Our NRL SuperCoach Round 26 team analysis breaks down team list changes, cash cows, trade targets and key insights for every game.
Broncos vs Storm – Thursday 7:50PM at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos
Maguire named an unchanged 19 after the escape act in Canberra — Hunt stays at halfback and Duffy holds his spot on the bench. Perham’s strong outing against the Raiders has him locked in at fullback again.
Storm
Big news for Melbourne with Hughes back in the halves after a three-game hamstring lay-off. That pushes Wishart, who filled in at seven last round, out to centre — he replaces Howarth, who’s been shut down for shoulder surgery and won’t feature again this year. Seve slots onto the bench after working his way back from a triceps issue via NSW Cup.
SuperCoach Analysis
Haas and Carrigan remain the only relevant options.
Faalogo could have a field day against the Broncos on a notoriously fast track. I won’t be buying Harry Grant back.
Sea Eagles vs Dragons – Friday 6:00PM at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles
An ankle complaint rules out Koula this week, opening the door for Feledy at centre. Manly also hand debut jumper No.18 to teenager Onitoni Large on the bench.
Dragons
Cook shifts into the No.9 role with Liddle out (calf), and there’s a nice story on the interchange — Connor Muhleisen gets his first NRL appearance since 2024 after grinding his way back from an ACL rupture via NSW Cup.
SuperCoach Analysis
Hopoate and Olakau’atu are the options at Manly, up against an improved Dragons outfit.
Still only interested in the Couchman brothers.
Panthers vs Bulldogs – Friday 8:00PM at CommBank Stadium
Panthers
Cogger cops a three-match suspension for a careless high shot, so Cole steps up at six. Two changes on the pine too — Talagi earns a recall after a couple of weeks in NSW Cup, and highly rated youngster Jaxen Edgar joins him there.
Bulldogs
Tuala is back on the wing having sat out last week with a knee niggle. A groin issue for Mann opens a bench spot for Underhill.
SuperCoach Analysis
Cleary, Jenkins and Papali’i remain the standout options. I don’t mind Edwards and McLean as PODs for R26 grand finals.
No interest at the Bulldogs.
Titans vs Rabbitohs – Saturday 3:00PM at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans
Only one enforced switch here — Fermor picked up a rib injury against the Sharks, so Patston slots back in off the back of his own concussion lay-off.
Rabbitohs
The headline is Mitchell’s long-awaited comeback — 12 weeks out with a nerve issue affecting his leg and calf, he’s named in the No.19 jumper. Humphreys (ankle) and Elliott (groin) join him on the extended bench. There’s also a novelty selection at lock, with Jai Arrow suiting up in No.23 to notch his 99th game before handing over to Murray (No.13) after the kick-off – Arrow will play the opening seconds only, setting up a proper 100-game milestone for him next round.
SuperCoach Analysis
Fa’asuamaleaui and Campbell remain the standout options.
Souths should be up for this one, and have a day game on the Gold Coast – which usually makes for good Supercoach scoring. I am tempted to buy Latrell Mitchell if he is named. AJ, Duncan, Graham, Walker, Koloamatangi, Fifita and Murray are all viable options this week.
Roosters vs Dolphins – Saturday 5:30PM at Allianz Stadium
Roosters
Tedesco’s ankle has kept him out for three weeks, but he’s pencilled back in at the Sydney Football Stadium, freeing Ramsey up for bench duty. Radley’s head knock opens up the lock role for Butcher, with Losalu the new addition to the interchange.
Dolphins
No changes to the pack that got the job done against Parramatta. Pouniu heads back to the bench after a short stint starting, with Plath taking his spot in the back row. Donoghoe remains on the fringe as he works back from a thumb injury.
SuperCoach Analysis
Tedesco is the best player in Supercoach history, but I can’t recommend him coming off an injury this week so would be looking elsewhere. Walker & Nawaqanitawase are viable.
As always, Farnworth and Isaako are your options.
Cowboys vs Wests Tigers – Saturday 7:35PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys
Big boost up north with skipper Dearden back after four weeks sidelined by an ankle injury. That triggers a reshuffle out wide — Purdue slots into the centres and Laybutt takes the wing, covering for Taulagi, whose concussion at training looks set to keep him out indefinitely. Nanai also returns from a hamstring issue to bolster the back row.
Wests Tigers
Twal is concussed and misses out, so Seyfarth covers at lock. May comes back into the starting front row, and Turuva is fit again after a knee scare, landing on the bench.
Supercoach Analysis
Due to the favourable fixture, I would be looking at Drinkwater, Burns, Purdue and Luki.
We expect May to play bulk minutes with Twal missing out, so is a great option and a sneaky C shout if you want safety.
Warriors vs Knights – Sunday 2:00PM at Go Media Stadium
Warriors
Martin’s back from his hamstring layoff and reclaims the halfback role, which pushes Harris-Tavita back to five-eighth and sees Hanson drop out entirely. Watene-Zelezniak is out with a collarbone injury, so Laulilii gets a run on the wing. Leiataua also returns to the run-on side at centre, bumping Pompey to reserve grade duties on the bench.
Knights
Gagai is back from hamstring trouble and takes his centre spot back, shifting Hunt out to the wing to cover the suspended Young. Newcastle are also without Frizell (suspension) and Crossland (knee) this week — Graham steps up at hooker and Manuleleua returns from a concussion stand-down to help fill the gaps.
Supercoach Analysis
Tuaupiki is a sneaky option while he has the goal kicking.
Knights players are sells to other options due to the poor fixture this week into the R27 bye.
Eels vs Sharks – Sunday 4:05PM at CommBank Stadium
Eels
A debut to watch for — under-19s prop Ryda Talagi gets his first taste of first grade off the bench after a strong NSW Cup campaign. Walker (wrist) and Simonsson also return to the extended bench, the latter back for the first time since dislocating his ankle in Round 5. Twidle starts at fullback with Russell in the centres, though Parramatta have been known to swap the two mid-game.
Sharks
Cronulla make just one tweak, bringing Uele into the interchange for Stonestreet, who didn’t get off the bench last time out.
Supercoach Analysis
No interest at the Eels.
Iro, Mulitalo, Hynes, Fonua-Blake and Brailey are great options this week against a poor defensive unit in the Eels.
