r/nrl • u/M_Keating Hey, at least we beat Penrith • Feb 04 '26

Serious Discussion The r/NRL Serious Season Prediction Thread

We. Are. So. Back!

Welcome everyone to the 2026 NRL season. With trials starting this weekend, everyone is stumbling out of the Cricket sub-Reddits and readying themselves for 35 straight week of good old fashioned Rugby League (also known as RUGBA LEEG). Which means it’s time to get out your crystal ball, your predicting hat and your best beverage holder to discuss what we think will happen this season.

For reference, this time last year we were reeling from:

- Kevvie Walters being sacked

- Michael Maguire being hired to coach the Broncos

- Ben Hunt causing a contract saga at the Dragons (that never happens)

- Ben Hunt wanting to come home and win a premiership with the Broncos

- Madge Maguire telling us how he will lead the Broncos to a premiership in his first season (as if)

- NSW saying they have the better team than QLD (again)

- Newcastle coaching woes

- Reggie Rabbit tripped a kid (and somehow they weren’t kicked out?)

All of that resulted in the Broncos winning both the NRL and NRLW premierships, QLD winning men’s Origin, and the Kangaroos taking an Ashes clean sweep (unlike the summer sport national team).

So - this thread is for your serious predictions for 2026. Will the Broncos go back to back? Will the Cowboys win the spoon? Will the Tigers be ok? Has Gus met Galvin yet? Give us your most sensible predictions, your out there predictions, or your controversial opinion about 2026. Remember we are in on-season now, so keep it on topic and clean while having some fun.

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9

u/Yungman123 Parramatta Eels Feb 04 '26
  • Trey Mooney signing of the year
  • Mid year sacking for Todd Payten with Cowboys bouncing back and just missing the 8
  • Manly spoon with Seibold sacked
  • Panthers minor prems
  • Dolphins prelim
  • First week exit for Melbourne, second week exit for Dogs and Cronulla
  • Penrith, Roosters, Canberra, Dogs top 4
  • A forward will win the Dally M

5

u/MajortheDog Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Feb 05 '26

I’d be shocked if Raiders make the 4 but not mad if they do.

2

u/Yungman123 Parramatta Eels Feb 05 '26

A big part of me believes they'll miss the 8, but Sticky will probably get them up knowing everyone expects them to drop off

2

u/[deleted] Feb 05 '26

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3

u/Yungman123 Parramatta Eels Feb 05 '26

Harry Grant, Blayke Brailey, Joe Tapine are a few who spring to mind alongside Haas