NRL Draw 2026: Supercoach winners and losers

The NRL draw has arrived for the 2026 season.

When it comes to NRL Supercoach, assessing the strength of each club’s early fixtures is crucial in picking a round 1 starting team.

While the output of Supercoach forwards is less impacted by opposition, backline players are heavily influenced by the strength of their rivals.

Below is an early look at the winners and loser for the first five rounds of the season.

The analysis is based on facing teams that finished inside the top four, top eight, those that missed the finals and those that finished bottom four.

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WINNERS

Storm, Bulldogs, Dolphins, Cowboys, Tigers, Titans

The Bulldogs and Cowboys are the big winners when it comes to strength of opposition, however the Bulldogs do have an untimely round 2 bye.

In their first four games they face just one top eight club, and three teams that finished in the bottom four.

The Cowboys have arguably the best draw with just one top eight club and three opponents that finished in the bottom four last season.

The Storm, Dolphins, Titans and Tigers all have favourable draws too, however the Tigers do have the bye in round 1.

Key players: Jacob Kiraz, Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Scott Drinkwater, Herbie Farnworth, Terrell May, Jayden Campbell, Keano Kini

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LOSERS

Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Warriors, Eels, Knights

The Panthers have been dealt arguably the most difficult draw with four clubs from the top eight, including two that finished top two.

They open the season with games against the Broncos, Sharks, Roosters and Storm, along with a likely improved Eels outfit.

The Raiders, Sharks, Warriors, Eels and Knights also lost out with three games against top eight opposition.

Key players: Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Hudson Young, Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mitchell Moses, Kalyn Ponga

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TEAM-BY-TEAM

Raiders

Top four: 1

Top eight: 3

Bottom eight: 2

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Tough

Storm

Top four: 1

Top eight: 2

Bottom eight: 3

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Soft

Bulldogs

Top four: 1

Top eight: 1

Bottom eight: 3

Bottom four: 3

Verdict: Easy, bye round 2

Broncos

Top four: 1

Top eight: 2

Bottom eight: 3

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Even

Sharks

Top four: 1

Top eight: 3

Bottom eight: 2

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Tough

Warriors

Top four: 1

Top eight: 3

Bottom eight: 2

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Tough

Panthers

Top four: 2

Top eight: 4

Bottom eight: 1

Bottom four: 0

Verdict: Brutal

Roosters

Top four:

Top four: 0

Top eight: 2

Bottom eight: 2

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Even, Round 5 bye

Dolphins

Top four: 1

Top eight: 2

Bottom eight: 3

Bottom four: 2

Verdict: Soft

Sea Eagles

Top four: 1

Top eight: 2

Bottom eight: 2

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Even, Round 3 bye

Eels

Top four: 2

Top eight: 3

Bottom eight: 2

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Tough

Cowboys

Top four: 1

Top eight: 1

Bottom eight: 4

Bottom four:  3

Verdict: Easy

Tigers

Top four: 0

Top eight: 1

Bottom eight: 3

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Soft, Round 1 bye

Rabbitohs

Top four: 1

Top eight: 2

Bottom eight: 2

Bottom four: 0

Verdict: Even, Round 4 bye

Dragons

Top four: 2

Top eight: 2

Bottom eight: 3

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Even

Titans

Top four: 1

Top eight: 2

Bottom eight: 3

Bottom four: 1

Verdict: Soft

Knights

Top four: 2

Top eight: 3

Bottom eight: 2

Bottom four: 0

Verdict: Tough