NRL Supercoach Draft | Updated draft strategy

This guide is for some tactical layers, the edges, positional cliffs, and the 2026‑specific changes that will decide leagues.

Before we go deeper – if you’re new to Draft, or need a refresher on structure, settings, captains, benches, and finals formats, go read Max Bryden’s excellent “NRL SC Draft 101: How to Prepare and Win Your Draft” first.

That article covers the fundamentals, so we don’t double‑up here.

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What Still Matters in 2026 

Elite spine early (HFB and FLB still king)

Fullback was the highest scoring position in Supercoach last season, so it still deserves early attention.

There is some depth depending on league size, though.

For example, I currently have Bula as my twelfth fullback, and he averaged a very handy 62 last year.

Halfback is top-heavy, but there is some depth.

Doueihi is my twelfth halfback, and he averaged 57, which is serviceable as a later selection.

Five-eighth and hooker are heading the opposite way.

The top options, like Grant and Munster, cannot justify an early pick with their scoring.

My twelfth-ranked fifth-eighth is Luai, and he averaged 48 last season, which shows how bad the 5/8 position has become.

Key spine still matters, but in 2026, it is about targeting the positions that truly separate rather than blindly loading up early.

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Finals‑first thinking

Drafting with finals viability in mind means looking beyond raw averages and asking the important questions early – Will this club still be playing for something in the run home? Is this player likely to be rested if their team locks up a top‑four spot? Does their role hold steady deep into the year?

Identifying the players and clubs with stable late‑season usage gives you a real advantage.

When everyone else is drafting purely for season output or name value, you are building a squad designed to peak in the only part of the season that truly matters.

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What’s new for 2026

The FRF Resurgence — But Don’t Overreact

The numbers say FRFs improved for last year… but strategically, it still doesn’t justify passing on elite spine in your early picks.

Let’s break it down.

The top‑10 FRFs averaged 65.3 in 2024, which jumped to 69.9 in 2025. A +4.6 point rise across the board. This is driven by:

• More minutes for elite FRFs
• Increased attacking involvement (offloads, tackle busts)
• Stronger base stats for certain emerging middles, e.g. May

But Should You Draft FRFs Earlier Because Of It? No — or at least, not in Round 1 if you are playing captains.

Even with the rise of the elite FRF options in Haas and May, they are still below the elite spine options ceiling.

The depth remains extremely healthy, and the top 30 FRFs are still serviceable and consistent.

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SC Scoring Changes  — Centres & Hookers Are Climbing The Ranks

It is worth familiarising yourself with the breakdown Random Stats Guy put together on the new 2026 stats update, as it clearly explains how the scoring changes impact different positions.

Positions are now rising or falling in draft value due to the changes.

The headline takeaway is clear – Centres and Hookers are the biggest winners under the updated system, with both positions gaining meaningful upside thanks to changes that better reward their natural involvement in attacking movements and defensive work.

The scoring update that turns the last pass into a try assist gives centres a clear boost.

It naturally rewards the players who frequently handle that final touch in sweeping backline movements.

This lifts the value of ball‑playing centres, strong‑side attacking CTWs and high‑involvement edge players like Holmes, Kiraz, Herbie and Izack Tago.

Draft impact – Centres should climb one to two rounds on most draft boards, and taking an elite centre early no longer feels uncomfortable in the first round.

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The new scoring emphasis on tackle volume and ruck dominance gives hookers a clear bump in reliability.

Their natural role delivers high involvement in defence, and 3rd man in involvement in tackles will now be rewarded in the updated system

Draft impact – Good hookers now sit firmly in the Round 3 to 6 range, especially in leagues without captaincy, where their consistent weekly output becomes even more valuable.

I still would not take a hooker early, given the lack of truly elite scoring at the position.

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The 2026 NRL Changes

The introduction of the six‑man bench in 2026 increases a coach’s ability to manage workloads and rest key players, especially once a match is under control.

This creates real risk for premium guns in strong teams who regularly jump out to strong leads. 

Players like Turbo, Walsh, Haas, Ponga, and Cleary become candidates for reduced minutes or early showers in comfortable wins.

The new changes introduce more risk that should factor into draft decisions.

I’m far more comfortable drafting players from weaker teams who simply can’t afford to rest their stars.

They’ll need their best players on the field, which makes them more reliable for Supercoach.

Guys like Kini and Drinkwater stand out with the extended bench.

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Other Takeaways from last year

• Players with rising base stats (e.g., Tapine, Hopgood, Lindsay Smith, Carrigan, May) are gaining reliability and show year base‑driven predictability.
• Several CTWs (Holmes, Kiraz, Staggs, Turuva) show high scoring from tries in 2025.
• 2RF appears more volatile, with swings tied closely to attacking stats rather than base.

Key mindset

Always ask yourself how much better a player truly is than the options below, because that simple question keeps your draft focused on real value rather than hype.

And when positional runs hit, let others overpay while you steal value elsewhere.