NRL Round 16 Preview | Get Ready for Round 16 2026

Finals Race: Fins Up, Baby!

It’s getting pretty boring talking about the Penrith Panthers so much at the top of this article, so let’s shake things up a little. You know who’s looking extra hot right now? The Dolphins! They haven’t lost since Round 8, that’s six wins in a row.

This could very well be the first time they make the Finals in their short history. They have been fairly impacted by Origin, but should welcome back the likes of Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Max Plath, and Jack Bostock, all expected to return.

Now, we couldn’t have a section about the Finals Race without the Panthers! They have three more wins than their nearest rivals, the New Zealand Warriors. Many believe that the Panthers, who are favourites in NRL betting odds for the Premiership, have already locked down the Minor Premiership.

The Panthers are filled to the brim with star players, so it feels like one injury isn’t going to make any difference. However, it is important to mention that Casey McLean is out for about a month after injuring himself in Origin camp for the Blues.

Turning our attention to the Warriors now. They have had back-to-back heartbreaking losses, but will play once again in New Zealand, so hopefully they can break the two-point loss cycle they’re currently in.

Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell should both return for the Warriors after Origin duties, especially considering they are playing at Christchurch! They play the North Queensland Cowboys, who are currently sitting just outside the top eight, in ninth spot.

The Pack: Mid-Field Battle to Decide the Pecking Order

In Round 16, it looks like we’re saving the best for last. Well, on paper, anyway. The Sydney Roosters are up against the Cronulla Sharks in what is a six-vs-five battle. These games are always key because it’s effectively a four-point swing in the Premiership, and we can’t forget about the points differential either.

In what could be a massive boost for the Sharkies, there’s talk of both Blayke Brailey and Nicho Hynes returning to the field. If co-captain, Blayke Brailey, makes his return in this round, we want whatever he’s having after making a comeback from breaking his arm (which required surgery) just 16 days ago.

Also, the Wests Tigers are back? Winning two of their last three certainly doesn’t mean they’re “back”, but I think the Tigers’ fans will take what they can get. Their win last time out did come at a cost, though, with Kai Pearce-Paul out for multiple weeks courtesy of a peck injury.

It’s now officially official that the Tigers have rejected the advances of Israel Folau’s management team regarding a potential train-and-trial deal. Coach Benji Marshall flat out stated: “No, we're not signing him”.

Where to now for the controversial star? Like it or not, some teams would probably be willing to have him back, on a train-and-trial deal, at the least. Obvious candidates include the Dragons, Canterbury Bulldogs, and the Brisbane Broncos.

Wooden Spoon Watch: Broncos Have the Bye (And Boy, Do They Need it)

Again, we could talk about the Dragons and how they’ve only won one game so far this season. But that’s boring! Let’s pile it on for the 2025 Premiers, the Broncos instead. Oh, wait, it looks like the injuries are doing that for them already…

Remember earlier in the season when both Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam were injured in the same passage of play? Yeah, well, someone needs to put down Michael Maguire’s voodoo doll because the same two stars left the field during their most recent clash.

Adam Reynolds’ issue was just severe “cramping”, but not sure what type of cramping needs immediate ice? As for Ezra Mam, he suffered a Grade 3 AC joint injury and could be out for a couple of weeks.

The Broncos are nestled in the bottom four in the ladder and have the likes of the Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels for company. They have just 12 Premiership points and have lost their last six games in a row.