Customise ESPN
Why each preliminary finalist can and can't win the premiership
The 2026 NRL season is down to four teams, here's a reason why each remaining team can -- and cannot -- win the 2026 premiership.
ESPN / Getty Images
Midweek Mail: McLean relishing Gagai battle
Isaah Yeo and Moses Leota are both keens to remain Panthers despite interest elsewhere, while Casey McLean is happy for his departing brother.
TOP HEADLINES
From wooden spoon to final four: How Holbrook unlocked Ponga and revived Newcastle
NRL
PRELIMINARY FINALS
'He's 100%': Roosters coach in awe of Walker's recovery, mindset
Matt King/Getty Images
What We Learned: Newcastle's kids are made for finals
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
What We Learned: The Roosters are tough with a capital T
Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Midweek Mail: Bulldogs move to lock away rising rookie
NRL SEASON GRADES
Updated: 2026 team-by-team review; Wahs and Sharks both disappointing in the end
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
What We Learned: Panthers pedigree prevails; Cleary's nervous wait
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
NRL FINALS
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Top Headlines
- Selwyn Cobbo named Queensland's best for SOO
- NRL teams: Roosters name Sam Walker at half
- Walker's on but Woolf 'wouldn't swap' his No.7
- NRLW finalists reveal key changes to find success
- Crichton craves dream Roosters NRL farewell
- PVL resigns from Racing as NRL coronation looms
- 'He's a rat': Gallen returns to fight NRL rival
- Klein faces axe as NRL admit refereeing error
- Sam Walker trains, firms for miracle comeback
- Getty Images
Updated: NRL 2026 team-by-team season review
The 2026 NRL season proper has come to an end, so it's time to evaluate every team's year.
- Getty Images/ESPN
Blame the coach: Tale of two disastrous seasons
Fairly or unfairly, the spotlight is on the coaches of the Bulldogs and Broncos after two very different but equally awful seasons.
- Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Arrow takes centre stage: Life and sport inseparably, intrinsically linked
Jai Arrow has handled this awful situation as well as a person possibly can, and deserves everything and anything we can give him.
- Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
State of Origin: The all-time records and statistics
The State of Origin series started in 1980 and since that very first encounter we have witnessed 135 games and seen plenty of amazing rugby league.
- ESPN
Subscribe to the ESPN Australia Newsletter
Keep up to date with the latest news from across the sporting world. Be it at home or abroad, we've got it covered in our weekly newsletters.
