NEXT Monday I make the trek (for the very first time) to Las Vegas for the opening round of the NRL. Yes I know, everyone I tell says the same thing to me, “I can’t believe you’ve never been to Vegas!” then straight after, “oh you’ll love it! It’s the best place on earth.”
I suppose I’ll be the judge of that but I am excited to be heading to the city that never sleeps, to coincidently watch the game that never sleeps, the NRL!
But it’s also round 1 of the season proper. So this is my chance to get my 2026 predictions down on paper to see just how close I get come round 27 later this year. With that here we go…
Top 8.
1. Roosters
2. Broncos
3. Panthers
4. Bulldogs
5. Storm
6. Rabbitohs
7. Raiders
8. Eels
I’ve left out Cronulla and the Warriors from last year’s top 8, while elevating the Rabbits and the Eels.
Premiers? Roosters. I just feel they are poised, and the arrivals of DCE and Reece Robson will be pivotal in their pursuit.
I haven’t gone with my old club the Panthers as I think the ‘home ground’ situation which sees them playing out of Parramatta is just too high of an obstacle to overcome.
2027 will be a different story.
Give them the trophy now for when they’re back at Penny Park!
And I didn’t go the Broncos as I feel the Hakeem Haas show might just be too big of a distraction for the reigning premiers.
Grand Final? Roosters v Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are looking ominous heading into the 2026 season and I think they’ll go close to winning the whole thing.
Wooden Spoon? I think out of the two teams kicking off the season in Vegas, the Knights or the Cowboys.
Who will win the Dally M? I’m predicting Tom Trbojevic to have an out of the box season after being named the skipper of the Sea-Eagles.
Origin result? NSW 2-1. Let’s go you Blues!
Coach under the most pressure? They all are! And the first to lose 4 or 5 straight becomes that man. But I think Todd Payten is under the pump most.
Bold Prediction? I think the PNG franchise which comes into the comp in 2028 will announce a MAJOR signing this season, a marquee man who will be the first NRL player on $2 million. I also think that Souths livelier Jye Gray is a smoke to win the Dally M!
Its exciting times ahead for all rugby league lovers as the 2026 season inches closer. As for me, I’ll tell you all about my Vegas ’sojourn’ in my next column.
Viva Las Vegas Baby!
MG (random Westie) OAM
