Haas, the NSW, former Kangaroos and now Samoa bulldozer, is off contract at the end of 2026, but reports suggest he is close to signing a 12-month extension, taking him through to the end of 2027.
By then, Haas will be 28 and, if the proposed R360 rugby competition gets off the ground, he could be tempted by riches beyond anything available in the NRL. Alternatively, he could be precisely the type of marquee signing the Perth Bears will come chasing.
Brisbane will want to retain Payne Haas beyond the 2026 season.Credit: Getty Images
The Broncos would no doubt love to re-sign Haas to a long-term deal.
The ageing legs of halves Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds don’t have many more tomorrows left. Haas, on the other hand, is a franchise player, at the top of his game.
Key gains: Aublix Tawha (Dolphins), Grant Anderson (Storm), Tom Duffy (Cowboys).
Key losses: Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins), Kobe Hetherington (Sea Eagles), Tyson Smoothy (Wakefield)
Coming off contract: Adam Reynolds, Ben Hunt, Gehamat Shibasaki, Billy Walters, Jack Gosiewski, Payne Haas, Cory Paix, Jesse Arthars.
Storm (runners-up)
Harry Grant comes to terms with another grand final loss.Credit: NRL Photos
What’s the story?
First Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona announced they were taking sabbaticals. Next Eliesa Katoa suffered a horrific concussion playing for Tonga that will sideline him for 2026 at least, and then the Perth Bears swooped to sign Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart for their 2027 foundation season.
All this, on top of losing back-to-back grand finals, does not augur well, but the Melbourne Storm are no ordinary team.
Nonetheless, it shapes as a bit of a rebuilding operation, and nobody is better qualified to oversee the process than Craig Bellamy, arguably the greatest coach in the game.
Of course, the big question remains: how long will 66-year-old Bellamy continue? He has been quite content to sign one-year extensions, while hinting retirement is not far away.
Players are replaceable, but Melbourne must be dreading the day “Bellyache” informs them he’s pulling the pin. They’ll be hoping his era continues beyond this season.
Key gains: Jack Hetherington (Knights), Davvy Moale (Rabbitohs), Manaia Waitere (Raiders)
Key losses: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona (both released), Jonah Pezet (Eels), Grant Anderson (Broncos)
Coming off contract: Will Warbrick, Shawn Blore, Jack Hetherington, Tui Kamikamica.
Panthers (preliminary final)
It’s back to square one for Penrith after Brisbane ended their dynasty in last year’s preliminary final.Credit: Getty Images
What’s the story?
Compared to the spotlight they commanded during their four-year reign as champions, the Panthers have spent the off-season flying under the radar, which no doubt suits coach Ivan Cleary just fine.
Rival teams, however, are entitled to be nervous: how hungry will the deposed champions be after surrendering their title?
Complacency can bring even the greatest of teams undone, once they’ve been there, won that, on multiple occasions. Do they have the willpower to get back up there?
Nathan Cleary, the ultimate competitor and perfectionist, will surely relish the challenge.
Beware the Panthers. They’re not done yet.
Key gains: Jack Cogger (Knights), Tom Ale (Warriors), Freddy Lussick (Warriors)
Key losses: Brad Schneider (Dolphins), Daine Laurie (Raiders), Mavrik Geyer (Tigers), Trent Toelau (Storm), Soni Luke (Cowboys)
Coming off contract: Scott Sorensen, Luke Garner, Lindsay Smith, Matt Eisenhuth, Tom Ale.
Sharks (preliminary final)
The Sharks were furious with the performance of referee Ashley Klein in last year’s preliminary final.Credit: Getty Images
What’s the story?
Shark Park was a hive of activity last week, on and off the field.
As Cronulla’s players completed a gruelling training session under the eye of coach Fitzgibbon, tradesmen were just as hard at work in the adjoining building site.
It is hoped they will have completed the fit-out of the leagues club redevelopment by mid-to-late 2026, allowing the Sharks to reopen for the first time in six years, after myriad construction delays.
They’ll be hoping it improves their financial position to the point where they can apply for government funding for a centre of excellence, which would put them on level footing with their Sydney-based NRL rivals.
Meanwhile, Fitzgibbon and his very settled squad are not satisfied with back-to-back appearances in preliminary finals. Old-school training facilities might yet provide the steely edge that helps them claim the ultimate prize.
Key gains: None
Key losses: Daniel Atkinson (Dragons), Kade Dykes (Bulldogs)
Coming off contract: Cam McInnes, Siosifa Talakai, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Sam Stonestreet, Toby Rudolf, Will Kennedy, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Billy Burns.
Raiders (semi-finalists)
The Canberra Raiders won the minor premiership but lost both play-offs.Credit: Getty Images
What’s the story?
Coach Ricky Stuart is set to give 22-year-old Ethan Sanders first shot at steering the Raiders after the departure of halfback Jamal Fogarty.
Stuart has plenty of faith in Sanders, who has played four NRL matches across the past two seasons with the Raiders and Eels.
Sanders is also a handy goalkicker, which could make him a like-for-like replacement for Fogarty, now at Manly.
And he’ll have the perfect mentor in Stuart, one of the greatest halfbacks of all time.
Stuart guided the Green Machine to the minor premiership last season, but heartbreak followed when they bowed out of the finals with back-to-back defeats. They’ll be primed to give a better account of themselves this year at the business end of proceedings.
Key gains: Jayden Brailey (Knights), Daine Laurie (Panthers), Coby Black (Broncos), Sione Finau (Dragons)
Key losses: Jamal Fogarty (Sea Eagles), Trey Mooney (Knights), Pasami Saulo (Knights), Danny Levi (Leeds)
Coming off contract: Josh Papali’i, Morgan Smithies, Chevy Stewart
Bulldogs (semi-finalists)
The Bulldogs contemplate their season-ending defeat against the Panthers.Credit: NRL Photos
What’s the story?
As the first major signing of Canterbury’s rebuild, Matt Burton has been both a catalyst for change and a cornerstone of their success the past two seasons.
Burton’s form last year was as good as ever, yet there is already speculation that he will be squeezed out at the end of this season, despite being contracted until the end of 2027.
The theory goes that the Bulldogs want Lachlan Galvin to play five-eighth, his natural position, and they have a promising young half waiting in the wings called Mitchell Woods.
Whether Burton is the odd man out remains to be seen, but if he wants to win a premiership with Canterbury – to add to the one he collected at Penrith – there’s no time like the present.
After finishing third last season before exiting the finals in straight sets, the Bulldogs will be hoping former Knights prop Leo Thompson can give them a new dimension.
Key gains: Leo Thompson (Knights), Kade Dykes (Sharks), Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins), Fletcher Baker (Broncos)
Key losses: Reed Mahoney (Cowboys), Toby Sexton (Catalans), Blake Wilson (Sea Eagles)
Coming off contract: Connor Tracey, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Jake Turpin, Kurt Mann, Marcelo Montoya.
Warriors (finalists)
Luke Metcalf was leading the 2025 Dally M count before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in June.Credit: Getty Images
What’s the story?
Coach Andrew Webster will be sweating on the return of co-captain Mitch Barnett and halfback Luke Metcalf from season-ending knee reconstructions.
Before the loss of NSW and Kangaroos forward Barnett last June, the Warriors had won nine of their first 12 games and were sitting second on the ladder.
Metcalf, who was leading the Dally M voting, was sidelined soon after, and Webster’s men eventually limped home in sixth position, before being bundled out by Penrith in week one of the play-offs.
Barnett hopes to launch his comeback inside the first few rounds. Metcalf is aiming for round seven.
The Warriors are expecting big things from new signing Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who was a prolific try-scorer at the Gold Coast. And Barnett has also tipped English forward Morgan Gannon to make an immediate impact.
Main gains: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Morgan Gannon (Leeds)
Main losses: Bunty Afoa (Tigers), Freddy Lussick (Panthers), Tom Ale (Panthers)
Coming off contract: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Rocco Berry, Te Maire Martin, Tanah Boyd.
Roosters (finalists)
Roosters skipper James Tedesco and new recruit Daly Cherry-Evans.Credit: Peter Rae
What’s the story?
Can Daly Cherry-Evans emulate Cooper Cronk and become a premiership-winning talisman with the Roosters? The former Manly skipper might be the oldest player in the NRL, turning 37 before the season kicks off, but he is likely to turn the Chooks into contenders again.
The DCE coup has commanded so much attention it is easy to forget the Roosters have also signed the incumbent NSW hooker, Reece Robson, from the Cowboys.
Adding further depth to an imposing squad, Tommy Talau (Manly) and Cody Ramsey (St George Illawarra) are waiting in the wings, in case Trent Robinson loses any of his outside backs to injury.
On the flip side, Kangaroos stars Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase will switch codes at season’s end, in the hope of winning a World Cup with the Wallabies.
They will no doubt have their hearts set on a grand final lap of honour before clocking off.
Key gains: Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles), Cody Ramsey (Dragons)
Key losses: Sandon Smith (Knights), Zach Dockar-Clay (Sea Eagles)
Coming off contract: Daly Cherry-Evans, Daniel Tupou, Siua Wong, Tommy Talau.
Dolphins (ninth)
Thomas Flegler hasn’t played since he was injured against the Wests Tigers in round five, 2024.Credit: NRL Photos
What’s the story?
They came within one win of a maiden finals berth last season, and now the Dolphins will be bolstered by an influx of quality reinforcements.
Former Queensland and Kangaroos prop Thomas Flegler, who hasn’t played for almost two years after suffering career-threatening nerve damage in his shoulder, will return. Tom Gilbert (pectoral), Daniel Saifiti (shoulder), Max Plath (knee) and Jack Bostock (knee) won’t be too far behind him.
Throw in English import Morgan Knowles – a four-time Super League winner with St Helens – and the Dolphins should have some serious muscle in 2026.
Meanwhile, after scoring 721 points last season – the most by any team during the regular season – the Dolphins have added explosive Selwyn Cobbo to their backline.
In Cobbo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf will have two strike weapons capable of scoring from anywhere.
Key gains: Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Brad Schneider (Panthers)
Key losses: Josh Kerr (Dragons), Mark Nicholls, Kenny Bromwich (both retired), Max Feagai (Titans), Aublix Tawha (Broncos), Sean O’Sullivan (Bulldogs)
Coming off contract: Selwyn Cobbo, Jamayne Isaako, Brad Schneider, Jake Averillo, Francis Molo, Ray Stone, Trai Fuller, Kodi Nikorima.
Manly Sea Eagles (10th)
Manly players after their scrimmage with St George Illawarra last week.Credit: Max Mason-Hubers
What’s the story?
For the first time since he debuted in 2011 – the last time Manly won a premiership – the Sea Eagles head into a season without Daly Cherry-Evans in their No.7 jersey.
But after signing former Canberra playmaker Jamal Fogarty, Manly coach Anthony Seibold will be hoping the transition is seamless.
The Sea Eagles finished two points outside the top eight last year, but they were cruelled by season-ending injuries to big men Taniela Paseka and Haumole Olakau’atu, and Jake Trbojevic’s concussion.
As always, much will depend on Tom Trbojevic, who will lead the new era after succeeding Cherry-Evans as skipper and return to his preferred fullback role. His fitness and form will be crucial to Manly’s finals hopes, and in turn to Seibold’s job security.
The Sea Eagles have reached the play-offs just once during Seibold’s three seasons. He is contracted until the end of 2027, but needs a breakout season to keep the wolves from the door.
Key gains: Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Kobe Hetherington (Broncos), Zach Docker-Clay (Roosters)
Key losses: Daly Cherry-Evans (Roosters), Tommy Talau (Roosters), Matt Lodge (Cowboys), Toafofoa Sipley (Warrington), Josh Aloiai, Lachlan Croker (both retired), Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield)
Coming off contract: Jake Trbojevic, Tolutau Koula, Siosiua Taukeiaho.
Parramatta Eels (11th)
The Eels and former winger Zac Lomax are set for a legal battle.Credit: Getty Images
What’s the story?
What, or who, will the Eels receive in exchange for Zac Lomax?
That is the main narrative surrounding Parramatta after the protracted contractual impasse that prompted the club to launch legal action last week against the representative winger, to ensure he doesn’t join a rival NRL team without their permission.
The Eels agreed to release Lomax from his contract, believing he would head to rugby union. Instead, he wants to join the Melbourne Storm, who haven’t overwhelmed the Eels with whatever they have offered in terms of financial compensation or a possible player exchange.
Whatever transpires with Lomax, you can guarantee Eels coach Jason Ryles, an unflappable type, is getting on with business after delivering 10 wins in his rookie year as head coach in 2026.
If Parramatta’s improvement continues, their first finals appearance since 2022 appears a realistic outcome.
Key gains: Jonah Pezet (Storm), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Brian Kelly (Titans)
Key losses: Dylan Brown (Knights), Zac Lomax (released), Shaun Lane (retired), Brendan Hands (Toulouse), Dean Hawkins (London Broncos)
Coming off contract: Junior Paulo, Will Penisini, Dylan Walker, Joash Papalii, Kelma Tuilagi, Ryan Matterson
North Queensland Cowboys (12th)
Cowboys coach Todd Payten with veteran Jason Taumalolo.Credit: NRL Photos
What’s the story?
Cowboys coach Todd Payten is unlikely to lose any sleep over constant speculation that he’s a dead man walking if North Queensland cannot reach the finals in 2026.
Payten is heading into his fifth season as North Queensland’s tactician, and has made the finals in two of his previous four attempts. He has a 50 per cent winning record, which is second only to the late Paul Green, the sole coach to have steered the Cowboys to a premiership.
Nonetheless, Payten is off contract at the end of this season, and the NRL is a ruthless industry, so nobody will need to remind him what is at stake.
Any disappointment the Cowboys felt when NSW Origin hooker Reece Robson signed with the Roosters was offset by their recruitment of feisty Reed Mahoney from the Bulldogs.
A favourable draw in the early rounds could potentially alleviate the pressure on Payten, providing the Cowboys can capitalise.
Key gains: Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Matt Lodge (Sea Eagles), Soni Luke (Panthers)
Key losses: Reece Robson (Roosters), Jordan McLean (retired), Karl Lawton (Hull KR)
Coming off contract: Murray Taulagi, Jake Clifford, Jaxon Purdue, Braidon Burns, John Bateman, Matt Lodge, Sam McIntyre.
Wests Tigers (13th)
Wests Tigers fans have been waiting since 2011 to cheer for their team in the finals.Credit: Getty Images
Regardless of the boardroom brawling late last year, culminating in the departure of chief executive Shane Richardson, the Wests Tigers players will be eager to continue their on-field improvement under coach Benji Marshall.
Recruits Kai Pearce-Paul, the England and former Newcastle back-rower, and ex-Warriors prop Bunty Afoa should ensure the Tigers are more capable of throwing their weight around this season as they seek their first finals appearance since 2011.
Marshall steered them to nine wins and 13th spot last season, a vast improvement on three consecutive wooden spoons.
With Lachlan Galvin gone, the Tigers have a more settled look about them. Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Api Koroisau and Jahream Bula are evolving into a quality spine, and irrespective of any boardroom shenanigans, Tigers fans are entitled to be optimistic their team can challenge for a play-off berth.
Key gains: Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights), Bunty Afoa (Warriors), Mavrik Geyer (Panthers), Jock Madden (Broncos)
Key losses: Charlie Staines (Catalans), Brent Naden (released)
Coming off contract: Jarome Luai, Jahream Bula, Jack Bird, Sione Fainu, Jeral Skelton, Mavrik Geyer, Tony Sukkar.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (14th)
Wayne Bennett delivered underwhelming returns on his return to South Sydney.Credit: Getty Images
Coach Wayne Bennett has been a driving force behind a proposed rule change, whereby teams that concede a try will be given the option of either receiving the ball from the restart, or kicking off themselves.
There is plenty of opposition among rival coaches and fans to the “scorer’s kick-off” plan, but by all accounts ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys is inclined to back Bennett.
“Stop whingeing about it … if you listen to some of these guys [complaining], we’d still be playing with unlimited tackles, and players would still be wearing black boots with white laces,” was Bennett’s response to the resistance.
Regardless, Bennett faces a huge challenge at Souths. Last season was the worst result of his illustrious career, considering the Rabbitohs’ final placing (14th) and win tally (nine). He hasn’t had a team in the finals since 2021, and he hasn’t won a premiership since 2011.
He’s banking on enigmas like Latrell Mitchell, David Fifita and Brandon Smith to play consistently and avoid injuries, and for Cody Walker to keep defying Father Time.
Key gains: David Fifita (Titans), Adam Elliott (Knights), Bronson Garlick (Storm), Jonah Glover (Dragons)
Key losses: Davvy Moale (Storm), Lewis Dodd (Catalans), Mikaele Ravalawa (Castleford), Jacob Host (released), Siliva Havili (London), Shaquai Mitchell (released)
Coming off contract: Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Sean Keppie, Adam Elliott, Liam Le Blanc
Dragons (15th)
The Dragons haven’t featured in the NRL finals since 2018.Credit: Getty Images
What’s the story?
Will Shane Flanagan have to drop his own son?
The Dragons coach has never been known to shy away from a tough call, and the arrival of Daniel Atkinson from Cronulla ensures Kyle Flanagan is no sure thing to retain the No.7 jersey he wore in 24 games last season. Flanagan could find himself shifting to five-eighth, or potentially out of the starting side altogether.
The Dragons received a massive boost before Christmas when they signed Keaon Koloamatangi from Souths. A helicopter tour of the Illawarra apparently sealed the deal, but the Kangaroos forward won’t arrive until 2027.
In the interim, the Red V have to figure out how to win tight games.
They suffered eight losses last year by six points or fewer. They’ll need to kick that habit to have any hope of reaching the finals for the first time since 2018.
Key gains: Daniel Atkinson (Sharks), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Setu Tu (Warriors)
Key losses: Jack de Belin (Eels), Lachlan Ilias (Titans), David Klemmer (St Helens), Cody Ramsey (Roosters)
Coming off contract: Damien Cook, Tyrell Sloan, Jaydn Su’A, Emre Guler, Luciano Leilua, Blake Lawrie, Christian Tuipulotu.
Titans (16th)
A new era kicks off for the Titans under rookie coach Josh HannayCredit: Getty Images
What’s the story?
Big Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is one of the game’s genuine warriors, and the Titans desperately need some early season success to have any hope of keeping the poachers at bay.
The Titans produced a great escape to avoid the 2025 wooden spoon, but rookie coach Josh Hannay might not be so fortunate in his debut season.
Gold Coast appear to have cleared the deck for a spending spree, although it will require a leap of faith for Fa’asuamaleaui to extend his stay.
Hannay can only hope his new-look team, with Lachlan Ilias calling the shots at halfback, can offer their captain a glimmer of hope that they are on the right trajectory.
Given their roster, that will surely be easier said than done.
Key gains: Lachlan Ilias (Dragons), Max Feagai (Dolphins), Luke Sommerton (Panthers), Kurtis Morrin (Bulldogs)
Key losses: David Fifita (Rabbitohs), Kieran Foran (retired), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (London), Carter Gordon (released), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Warriors), Brian Kelly (Eels)
Coming off contract: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Phillip Sami, Sam Verrills, Jaimin Joliffe.
Knights (17th)
What’s the story?
Newcastle are hoping to offload the wooden spoon this season.Credit: Getty Images
They’re set to field a potentially lethal backline, having spent a fortune on former Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown, whose job will be to unlock the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, Dominic Young, Fletcher Sharpe and Dane Gagai.
But before the Ferraris can show their class, they’ll need a platform up front, and therein lies the problem for new coach Justin Holbrook in his first season at the helm of the incumbent wooden spooners.
At the end of last year, Newcastle lost serious size and muscle in Leo Thompson, Kai Pearce-Paul, Jack Hetherington and Adam Elliott. Fans are still ruing the departures of Mitch Barnett, Josh King and Daniel Saifiti in previous seasons.
Forwards Jacob Saifiti and veteran Tyson Frizell are going to need some help, and former Raiders prop Trey Mooney gets a chance to prove he is more than a fringe first-grader.
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Knights fans, still haunted by their three consecutive wooden spoons between 2015 and 2017, can only hope Holbrook has a blueprint from his time at the Titans, who he steered from bottom of the ladder in 2019 to the finals two years later.
Key gains: Dylan Brown (Eels), Sandon Smith (Roosters), Jake Arthur (Sea Eagles), Trey Mooney (Raiders)
Key losses: Leo Thompson (Bulldogs), Jayden Brailey (Raiders), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Jack Hetherington (Storm)
Coming off contract: Brodie Jones, Dane Gagai, Greg Marzhew, Tyson Gamble, Tyson Frizell.
