DCE dream, Eels Dally M winner, Haas drama as Broncos crash and two rise to finals: Paul Crawley’s 2026 Predictions

With the NRL season officially kicking off in Vegas this weekend, it’s time to jump off the fence and hand over my predictions for 2026.

Without intending to get anyone upset this early in the season, I will call it as I see it.

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And I see the Roosters winning the comp, the Broncos heading for a fall, the Sharks and the Warriors will miss the eight, and the Rabbitohs and Eels to take their place.

Meanwhile, my crystal ball has a three-way photo finish for the wooden spoon between the Knights, Dragons and Sea Eagles.

And it’s not Manly or Newcastle finishing last.

Another big talking point has surrounded Lachlan Galvin’s future as the Bulldogs’ halfback – and for the life of me I just don’t get what Cameron Ciraldo is trying to do here.

Here’s my thoughts on these major talking points and more.

TOP EIGHT

1. Roosters

2. Storm

3. Panthers

4. Bulldogs

5. Raiders

6. Broncos

7. Rabbitohs

8. Eels

GRAND FINAL TEAMS

Roosters and Panthers

PREMIERS

Roosters

VERDICT

If the Roosters don’t play in the grand final, they will have underachieved.

On the back of the arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans (and Reece Robson when he returns from injury), Trent Robinson has the experience, talent, toughness, strike and, perhaps most importantly of all, the depth at his disposal that blows every other roster in the comp off the park.

I have the Storm and Panthers as their biggest threats, although with a very big question mark hanging over the Storm.

Year after year Craig Bellamy finds a way to make Melbourne finish in the top four.

But the loss of Eli Katoa, and to a lesser degree Nelson Asofa-Solomona, has seriously dented the Storm’s pack.

I’m also concerned how the mental baggage of losing back-to-back grand finals will impact Melbourne moving forward.

As great Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster obviously are, for the past two years the Storm’s new “Big Three” just haven’t delivered when it mattered most like Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk were renowned to do.

PANTHERS’ DYNASTY NOT OVER YET

As for the Panthers, there is no way Ivan Cleary will allow them to get off to the same rotten start they had last year (where they were last on the ladder after 12 rounds).

And Nathan Cleary escaping suspension at the NRL judiciary this week will have them on a high to start fast.

Throw in the fact they butchered a 14-point lead in the prelim final against the Broncos and it will just give them extra motivation as the season rolls on.

For mine they will be playing in their sixth grand final in seven years come the first weekend of October.

IS GALVIN REALLY A HALFBACK?

It will be up to the Bulldogs and Raiders to fight it out for the other spot in the top four.

People are underestimating the depth of the Raiders’ forwards, and they have speed to burn in the backs.

They just need young halfback Ethan Sanders to aim up and it would not shock to again see them finish top four and challenge for the title.

We also know the Bulldogs are a hell of a tough and gritty side, but I still don’t see how Galvin will be the answer at No.7 to take them to the next level.

Don’t get me wrong, Galvin is obviously an extremely gifted player, and he will only get better with age.

But watching him in the trials, and especially the way he handed over control of the team to Sean O’Sullivan after Matt Burton was injured, it seems obvious to everyone bar Ciraldo that Galvin’s best position is not as the dominant halfback.

If he was playing five-eighth or as a ball playing lock it would be a different story.

BRONCOS HEADING FOR A FALL

Now to last year’s premiers and I expect the Broncos to drop down the ladder on the back of Payne Haas’ bombshell decision.

The fact is if you don’t finish in the top four you don’t win the comp.

Before Haas signed with Souths, I had the Broncos in my top four and I gave them a huge chance of going back-to-back.

But despite the denials there is no issue between Haas and Michael Maguire, Haas wouldn’t be leaving for the same money if he was truly happy.

Watching this unfold as the season progresses will be one of the major storylines of the year.

RABBITOHS AND EELS ON THE RISE

In comparison, I reckon Haas’ signing has put a spring in 76-year-old Wayne Bennett’s step judging by what we saw from Souths in the trials.

The Eels are the other team I seeing jumping out of the ground to make the eight providing Mitchell Moses stays fit. The arrival of young Jonah Pezet is also a major boost.

NO SHARKS, NO WARRIORS

Now for those who don’t make the cut, and I don’t have room for the Sharks and Warriors (who did make the eight last year).

It’s not that I don’t rate them, but you simply can’t pick them all.

If I’m being honest, I reckon the Sharks’ roster is just looking a bit stale and in need of a shake-up. I also have doubts if their halves can take the next step in the big end of season games.

In respect to the Dolphins (who just about everyone has playing finals this year), I feel like a goose not picking them given you just know Isaiya Katoa is destined for greatness.

But even so, I think a fit Mitchell Moses right now puts the Eels ahead of them, while if Latrell and Cody stay fit the Bunnies have the strike to do anything, especially with the inclusion on the left edge of big David Fifita.

CLIVE CHURCHILL MEDAL WINNER

Sam Walker

When the Roosters first signed DCE I thought it was a mistake given how well Hugo Savala played last year.

The other concern was that it could stop Walker taking charge of the team and taking his game to the next level.

But that short glimpse of Walker and DCE uniting in the trials was enough to convince me having DCE to take some of the pressure off Walker in the play-to-play running of the team will only make Walker an even greater threat when opportunity presents itself.

At 23, Walker will come of age this year and it would not surprise to see him finish the season with a Clive Churchill Medal hanging around his neck.

DALLY M PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Mitchell Moses

We saw when Moses returned from injury last year what a difference he made to the Eels.

Moses will also benefit in the race for the Dally M by the fact he is the clear standout in his team.

Top players at the stronger clubs are more likely to compete for Dally M points from week-to-week.

DALLY M COACH OF THE YEAR

If the Roosters go on the run most expect, it puts Trent Robinson in the box seat for this award.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Heamasi Makasini (Tigers)

You only had to watch that barnstorming try this young tearaway scored in the trial against the Panthers when he steamrolled Dylan Edwards to know the Tigers have unleashed something very special.

At 18, Makasini also scored three tries in the trial against the Roosters to show why he has the potential to be one of the stars of the next generation.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

Ashton Ward

With the race for the Rabbitohs’ No.7 jumper wide open heading into last week’s trial against Manly, Ashton Ward made a statement that he is ready to become a regular and long-term NRL player.

At 22, the Gerringong junior still looks like he’d need to show his ID walking into a pub.

But as we saw with some of his performances last year, he’s super tough and incredibly courageous – with enough speed to be a threat running the ball.

With another pre-season under his belt, taking charge of a backline with such incredible strike could catapult Ward into elite company.

Two weeks ago I was confident Bud Sullivan would be the Bunnies’ No 7 this season.

But through injury Ward got his shot, and I don’t see how Bennett can drop him on the back of the Manly game.

If he starts the season, Ward will be incredibly hard to move because the kid is just so tough and willing to put his body on the line and go after the contest.

MOST IMPROVED TEAM

Even though I have the Rabbitohs and Eels playing finals this year, the Titans are another team that could surprise a lot of people.

After finishing on equal competition points with the last-placed Knights last year, there is already a clear indication the attitude within the club has changed dramatically under new coach Josh Hannay.

Talent was never their issue, attitude was.

RACE FOR THE SPOON

It’s always fraught with danger tipping what team will finish last this early in the season.

But you’ve got to call it how you see it.

And right now I see it as a clear three-way shootout between the Knights, Dragons and Sea Eagles in the fight for the wooden spoon.

I just think out of all the NRL squads, the Dragons have the most limited roster, and their lack of strike must be a major concern for Shane Flanagan.

The Knights will improve under Justin Holbrook and at some point Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga will get them on a roll.

While the Sea Eagles won’t finish last if Tom Trbojevic can stay healthy, which I really hope is the case.

There isn’t a player in the comp who deserves a change of luck more than Turbo.

BEST RECRUIT

Daly Cherry-Evans

Not a bad pick up for the reported $500,000 the Roosters are paying Cherry-Evans – roughly the same money as Manly are now paying Jamal Fogarty.

RECRUIT UNDER MOST PRESSURE

For all the great things Jamal Fogarty did at the Raiders, his inability to deliver in the big moments at the backend of last season has really put the blowtorch on him going into a three-year deal at Manly.

Don’t forget the Sea Eagles also have handy young halfback in Joey Walsh chomping at the bit to get a go.

COACHES IN FIRING LINE

Todd Payten and Anthony Seibold

It’s an each-way bet in the market to be first coach sacked.

The fact Willie Peters has also put himself back in the spotlight after Hull KR’s shock World Club Challenge win over the Broncos just ups the pressure coming into the season.

The reality is Peters will get a job in the NRL sooner rather than later, which means neither Payten or Seibold can afford a slow start or heads will roll.

WORLD CUP WINNER

New Zealand

The Kiwis were outstanding in last year’s end-of-season Pacific Championships and they deserve to go into the World Cup as the team to beat.

On the other hand, Australia was disappointing despite the Kangaroos’ convincing three-Test wins over England.

The fact the Poms were so bloody awful doesn’t make Australia impressive, regardless of how some wanted to sell it immediately after the series.