NRL Centres Power Rankings 2026: Joel's Top 5 heading into the season

Joel Johnston

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Last updated: Wed 14 Jan 2026 11:54

Joel Johnston 14 Jan 2026

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Herbie Farnworth leads NRL centres for 2026.
Gehamat Shibasaki's rise adds intrigue for the Broncos.
Latrell Mitchell just missed the top 5.

Herbie Farnworth of the Dolphins. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Joel Johnston’s Top 5 NRL Centres Heading Into 2026

The centre position has quietly become one of the most influential roles in modern rugby league.

Joel Johnston’s Top 5 NRL Centres Heading Into 2026
5. Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)
4. KL Iro (Cronulla Sharks)
3. Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
2. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
1. Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Just missed the cut - Latrell Mitchell

No longer just strike runners on the edge, elite centres are now expected to defend like back-rowers, generate yardage like outside backs, and still deliver match-defining moments when space opens up. After breaking down the position on the League of Inches podcast, one thing became obvious very quickly. The depth at centre across the NRL heading into 2026 is as strong as it has ever been.

These rankings are not based on reputation alone. They reflect form, consistency, defensive reliability, and how each player’s role and environment shape their influence moving into the new season.

If you missed the earlier episodes in this series, check out our NRL Fullbacks Power Rankings 2026 and NRL Wingers Power Rankings 2026 before diving in.

5. Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)

Gehamat Shibasaki’s rise in 2025 was one of the most unexpected stories in the competition.

Entering the season with little fanfare, he finished it having represented at Origin level and for the Kangaroos, while establishing himself as a genuine strike centre for Brisbane. His composure, strength, and timing were standout traits, and he rarely looked overwhelmed by the jump in responsibility.

What makes 2026 so interesting for Shibasaki is expectation. Last year he played with freedom. This year he will be marked, studied, and targeted. How he responds to that will determine whether this ranking holds or climbs. The ability is undeniable. Now comes the test of backing it up.

4. KL Iro (Cronulla Sharks)

KL Iro has become one of the most complete centres in the competition.

His try-scoring run in 2025 was remarkable, but what elevates his game is the work he does away from the highlights. Defensively, he is difficult to break down. Physically, he wins his edge more often than not. And athletically, he offers flexibility few centres possess.

When Iro was unavailable last season, Cronulla felt it. His presence stabilises an edge and allows the Sharks to apply pressure through both defence and repeat sets. With a full preseason behind him, he enters 2026 as one of the most reliable two-way centres in the game.

3. Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

Kotoni Staggs arrives at number three after producing the most consistent season of his career.

For years, his talent was unquestioned. What changed in 2025 was how often he imposed himself on games. Instead of fluctuating between explosive performances and quiet nights, Staggs became a weekly problem for opposition edges.

His physicality, tackle-busting ability, and improved defensive involvement pushed him into the elite tier of centres. The gap between Staggs and the very top has never been smaller. If he maintains that level across another full season, his place in this list will only strengthen.

2. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Stephen Crichton remains one of the most influential centres in the NRL, even if the numbers do not always reflect it.

At Canterbury, his role has extended beyond attacking output. He has become a defensive leader, cultural driver, and stabilising force in a side still finding its attacking rhythm. That responsibility has, at times, limited his opportunities to showcase the full attacking arsenal we know he possesses.

Crichton’s drop to second is not about decline. It is about system and role. If the Bulldogs unlock more attacking freedom in 2026, there are few centres better equipped to reclaim the top spot. His ceiling remains as high as anyone in the competition.

1. Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)

Herbie Farnworth enters 2026 as the benchmark.

What separates Farnworth is not just his production, but his effect on those around him. When he was injured in 2025, the Dolphins lost more than a centre. They lost structure, momentum, and confidence. Few players influence a side that completely from the middle of the edge.

Farnworth combines elite yardage, defensive dominance, and attacking creativity in a way no other centre currently matches. His work rate rivals forwards, his decision making sharpens attacking sets, and his defensive reads consistently shut down opposition plays.

Fit and firing, he is the most complete centre in the game. Heading into 2026, everyone else is chasing him.

Just missed the cut - Latrell Mitchell

One name that hovered over this list throughout the discussion was Latrell Mitchell.

All indications heading into 2026 suggest Mitchell will line up at centre for South Sydney, with Jai Gray holding the fullback role. If that combination sticks and Mitchell stays on the park, he immediately becomes one of the most volatile variables in this entire ranking.

We know what Mitchell looks like at his best in the centres. The power, footwork and ability to dominate an edge can shift games on their own. In that role, his ceiling rivals anyone in the competition.

The hesitation is not about talent. It is about availability and continuity. If Mitchell remains fit and Souths’ left edge holds together, this list could look very different by mid-season. Under those conditions, he would not just enter the conversation. He would push hard for a place near the very top.