Sure, rugby league is a team game.
But as Broncos star Reece Walsh showed in the latter stages of 2025—just as Nathan Clearly had done two years earlier—NRL seasons are typically defined by the actions, and health, of individual players.
As the new season rapidly approaches, here are our thoughts on the players who loom as the most influential established and emerging stars at all 17 NRL clubs in 2026.
Maybe you’ll agree. Perhaps you wont. Either way, that’s the beauty of the rugby league pre-season.
Enjoy the debate...
Brisbane Broncos
Most important star: Reece Walsh
No surprises here given he’s arguably the best attacking player on the planet and that isn’t likely to change any time soon. Payne Haas will be vital as he always is, but if Walsh fires again in 2026, Brisbane are a red hot chance of going back-to-back.
Most important rising star: Xavier Willison
Began to fulfil his immense potential in 2025 and was rewarded with a premiership ring and New Zealand selection. He’s still nowhere near his ceiling which is a scary prospect for NRL rivals in a pack that also includes Haas and Pat Carrigan.
Canberra Raiders
Most important star: Ethan Strange
The Raiders were dealt a crushing blow when Strange fell ill at a critical stage of the 2025 finals series. A year stronger, more experienced and with the added benefit of a Kangaroo Tour behind him, he can go to another level in 2026.
Most important rising star: Coby Black
He’s arrived a year earlier than expected from the Broncos—but is he the young number seven the Raiders have been craving to partner Strange for years to come? In the forwards, 21-year-old hooker Owen Pattie is another to watch heading into his second NRL season.
Canterbury Bulldogs
Most important star: Stephen Crichton
The Bulldogs were crippled without their captain in the 2025 finals series. But when fit he’s simply the best centre in the game and a bona fide difference maker.
Most important rising star: Lachlan Galvin
The hype was huge in 2025, alas the results not so much. A year older and wiser, it’s time for Galvin to go to the next level. Can he? Jethro Rinakama is another Bulldogs youngster who could be set for a massive 2026.
Cronulla Sharks
Most important star: Blayke Brailey
Brailey is at the heart of almost everything good that happens at the Sharks. When he goes well, so does Cronulla. It’s that simple.
Most important rising star: Jesse Colquhoun
Yes, he’s 24. But the talented forward has played just 29 games in four NRL seasons due to a horror run with injuries. 2025 was his best return yet with 18 appearances for the Sharks and if he stays on the field, 2026 shapes as being even better. Almost as important for the Sharks will be securing his contract for 2027 and beyond, with plenty of rivals circling.
Dolphins
Most important star: Isaiah Katoa/Herbie Farnworth
Impossible to split the international pair of stars—both players are absolutely critical to the club’s hopes in 2025.
Most important rising star: Jack Bostock
A prolific try scorer, the towering young winger won Dally M Rookie of the Year in 2024 and was having a wonderful 2025 before injury derailed his season in Round 16.
Gold Coast Titans
Most important star: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
He isn’t just important on the field in 2026. What big Tino decides off it will have a major influence on the Titans list for years to come.
Most important rising star: Keano Kini
Showed in the season-ending Pacific Championships that the rugby league world is his oyster. If he can stay healthy, Josh Hannay has an absolute backline superstar on his hands.
Manly Sea Eagles
Most important star: Jamal Fogarty
He’s far from the most talented star in the Sea Eagles squad, but Fogarty could be the most important as Manly begins the post-DCE era. Needs to be the glue that binds everything together—or it could all fall apart.
Most important rising star: Lehi Hopoate
Hopoate has been in the Manly system since he was 12 years old. Now heading into his third NRL season the 20-year-old will become an even more critical part of Anthony Seibold’s attack and defence as the reliance on Tom Trbojevic continues to slowly decline. One of the most exciting outside backs in the game, he’s the club’s future.
Melbourne Storm
Most important star: Harry Grant
Munster and Hughes are important, but no-one will need to shoulder more responsibility for the Storm in 2026 than the reigning IRL Golden Boot winner. Fortunately Grant’s the best hooker in the game and has the ability to do just that.
Most important rising star: Sua Fa’alogo
Ryan Papenhauzen is gone and Fa’alogo looks set to get first crack at the vacant number one jersey. He’s already a huge crowd favourite in Melbourne and the exciting 22-year-old has the chance to become the next superstar Storm fullback.
Newcastle Knights
Most important star: Kayln Ponga
Arguably the most important X-factor player for any team in the NRL right now. With Ponga motivated and on the field the Knights are limitless, but without him things fall away alarmingly, even with new recruit Dylan Brown.
Most important rising star: Fletcher Sharpe
One of the game’s most exciting young utilities, the 21-year-old ended his 2025 season in hospital after suffering horrific internal injuries in Round 16. Prior to that he’d been one of the Knights’ best players, scoring 11 tries in 14 games.
New Zealand Warriors
Most important star: Luke Metcalf
We all saw what happened in 2025 when Metcalf did his ACL. If he returns and stays healthy, the Warriors stay in the hunt.
Most important rising star: Leka Halasima
The 20-year-old was a revelation last season and was unsurprisingly a 2025 Dally M Rookie of the Year nominee. Will be an absolute handful once again for opposing teams in 2026—and years to come.
North Queensland Cowboys
Most important star: Tom Dearden
One of the form rep players of 2025 and nearing the peak of his powers. Critical to the Cowboys’ hopes of a 2026 resurgence. A close second will be Reece Robson’s replacement at number nine, Reed Mahoney.
Most important rising star: Jaxon Purdue
We know Tom Dearden will have a good season. But can Purdue become the halves partner the Cowboys so desperately need him to be?
Parramatta Eels
Most important star: Mitchell Moses
When Moses was on the field in 2025 the Eels were a completely different team and Parramatta’s fortunes will again be directly linked to the 31-year-old playmaker’s fitness.
Most important rising star: Jonah Pezet
He’s only with the Eels for one season, but could be a revelation alongside Moses if they can forge an instant on-field connection. 22-year-old fullback sensation Isaiah Iongi is a close second.
Penrith Panthers
Most important star: Dylan Edwards
Yes, Nathan Cleary will be pivotal to the Panthers—as he always is. But it takes more than one star to win a comp. By his own lofty standards Edwards had something of a down year in 2025. If he bounces back, so can Penrith.
Most important rising star: Blaze Talagi
The talented 20-year-old got better and better as his debut season with Penrith progressed. With another year alongside Nathan Cleary, it would surprise few to see a breakout 2026. Casey McLean is another young gun set for a monster season.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Most important star: Cam Murray
An inspirational leader and one of the best forwards in the game. Spent almost the entire 2025 season on the sidelines with an Achilles injury, but there is no doubt the Rabbitohs are a very different side when Murray’s playing.
Most important rising star: Jye Gray
Gray was one of the absolute standouts for Souths in a largely disappointing 2025. In fact, so good was the 21-year-old’s breakout season that Latrell Mitchell looks set for a permanent return to the centres. While he certainly isn’t a ‘rising star’, new recruit David Fifita is another who could make a huge difference in 2026 if he can refind his best form.
St. George Illawarra Dragons
Most important star: Clint Gutherson
He’s been a fine player for many years, but the undermanned Dragons need their veteran captain to return to rep level form if they’re to have any hope of making the finals in 2026.
Most important rising star: Lyhkan King-Togia
Ben Hunt aside, the Dragons have lacked a genuine difference maker in the halves for several years. While Daniel Atkinson can hopefully hold the fort, they desperately need 20-year-old King-Togia to emerge as a bona fide star in 2026.
Sydney Roosters
Most important star: Daly Cherry-Evans
The veteran half isn’t here for a testimonial season. The Roosters have brought him in to be a difference maker and for that reason all eyes will be firmly on DCE all season.
Most important rising star: Benaiah Ioelu
Reece Robson will start the season at hooker and rightly so, but there’s little doubt Ioelu is the future. An exciting young spine forward with unlimited potential, he may come off the bench in more games than he starts, unless injuries strike.
Wests Tigers
Most important star: Jahrome Luai
The NSW Origin star was solid in 2025, but the Tigers need him to be more than that if they’re to make the next step back towards the finals in 2026—particularly given what they’re paying him.
Most important rising star: Samuela Fainu
Already one of the NRL’s top young forwards, it’s easy to forget Fainu is still just 21. If he can continue on his current development trajectory he could play a massive part in the Tigers’ fortunes this season.