers attack, but he's just playing as a half, which he did through his juniors.


In terms of souths overall I think they will be interesting to watch this year... Bennett no doubt has the squad, but the new meta is supreme fitness... that's not something Latrell, Cody, etc. have been known for... and other guys across his squad who are known for that keep picking up niggling soft tissue injuries.

Bennett also wraps his guys in cotton wool and expects them to turn up on the weekend... it will be interesting to see if that approach will be enough or if he has changed to catch up with the meta.
 
Big Pete said:
Supposedly this is the line-up the Titans are training with.

1. Keano Kini
2. Siale Faeamani
3. Max Feagai
4. Phillip Sami
5. Jojo Fifita
6. AJ Brimson
7. Jayden Campbell
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Sam Verrills
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
11. Josh Patston
12. Beau Fermor
13. Chad Randall

With de Groot filling in at centre and pushing Sami to the wing as an alternative.

I'd expect the trials will iron a few things out but it's looking rough for Hannay.
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Yeah it looks dire for the titans this year... their best players are 3 different kinds of fullback shoe horned into the team... and Tino looks one foot out the door.

He has to get Cooper Bai into the team... don't care if it's 13 or in the second row, but he's their next big thing... maybe he's lining him up to come off the bench, but it shouldn't just be token 10-15mins.

There's a chance Hannay is trying to do the same as Kevvie with Walsh, and have him get into the team through Qcup... but he's a gun and likely replaces Patston or Randall at some point anyway.

But if he leaves it too late he could be vultured before he gets to that point.
 
BroncsFan said:
Yeah it looks dire for the titans this year... their best players are 3 different kinds of fullback shoe horned into the team... and Tino looks one foot out the door.

He has to get Cooper Bai into the team... don't care if it's 13 or in the second row, but he's their next big thing... maybe he's lining him up to come off the bench, but it shouldn't just be token 10-15mins.

There's a chance Hannay is trying to do the same as Kevvie with Walsh, and have him get into the team through Qcup... but he's a gun and likely replaces Patston or Randall at some point anyway.

But if he leaves it too late he could be vultured before he gets to that point.
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He reportedly already has been vultured but is thinking of reneging.

I’m not a fan of Brimson at 6, he should be centre or fullback or not in the team. They got Ilias, they should use him even if it ends up not working out because he is their only actual halfback. Campbell could work at 6.

As for the Rabbits, I really like Gray at fullback, he’s very good defensively to a little man but I suspect teams will work him out pretty quickly if he’s got the full time gig. My issue with Souths is they have too many guys who are rocks or diamonds and won’t put in the effort when things go sideways. I also think the game has long gone past Bennett but we’ll see.
 
Trump to let in Lodge? lol

IMG_0440.jpeg


My prediction is yes of course he will lol
 
PVL doesn't mind kissing ass... just stroke the orange toddlers ego and he'll do anything for you.

Just tell him that NFL is a tougher sport and US are the greatest ever
 
They should take the whole 1st round global - not just limiting it to Vegas.
 
Titans have to use Ilias. I still think there is some good potential there with him. Whether he finds that level at the Tits is another thing, but there is something there.

I still think its unbalanced, but I'd look at AJ for centres or try get him to put on some kegs and play that heavy ball playing lock role. Even a 14 possibly but he is probably earning too much to be a 14.

1. Kini
6. Campbell
7. Ilias

AJ in 3/4 or 13/14.. Only thing if you do shoehorn him into the FWDs you are disrupting what is a pretty handy pack. So even while typing this out I think I'd just play him centres.
 
Im just starting to look at projected teams with their depth etc and I might be leaning to the Roosters winning it all at this stage. I like their roster.

Of course the Broncos, Panthers and Storm will be there abouts.

Not sure the Broncos can go back to back. Takes alot out of teams and I dont think they are as good as the previous penrith teams that did it. Will the hunger be there again right away? Not sure. They might be just that dynamic.

Storm key outs and not sure they have an extra gear. They need Hughes healthy and thats a question mark.

Penrith will be there again you would think. Not making it back will drive them. Great system but there main guys have played alot of footy.

Bulldogs. I dont trust their spine. Will win a tonne of games though.

Canberra. I dont even have them making the 8.

The others just dont see it. Warriors maybe but they arent dynamic enough in the backs. Especially with their half coming back from injury.
 
I think it will be us and the panthers as the front runners. Canberra could make things interesting but it depends on life post fogarty + everyone being a bit wiser on them. They will be studied a lot closer and we'll see if a lot of their young guys can make the next step - similar to Walsh in the last few years.

Roosters and Parra are dark horses but im not sure they have the arsenal to do it.

Melbourne will be consistent as always but I think the losses of paps, pezet, nas and the psychological blow of losing b2b grand finals will take their toll. Munster and Hughes are both into their 30s now and are heavily reliant on their athleticism for their games to be effective. Dont rule them out but no one is at the top forever and given Bellamy is probably on his last season, it may have the opposite effect.

I dont see anyone else challenging.
 
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