2026 Squad

[Equaliser]

As I stated above RLP website and proves my point with very detailed stats that only twice since the current Top 4 format in the last 14 seasons has a side made the Grand Final from spots 5-8 and one side made it in 1996 so 3 out of 15 seasons. When it was McIntyre system a bolter was a chance with 5 times out of 13. McIntyre was done away with after 2011 when Warriors who came 6th lost 40-10 to 3rd place Broncos but because teams 7-8 both lost got another chance and somehow made the GF. In 2009 Saints minor premiers lost week 1 to Jarryd Hayne and all the sudden in week 2 playing an away semi against a side who finished below them. Again all advantage to the top 4.

The other reason it's a must for top 4 as evident by Brisbane and Penrith as case studies Penrith who tried to freshen up by resting against Canterbury before the semis still had to travel to away venues in Auckland and Brisbane. Once Broncos got that win in Canberra largely due to many own goals by Ricky Stuart they were virtually there and V'Landys didn't even hide his script either. Canterbury in 1995 had 3 advantages one of which they were in the GF year before so more seasoned naturally Penrith a seasoned side and Canterbury despite finishing 6th were able to park themselves at the SFS for the finals series and teams came to play them plus it helps having the best player in the game which they had at the time.

For Dolphins or any club to win a premiership they need to finish Top 4.

I think one club from 5~8 will win one day but yeah, we have to aim for a top 4 finish.

 

[257Matt]

I think one club from 5~8 will win one day but yeah, we have to aim for a top 4 finish.

We all think that the reality is that it's getting harder and harder. Only one premiership winner ever being 1995 when the venue structure suited the Sydney based sides and only two grand finalist runners up both smashed in the grand final under the current format of the last 14 seasons. So many thought Roosters and Penrith would be the outsiders to make the finals charge Roosters went out barely offering resistance and Penrith ran out of petrol.

Making the finals gives you hope the reality is the winners and the likely grand finalists come from 1-4.

Dolphins make the top 4 they're a real show for two reasons.
1. Last 2 years they're 5 from 6 coming off a bye they handle that really well only loss was against Sharks this year a JMK mistake away from 6/6
2. They love playing at Suncorp

 

[Equaliser]

We all think that the reality is that it's getting harder and harder. Only one premiership winner ever being 1995 when the venue structure suited the Sydney based sides and only two grand finalist runners up both smashed in the grand final under the current format of the last 14 seasons. So many thought Roosters and Penrith would be the outsiders to make the finals charge Roosters went out barely offering resistance and Penrith ran out of petrol.

Making the finals gives you hope the reality is the winners and the likely grand finalists come from 1-4.

Dolphins make the top 4 they're a real show for two reasons.
1. Last 2 years they're 5 from 6 coming off a bye they handle that really well only loss was against Sharks this year a JMK mistake away from 6/6
2. They love playing at Suncorp

Winners are likely to come from the top 4. Almost certainly. But it's because the best teams typically make the top 4 not because lower teams can't win 4 games in a row. I thought Roosters and Penrith were a chance this year. I don't know what happened to the Roosters in the first week but we all know Penrith were very close to at least making the GF.

 

[Chris]

I've never used AI.

Rugby League Project website.

Got a link?

 

[257Matt]

Got a link?

Rugby League Project - Home of the history of the NRL, Super League, Challenge Cup and more - RLP

Round 22 results in the 2025 NRL competition.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org

 

[Chris]

Rugby League Project - Home of the history of the NRL, Super League, Challenge Cup and more - RLP

Round 22 results in the 2025 NRL competition.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org

Xie xie. Get used to it.

They must be using AI to compile all that info.

 

[Chris]

Media is going crazy over the Broncos. Talking about "a new dynasty". Can't wait until we play them. Our only weakness is Hammer's lack of ball playing ability compared to Walsh and all the top fullbacks.

 

[mr_c]

Media is going crazy over the Broncos. Talking about "a new dynasty". Can't wait until we play them. Our only weakness is Hammer's lack of ball playing ability compared to Walsh and all the top fullbacks.

lol hammer offers things others dont like walsh like any fullback , none the top fullbacks , over the years were like the fullbacks of today ffs , media just beating there ..... to hard one minute the hate walsh next minute the love him

 

[Gary]

Media is going crazy over the Broncos. Talking about "a new dynasty". Can't wait until we play them. Our only weakness is Hammer's lack of ball playing ability compared to Walsh and all the top fullbacks.

To be fair the broncos should be on the cusp of a dynasty, they are the financial powerhouse of the nrl , it’s a disgrace to have only picked up 1 gf win in 19 years along with a spoon, they should always be top 4 . We will be in a gf in next 4 years.

 

[Blockade]

Media is going crazy over the Broncos. Talking about "a new dynasty". Can't wait until we play them. Our only weakness is Hammer's lack of ball playing ability compared to Walsh and all the top fullbacks.

I'm not sure if they are "dynasty" material. They looked pretty ordinary for portions of all three of their finals games. The difference being Reece Walsh who was basically a one man wrecking crew. Even their comeback victory v Dolphins wouldn't have happened if not for the Walsh factor. Their squad isn't anything special, but strong enough to win the 2025 title. That came out of nowhere as no one predicted the Broncos to be champs this year.

But, they'll be in the hunt again in 2026. But, so will Melb, Penrith and Cronulla. Canberra are a young squad and will certainly contend again. The Dolphins, if not decimated by injury, will be a huge threat. Dynasties are hard to come by in the salary cap world and we aren't going to witness two in the matter of a decade.

 

[Chris]

I'm not sure if they are "dynasty" material. They looked pretty ordinary for portions of all three of their finals games. The difference being Reece Walsh who was basically a one man wrecking crew. Even their comeback victory v Dolphins wouldn't have happened if not for the Walsh factor. Their squad isn't anything special, but strong enough to win the 2025 title. That came out of nowhere as no one predicted the Broncos to be champs this year.

But, they'll be in the hunt again in 2026. But, so will Melb, Penrith and Cronulla. Canberra are a young squad and will certainly contend again. The Dolphins, if not decimated by injury, will be a huge threat. Dynasties are hard to come by in the salary cap world and we aren't going to witness two in the matter of a decade.

I think Penrith are going to continue to slide. Early tip for the top 4 in no particular order:

• Dolphins
• Broncos
• Melbourne
• Canberra

Then the Sydney teams

• Roosters
• Souths
• Cronulla
• Bulldogs

 

[mr_c]

I think panthers this year were expected not to be there but did can see it again, i dont see to much changing bar us in top 8 from this season

 

[Chris]

I think Penrith are going to continue to slide. Early tip for the top 4 in no particular order:

• Dolphins
• Broncos
• Melbourne
• Canberra

Then the Sydney teams

• Roosters
• Souths
• Cronulla
• Bulldogs

I forgot about the Warriors. I think they are similar to us. A team on the rise.

• Dolphins
• Broncos
• Melbourne
• Canberra

then

• Warriors
• Roosters
• Bulldogs
• This is going to be the team no one expected much from. Happens every year. Maybe the Tigers next year.

 

[mr_c]

I forgot about the Warriors. I think they are similar to us. A team on the rise.

• Dolphins
• Broncos
• Melbourne
• Canberra

then

• Warriors
• Roosters
• Bulldogs
• This is going to be the team no one expected much from. Happens every year. Maybe the Tigers next year.

i reckon it be one the new coaches teams

 

[Red]

I forgot about the Warriors. I think they are similar to us. A team on the rise.

• Dolphins
• Broncos
• Melbourne
• Canberra

then

• Warriors
• Roosters
• Bulldogs
• This is going to be the team no one expected much from. Happens every year. Maybe the Tigers next year.

As of this moment, Canberra don't have a halfback.

 

[mr_c]

As of this moment, Canberra don't have a halfback.

i reckon we see jonah go there

 

[Chris]

Of course Herbie is in the England team. So as the Dolphins have more players in the England team, should we support them?

 

[Chris]

As of this moment, Canberra don't have a halfback.

If they don't secure a halfback, I'll change my prediction before the season starts.

 

[Blockade]

Of course Herbie is in the England team. So as the Dolphins have more players in the England team, should we support them?

I don't watch IRL as it bores the shit out of me. But, I hope the Brits win it. They won't even come close, though.

 

[Chris]

I don't watch IRL as it bores the shit out of me. But, I hope the Brits win it. They won't even come close, though.

If they won, it would make IRL more interesting. If NZ could get their best team on the field at the same time, it'd be more interesting.