Overview
March 5, 2026 8:00 pm @ AAMI Park
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Storm – 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Moses Leo 5. Nick Meaney 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Alec MacDonald 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Cooper Clarke 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Davvy Moale 18. Preston Conn 19. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 22. Trent Toelau
Eels – 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Brian Kelly 5. Sean Russell 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Tallyn Da Silva 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Jordan Samrani
What We Like
Following the release of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sualauvi Fa’alogo will be handed the fullback reigns this season and the electric youngster will look to make an instant impression.
Final Thought
The Melbourne Storm have not lost a Round 1 clash under coach Craig Bellamy, and they will be looking to extend this more than two-decade streak this week.
March 6, 2026 6:00 pm @ Go Media Stadium
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Warriors – 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Demitric Vaimauga 16. Leka Halasima 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Morgan Gannon 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Luke Hanson 23. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Roosters – 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Blake Steep 14. Connor Watson 15. Siua Wong 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Fetalaiga Pauga 20. Salesi Foketi 21. Tommy Talau 22. Toby Rodwell
What We Like
While the Roosters may be favourites, the New Zealand Warriors are unstoppable when they are competing at their home venue and this season is set to be no different.
Final Thought
It’s hard to go past Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase to cross the line. The star is coming off a tremendous 2025 campaign in which he was the NRL’s highest try-scorer.
March 6, 2026 8:00 pm @ Suncorp Stadium
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Broncos – 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Xavier Willison 16. Ben Talty 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Grant Anderson 19. Jesse Arthars 20. Blake Mozer 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Thomas Duffy
Panthers – 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Luron Patea 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Kalani Going 18. Thomas Jenkins 19. Freddy Lussick 20. Billy Phillips 21. Jack Cole 22. Sione Fonua
What We Like
In a re-match of last year’s preliminary final, the Broncos will host the Panthers to open their season and will look to get off on the right foot against an injury-depleted opposition.
Final Thought
The 2025 Clive Churchill Medal winner, Reece Walsh is one of the stars of the NRL and had run of the best runs of all-time at the backend of last season. Don’t be surpised for him to continue his form in the opening round.
March 7, 2026 5:30 pm @ Ocean Protect Stadium
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Sharks – 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Chris Veaila 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Michael Gabrael 22. Niwhai Puru
Titans – 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Max Feagai 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Tukimihia Simpkins 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Zane Harrison 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Jenson Taumoepeau 22. Josh Patston
What We Like
The Sharks may be without New Zealand international winger Ronaldo Mulitalo for the majority of the season but this opens up the door for Sam Stonestreet to make the wing spot his own.
Final Thought
While the Sharks may not be threats to the premiership, they are always one of the best performing teams in the regular season and boast an impressive roster.
March 7, 2026 7:35 pm @ 4 Pines Park
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Sea Eagles – 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Joey Walsh 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Corey Waddell 21. Blake Wilson 22. Paul Bryan
Raiders – 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Daine Laurie 19. Jed Stuart 20. Matt Nicholson 21. Matthew Timoko 22. Owen Pattie
What We Like
He may be one of the least experienced players on the paddock but Lehi Hopoate knows how to find the try-line. The son of John Hopoate, Lehi is an attacking weapon and crosses the line with ease.
Final Thought
After finishing with the Minor Premiership last season, the Raiders haven’t lost anyone crucial from their squad apart from Jamal Fogarty. However, they have been able to replace the veteran halfback with promising prospect Ethan Sanders.
March 8, 2026 4:05 pm @ Suncorp Stadium
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Dolphins – 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Trai Fuller 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brent Woolf 20. Lewis Symonds 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Brian Pouniu
Rabbitohs – 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Lachlan Hubner 17. Sean Keppie 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
What We Like
The Dolphins are arguably one of the most exciting teams in the NRL and manage to score multiple tries each week. Don’t expect anything different in 2026.
Final Thought
The Rabbitohs may be outsiders heading into Round 1 but they are coming off a really strong pre-season and have also made several team changes such as moving Latrell Mitchell to the centres.