Forget the Sydney bubble for a moment. This is the best NRL story of 2026

August 3, 2026 — 9:00am

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

With nine Sydney clubs and a pair of powerhouses at either end of the eastern seaboard, it’s easy to spend an entire season navel-gazing. Fun too.

See a week of Wests Tigers headlines that ranged from vaping to their halfback walking out, then back in, busting up and making up with his coach and teammates along the way.

The Tigers, Eels and Dragons boast three of the game’s largest fan bases and most recognisable brands, and occupy two of the three bottom rungs of the ladder, bringing all the scrutiny that deserves.

The Panthers have flexed their post-Origin muscles at the top of the ladder again and the Roosters are flying – with the latter’s small galaxy of stars putting 82 points on North Queensland, becoming the first team to outscore the clock in 91 years.

The drums are beating once more out of Belmore too. The game’s loudest supporters are cautiously finding voice again as Canterbury push back into the top eight with six wins from their last seven games.

Meanwhile, the Broncos and Storm will both miss the finals – just the second time in the NRL era that both grand........

© The Age