The 2026 NRL Premiership is almost upon us, and there is still opinions-a-plenty from all parts of the rugby league world about who will or could win the title, finish last and everything in between.
The Gurgler is no different, with plenty of opinion about rugby league, all year round and before the season starts. But instead of predicting a winner for 2026, we are here to provide the wettest of blankets about every NRL team’s chances this season with our annual Why Your Team Can’t Win the 2026 NRL Premiership.
READ MORE: THE GURGLER’S FULL NRL 2026 GEAR
We’ve been working hard for you to bring you the 2026 NRL Season Previews from every angle possible.
NRL DONKEY’S 2026 SEASON PREVIEW
BOLD NRL 2026 SEASON PREDICTIONS
CAPTAIN HINDSIGHT’S SENSIBLE NRL 2026 SEASON PREDICTIONS
WHY YOUR TEAM CAN’T WIN THE 2026 NRL PREMIERSHIP
NRL 2026 RATINGS PREDICTIONS
2026 NRL JERSEY RATINGS WITH AI GREK NORMAN
2026 NRL DRAW ANALYSIS
2026 NRL DRAW ANALYSIS – TEAM BY TEAM
THE A TO Z OF THE 2025 NRL SEASON
Here in the order of which stats are the most interesting is our team by team guide.
Why Your Team Can’t Win the 2026 NRL Premiership
BRONCOS
No team that finished 4th in the regular season in the year before has gone on to win a premiership the next season. In the NRL era since 1998 anyway. Worth noting, 13 of those fourth placed teams missed the finals the season after, including four teams finishing dead last.
PENRITH
Because the last time a team won four or more Premierships in a row (Dragons 1950-60’s) they didn’t win again for another 11 years after their last triumph. Although worth pointing out that the last team to win four or more premierships in a row before that (South Sydney 1925-1929) did win the Premiership the next year after missing out (1931). And the year after that (1932) ……
NORTH QUEENSLAND
Because only one Premiership winner in the last 20 seasons has conceded more than 40 in a single game in their premiership season and North Queensland conceded more than 40 points the equal most last season (with Newcastle) so seem a little unlikely to keep all their games under 40 points conceded. Also, threatening your coach with the sack all year probably isn’t good for winning titles either. Although, the only team to do it in 20 seasons was the Cowboys in 2015.
MELBOURNE
History. The last time a team were official runners up / losing Grand Finalists in consecutive seasons and then won a premiership at their third attempt was over 100 years ago when South Sydney won the 1925 title after being runner up in 1923 and 1924.
ROOSTERS
The Roosters haven’t won a premiership under a Federal Labor Government since Gough Whitlam was in his final months in charge in 1975.
WESTS TIGERS
Because only two teams since 1998 have won the premiership after not making the finals the year before. Although worth noting that one of those teams was the Wests Tigers in 2005 and the other was Penrith in 2003.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Because there might be a hangover from being a minor premier and losing consecutive games for a finals exit. Although worth noting that since 1998 that 11/26 Minor Premiers from the previous season go on to win the next title. Also worth noting that the last two minor premiers to lose both of their finals games were the Dragons (2009) and Bulldogs (1993). St George Illawarra went on to win the 2010 Grand Final and the Bulldogs made the 1994 decider, before losing to Canberra.
PARRAMATTA
Because they haven’t won a premiership since 1986, and the last four teams to break a 20+ year Premiership drought in the NRL era from 1998 all finished in the top eight the season before breaking the drought. Those four teams were Roosters (2002), South Sydney (2014), North Queensland (2015) and Cronulla (2016). Of course Parramatta didn’t make the top eight last season so stats say no dice.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Because only one father-son combination is capable. Sorry Fox League. They also have the worst away record for the last ten seasons. And in 2025. And in 2023 when they lost all their away games. And in 2023 to 2025 away to NSW teams.
NEWCASTLE
Because they won none of their Sunday games in 2025, from nine attempts, so even if they made the Grand Final, which they probably won’t, the game is on a Sunday so they won’t win. Although worth pointing out that in 2023 they won all ten Sunday games.
DOLPHINS
Because no team in recent years has won the premiership at their first attempt at finals. The Dolphins are yet to make the finals. Although we mention recent years. The Broncos actually did it in 1992, so maybe the exception that Brisbane teams can. Oh, and of course Souths did it in the first year of NRL/NSWRL in 1908.
GOLD COAST
Because no team wins anything on the Gold Coast at any sport. Although, the Daikyo Dolphins did win an Australian Baseball title, they were based on the Gold Coast but not called Gold Coast.
WARRIORS
The Warriors haven’t played in back to back finals series since 2010 and 2011, and not making the finals is one sure way not to win the NRL Premiership. And probably because they would get a home final and Channel Nein will do anything to avoid having to broadcast Warriors games. Jerks.
CRONULLA
Cronulla have the second worst win % of current teams at the Sydney Olympic Stadium, and the second worst Sunday win % at the Sydney Olympic Stadium since 1998.
BULLDOGS
The last team to win a Grand Final at their own home ground was the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014. Although worth noting that the team to do it before that was the Bulldogs in 2004.
SOUTH SYDNEY
Because the Rabbitohs have the equal worst win % v top eight sides (at the time of match) for the past two seasons at 12%, equal with Newcastle. They also hold the record for worst H2H of all current NRL clashes (excluding Dolphins) against Melbourne, and you’ll probably have to play Melbourne in the finals at some stage.
MANLY
Manly have the worst record on a Thursday of all teams except the Warriors since 2015. Getting pretty thin by this stage. Should have just said Anthony Seibold and moved on. Or that letting your good players go isn’t a good idea either.
