Madge’s halves call as Broncos casualty revealed; Roosters DCE question — Every team’s best 17

In a perfect world with no injuries or suspensions foxsports.com.au dissected each squad to determine the best 17 for every NRL club heading into the 2026 premiership race.

That may or may not always align with what the coaches of each club are thinking, but on paper this is the best way to squeeze the best assets each squad has into their top first grade team.

Jonah Pezet will shake up the Eels spine in his one and only season at the Eels before joining the Broncos, with an unlucky rising star set to make way.

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Meanwhile, the Broncos’ embarrassment of riches in the spine is set to leave a premiership hero on the outer when everyone is fit and firing.

And the Knights are suddenly flush with options in the halves after Dylan Brown and Sandon Smith’s arrival, with an incumbent star forced into a positional switch to get the best players in the team.

Of course injuries, suspensions and form will play a part as they do every season, but in looking at the new recruits and the balance of each squad, here is the best 17 for each club in 2026.

Read on for the best 17 for every NRL team.

RABBITOHS

1. Jye Gray

2. Alex Johnston

3. Jack Wighton

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Campbell Graham

6. Cody Walker

7. Jamie Humphreys

8. Jai Arrow

9. Brandon Smith

10. Keaon Koloamatangi

11. Tallis Duncan

12. David Fifita

13. Cameron Murray

14. Jayden Sullivan

15. Lachlan Hubner

16. Euan Aitken

17. Tevita Tatola

Best 17: Jye Gray is the full-time fullback with Latrell Mitchell shifting to centre to partner Jack Wighton. That will see Campbell Graham move to the wing to partner Alex Johnston, as he hunts the all-time try-scorer record. Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys are the starting halves combination. Jai Arrow starts in the front row alongside Keaon Koloamatangi, with Brandon Smith at hooker. New recruit David Fifita partners young gun Tallis Duncan in the back row, with skipper Cameron Murray at lock. Jayden Sullivan is the ideal bench utility, ahead of Peter Mamouzelos and recruit Bronson Garlick. Prop Tevita Tatola and versatile back-rowers Lachlan Hubner and Euan Aitken round out the bench.

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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. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo

14. Jack Cogger

15. Liam Henry

16. Isaiah Papali’i

17. Luke Garner

Best 17: Dylan Edwards will be the No.1, with Paul Alamoti and Brian To’o on the wings. Izack Tago and Casey McLean will be the centre pairing, with Nathan Cleary and Blaize Talagi a lock for the halves. The props will be Moses Leota and Lindsay Smith, with Mitch Kenny a certainty at hooker. Scott Sorensen and Liam Martin will be the second row pairing, with skipper Isaah Yeo at lock. Jack Cogger returns to the team as the bench utility, with Bear-bound prop Liam Henry and versatile second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Luke Garner completing the bench.

BRONCOS

1. Reece Walsh

2. Deine Mariner

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Gehamat Shibasaki

5. Josiah Karapani

6. Ezra Mam

7. Adam Reynolds

8. Xavier Willison

9. Ben Hunt

10. Payne Haas

11. Brendan Piakura

12. Jordan Riki

13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Billy Walters

15. Ben Talty

16. Corey Jensen

17. Benjamin Te Kura

Best 17: Superstar Reece Walsh will wear the No.1 again, with Deine Mariner and Josiah Karapani on the wings and Jesse Arthars the unlucky man out. Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki will again form a devastating centre combination. Ezra Mam is set to rejoin Adam Reynolds in the halves in 2026, after coming off the bench in the Grand Final. That will see Ben Hunt shift to hooker full-time, with Xavier Willison and Payne Haas either side of him in the scrum. Brendan Piakura and Jordan Riki are the starting second-rowers, with Patrick Carrigan to lock the scrum. Billy Walters will be the bench utility when he returns from injury to fill Mam’s void on the bench, with title hero Cory Paix the unlucky man out. Corey Jensen shifts to the bench, with back-rower Ben Talty and young prop Benjamin Te Kura rounding out the forwards rotation.

BULLDOGS

1. Connor Tracey

2. Marcelo Montoya

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Jacob Kiraz

6. Matt Burton

7. Lachlan Galvin

8. Max King

9. Bailey Hayward

10. Leo Thompson

11. Viliame Kikau

12. Jacob Preston

13. Jaeman Salmon

14. Kurt Mann

15. Josh Curran

16. Sitili Tupouniua

17. Harry Hayes

Best 17: Connor Tracey will wear the No.1, with Jacob Kiraz and Marcelo Montoya on the wings. Skipper Stephen Crichton will be partnered by Bronson Xerri in the centres, with Matt Burton and Lachlan Galvin in the halves. Bailey Hayward shifts to hooker full-time, with Max King and new recruit Leo Thompson starting up front. Viliame Kikau and Jacob Preston will be the second-rowers with Jaeman Salmon locking the scrum. Veteran Kurt Mann is the ideal bench utility, with Josh Curran covering prop and second row and versatile back-rowers Sitili Tupouniua and Harry Hayes rounding out the bench.

ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Billy Smith

4. Robert Toia

5. Mark Nawaqanitawase

6. Daly Cherry-Evans

7. Sam Walker

8. Spencer Leniu

9. Reece Robson

10. Lindsay Collins

11. Angus Crichton

12. Nat Butcher

13. Naufahu Whyte

14. Connor Watson

15. Siua Wong

16. Egan Butcher

17. Blake Steep

Best 17: Skipper James Tedesco will be the fullback with veteran Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase on the flanks. Billy Smith edges out new recruit Tommy Talau to partner Robert Toia in the centres. Star signing Daly Cherry-Evans will shift to five-eighth with Sam Walker holding onto the No.7 jersey and Hugo Savala the unlucky man to drop out. While Walker is set to start at halfback it remains to be seen whether it will be Cherry-Evans steering the Roosters around the park. Origin stars Spencer Leniu and Lindsay Collins will start up front, with new recruit Reece Robson at hooker. Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher start in the back row, with Naufahu Whyte at lock. Connor Watson shifts to bench utility, with promising hooker Benaiah Ioelu the unlucky rake to miss out. Whyte’s ability to play prop allows coach Trent Robinson to play three back-rowers in Siua Wong, Egan Butcher and Blake Steep on the bench.

WESTS TIGERS

1. Jahream Bula

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Taylan May

4. Starford To’a

5. Jeral Skelton

6. Jarome Luai

7. Adam Doueihi

8. Terrell May

9. Api Koroisau

10. Fonua Pole

11. Samuela Fainu

12. Kai Pearce-Paul

13. Alex Twal

14. Latu Fainu

15. Sione Fainu

16. Alex Seyfarth

17. Royce Hunt

Best 17: Jahream Bula will be the fullback in between Sunia Turuva and Jeral Skelton on the wings, with prodigy Heamasi Makasini having to bide his time. Taylan May and Starford To’a will be the centre partnership, with Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi in the halves. Terrell May and Fonua Pole start up front, with skipper Api Koroisau at hooker. New recruit Kai Pearce-Paul joins Samuela Fainu in the second row, with Alex Twal locking the scrum. Latu Fainu makes an ideal bench utility, with prop Royce Hunt and back-rowers Sione Fainu and Alex Seyfarth completing the bench.

EELS

1. Isaiah Iongi

2. Sean Russell

3. Will Penisini

4. Brian Kelly

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Jonah Pezet

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Junior Paulo

9. Ryley Smith

10. Jack de Belin

11. Jack Williams

12. Kelma Tuilagi

13. J’maine Hopgood

14. Tallyn Da Silva

15. Dylan Walker

16. Sam Tuivaiti

17. Charlie Guymer

Best 17: After his breakout year Isaiah Iongi is a lock for the fullback spot, with Sean Russell and Josh Addo-Carr on the wings and Bailey Simonsson unlucky to miss out. New recruit Brian Kelly will join Will Penisini in a new look centre pairing after switching fromt he Titgans. Star recruit Jonah Pezet will be the five-eighth alongside halfback and skipper Mitchell Moses, with Joash Papalii unluckly to miss the 17. New recruit Jack de Belin partners skipper Junior Paulo up front, with Ryley Smith edging Tallyn Da Silva at hooker, but they could swap by season’s end, as the former Tigers gun develops his craft under Jason Ryles. Jack Williams and Kelma Tuilagi will be the second-rowers. with Origin star J’maine Hopgood at lock. Da Silva will be the back-up hooker, with the versatile Dylan Walker covering lock, dummyhalf, centre and the halves. Prop Sam Tuivaiti and back-rower Charlie Guyer round out the bench, with Kitione Katogoa unlucky to miss the cut.

KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. Fletcher Sharpe

3. Bradman Best

4. Dane Gagai

5. Dom Young

6. Dylan Brown

7. Sandon Smith

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Phoenix Crossland

10. Trey Mooney

11. Jermaine McEwen

12. Dylan Lucas

13. Tyson Frizell

14. Tyson Gamble

15. Pasami Saulo

16. Matthew Croker

17. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana

Best 17: Skipper Kalyn Ponga will be the fullback, with Fletcher Sharpe shifting from five-eighth to the wing to partner English star Dom Young and Greg Marzhew misses out. Bradman Best and Dane Gagai will be the centre combination, with a pair of new recruits in the halves in Dylan Brown at five-eighth and Sandon Smith at halfback. Another fresh recruit Trey Mooney will partner Jacob Saifiti in the front row, with New Zealand star Phoenix Crossland at hooker. Young gun Jermain McEwen and Dylan Lucas will be the second row pair, with veteran Tyson Frizell at lock. Tyson Gamble edges Matt Arthur to the bench utility role, while props Paisami Saulo and Matthew Croker and rising second-rower Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana round out the bench.

DRAGONS

1. Clint Gutherson

2. Christian Tuipulotu

3. Moses Suli

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Tyrell Sloan

6. Kyle Flanagan

7. Daniel Atkinson

8. Toby Couchman

9. Damien Cook

10. Emre Guler

11. Jaydn Su’A

12. Dylan Egan

13. Hamish Stewart

14. Jacob Liddle

15. Josh Kerr

16. Luciano Leilua

17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga

Best 17: Captain Clint Gutherson will wear the No.1, with Christian Tuipulotu and Tyrell Sloan on the wings. Sloan was on the outer last season, but there is no doubt the club need his try-scoring ability based on the squad they have at their disposal. Moses Suli and Valentine Holmes will be the centre pairing. New recruit Daniel Atkinson should wear the No.7 jersey, with Kyle Flanagan shifting back to five-eighth and Lyhkan King-Togia unlucky to miss out. Toby Couchman and Emre Guler start up front, with Damien Cook edging Jacob Liddle at hooker, but don’t be surprised if they swap as the season goes on, with the former likely to retire at season’s end. Jaydn Su’A and Dylan Egan start in the second row, with Hamish Stewart at lock. Liddle will be the bench utility, with props Josh Kerr and X-factor young gun Loko Pasifiki Tonga and versatile back-rower Luciano Leilua completing the pine.

RAIDERS

1. Kaeo Weekes

2. Savelio Tamale

3. Matthew Timoko

4. Sebastian Kris

5. Xavier Savage

6. Ethan Strange

7. Ethan Sanders

8. Josh Papalii

9. Jayden Brailey

10. Joe Tapine

11. Hudson Young

12. Zac Hosking

13. Corey Horsburgh

14. Tom Starling

15. Morgan Smithies

16. Simi Sasagi

17. Ata Mariota

Best 17: Kaeo Weekes will be the fullback, with Savelio Tamale and Xavier Savage on the wings. Matthew Timoko and Sebastian Kris will again be the centre pairing. Ethan Sanders edges Coby Black at halfback, with Ethan Strange a lock at five-eighth. Skipper Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii start up front, with new recruit Jayden Brailey at hooker pushing Tom Starling to the bench and young gun Owen Pattie the unlucky man out. Hudson Young and Zac Hosking will partner up in the second row, with Corey Horsburgh starting at lock. Starling is the utility, with prop Ata Mariota and versatile back-rowers Morgan Smithies and Simi Sasagi rounding out a strong bench for the defending minor premiers.

DOLPHINS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Selwyn Cobbo

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Jack Bostock

6. Kodi Nikorima

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Daniel Saifiti

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Thomas Flegler

11. Felise Kaufusi

12. Connelly Lemuelu

13. Tom Gilbert

14. Kurt Donoghoe

15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

16. Max Plath

17. Morgan Knowles

Best 17: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will wear the No.1, with point-scoring machine Jamayne Isaako and Jack Bostock on the wings. New recruit Selwyn Cobbo will partner former Broncos teammate Herbie Farnworth in a new look centre pairing, with Jake Averillo missing out. Skipper Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima will be the halves, with Kurt Donoghoe having to settle for a bench spot. Daniel Safiti and Thomas Flegler return from injury to start in the front row, with Jeremy Marshall-King at hooker. Felise Kaufusi and Conelly Lemuelu start in the second row, with skipper Tom Gilbert locking the scrum. Donoghoe will be the bench utility, with new recruit Morgan Knowles joining versatile back-rowers Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Max Plath on the pine.

COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Murray Taulagi

3. Zac Laybutt

4. Jaxon Purdue

5. Robert Derby

6. Jake Clifford

7. Tom Dearden

8. Jason Taumalolo

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Coen Hess

11. Heilum Luki

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Reuben Cotter

14. John Bateman

15. Matt Lodge

16. Sam McIntyre

17. Griffin Neame

Best 17: Scott Drinkwater will wear the No.1 jersey, with Murray Tualagi and Robert Derby on the wings. Zac Laybutt and Jaxon Purdue are the Cowboys’ best centre pairing, despite the latter training at halfback this pre-season. Skipper Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford are the best halves pairing at this stage regardless of what numbers are on their back, but the captain is the incumbent Queensland No.7. Jason Taumalolo and Coen Hess should be the starting props after the retirement of Jordan McLean, with new recruit Reed Mahoney at hooker. Heilum Luki and Jeremiah Nanai start in the second row, with versatile Origin and Kangaroos star Reuben Cotter at lock. With Cotter also covering hooker and Mahoney able to play 80 minutes, the Cowboys can afford to carry four forwards on the bench, with new recruit Matt Lodge set to be one of them. John Bateman, Griffin Neame and Sam McIntyre round out the forwards rotation.

SHARKS

1. William Kennedy

2. Sione Katoa

3. Jesse Ramien

4. KL Iro

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Toby Rudolf

11. Briton Nikora

12. Teig Wilton

13. Cameron McInnes

14. Siosifa Talakai

15. Jesse Colquhoun

16. Braden Hamlin-Uele

17. Thomas Hazelton

Best 17: William Kennedy edges Liam Ison to the fullback role, with Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo on the wings and Sam Stonestreet the unlucky man out. Jesse Ramien and KL Iro will be the centre pairing, with Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes in the halves. Addin Fonua-Blake and Toby Rudolf start up front, with skipper Blayke Brailey at hooker. Briton Nikora and Teig Wilton are the second-rowers, with Cameron McInnes at lock. With Brailey playing 80 minutes and McInnes able to cover hooker, the Sharks can carry four forwards on the bench. Versatile pair Siosifa Talakai and Jesse Colquhoun will be two of them, with props Braden Hamlin-Uele and Thomas Hazelton rounding out the bench and Billy Burns the unlucky man out.

WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

3. Rocco Berry

4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

6. Chanel Harris-Tavita

7. Luke Metcalf

8. James Fisher-Harris

9. Wayde Egan

10. Mitch Barnett

11. Kurt Capewell

12. Leka Halasima

13. Erin Clark

14. Te Maire Martin

15. Jacob Laban

16. Morgan Gannon

17. Marata Niukore

Best 17: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will wear the No.1 jersey, with Taine Tuaupiki unlucky to miss out, while new recruit Alofiana Khan-Pereira joins Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in a new look wing pairing. That means Roger Tuivasa-Sheck shifts back to centre to partner Rocco Berry, with Adam Pompey the odd man out. Luke Metcalf returns from injury to partner Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves, with Te Maire Martin having to settle for a bench role. Skipper Mitch Barnett returns from a knee injury to partner James Fisher-Harris in the front row, with Wayde Egan at hooker. Veteran Kurt Capewell and young gun Leka Halasima combine in the second row, with Dally M lock of the year Erin Clark in the No.13. Martin is the bench utility just ahead of Samuel Healey, with new recruit Morgan Gannon joining fellow versatile back-rowers Jacob Laban and Marata Niukore on a strong bench.

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. Jake Trbojevic

11. Haumole Olakau’atu

12. Ben Trbojevic

13. Kobe Hetherington

14. Joey Walsh

15. Ethan Bullemor

16. Nathan Brown

17. Siosiua Taukeiaho

Best 17: New skipper Tom Trbojevic will wear the No.1, with Jason Saab and Lehi Hopoate on the wings, ahead of new recruit Blake Wilson. Tolutau Koula and Reuben Garrick will be the centre pairing. Five-eighth Luke Brooks and new recruit Jamal Fogarty will form a new look halves pairing after the departure of Daly Cherry-Evans, with Joey Walsh having to settle for a bench spot. New recruit Kobe Hetherington’s arrival sees Jake Trbojevic partner Taniela Paseka up front after his return from an Achilles injury, while Jake Simpkin will start at hooker after the medical retirement of Lachlan Croker. Haumole Olakau’atu and Ben Trbojevic start in the second row, with Hetherington in the No.13. Walsh gets the bench utility role just ahead of young gun Zaidas Muagututia and new recruit Zach Dockar-Clay. Versatile back-rowers Ethan Bullemor and Nathan Brown and veteran Siosiua Taukeiaho round out the bench, with Caleb Navale the unlucky man out.

TITANS

1. Keano Kini

2. Jaylan De Groot

3. Max Feagai

4. Phillip Sami

5. Jojo Fifita

6. AJ Brimson

7. Jayden Campbell

8. Moeaki Fotuaika

9. Sam Verrills

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Klese Haas

12. Beau Fermor

13. Chris Randall

14. Luke Sommerton

15. Jaimin Joliffe

16. Kurtis Morrin

17. Josh Patston

Best 17: New Zealand star Keano Kini will be the fullback after overcoming a neck injury, with Jaylan De Groot and Jojo Fifita on the flanks. Recruit Max Feagai joins Phillip Sami in a new look centre pairing, after the departure of Brian Kelly to the Eels. AJ Brimson will be at five-eighth, with Jayden Campbell edging out new recruit Lachlan Ilias and prodigy Zane Harrison to the No.7 jersey. Origin stars Moeaki Fotuaika and skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will bookend the front row spots, with Sam Verrills at hooker. Beau Fermor and Klese Haas combine in the second row, with the versatile Chad Randall locking the scrum. New recruit Luke Sommerton is the back-up hooker on the bench, with prop Jaimin Joliffe, former Bulldogs enforcer Kurtis Morrin and young gun Josh Patston completing the pine.

STORM

1. Sualauvi Fa’alogo

2. Will Warbrick

3. Jack Howarth

4. Nick Meaney

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Harry Grant

10. Josh King

11. Shawn Blore

12. Ativalu Lisati

13. Trent Loiero

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Davvy Moale

16. Alec MacDonald

17. Josiah Pahulu

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